[The following is the manuscript of my sermon delivered on the 11th of October, 2015. Look for the video on our Vimeo channel, http://vimeo.com/pilgrimreformedchurch.]
The scriptural basis for today’s message is one you’ve heard me repeat and refer to often. It’s the Great Commission Jesus gave us - for us to continue carrying out His work here on earth until He returns. But let’s look at it from a slightly different perspective. Let’s view it not as a responsibility, but as an opportunity. Let’s treat it not as a duty to God, but as a service to our fellow man.
Listen and follow along as I read from the Gospel account of Matthew, chapter 28, verses 16 through 20, from the New King James Version of our Bible…
Listen and follow along as I read from the Gospel account of Matthew, chapter 28, verses 16 through 20, from the New King James Version of our Bible…
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
--Matthew 28:16-20 (NKJV)
Let us pray… Lord God in heaven, we approach Your throne this morning to worship You and to hear the message You have for us this day. Speak to us through Your Holy Spirit, imprint Your word on our hearts, and show us how to serve You. In the blessed name of our Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
It had been a long, hard winter in the Rockies. Snow piled up deeper and deeper with each passing day. The temperature dropped below zero and stayed there. Rivers froze over, and people were suffering. Conditions became so bad that the American Red Cross used helicopters to fly in supplies.
After one particularly long and strenuous day as they were returning to their base, a rescue team in one of the helicopters saw a cabin on a ridge that was nearly lost in the snow. A thin wisp of smoke rose from the chimney. The team figured that anyone in that cabin must be critically short of food, fuel, and medical supplies, so they decided to stop and try to help.
Because of the trees in the immediate area, they had to set down about a mile from the cabin. They slung their heavy emergency equipment and supplies on their backs and trudged through the waist-deep snow. Finally they made it to the cabin. Exhausted, sweating profusely, and panting for breath, they pounded on the door. A thin, gaunt mountain woman slowly appeared.
The team leader could barely gasp the words out, "Ma'am, we're from the Red Cross..." The woman silently looked at the men, one after the other, and then replied, "It's been a pretty tough winter, Sonny. I just don't think we can give anything this year."
So here’s this team of Red Cross Disaster Services specialists, flying in to help the people in the area that are snowed in. With great exertion and determination, they push through the deep snow to reach an isolated cabin. Their only thought and concern is to help whoever might be inside. And what does the woman think when she opens the door? Here’s some people asking for a donation.
Sometimes folks just don’t want to be rescued from whatever spot they’re in. Sometimes they don’t even realize they need to be rescued. Sometimes they’re suspicious of those who would come to their rescue.
I believe the lady in the cabin fits all three of those categories. And I worry that too many other people in this world might fall into one or more of them also. In Proverbs 19 verse 19, King Solomon wrote that…
19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;
For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
--Proverbs 19:19 (NKJV)
Now Solomon was talking about a person who can’t hold their temper in check, who’s anger constantly gets them in trouble. But I think it also applies to someone that doesn’t truly understand the danger they’re in. Until they finally grasp the horrible fate that awaits them, they can’t be fully saved.
If we look at our scripture text for this morning, it seems that Matthew is telling us that even some of the disciples may have slipped into that third category, of being suspicious. Look at the last three words in verse 17: “but some doubted”.
Now bear in mind that this was after Jesus was crucified, dead and buried, and then risen from the dead but not yet ascended into heaven. It’s kind of human nature to have doubts in a case like this, to be a little suspicious of this figure standing before them who was executed and buried just a matter of days ago. Because of this doubt and suspicion, Jesus tried to assure them by reminding them of His authority, just as I bet the Red Cross team tried to assure the lady by explaining why they were at her door.
And then Jesus gives us our charge. He commands us to go out into the world and make more followers for Him, baptizing them in the names of the Holy Trinity. But there’s a part we don’t always recite, in the first half of verse 20. We are to also teach these new followers about Jesus and all that He commands us.
Then He follows this up with one of the most beautiful promises in our Bible, that He is with us always and forever, until the end of time. Not He will be with us – He is with us, yesterday, today, and tomorrow!
If we want to look at scriptural rescues, we have many to choose from. Let’s turn to Daniel for an example. Remember how he was thrown into the lion’s den because he prayed to God rather than the king? God sent His angel to shut the mouths of the lions and delivered Daniel from sure death. Listen to how the king responded as I read from the Book of Daniel, chapter 6, verses 25 through 27…
If we look at our scripture text for this morning, it seems that Matthew is telling us that even some of the disciples may have slipped into that third category, of being suspicious. Look at the last three words in verse 17: “but some doubted”.
