All People Following
Speaker: John Lau
Date: 20th March 2021
Passages:
00:00:00 --> 00:00:01 Good morning.
00:00:04 --> 00:00:08 Around this time of the year back in 1988,
00:00:09 --> 00:00:12 but a sunny afternoon during the weekday,
00:00:13 --> 00:00:16 a couple of months before his 18th birthday,
00:00:16 --> 00:00:21 a young Asian man was walking home in his high school uniform.
00:00:22 --> 00:00:25 As he walked along the main street in Sydney, Eastern Suburb,
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 an Aussie man approached him.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:31 With a bit of hesitation and a friendly smile,
00:00:32 --> 00:00:33 the gentleman asked this young man,
00:00:34 --> 00:00:35 Do you know Jesus?
00:00:36 --> 00:00:40 Would you be interested in coming to my church to have a look?
00:00:41 --> 00:00:44 The young Asian man was excited to be invited
00:00:44 --> 00:00:48 because he was praying to God for forgiveness and direction
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 to get back to the right relationship with him
00:00:50 --> 00:00:52 not long before their encounter.
00:00:53 --> 00:00:57 The young man who recently just come from overseas
00:00:57 --> 00:01:02 with his family has been exploring the freedom and nightlife
00:01:02 --> 00:01:05 that the red light district of Sydney has to offer
00:01:05 --> 00:01:06 for the last six months.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:11 Still, he knows what he was doing was not suitable
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 for someone who calls himself a Christian
00:01:13 --> 00:01:16 at the back of his mind.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 So he got down on his knees and prayed.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:21 Before migrating to Sydney,
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 he has been going to a youth group very irregularly
00:01:25 --> 00:01:26 for about five years.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 Over those five years,
00:01:29 --> 00:01:30 at the beginning of each year,
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 he would set his New Year resolution
00:01:33 --> 00:01:36 to read his Bible and go to church regularly.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 But four flats on those resolutions
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 in the first quarter of the year.
00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 This time, while he's in a foreign country,
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 God sent an Aussie to help him.
00:01:49 --> 00:01:50 They studied the Bible together
00:01:50 --> 00:01:53 and a young Asian man got baptized
00:01:53 --> 00:01:54 two weeks before he turned 18
00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 and committed his life to God.
00:01:58 --> 00:01:59 Even though there were a few years
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 that he had slipped back to his own way,
00:02:02 --> 00:02:05 God had not let go of him or forsake him.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 Even after many life mistakes,
00:02:08 --> 00:02:11 he was charged and convicted on a taxation issue
00:02:11 --> 00:02:14 and ended up with a criminal record.
00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 God is still using him to serve
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 in a local church today.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 Today, after 30-odd years,
00:02:21 --> 00:02:22 this now not-so-young man
00:02:22 --> 00:02:25 got to enjoy worshipping God
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 with Christians in his church.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:30 He gets to serve God
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 because an Aussie man
00:02:32 --> 00:02:35 took up his courage to approach him,
00:02:36 --> 00:02:37 give him an invitation
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 to look into the Bible together
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 and teach him to obey Jesus' teaching.
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 What that Aussie man did
00:02:45 --> 00:02:46 was what we just read out
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 from Matthew chapter 28,
00:02:49 --> 00:02:53 what Jesus commanded the 11 disciples.
00:02:54 --> 00:02:56 It was part of the last words
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 spoken by Jesus before his ascension.
00:03:00 --> 00:03:03 The ultimate goal of discipleship
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 is all people following Jesus.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 Matthew recorded
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 during these final words of Jesus
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 spoken on a mountain in Galilee
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 at the end of the gospel.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:17 He also recorded
00:03:17 --> 00:03:20 at the beginning in chapter 4,
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 Jesus called the first four disciples
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 by the Sea of Galilee
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 to follow him
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 and he would send them out
00:03:28 --> 00:03:29 to fish for people.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:34 God's care for human beings
00:03:34 --> 00:03:36 and all his creative work
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 works in a cycle,
00:03:39 --> 00:03:40 in a circle.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 He always brings to fruition
00:03:43 --> 00:03:44 what he has started.
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 He called his first disciples
00:03:47 --> 00:03:48 beside the Sea of Galilee
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 and called them
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 to the mountaintop of Galilee
00:03:52 --> 00:03:53 to send them out
00:03:53 --> 00:03:54 on a mission
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 to complete what he set out
00:03:56 --> 00:03:56 for them to do.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 So let's read again
00:03:58 --> 00:04:02 from chapter 28, verse 16
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 in the book of Matthew.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:07 Matthew 28, 16.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 Then the 11 disciples
00:04:09 --> 00:04:10 went to Galilee
00:04:10 --> 00:04:11 to the mountain
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 where Jesus had told them to go.
