Matthew 28 v18-20

Sunday next is the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of the Church new year, when our studies are from Matthew’s Gospel.  As each year begins, we wonder how it will compare with the previous one, and the signs do not look hopeful .

Today I have chosen for the sermon what is known as ‘ the Great Commission’ when he will give his Apostles a command to apply to all who want to be followers of him.

In this passage Jesus had arranged for his Apostles to meet him on a mountain in Galilee, where they worshipped him. When they had settled some doubted him.

Jesus told them he had all authority in heaven and on earth  been given to him. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you to the end of the age.

This was not a discussion, it was a direct command to do what  he had ordered, and it was obviously to be extended to all in Christian ministry until the end of the age.  The Church which he had built, and to which the gates of hell would not prevail against, would carry on.  

As God had sent him, he was sending the Apostles,  Jesus wanted the Church to fulfil God’s purpose, and to preach the Bible with clarity, and here we have that command to keep to the teaching of Jesus to make people Christians by worshipping him. The new people should repent of their sins and be baptized.  This was true baptism after repentance had been made and a confession of faith declared; the charade of people who have no religious  belief or association with the Church, brining young children and babies to have a spray of water, and named and declared Christian.  A child can officially given a name by visiting the local Registry Office.

THE MESSAGE WE ARE TO TEACH

We have the responsibility to teach only that which is authorised by Scripture, and not to that which pleases society, and the activists who it has been said in the House of Lords by a bishop, we are trying to work alongside. (Some of us are not) God’s purpose and the glorification of his name would not be fulfilled

We have to teach that God loves all people and wants them to receive salvation. He will forgive all past sin of those who accept that Jesus Christ gave his life on the Cross, dying so that by his sacrifice, we would be accepted by God if we are prepared to accept Jesus as our Saviour who paid the penalty for all our wrongdoing.

I have been told so many times by people, that they are Christians by believing in God, are honest and try to good deeds. I have no doubt they sincerely believe such, but the devil believes in God, and we do good deeds because we have become Christians not to make us.  If we were judged by our good deeds, who would know if they had done enough.

The bible states, by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not by your own doing, it is the gift of God not as a result of works so  no one can boast. If it was by our own deeds you can imagine the boasting which would be made as to how much someone had done.  God knows when a person’s heart is right, and leads him/her to believe fully in Jesus who would repeat that no one comes to the Father (God) except through him.

The message of these verses is that Jesus calls on all his followers to bring people to worship him. The finest evangelism is carried out by members telling others, even by just letting them know they attend Church. There is a marked reluctance especially by men, to so declare their membership of the Church. I have often been asked by men going into hospital not to visit them unless wearing ordinary dress, not showing I was a Minister.

Jesus made it clear he would not recognise us when we appear before him in judgement if we did not speak for him.  Jesus here stresses his total authority. Contrary to where  governments want to restrict us.  Jesus states we are to go to all nations, which naturally includes the peoples of other nations. 

HOW IS THE CHURCH REACTING TO THE TEACHING OF JESUS

The bishop, of Oxford has been joined recently by other bishops criticising the marriage service as being only between a man and a woman, which is in accordance with the Bible, should not be enforced and same sex marriage which is in accordance with culture and popular with society. So never mind what God wants. How can the Church gain support when there are such dishonourable men and women in high positions of leadership.

Remember every ordained Minister of the Church has vowed and affirmed, they will only teach that which scripture has laid down. This is the declared position of the Church that marriage is only between a man and a woman.  Yet the Archbishop of Canterbury has confirmed, that the stance of the Church is such, but has allowed Churches which want to perform same sex marriages to do so.(double speak?) if two people make a decision it is a matter for them to do what they wish, but the Church cannot honourably support it.

 The head of the world Anglican Communion, (the Archbishop of Canterbury), was recently criticised by th global Anglican future conference, a collection of  evangelical Archbishops from African, South American and Eastern lands, (who want to maintain traditional orthodoxy, which Western Churches are failing to do), because the Archbishop of Canterbury had sanctioned the appointment of a Dean who was living with another man.

The first Christian Church faithfully preached the teaching of the Apostles as commanded by Jesus, and we are told God richly blessed the Church and it grew. We will not see the present Church grow as extensively unless all Ministry is carried out by accepting the Word which God laid down, and c ease trying to re-interpret the Bible; by confirming the order of one baptism; and giving credibility to God’s order of creation being accepted.

FINAL THOUGHTS.

These are the final words of Jesus before he left earth. He was given the honour by God of being heir to all things, holding the keys to life or death.

Jesus tells the Apostles to go out and tell the whole world that Christ died for sinners, don’t keep the knowledge to the self.

We read the public confession of faith in Christ is a necessity for baptism. Whoever is ashamed of Christ, he will be ashamed of them.  Jesus demands obedience from all who claim to be his followers; what a lesson for to-day’s Church.  He does not want just a claim of Christianity.

 We see the doctrine of the Trinity when being prepared for baptism, being named in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons. We may not  fully understand some things, but should not abstain from what Jesus calls on us to do.

Jesus ends by promising to be with us ‘always’, and to the end of time. As Christians we should keep in mind that Jesus said he is always with us and would not leave or forsake us.