Let Us Remember The Churches Responsibility To The Gospel!

Matthew 28:16-20 "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. (17.) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. (18.) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19.) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20.) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

1. This is the great commission to the church.
1. This is not just a commission but also a challenge and this challenge is given to the leadership of the church ("Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee”) to give to the church.
2. The Lord Jesus reminded the church in Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
3. Let’s see an example of how serious the Lord was when the church failed to comply with the Lords command. Acts 8:1 “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
4. It is not the job of the lost or of the spiritual ignorant; it is the responsibility of the Lords churches, not only the Pastor but the entire church.
5. The Lord said to “GO” and if we fail as the first church failed then we too may suffer because of it.
6. Beloved we live in times of great heresy, Satan is winning a great victory in this world religiously and while he may not have a total victory he can have a great victory over the churches.
7. We need to do our most to support Missions and as much as we can to advance the gospel to the world. If we cannot as a church send then we need to support what other churches have sent.
8. Missionaries need to remember while starting and planting churches may be a goal their real job is to be a carrier of the gospel from their home churches to the world. I am not so sure some missionaries may be a little confused.
9. And many churches are failing in their responsibility to the head of our churches Jesus Christ.
2. This is the will of God that we accomplish this task.
1. Since it was the commandment of Jesus Christ to the church and therefore to the churches then it is the will of God to carry out this commandment and not an option.
2. Jesus said “Go ye therefore…” v19 the word “go” means to travel or to depart meaning to leave this area.
3. “…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” and therefore I give it to you with my commandment to “go” therefore the authority is given to the church at Jerusalem and all churches from there, and not to the religious organizations.
4. “…and teach all nations…” that is preaching the gospel first and then the word of God. Planting churches is a result of a good work not the sole focus of Missionaries. What is more important; seeing souls saved or starting churches?
5. Once saved and baptized then churches will sprout “…baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” v19 this is the result of our sending and their preaching the gospel, churches start.
6. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” v20 After the gospel has been taught and baptism has been performed then it is time to teach them the commandments of the Lord.
7. Every church since the one in Jerusalem has been started and taught as a result of the scattering of the church there and has the very same commandment of God.
3. Out hearts desire as a church and as individual members should be hearing Jesus Christ Say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: "
1. Matthew 25:19-28 "After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (20.) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. (responsibility, the Lord gives to multiply) (21.) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:(the reward of our labor and compliance) enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22.) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. (23.) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (24.) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: (25.) And I was afraid (no faith in the Lord not walking by faith), and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. (26.) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful (one allowing Satan to lead them and therefore failing the Lord) servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: (27.) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (28.) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
2. The Lord rewards according to our following the will of God and exercising of that will, the Lord has given us a few talents so what are we going to do with them? Will the Lord say to us as a church "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: "
3. Beloved the ministering of the gospel starts here, but it does not stop here, let us all do our part as churches in getting the gospel to the world, while it is true God will save as He has elected this does not eliminate our responsibility or delivering the gospel to the whole world.