00:04:13 --> 00:04:14 When they saw him,
00:04:15 --> 00:04:16 they worshipped him,
00:04:16 --> 00:04:17 but some doubted.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 Then Jesus came to them.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:22 When they saw Jesus,
00:04:23 --> 00:04:24 they worshipped him.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:26 The Jesus that they saw
00:04:26 --> 00:04:27 is a crucified,
00:04:28 --> 00:04:29 resurrected Jesus.
00:04:30 --> 00:04:31 Three days ago,
00:04:31 --> 00:04:32 he died on the cross
00:04:32 --> 00:04:33 and was buried,
00:04:34 --> 00:04:35 but now they see him.
00:04:36 --> 00:04:37 And it is suitable
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 for them to worship him.
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 But at the same time,
00:04:41 --> 00:04:42 some doubted.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:44 Do you find it
00:04:44 --> 00:04:45 somewhat unfitting
00:04:45 --> 00:04:47 that the 11 disciples
00:04:47 --> 00:04:48 would doubt
00:04:48 --> 00:04:49 in the presence
00:04:49 --> 00:04:52 of the risen Jesus?
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 What do you associate
00:04:55 --> 00:04:56 doubt with?
00:04:59 --> 00:05:00 The 11 disciples
00:05:00 --> 00:05:01 were not in a
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 subtle opposition
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 or stubborn disbelief
00:05:05 --> 00:05:06 towards Jesus.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:08 There were hesitation
00:05:08 --> 00:05:10 and uncertainty.
00:05:11 --> 00:05:12 When they saw someone,
00:05:14 --> 00:05:15 when you see someone
00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 in a state of troubled,
00:05:17 --> 00:05:18 indecision,
00:05:18 --> 00:05:19 with hesitation
00:05:19 --> 00:05:20 and uncertainty,
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 what do you feel?
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 Do you associate doubt
00:05:25 --> 00:05:26 with a negative
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 or positive feeling?
00:05:29 --> 00:05:30 Do you encourage others
00:05:30 --> 00:05:31 to identify
00:05:31 --> 00:05:32 and address
00:05:32 --> 00:05:33 their hesitation
00:05:33 --> 00:05:34 and uncertainty?
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 or do you get frustrated
00:05:36 --> 00:05:37 with that person?
00:05:39 --> 00:05:40 The 11 disciples
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 saw the risen Jesus
00:05:41 --> 00:05:42 and worshipped him,
00:05:42 --> 00:05:43 but some doubted.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:46 Would it be because
00:05:46 --> 00:05:47 they are not clear
00:05:47 --> 00:05:48 or sure
00:05:48 --> 00:05:48 that the one
00:05:48 --> 00:05:49 they are seeing
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 is the resurrected Christ?
00:05:52 --> 00:05:53 The passage say,
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 when they saw him,
00:05:55 --> 00:05:56 they worshipped him,
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 but some doubted.
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 Then Jesus came to them
00:05:59 --> 00:06:00 to speak to them.
00:06:01 --> 00:06:02 Would it be that
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 when they saw Jesus,
00:06:03 --> 00:06:04 it's actually from a distance?
00:06:06 --> 00:06:07 And from a distance,
00:06:08 --> 00:06:09 being not so close
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 is where doubt
00:06:11 --> 00:06:12 will trouble us.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 How is your relationship
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 and intimacy with God?
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 Is it close enough
00:06:19 --> 00:06:20 to make sure
00:06:20 --> 00:06:22 you can identify
00:06:22 --> 00:06:22 your doubts
00:06:22 --> 00:06:23 about him
00:06:23 --> 00:06:24 and address them?
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 Or is it so far
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 that it's full of space
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 that many things
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 can creep in
00:06:31 --> 00:06:32 to block your view
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 and connection with God?
00:06:36 --> 00:06:37 To cause you trouble
00:06:37 --> 00:06:38 and heartache
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 in your journey
00:06:40 --> 00:06:40 following him?
00:06:42 --> 00:06:43 Proximity
00:06:43 --> 00:06:44 can help us
00:06:44 --> 00:06:45 see things clearer.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:47 So Jesus came
00:06:47 --> 00:06:48 close to us
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 to make sure
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 we can see things
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 of God clearly.
