The Mission of the Christian 1/5/41
Scripture: Matthew 28: 16-20.
Text: Matthew 28: 19, 20a; “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
Jesus greatest desire - to the end of his ministry in the flesh - was to help people - in the right way - who needed him.
The philosophy he had; the ethics he taught; the scripture he knew so well, he used to help mankind. Nearly everything else
was subordinated. Only one consideration was higher in his life:
his devotion to the Will of God. And his compassion on mankind was a part of his devotion to that Will.
The occasional abnormal person reduces sympathy to a minimum.
(Surgeon in the movie version of Lloyd C. Douglas’ “Disputed Passages.”)
Surgeon:
· Expert in technical surgical skill, and in demonstrating it in medical school amphitheater.
· Rough shod on feelings of people.
· Contemptuous of all sentiment and emotion.
· Students admired and detested him.
· He had a pupil like him, until the pupil fell in love, went fishing, helped a crippled boy to get a job.
The surgeon tried to break up the marriage and succeeded. (The girl went back to China.) Enraged student tried to find sweetheart in China. Operated all day on bombing victims in place of a French doctor. Injured in next raid.
The surgeon races to offer his skill, at last motivated by a powerful desire to help. This is the true climax of the story, for it is normal human behavior coming to the top.
It is the mission of the Christian to help in all sorts of fields and places where he has talents to offer.
Boys work (“Y”); juvenile delinquency; housing; medical help; counseling; justice; education. promoting the strength of the church.
The greatest help the Christian can offer is the Gospel of Christ, leading people to a right relationship to God.
The essence of the Christian’s mission is in our text from these last words of Christ as recorded by Matthew. To whom were these words spoken?
1. “Go ye.” Jesus was talking to all disciples assembled.
But in these words he speaks to all of his disciples
throughout time, among them you and me.
We think of a missionary, perhaps, or some other
fellow when we hear these words. There are many
especially called to some special task, who give lives
to concentrated work, and who need our support in
money friendship, interest, and prayers.
But every Christian is called to go.
Where?
2. “Into all the world.”
Missionaries of Christ abroad: in Japan, Korea, China,
India, Philippines, Siam, Borneo, Africa, Near East,
South America, Labrador. Home missionaries also:
Hawaii, small churches and struggling fields all over
our state and country; American Indians, etc.
But “all the world” includes also the places near you
and me - where we work, in our homes, in our
neighborhoods, about our city. That takes us all in again.
What?
3. “and preach the gospel to every creature.”
There are some who could hardly preach pulpit sermons.
There may be some who could hardly understand pulpit sermons.
Some need a profound theology. Some couldn’t grasp it.
Some will hear words. Some must see deeds.
Anyone can understand a cup of cold water, a Scout’s
good turn.
All will be impressed by acts.
a. missionaries standing by in China.
b. Quakers in wartime.
c. Graham Taylor.
4. “and lo, I am with you always.”
His promise.
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Dates and places delivered:
Pilgrim Church, Honolulu, March 17, 1940 PM
Wisconsin Rapids, January 5, 1941
Friendship, Wisconsin, July 21, 1942