Now bear in mind that this was after Jesus was crucified, dead and buried, and then risen from the dead but not yet ascended into heaven. It’s kind of human nature to have doubts in a case like this, to be a little suspicious of this figure standing before them who was executed and buried just a matter of days ago. Because of this doubt and suspicion, Jesus tried to assure them by reminding them of His authority, just as I bet the Red Cross team tried to assure the lady by explaining why they were at her door.
And then Jesus gives us our charge. He commands us to go out into the world and make more followers for Him, baptizing them in the names of the Holy Trinity. But there’s a part we don’t always recite, in the first half of verse 20. We are to also teach these new followers about Jesus and all that He commands us.
Then He follows this up with one of the most beautiful promises in our Bible, that He is with us always and forever, until the end of time. Not He will be with us – He is with us, yesterday, today, and tomorrow!
If we want to look at scriptural rescues, we have many to choose from. Let’s turn to Daniel for an example. Remember how he was thrown into the lion’s den because he prayed to God rather than the king? God sent His angel to shut the mouths of the lions and delivered Daniel from sure death. Listen to how the king responded as I read from the Book of Daniel, chapter 6, verses 25 through 27…
25 Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
--Daniel 6:25-27 (NKJV)
Throughout the history of mankind, God has sent out rescue teams to deliver His most precious creation from peril. Time after time He has brought us safely out of the lion’s den, out of the furnace, out of Satan’s clutches.
Of course, the very best rescue, the one that most shows God’s great and wonderful grace toward His creation, is contained within the lines of the best known and most often repeated scripture of all: John 3:16, and I‘m going to add verses 17 and 18 to it…
Of course, the very best rescue, the one that most shows God’s great and wonderful grace toward His creation, is contained within the lines of the best known and most often repeated scripture of all: John 3:16, and I‘m going to add verses 17 and 18 to it…
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
--John 3:16-18 (NKJV)
Why does God keep trying to save us? Because He loves us. He loves us so much that He put His own Son in charge of the greatest rescue mission of all time.
But we didn’t want to be rescued. We didn’t realize we needed to be rescued. We were doubtful and suspicious of our Rescuer, our Redeemer. And too many of us still don’t understand that God didn’t send Jesus into the world to condemn the world. God sent us His only Son in order that we might be saved through Him!
The remainder of verse 18 of John chapter 3 brings us back to our scripture today, and that great commission Jesus left us with. The person who has not believed in Jesus is condemned, because they have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
That’s why Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all people throughout the world, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things He commands. We are to do this so they can believe, so that they won’t be condemned, but instead will be saved!
This is God’s love! He does not want to see anyone condemned to eternal punishment, to ultimate death. That is why He sent His own Son to head up the greatest rescue party of all! And that is why Jesus recruited us to be part of that effort! We are saved, we who believe. But we need to pitch in and help those who either don’t want to be saved or who don’t realize the danger they are in, even if they are suspicious of our intentions or doubt our true purpose.
Too many people, even right here in our own community, are at risk of drowning in the raging torrents of sin. Too many fall victim to the schemes and temptations of Satan. Too many face a certain death of being separated from God and His love forever. God wants them to be saved. Jesus came to rescue us all.
Now that we are safe, we have to try to help the others before they are lost forever. All authority in heaven and on earth was given to Jesus by the Creator of heaven and the earth, and He has deputized us to act on His behalf. The very least we can do is reach out our hand to someone who is drowning and try to pull them back to Jesus.
Won’t you help? Grab your scriptural rope and snowshoes and join the rescue party today!
Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, You love us so much that You have saved us time after time throughout our history. Our Bible bears proof of all the rescues You performed. You sent Your prophets, You sent Your angels straight from heaven, but we never seemed to grasp just how much danger we were in. So You appointed Your own Son to head up the greatest rescue party of all time. You sent Jesus to save us.
But Father, there are still so many who just don’t get it, so many still in danger because they either don’t know Jesus or they refuse the help He offers or they doubt He even exists. If we truly believe that Jesus is Your Son, and if we accept Him as our Lord and Master, then we will obey what He tells us to do. His first command is that we love You and love each other, just as He loves us. And if we truly do love each other, then His second command, the commission He left us with, will be easy to follow. We will want to go out and help save others by bringing them to Jesus. We will want to make disciples and followers of others because we love them and don’t want to see them needlessly die that eternal death in the lake of fire. If we love Jesus, we will gladly accept the great commission He gave us.