00:06:54 --> 00:06:55 Looking at today's passage,
00:06:55 --> 00:06:57 we should be encouraged
00:06:57 --> 00:06:58 that we are like
00:06:58 --> 00:06:59 these 11 disciples
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 in so many ways.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:02 In our walk
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 with Jesus
00:07:04 --> 00:07:05 on our journey
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 to be his disciple,
00:07:08 --> 00:07:08 our worship
00:07:08 --> 00:07:09 of this recent Jesus
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 is often mixed
00:07:11 --> 00:07:11 with doubts,
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 hesitation,
00:07:13 --> 00:07:13 and questions.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:15 We should be encouraged
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 that Jesus gives
00:07:17 --> 00:07:18 this great command
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 to these very
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 fallible disciples.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:22 disciples.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:24 He does not say,
00:07:25 --> 00:07:25 because you have
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 doubted me,
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 I'm going to find
00:07:27 --> 00:07:28 other disciples
00:07:28 --> 00:07:28 to carry out
00:07:28 --> 00:07:29 my commission.
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 It's simply
00:07:31 --> 00:07:31 too important
00:07:31 --> 00:07:32 to entrust to you.
00:07:34 --> 00:07:34 No,
00:07:35 --> 00:07:36 it's to this
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 very ordinary
00:07:37 --> 00:07:38 group of people
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 that he entrusted
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 the mighty task
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 of telling the world
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 what he does
00:07:43 --> 00:07:43 for them
00:07:43 --> 00:07:46 and how to be
00:07:46 --> 00:07:46 right with God.
00:07:48 --> 00:07:49 Jesus entrusted
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 the gospel's
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 proclamation
00:07:51 --> 00:07:52 to us
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 fallen human,
00:07:54 --> 00:07:54 those that are
00:07:54 --> 00:07:55 full of hesitation
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 and uncertainty.
00:07:59 --> 00:07:59 Then Jesus
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 came to them
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 and said,
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 All authority
00:08:02 --> 00:08:03 in heaven
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 and on earth
00:08:04 --> 00:08:04 has been given
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 to me.
00:08:05 --> 00:08:06 Therefore,
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 go and make
00:08:07 --> 00:08:07 disciples of all
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 nations,
00:08:09 --> 00:08:09 baptizing them
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 in the name
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 of the Father
00:08:11 --> 00:08:12 and of the Son
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 and of the Holy Spirit
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 and teaching them
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 to obey everything
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 I have commanded you.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:18 Then Jesus
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 came to them,
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 Jesus approached
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 them to make
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 sure they see
00:08:22 --> 00:08:22 him clearly.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 He came to make
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 sure there's no
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 space for any
00:08:26 --> 00:08:27 God's unwanted
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 thing between
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 God and us.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 He came to assure
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 the 11th disciples
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 of his authority
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 and with that
00:08:35 --> 00:08:35 authority,
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 he sent them out.
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 So what kind of
00:08:39 --> 00:08:39 authority does
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 Jesus have?
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 He has all
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 authority in heaven
00:08:44 --> 00:08:44 and on earth,
00:08:45 --> 00:08:45 given to him
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 by God,
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 even the power
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 and authority
00:08:49 --> 00:08:49 to overcome
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 death.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 Jesus said,
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 the reason
00:08:53 --> 00:08:53 my Father
00:08:53 --> 00:08:54 loves me
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 is that I
00:08:56 --> 00:08:56 lay down
00:08:56 --> 00:08:57 my life
00:08:57 --> 00:08:59 willingly
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 and to
00:09:01 --> 00:09:01 take it up
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 again.
00:09:03 --> 00:09:03 No one
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 takes it
00:09:04 --> 00:09:04 from me,
00:09:05 --> 00:09:05 but I
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 lay it down
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 of my own
00:09:07 --> 00:09:07 accord.
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 I have
00:09:10 --> 00:09:10 authority
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 to lay it
00:09:11 --> 00:09:11 down
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 and I have
00:09:12 --> 00:09:12 authority
00:09:12 --> 00:09:12 to take it
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 up again.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 Because of
00:09:15 --> 00:09:15 Jesus,
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 we can see
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 death
00:09:17 --> 00:09:17 differently.
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 Because of
00:09:19 --> 00:09:19 Jesus,
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 death no
00:09:21 --> 00:09:21 longer
00:09:21 --> 00:09:21 stings.
00:09:23 --> 00:09:23 God has
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 given us
00:09:24 --> 00:09:24 victory over
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 death and
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 sin through
00:09:27 --> 00:09:27 our Lord
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 Jesus Christ.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:29 God is
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 worthy of
00:09:30 --> 00:09:30 all our
00:09:30 --> 00:09:30 praises.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:33 Jesus lived
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 a perfect
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 life and
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 died a
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 sinless death
00:09:37 --> 00:09:37 on our
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 behalf.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 He died a
00:09:40 --> 00:09:40 sinless death
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 to replace
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 our disobedient,
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 sinful life
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 with his
00:09:44 --> 00:09:44 perfect
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 obedience.
