Matthew 28:18; Daniel 7:13–14; Acts 1:8

Recurrent Thought

Christ’s Authority, affirmed through the resurrection, is the basis for the Commission, and the very essence of the Church

The words spoken by the Risen Saviour just before ascension are considered very weighty and significant. They are the summary of the declarations and revelations he presented to his Apostles in the space of three years he was with them. The text informs us that at this time they assembled on a mountain in Galilee and beheld the Risen One: Some worshiped him, some doubted him (Matthew 28:17). We are not told how long the Saviour was with them, however, the text shows that he categorically revealed that He was One who had All Power and by extension, he was sending them to make disciples after his order.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Mat 28:18 .

In this text we find the foundation of the Great Commission. It is his power. Furthermore, we come to grips with the reality that the Great Commission does not rest on human ability, strategy, or courage. It rests entirely on Christ’s authority.

1.The Authority of Christ is Absolute

• The word translated “power” is from the Greek exousia, meaning authority, right or dominion. It also stands for delegated influence that carries authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right and strength.
• This authority was affirmed through His resurrection (Romans 1:4)
• Rom 1:3  concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 
• Rom 1:4  and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
• Jesus is not claiming partial authority or shared authority. He declares total and universal authority.
• It fulfills Old Testament prophecy:

            “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him.” (Daniel 7:14, KJV)

2.The Authority of Christ is Over Heaven (Mat. 28:18a)

• This authority has heaven as its jurisdiction
• Heaven which is identified as an abode of God is also the creation of God. It is a parallel reality where everything operates according to the will of God.  Although God cannot be contained in a space, heaven is a place where his will is exercised perfectly among supernatural deities.
• In Heaven, Christ is exalted above angels, powers, and principalities (Ephesians 1:20–21). Heaven is not ruled by chaos but by the enthroned Christ.
• Jesus rules where angels bow. Isaiah saw the Lord “high and lifted up” (Isaiah 6:1). What Isaiah saw in vision, the disciples now hear declared by Christ.
• If Christ rules heaven, then no spiritual opposition can cancel His mission.

3.The Authority of Christ is Over Earth (Math. 28:18b)

• This authority has the earth as its jurisdiction
• Positionally all earthly powers are under him, but in practice they are yet to be. (Already, but not yet) It is complete in Christ, but not fully implemented
• The Authority of Jesus is eternal. Empires like Rome though powerful at one time, now totally finished, yet Christ remains. Christ reigns where nations rise and fall.”
• Additionally, the church in obeying Christ can ask of him to rule over the nations of people
• Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession (Psa 2:8)
• In the soon coming future the kingdoms of this world shall be the spaces of his reign

          Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,

          “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever (Rev. 11:15)

 4. The Authority of Christ is Given, Not Taken

• The Authority of Jesus is given by the completion of his incarnational work
• In John 17 Jesus intimated that when he finishes the work of saving humanity through his death, burial and resurrection, he would assume the glory he had before the creation of the universe.
• This authority is
• The phrase “given” is a reference to the Father’s approval of the Son’s finished work (Philip. 2:9–11). “The Father crowned the Son.”
• The grounding of the Commission is rooted in Christ’s victory, not our effort.

5.The Authority of Christ is the Basis of the Great Commission

• “Go You therefore…” The word “therefore” connects the command to the authority.
• The Commission Is Commanded by Authority.
• The mission flows from His power.
• We also can firmly state that that we only succeed by his power
•  Fear fades when Christ walks with us.

6.The Authority of Christ Guarantees  His Presence & Success

• “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age
• Jesus continues to be with the church through the Power and presence of the Holy Spirit
• But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8)
• His Power precedes our witness. The Spirit applies Christ’s authority to the church.
• Our Witness without the Spirit is empty effort.
• We must also settle in the reality that the Power of the Christ Cannot Fail
• “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it (Isa 55:11)
• God’s word always works. The success of the mission depends on God, not human response.

Conclusion

• The One who commands us to go is the One who first went to the cross.
  He who has all power laid down His life for sinners. And through the resurrection he was affirmed as the son of God with authority and signs and power
• His Power is the basis for the Commission.

Mathew 28: 17, And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted

Today, I hope no one doubts him, He is the Lord worth of worship

And before we go, let us affirm him as Lord. Affirming his authority is essential before we Go!

The Great Commission does not begin with Go.
It begins with All power is given unto me.

• We go because Christ reigns.
• We preach because Christ lives.
• We endure because Christ is with us.