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Graceland University

  May 3, 2008      "Disciple the World"

Scripture Setting: Matthew 28:16–20  NRSV

In today’s scripture lesson we find the final verses of Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus Christ meets with his apostles for the first time since his resurrection. They have gathered to a mountain or place of divine revelation as previously directed by Jesus.

Their reaction as Christ comes to them is mixed. They have come out of obedience and worship him, while at the same time some of them are uncertain (v. 17). While they now witness of the risen Christ firsthand, their response is more faith than fact based, thus the doubt.

Jesus proclaims the beginning of his divine rule with all authority given to him by God. In this context the disciples are given a four-part commandment/commission:

1. Disciple all people. Their earlier mission specifically sent them to the people of Israel and not to the Gentiles or Samaritans (vv. 5a–6). This is now withdrawn in favor of a mission to all people.
2. Baptize them. Matthew shares no account of the apostles being engaged previously in a baptizing ministry. Baptism is the means by which new disciples live out their relationship with Christ in the community of believers.
3. Teach them. Up to this point, Jesus had done the teaching with the apostles being the students. Now it is their mission to teach what Jesus had taught them and bring people to a new life of obedience.
4. Remember. Jesus instructs those present to remember him. The focus is not on his ascension but on the fact that he will always be with them. It was vital that their response to their commission was that they remember the Lord. These divine insights into the commission of the disciple are basic to contemporary followers of Christ as well. Today is a day to extend the invitation to seekers to make their personal response to Christ’s message to them: to be baptized, to learn, and to remember that Christ is with them always. It is also an opportunity to invite disciples to recommit their lives in response to the Great Commission.

From Worship Helps 5/18/2008

Regular Activities

Sunday

Sunday School,  9:30 AM

Worship Service, 10:45 AM

Children's Worship on Second Sundays

Pot Luck Dinner
Third Sundays

Monday

Men's Prayer Breakfast,  8:30 AM

Wednesday

Prayer & Testimony Service, 7:00 PM

Thursday

Homework Club (at Wichita Central)
4:30 to 6:00 PM

Bible Study, 7:00 PM