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 God
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 has
00:09:47 --> 00:09:47 done for
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 us.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:49 God
00:09:49 --> 00:10:06 entrusted us
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 to tell the
00:10:07 --> 00:10:07 world of
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 this good
00:10:08 --> 00:10:08 news,
00:10:09 --> 00:10:09 to tell of
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 who Jesus
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 is and
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 what he
00:10:12 --> 00:10:12 has done
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 for us.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 God's
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 authority is
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 the basis
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 of Jesus'
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 command to
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 make disciples
00:10:20 --> 00:10:20 of all
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 nations,
00:10:21 --> 00:10:21 of all
00:10:21 --> 00:10:21 people.
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 We're not
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 only there to
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 go to all
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 nations because
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 Jesus has
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 all authority,
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 but we must
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 also go for
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 the Lord of
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 all has
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 commanded us
00:10:36 --> 00:10:36 to do it.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 Verse 19,
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 says,
00:10:39 --> 00:10:39 therefore,
00:10:40 --> 00:10:40 go and
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 make disciples
00:10:41 --> 00:10:41 of all
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 nations,
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 baptizing them
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 in the name
00:10:44 --> 00:10:44 of the
00:10:44 --> 00:10:45 Father and
00:10:45 --> 00:10:45 of the
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 Son and
00:10:46 --> 00:10:46 of the
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 Holy Spirit
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 and teaching
00:10:48 --> 00:10:48 them to
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 obey everything
00:10:49 --> 00:10:49 I have
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 commanded you.
00:10:52 --> 00:10:52 From the
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 original language,
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 make disciples
00:10:55 --> 00:10:55 of all
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 nations is a
00:10:57 --> 00:10:57 fundamental
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 driving force
00:10:58 --> 00:10:58 of this
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 command.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 Jesus is
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 commanding the
00:11:02 --> 00:11:02 eleven
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 disciples to
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 make disciples
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 of all
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 nations by
00:11:06 --> 00:11:06 going,
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 baptizing
00:11:08 --> 00:11:08 them in
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 the name
00:11:09 --> 00:11:09 of the
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 Father and
00:11:10 --> 00:11:10 of the
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 Son and
00:11:11 --> 00:11:11 of the
00:11:11 --> 00:11:11 Holy Spirit
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 and teaching
00:11:13 --> 00:11:13 them to
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 obey everything
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 Jesus has
00:11:15 --> 00:11:15 commanded them.
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 Hesitate at
00:11:19 --> 00:11:19 first, but
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 later we can
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 see these
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 eleven
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 disciples from
00:11:23 --> 00:11:23 the book of
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 Acts and
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 from the rest
00:11:25 --> 00:11:25 of New
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 Testament that
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 they obeyed
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 this command
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 of Jesus as
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 the Spirit
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 leads them to
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 break through
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 cultural barriers
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 after cultural
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 barriers in the
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 proclamation of
00:11:36 --> 00:11:36 the gospel.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 After their
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 encounter at
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 the mountaintop
00:11:41 --> 00:11:41 of Galilee,
00:11:42 --> 00:11:42 the disciples
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 went back to
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 Jerusalem to
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 wait for the
00:11:45 --> 00:11:45 gift of the
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 Holy Spirit
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 from God.
00:11:48 --> 00:11:48 After they
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 received the
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 gift, the
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 disciples proclaimed
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 the gospel from
00:11:52 --> 00:11:54 Jerusalem to
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 Judea and
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 Samaria to
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 Asia Minor
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 and Rome.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 The gospel
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 went from the
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 Middle East to
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 Africa to
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 Europe to
00:12:05 --> 00:12:07 America to
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 Australia and
00:12:08 --> 00:12:08 Asia.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 The good news
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 of Jesus goes
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 from the East
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 into the West
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 and back into
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 the East in a
00:12:16 --> 00:12:19 full cycle as
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 a rule of how
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 God cares for
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 human beings and
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 everything he
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 had created.
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 God never
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 stopped working
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 from the day he
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 created us.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:30 Jesus said,
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 my father is
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 always at work
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 to this very
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 day and I
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 too am
00:12:36 --> 00:12:36 working.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:38 But today,
00:12:39 --> 00:12:39 not many
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 Christians
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 consider this
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 command to
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 make disciples
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 of all nations
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 as a must
00:12:46 --> 00:12:46 do.