But we are fearful, Lord. We are timid. We are afraid of what others may think of us or how they might react. We don’t want to make waves, we don’t want to risk upsetting or offending anyone. We are hesitant to join the glorious rescue effort. Help us, Lord, to get over this fear and to overcome any misgivings we might hold. Strengthen us to push through whatever Satan might throw in our path as we make our way to save the lost.
Hear us now, Lord, as we pray to You silently from our hearts, giving our thanks and seeking Your strength and courage…
Lord Jesus, You came to this earth to lead the greatest rescue effort of all time, and You order us to be part of that team. Show us, Lord, how best to carry our Your commission. Teach us the tactic to employ that will work best for each of us. Guide us as we in turn attempt to guide others back to You, so that they too might be saved. This we pray in Your beautiful name, Lord Jesus, our Master and our Savior. Amen.
But we didn’t want to be rescued. We didn’t realize we needed to be rescued. We were doubtful and suspicious of our Rescuer, our Redeemer. And too many of us still don’t understand that God didn’t send Jesus into the world to condemn the world. God sent us His only Son in order that we might be saved through Him!
The remainder of verse 18 of John chapter 3 brings us back to our scripture today, and that great commission Jesus left us with. The person who has not believed in Jesus is condemned, because they have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
That’s why Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all people throughout the world, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things He commands. We are to do this so they can believe, so that they won’t be condemned, but instead will be saved!
This is God’s love! He does not want to see anyone condemned to eternal punishment, to ultimate death. That is why He sent His own Son to head up the greatest rescue party of all! And that is why Jesus recruited us to be part of that effort! We are saved, we who believe. But we need to pitch in and help those who either don’t want to be saved or who don’t realize the danger they are in, even if they are suspicious of our intentions or doubt our true purpose.
Too many people, even right here in our own community, are at risk of drowning in the raging torrents of sin. Too many fall victim to the schemes and temptations of Satan. Too many face a certain death of being separated from God and His love forever. God wants them to be saved. Jesus came to rescue us all.
Now that we are safe, we have to try to help the others before they are lost forever. All authority in heaven and on earth was given to Jesus by the Creator of heaven and the earth, and He has deputized us to act on His behalf. The very least we can do is reach out our hand to someone who is drowning and try to pull them back to Jesus.
Won’t you help? Grab your scriptural rope and snowshoes and join the rescue party today!
Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, You love us so much that You have saved us time after time throughout our history. Our Bible bears proof of all the rescues You performed. You sent Your prophets, You sent Your angels straight from heaven, but we never seemed to grasp just how much danger we were in. So You appointed Your own Son to head up the greatest rescue party of all time. You sent Jesus to save us.
But Father, there are still so many who just don’t get it, so many still in danger because they either don’t know Jesus or they refuse the help He offers or they doubt He even exists. If we truly believe that Jesus is Your Son, and if we accept Him as our Lord and Master, then we will obey what He tells us to do. His first command is that we love You and love each other, just as He loves us. And if we truly do love each other, then His second command, the commission He left us with, will be easy to follow. We will want to go out and help save others by bringing them to Jesus. We will want to make disciples and followers of others because we love them and don’t want to see them needlessly die that eternal death in the lake of fire. If we love Jesus, we will gladly accept the great commission He gave us.
But we are fearful, Lord. We are timid. We are afraid of what others may think of us or how they might react. We don’t want to make waves, we don’t want to risk upsetting or offending anyone. We are hesitant to join the glorious rescue effort. Help us, Lord, to get over this fear and to overcome any misgivings we might hold. Strengthen us to push through whatever Satan might throw in our path as we make our way to save the lost.
Hear us now, Lord, as we pray to You silently from our hearts, giving our thanks and seeking Your strength and courage…
Lord Jesus, You came to this earth to lead the greatest rescue effort of all time, and You order us to be part of that team. Show us, Lord, how best to carry our Your commission. Teach us the tactic to employ that will work best for each of us. Guide us as we in turn attempt to guide others back to You, so that they too might be saved. This we pray in Your beautiful name, Lord Jesus, our Master and our Savior. Amen.
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