MATTHEW 28:16-20
THE GREAT COMMISSION
16 The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”[1]

• Galatians 2:20 - 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.[2]
• Ephesians 1:13 - In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.[3]
• Ephesians 2:6 - He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,[4]
• Philippians 1:6 - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.[5]
• Refer to 1 Corinthians 15:3

 
MARK 16:19-20
THE ASCENSION
19 So the Lord Jesus, after speaking to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

• Hebrews – Our high priest sat down.
• Not pacing… sat down.
• Refer to Luke 24:50

20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the accompanying signs.[6]

• That’s it… the end of the Gospels.

 
LUKE 24:44-49
44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

• Everything written in the Old Testament had to be true.

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day,

• As it was written according to the Old Testament.

47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

• Jesus said, “I had to die, be buried and raised again.”
• Jesus then said, “Repentance & forgiveness is to come through me and you are to tell the world.”

48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

• Refer to Acts 1:3

 
THE ASCENSION OF JESUS
50 Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.

• Gave them peace for the next 10 days… and longer.

51 And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven.

• Jesus ascended while blessing the people who didn’t get it.
• Refer to Acts 1:9

52 After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually in the temple praising God.[7]

• What do you think their joy was then as compared to 10 days later?
• Refer to Acts 2:1

 
ACTS 1:3-12
3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
 
THE HOLY SPIRIT PROMISED
4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

• “With” the Holy Spirit
• vs “in” the Holy Spirit

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

• This doesn’t occur until Acts 2 – The birth of the Church.
• Nobody knows the end times.
• Refer to Mark 16:19

 
THE ASCENSION
9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

• A cloud lived in the holy of holies. (2 Chronicles 5)
• The glory of God ascended into heaven.

10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.

• Angels (always men in the Scripture)

11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

• Refer to Luke 24:52

 
UNITED IN PRAYER
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away.[8]
 
ACTS 2:1-4
2 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.[9]

• The Church is birthed!
• Refer to Mark 16:20

 
1 Corinthians 15:3-7
3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.[10]

• Acts 12:17 - Motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Tell these things to James and the brothers,” he said, and he left and went to another place.[11]
• Acts 15:13 - 13 After they stopped speaking, James responded: “Brothers and sisters, listen to me.[12]
• Acts 21:17-18 - 17 When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters welcomed us warmly. 18 The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.[13]
• Galatians 1:18-19 - 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.[14]

Refer to Luke 24:44

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 28:16–20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 2:20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 1:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 2:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Php 1:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 16:19–20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 24:44–53). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 1:3–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 2:1–4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 15:3–8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 12:17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 15:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 21:17–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[14] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 1:18–19). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

• Jesus told the disciples to meet him in Galilee
• Their fear caused them to stay in Jerusalem
• They stayed there for a full week
• Once Jesus had appeared to Thomas they all traveled to Galilee
• Peter decides to go fishing with 6 other disciples
• They can’t catch any fish
• Jesus says, “Cast your net on the right side.”
• They caught 153 fish.
• Jesus feeds the disciples breakfast.
• Jesus is proving again He will provide for their needs and there is no need for them to return to their original careers.

 

• Peter is the one Jesus previously gave the “keys to the Kingdom” to.
• Peter is the one who when Jesus said the disciples would all scatter on His behalf that he would be the one to remain for Jesus.
• Jesus told Peter he would deny Him 3 times before the cock crowed twice.
• Peter was the first disciple that Jesus appeared to after His resurrection
• Refer to John 21:15

 
MATTHEW 28:16-20
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them.

• Refer to 1 Corinthians 15:3

17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

• Refer to Mark 16:15

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.

• Telling them to disciple believers.
• “Go” – Participle meaning “As you go”
• Not an imperative verb with an exclamation point.
• This passage has been used over and over to manipulate people to go into missions.
• Refer to Mark 16:16

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”[1]
 
MARK 16:15-18
15 Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

• Jesus commissions the disciples to all creation.
• Refer to Matthew 28:19

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

• What kind of baptism? 1) Water? 2) Spirit? 3) identify as follower of Jesus.