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 Not many
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 Christians are
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 doing what
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 that Aussie
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 man did with
00:12:53 --> 00:12:53 the young
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 Asian man in
00:12:54 --> 00:12:54 the main
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 street of one
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 of Sydney's
00:12:56 --> 00:12:56 eastern suburbs
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 30 years ago.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 God's great
00:13:00 --> 00:13:02 commission to
00:13:02 --> 00:13:02 make disciples
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 of all nations
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 has become a
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 great omission
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 in many
00:13:07 --> 00:13:07 Christians'
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 life.
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 We must be
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 clear from
00:13:11 --> 00:13:11 today's message
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 that we are
00:13:13 --> 00:13:13 not faithful
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 disciples of
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 Jesus if we
00:13:16 --> 00:13:16 are not
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 intentionally
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 seeking to
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 make other
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 disciples of
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 our Lord
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 Jesus.
00:13:23 --> 00:13:23 Becoming
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 and being
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 a Christian
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 is fundamentally
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 other person
00:13:28 --> 00:13:28 centered.
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 We become
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 a disciple
00:13:31 --> 00:13:31 to make
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 other
00:13:32 --> 00:13:32 disciples.
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 Christian,
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 a follower
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 of Jesus,
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 a disciple,
00:13:40 --> 00:13:40 is not just
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 a regular
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 church goer
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 that does
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 a good
00:13:44 --> 00:13:44 deed to
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 tick the
00:13:45 --> 00:13:45 box to
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 make us
00:13:46 --> 00:13:46 feel good
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 about ourselves.
00:13:49 --> 00:13:49 A faithful
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 disciple of
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 Jesus,
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 intentionally
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 seeking to
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 make other
00:13:55 --> 00:13:55 disciples of
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 Jesus by
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 sharing the
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 confidence they
00:13:59 --> 00:13:59 hold in
00:13:59 --> 00:13:59 Christ,
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 their faith.
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 Some
00:14:04 --> 00:14:04 Christians may
00:14:04 --> 00:14:04 say,
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 I do invite
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 people to
00:14:07 --> 00:14:07 come to
00:14:07 --> 00:14:07 Sunday
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 service or
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 events.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:10 I invite
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 them to
00:14:11 --> 00:14:11 the activities
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 we have at
00:14:12 --> 00:14:12 church.
00:14:14 --> 00:14:14 That's a
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 good start.
00:14:16 --> 00:14:16 But what
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 is the next
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 step after
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 they come?
00:14:19 --> 00:14:22 what is
00:14:22 --> 00:14:22 intentionally
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 seeking to
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 make them
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 disciples of
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 Christ look
00:14:26 --> 00:14:26 like?
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 Do you
00:14:28 --> 00:14:28 know what
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 barriers they
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 face and
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 what kind of
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 doubts they
00:14:32 --> 00:14:32 might have?
00:14:34 --> 00:14:34 Are you
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 speaking Jesus
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 into those
00:14:36 --> 00:14:38 issues and
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 their lives?
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 What is the
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 next step for
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 you and
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 for your
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 friend in
00:14:44 --> 00:14:46 being a
00:14:46 --> 00:14:46 disciple?
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 What barrier
00:14:49 --> 00:14:51 is God
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 calling you
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 to break
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 through as
00:14:53 --> 00:14:55 you engage
00:14:55 --> 00:14:55 in this
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 enormous task
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 of sharing
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 Christ with
00:14:58 --> 00:14:58 all the
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 nations and
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 people?
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 We are to
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 make disciples
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 by going.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 We must
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 go, make
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 a move,
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 reach out to
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 someone,
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 whether this
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 person is in
00:15:12 --> 00:15:12 the other
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 land,
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 lives next
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 door to
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 us or
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 is a work
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 colleague or
00:15:18 --> 00:15:18 someone in
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 your household
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 or your
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 relatives.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 Whoever we
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 are, wherever
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 we live, we
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 need to be
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 ready to go.
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 Go to the
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 next bedroom,
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 go to the
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 next household
00:15:31 --> 00:15:33 unit, go
00:15:33 --> 00:15:33 around the
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 corner, go
00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 to the
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 adjoining
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 workstation or
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 as God
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 calls you,
00:15:39 --> 00:15:39 go to the
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 other side of
00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 the world.
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 as we
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 go, we
00:15:44 --> 00:15:44 are to
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 bear witness
00:15:45 --> 00:15:45 to the
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 good news
00:15:46 --> 00:15:46 of Jesus
00:15:46 --> 00:15:48 by word
00:15:48 --> 00:15:48 and deeds.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 There's a
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 very well
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 produced gospel
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 material called
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 Two Ways
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 to Live.
