THE GREATEST POWER PLAY IN HISTORY

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18)

THE GREATEST POWER PLAY IN HISTORY

What would you do if you had absolute power and authority to do anything you wanted? Okay, now that you have those less-noble ideas out of the way, think of some things that would change the whole planet for the better. Maybe something like ending hunger or sickness. Or how about eliminating all crime or war? That would have put me out of a job for 29 years — but hey, I’d flip burgers for world peace! You know, as noble as those may be, Jesus didn’t do any of them. We ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” Well, here’s a clear illustration of what He did do, and there’s no guesswork about it. Having all power and authority in the universe, He turned to 11 ordinary men and said, “Go and help people live their lives like Me. Teach them how to be just like Me. Go and make disciples of Me.” Perhaps if we did a better job of making disciples, those other menacing problems would sort themselves out.

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11 LOSERS

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18)

11 LOSERS

It was the most epic failure in all of history. Twelve of His closest companions, those He had loved to death, abandoned their Messiah. Judas went as far as betrayal. The others forsook and denied Him. Do you remember what it felt like the first time your best friend betrayed you? The confusion and the sting may have lasted days, weeks, and maybe years. It’s hard to even look such a person in the eyes without absolute disgust. I would have voted the whole team off the island. But not Jesus. Not only had He predicted this great crime, He completely and unconditionally forgave all but he “son of perdition”. But forgiveness is only one third of His grace. Through His death and resurrection, He imputes the righteousness of God on them (2 Cor 5.21). And then He gives them the greatest venture ever undertaken by man: to win the world to Him by making disciples.

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DOWN TO EARTH

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18)

DOWN TO EARTH

I was talking to an Army Colonel the other day and it was like a breath of fresh air. He wasn’t trying to impress me or be overbearing. He had nothing to prove and was…well…humble. Don’t you just love it when you meet a leader that’s real? You respect them even more for their ability to relate to you on your level, even though you know they’re in positions of great authority. They’re “down to earth”. Jesus not only came down to earth, He was down to earth. He is God with skin on. When he “came up and spoke” to the disciples, there was no motorcade, no fanfare, and no hoopla. Oh, He could have had a bazillion angels announce His arrival, but instead He simply walked up to them. This is incarnational leadership at its best. As we practice the Great Commission, we lead. And as we lead, we would do well to practice the same humility as Jesus (Phil 2.5-8).

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WHO SAID SO?

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18)

WHO SAID SO?

When I was a kid, young messengers were always challenged with “Who said so?” We wanted to verify whether the message came from an adult with authority or just a whim of a younger brother. If it was an adult (especially Dad), then there was a 99% chance that the message was going to be obeyed (or at least considered). If it was a little brother, fat chance! One of the reasons the Great Commission is so great is because of “Who said so” — Jesus! The One who purchased our souls with His blood. The One who loved us to death. The One who had just conquered death! This same Jesus is the One who now has all authority in heaven and earth. The One who will judge the nations. The King of kings and Lord of lords. That’s Who said so! Are you listening yet?

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18

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18)

18

Some numbers are more important to me than others. Like the number of seats in an airplane verses the number of functioning engines. Or how many loaves of bread I was supposed to pick up verses the number of my kids I should have when I leave the grocery store. The number 18 is pretty important to me. I’ve often heard the Great Commission (GC) preached or quoted without verse 18. Every fiber in my being wants to stand and shout, “What about verse 18!” Quoting the GC without verse 18 is kind of like trying to start a car with no engine: it just doesn’t have any power. Verse 18 is the ‘Who’ and the ‘Why’ of the Great Commission. It’s essentially what makes the Great Commission so great.

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Revival for America?

Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand…Some of you know that the LORD has been waking me up for months now at 3:30am to pray. On Sept 13th the LORD brought Jeremiah 33 to mind. In October I was waking up at 3:30 every night for several nights in a row. I was led to Jeremiah 33 over and over again throughout the month of October. This morning, November 1st, at 3:30am the LORD got me out of bed (in a very persistent manner) and brought me back to Jeremiah 33. Yesterday I was listening to a message by Michael Frost talking about how to advance the Gospel in a post-Christian Context. It falls in line with Jer 33. I believe God is promising revival for America. I don’t know when but I know I’m supposed to pray. I feel a little crazy but I’m also am reminded of Ezek 33.1-6.

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Prayer for Our Nation

“O God of hosts, turn again now, we beseech You; Look down from heaven and see, and take care of this vine, Even the shoot which Your right hand has planted, And on the son whom You have strengthened for Yourself. It is burned with fire, it is cut down; They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance. Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself. Then we shall not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. O LORD God of hosts, restore us; Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”
(Psalms 80:14-19)

O Lord I pray this prayer for America. Please wake us from our slumber. Cause us to turn to You. Revive us O Lord in Christ Jesus! Be our King!

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