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”[2]

• These things may have already happened but not every believer will have experienced them.
• I will definitely not go looking for them.
• Refer to Matthew 28:20

JOHN 21:15-25
JESUS’ THREEFOLD RESTORATION OF PETER
15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape – unconditionally) me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love (Phileo love – He knew that is what he already displayed) you.”

• I love you conditionally because I obviously have already showed you this in my denial.
• Peter is being humble and with a broken spirit.

“Feed my lambs,” he told him.

• Take care of and teach my new followers.
• Young disciples. – Feed them milk.
• Peter was encouraged.

16 A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape – unconditionally) me?” (at all)

• Decreasing degrees of love.

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love (Phileo love) you.”

• Peter responded by lowering the level of love in his answer by being honest and humble.

“Shepherd my sheep, (encourage believers – church)” he told him.

• Once again, Jesus is trying to encourage Peter by giving him more responsibility with His followers.

17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (Phileo love) me?”
Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love (Phileo love) you.”
“Feed my sheep, (mature believers - disciple)” Jesus said.

• What was the purpose of Jesus asking these 3 questions?
• Peter is the first to preach to the Jews, to the Samaritans and to the Gentiles.
• He was given the “Keys to the Kingdom”.
• Agape love – Unconditional love (marriage – for better or for worst) “I’ll love you even if you don’ love me back.”
• Phileo Love – Based on feelings and circumstances. Conditional… based upon how you feel at the time.

 

• Peter was going to be used because he showed his brokenness.
• There is a difference in teachers/disciplers who lead out of brokenness.
• There is something to say for one who has come through brokenness.
• Being broken hurts… it can humble.
• Humbleness leads to great leadership.
• Our society has a tendency to throw out people that blow it. No second chances in our society.
• I’m OK with failure… I run to failure.
• Brokenness can lead to a tender and humble heart.
• I will pursue and follow one with a tender and humbled heart.
• I don’t care about the quantity of one’s ministry as much as I do about the quality.
• What has been their journey and where is their heart?
• That is listening at a whole different level.
• Who cares if they wrote a book… or a hundred books?
• Who cares if they have multiple campuses and thousands of attendees?
• I want to know their heart… if they have come through brokenness and are humble.
• I love going on the MercyMe cruise… not because I am on stage… but because I get to deliver this Truth to a majority of people that hardly ever get to hear it.
• Book/CD signing day is pretty funny.

 
18 “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

• You are going to die for the Gospel.

19 He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

• The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - The tradition is that he died a martyr at Rome about 67 AD, when about 75 years old. His Lord and Master had predicted a violent death for him (Jn 21:18, 19), which it is thought came to pass by crucifixion under Nero. It is said that at his own desire he was crucified head downward, feeling himself unworthy to resemble his Master in his death.[3]
• “John penned his gospel around the late 80’s to early 90’s AD, meaning that Peter had already died by the time John wrote John 21:18. If tradition is correct, the “follow me” in John 21:19 was literally fulfilled for Peter followed Jesus to the cross.” – Bob Warren

 
CORRECTING A FALSE REPORT
20 So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them, the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
22 “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

• Don’t worry about him… stay focused on your own walk.
• Quit watching men and follow Jesus.

23 So this rumor spread to the brothers and sisters that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”
 
EPILOGUE
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

• We know this through the Spirit of God.

25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.[4]

• What the Gospels have recorded is only 75-80 days of Jesus’ ministry on earth.
• Refer to Matthew 28:16

 
1 Corinthians 15:1-7
1 Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep.

• At this point, no one had denied that Jesus had resurrected.
• Refer to Matthew 28:17

7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.[5]

[1] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 28:16–20). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mk 16:15–18). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Gray, J. M. (1915). Peter, Simon. In J. Orr, J. L. Nuelsen, E. Y. Mullins, & M. O. Evans (Eds.), The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (Vol. 1–5, p. 2349). Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 20:19–21:25). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (1 Co 15:1–7). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.