00:15:57 --> 00:15:57 If you're not
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 sure how to
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 tell others
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 what God
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 has done
00:16:01 --> 00:16:01 for them,
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 this is a
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 very good
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 material to
00:16:04 --> 00:16:04 pick up and
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 I have left
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 a few copies
00:16:06 --> 00:16:06 out there for
00:16:06 --> 00:16:06 you.
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 And there
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 will be a
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 workshop on
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 how to use
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 them very
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 soon as
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 well.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 In terms
00:16:14 --> 00:16:14 of bearing
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 witness by
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 our deed,
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 one thing
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 that makes
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 early Christians
00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 stand out
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 among others
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 are their
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 benevolent
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 works and
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 their loving
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 actions towards
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 each other.
00:16:27 --> 00:16:27 I have
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 spoken about
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 what action
00:16:29 --> 00:16:29 to take
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 last week.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 Please go
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 to our
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 website or
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 our app
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 to review
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 that sermon
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 from last
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 week.
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 We are to
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 make disciples
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 by going and
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 also to make
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 disciples by
00:16:42 --> 00:16:42 baptizing.
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 Baptizing them
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 in the name
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 of the Father
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 and of the Son
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 and of the Holy
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 Spirit is an
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 outward sign
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 of the inward
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 reality,
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 an act of
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 initiation and
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 conversion.
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 Baptism
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 breaks through
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 any language
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 and cultural
00:17:03 --> 00:17:03 barriers.
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 baptism
00:17:04 --> 00:17:21 is one of the
00:17:21 --> 00:17:23 most influential
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 and effective
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 show and tell
00:17:26 --> 00:17:26 of the
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 gospel message.
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 It is such a
00:17:29 --> 00:17:31 great joy to be
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 part of someone's
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 initiation into
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 a lifelong
00:17:34 --> 00:17:36 journey with
00:17:36 --> 00:17:38 God and
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 pledging our
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 support and
00:17:40 --> 00:17:40 guidance along
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 the way.
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 We are to make
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 disciples by
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 going, we are
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 to make disciples
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 by baptizing,
00:17:49 --> 00:17:49 and we are to
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 make disciples of
00:17:50 --> 00:17:52 all nations by
00:17:52 --> 00:17:52 teaching them to
00:17:52 --> 00:17:54 obey everything
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 that Jesus has
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 commanded them.
00:17:55 --> 00:17:59 And most
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 importantly,
00:18:01 --> 00:18:01 we are to
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 teach, what we
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 are to teach
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 is not just
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 head knowledge.
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 We are to
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 teach them to
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 obey Jesus'
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 command.
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 In today's
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 culture and
00:18:12 --> 00:18:14 setting, we
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 are all time
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 poor and
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 information
00:18:17 --> 00:18:17 overloaded.
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 People
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 pursue head
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 knowledge and
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 quick results.
00:18:24 --> 00:18:24 We want to be
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 seen as a well
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 to do.
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 And we
00:18:28 --> 00:18:28 are concerned
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 about FOMO,
00:18:30 --> 00:18:30 fear of
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 missing out.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 It goes
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 against our
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 culture to
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 submit ourselves
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 to a person
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 or some
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 objective truth,
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 especially when
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 we uphold
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 Jesus as the
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 only way to
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 be saved and
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 get back in a
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 great relationship
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 with God.
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 In becoming
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 a disciple of
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 Jesus, it
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 takes time and
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 commitment when
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 obedience is
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 our goal.
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 And that's
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 why being a
00:19:00 --> 00:19:00 disciple is a
00:19:00 --> 00:19:02 lifelong journey.
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 And we need
00:19:03 --> 00:19:05 external help,
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 the help of the
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 Holy Spirit to
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 ourselves to get
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 us through.
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 As we teach,
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 we must make
00:19:13 --> 00:19:15 sure we include
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 the command in
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 today's passage
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 from Matthew 28.
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 disciples of
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 Jesus that we
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 made.
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 The disciples of
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 Jesus that we
00:19:23 --> 00:19:25 made ought to make
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 disciples of all
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 nations by going,
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 baptizing in the name of
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 the Father, Son, and
00:19:28 --> 00:19:30 Holy Spirit, and
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 teaching others to
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 obey everything Jesus
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 has commanded.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:37 We ought to engage in
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 mission to make
00:19:38 --> 00:19:40 disciples of Jesus,
00:19:40 --> 00:19:42 whether cross-cultural
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 or otherwise,
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 with great
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 confidence,
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 because our
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 confidence comes
00:19:48 --> 00:19:48 not from
00:19:48 --> 00:19:50 ourselves, but
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 Jesus.
