The Great Commission: The Authority

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 always, to the end of the age.

This week we begin a closer examination of the Great Commission.  We believe that church planting is an incredibly faithful method for following the Great Commission.  In fact, we feel that the Great Commission provides our biblical charge to plant churches all over the world.

Today we will look specifically at the authority statement that seems to ground what follows.  Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, go therefore...”

If the Commission grounds our church planting, what is quoted above grounds the Commission.  On the cross, Christ sealed the fate of his children.  Death is defeated and the grave has no claim on his children.  He secured, in the cross, the inheritance of nations.  For those enlisted in reaping the harvest, it is incredibly freeing to know that the battle has already been won.  There is no uncertainty about the success of our mission.  If we are faithful, we cannot fail.

Now, success can look many different ways.  Sometimes there is great fruit from the outset.  In such situations, it is easy to take heart and stay committed to the work.  In some cases, like that of William Carey, there can be years of toil with no converts.  Carey was persistent and eventually began to see great fruit from his labor (and is even considered the father of the modern missions movement).

We can take heart that the one who has authority has given us our marching orders and that, in his time, his goals will be accomplished.  Our task is to be faithful to what he has called us to.  And when the task is difficult, we can gather comfort from the last line of the commission.  The One with the authority is with us.  He’s provided us with the Spirit to help us a long and he’s given us a mission that cannot be thwarted.

May we strive to faithfully fulfill the great commission by the authority of the Son.

Soli Deo Gloria