00:19:51 --> 00:19:53 We can entirely
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 depend on Jesus
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 for our confidence
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 because he loves
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 all people,
00:19:57 --> 00:19:59 even his enemies,
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 and is regularly
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 at work,
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 turning people to
00:20:03 --> 00:20:05 him by his
00:20:05 --> 00:20:05 mighty power.
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 And Jesus
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 told his
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 disciples to make
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 sure and look
00:20:10 --> 00:20:10 out for one
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 thing at the end
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 of today's passage.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 At the end of
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 verse 20,
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 after he
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 told them and
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 teach them to
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 obey everything
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 I have commanded
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 you, and
00:20:22 --> 00:20:24 surely I am
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 with you always
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 to the very
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 end of the
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 age.
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 The original
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 language of
00:20:31 --> 00:20:31 the word
00:20:31 --> 00:20:33 surely have
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 a force of
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 making sure of
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 this.
00:20:36 --> 00:20:36 Behold,
00:20:37 --> 00:20:37 open your
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 eyes to
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 see.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 Knowing some
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 of his
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 disciples
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 doubted,
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 Jesus gave
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 them an
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 antidote to
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 their doubt.
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 He gave
00:20:48 --> 00:20:48 them something
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 to be sure
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 of or to
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 make sure
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 of.
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 Some scholars
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 have read
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 this sentence
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 as a promise
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 that conditioned
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 whether the
00:20:58 --> 00:21:00 disciples obeyed
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 Jesus' command
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 to make
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 disciples of
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 all nations.
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 However,
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 it's more
00:21:04 --> 00:21:06 appropriate to
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 look at this
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 as,
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 look at the
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 sentence,
00:21:10 --> 00:21:10 I am
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 with you
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 always to
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 the very
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 end of
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 the age
00:21:13 --> 00:21:13 as a
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 factual
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 statement.
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 Jesus
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 conquers
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 sin and
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 death by
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 becoming
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 obedient to
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 death,
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 even death
00:21:22 --> 00:21:22 on the
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 cross.
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 And God
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 raised him
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 from death.
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 God was
00:21:27 --> 00:21:29 pleased at
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 his
00:21:29 --> 00:21:31 foolish
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 joy in
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 Jesus and
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 through him
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 to reconcile
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 to himself
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 all things,
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 whether things
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 on earth
00:21:38 --> 00:21:38 or things
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 in heaven
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 by making
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 peace
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 through his
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 blood shed
00:21:42 --> 00:21:42 on the
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 cross.
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 And with
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 all the
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 authority in
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 heaven and
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 on earth
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 given to
00:21:47 --> 00:21:47 him,
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 Jesus is
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 confident
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 that he
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 has lost
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 none of
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 those the
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 Father gave
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 him.
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 He
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 has kept
00:21:57 --> 00:22:00 all those
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 disciples God
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 called according
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 to his
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 purpose to
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 the end.
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 To make
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 disciples of
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 all nations
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 is to
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 confirm and
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 realize that
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 Jesus does
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 have all
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 the authority
00:22:13 --> 00:22:13 in heaven
00:22:13 --> 00:22:13 and on
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 earth.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 As we
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 break all
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 the cultural
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 and ethnic
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 barriers to
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 make disciples
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 of Jesus,
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 we will
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 realize Jesus
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 is with us
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 all the
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 time to
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 the very
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 end of
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 the age.
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 That no
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 matter how
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 we are
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 failing,
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 whatever
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 doubt we
00:22:32 --> 00:22:32 might have,
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 he will
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 complete what
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 he set out
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 to do.
00:22:36 --> 00:22:39 And what
00:22:39 --> 00:22:39 is being
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 with Jesus
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 all the
00:22:41 --> 00:22:41 time to
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 the very
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 end of
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 the age
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 look like?
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 It will
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 be another
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 mountain top
00:22:46 --> 00:22:48 experience as
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 proclaimed in
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 the Old
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 Testament
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 passage we
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 read out
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 today from
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 Isaiah 25.
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 Isaiah 25,
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 verse 6,
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 it says,
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 on this
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 mountain,
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 the Lord
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 Almighty
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 will prepare
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 a feast
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 of rich
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 fruit for
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 all peoples,
00:23:05 --> 00:23:05 a banquet
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 of aged
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 wine.
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 He will
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 destroy the
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 shroud that
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 enfold all
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 peoples,
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 the sheets
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 that cover
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 all nations.
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 He will
00:23:16 --> 00:23:16 swallow up
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 death
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 forever.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 The
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 sovereign
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 Lord will
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 wipe out
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 the tears
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 from all
00:23:21 --> 00:23:21 faces.
00:23:22 --> 00:23:22 He will
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 remove his
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 people's
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 disgrace from
00:23:25 --> 00:23:25 all the
00:23:25 --> 00:23:25 earth.
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 The
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 Lord has
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 spoken.
00:23:32 --> 00:23:32 All the
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 time to
00:23:33 --> 00:23:33 the very
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 end of
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 the ages,
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 we'll be
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 enjoying a
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 feast of
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 rich food,
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 a banquet
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 of aged
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 wine,
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 with all
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 peoples from
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 all nations.
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 Multi-ethic,
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 multicultural
00:23:48 --> 00:23:48 gathering,
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 who enjoy
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 each other's
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 company,
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 praising and
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 worshipping God
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 with great
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 multitude that
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 no one
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 could count.
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 From every
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 nation,
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 tribe,
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 people,
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 and language,
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 intentionally
00:24:02 --> 00:24:04 careful and
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 encouraging each
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 other to
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 obey Jesus'
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 teaching and
00:24:07 --> 00:24:09 command as
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 we gather
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 regularly in
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 groups of
00:24:11 --> 00:24:11 various size.
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 Death has
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 been swallowed
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 up forever.
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 No more
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 fear of
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 death.
00:24:19 --> 00:24:19 There will
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 be no more
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 tears or
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 disgrace,
00:24:22 --> 00:24:22 for the
00:24:22 --> 00:24:22 Lord has
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 spoken,
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 and his
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 disciples
00:24:25 --> 00:24:25 proclaim,
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 surely this
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 is our
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 God.
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 We trust
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 in him
00:24:29 --> 00:24:29 and he
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 saved us.
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 This is
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 the Lord.
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 We trust
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 in him.
00:24:34 --> 00:24:34 Let us
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 rejoice and
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 be glad
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 in his
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 salvation.
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 Today,
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 the now
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 not-so-young
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 Asian man
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 is enjoying
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 the community
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 and fellowship
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 of a
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 multi-ethic,
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 multicultural
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 church in
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 the lower
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 north shore
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 of the
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 supper of
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 Chesterwood.
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 He's
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 looking forward
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 to that
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 great date,
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 the great
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 feast that
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 is promised.
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 Following his
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 senior minister
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 and other
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 purpose pastor,
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 he learns to
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 trust the
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 Holy Spirit
00:25:07 --> 00:25:09 to encourage
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 and guide him
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 through life's
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 burden and
00:25:11 --> 00:25:11 hardship,
00:25:13 --> 00:25:13 a life full of
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 temptation to
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 stop obeying
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 the cause of
00:25:16 --> 00:25:16 God.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 Seeing the
00:25:19 --> 00:25:19 great need
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 of Jesus
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 in people
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 all around
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 him from
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 all ages
00:25:24 --> 00:25:24 and backgrounds
00:25:24 --> 00:25:26 and motivated
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 by the love
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 of God
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 shown in
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 Jesus,
00:25:29 --> 00:25:29 he stepped
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 out in
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 faith to
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 share about
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 Jesus as
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 that man
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 did for
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 him back
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 in 1988,
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 knowing that
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 God always
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 had his
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 work to
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 this very
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 day.
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 That man
00:25:43 --> 00:25:43 is me.
00:25:43 --> 00:25:46 And I
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 would love
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 for you
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 to join
00:25:48 --> 00:25:48 me on
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 this journey
00:25:49 --> 00:25:49 to follow
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 Jesus,
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 to be
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 sure of
00:25:52 --> 00:25:52 the fact
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 that Jesus
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 is with
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 us always
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 and we
00:25:56 --> 00:25:58 make disciples
00:25:58 --> 00:25:58 for all
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 nations by
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 going,
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 by baptizing
00:26:01 --> 00:26:01 and teaching
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 them to
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 obey everything
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 that Jesus
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 has commanded
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 us to the
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 very end
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 of the age.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 Amen.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 Amen.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 Amen.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 Amen.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 Amen.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 Amen.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 Amen.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 Amen.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 Amen.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 Amen.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 Amen.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 Amen.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 Amen.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 Amen.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 Amen.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 Amen.
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 Amen.
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 Amen.
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 Amen.
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 Amen.
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 Amen.
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 Amen.
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 Amen.
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 Amen.
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 Amen.
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 Amen.
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 Amen.