Sermon Notes
17 September 2006
Morning Worship
The Great Commission
PART EIGHT b:
THE CONFIRMATION:
APPROVED WITNESSES AND MIRACLES
Introduction:
A. REVIEW OF THE LAST FOUR POINTS
1. The Promise of the Power (and the Holy Spirit
ACTS
2
2. The Need for This Power
I
Corinthians 1
3. The Purposes Behind the Miraculous Gifts of the Spirit- There were two
clear purposes - to reveal God’s word
9
But as it is written,
Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Isa 64:4
10
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth
all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in
him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is
of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual.
14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they
are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned.
15
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no
man.
16
For
who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we
have the mind of Christ. Isa 40:14
AND The second was to confirm God’s word
17
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast
out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall
not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven,
and sat on the right hand of God.
20
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them,
and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
4. Types of Miraculous Gifts
v. Examples of the Use of These Powers in Acts:
a. The apostles on Pentecost
Acts
2
b. Peter and John
Acts 3
C. Ananias and Sapphira
Acts
5
D. Dorcas
Acts 9
E. Peter’s deliverance
Acts
12
F. Herod
Acts
12
G. prison
Acts
16
VI. The End of the Gifts Was to Come in the First Century:
a. Joel mentioned an ending time: the great and notable day of the Lord.
This is a clear reference to the destruction of Jerusalem See his prophecy
and the teaching of Jesus in
1
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to
him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2
And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto
you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be
thrown down.
3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him
privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be
the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled:
for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there
shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Isa
19:2 Mark 13:8 Luke 21:10
8
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye
shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall
hate one another.
11
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a
witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by
Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him
understand:)
16
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17
Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his
house:
18
Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those
days!
20
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath
day:
21
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of
the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Dan 12:1 Mark 13:19
22
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved:
but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
23
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it
not.
24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew
great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall
deceive the very elect.
25
Behold, I have told you before.
26
Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not
forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west;
so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened,
and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven,
and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: Isa 13:10 Mark 13:25 Luke
21:26
30
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall
all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming
in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Zech 12:12 Dan 7:13 Mark
13:26 Luke 21:27
31
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall
gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the
other. Deut 30:4 1 Thess 4:16,17
32
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and
putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33
So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near,
even at the doors.
34
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things
be fulfilled.
35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
1
And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him,
Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
2
And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there
shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and
James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all
these things shall be fulfilled?
5
And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
6
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
7
And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for
such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there
shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and
troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. Isa 19:2 Matt 24:7 Luke 21:10
9
But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and
in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers
and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10
And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand
what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be
given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the
Holy Ghost.
12
Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son;
and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be
put to death. Micah 7:6 Matt 10:35,36
13
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14
But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the
prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,)
then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: Dan 9:27 Dan 12:11
Matt 24:15
15
And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither
enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
16
And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his
garment.
17
But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those
days!
18
And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
19
For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of
the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. Dan 12:1
Matt 24:21
20
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved:
but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
21
And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is
there; believe him not:
22
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and
wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. Deut 13:1
23
But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
24
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and
the moon shall not give her light,
25
And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall
be shaken. Isa 13:10 Matt 24:29 Luke 21:26
26
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power
and glory. Dan 7:13 Matt 24:30 Luke 21:27
27
And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from
the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part
of heaven.
28
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and
putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
29
So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that
it is nigh, even at the doors.
30
Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these
things be done.
31
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Luke 21:1-33
1
And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the
treasury.
2
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in
more than they all:
4
For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but
she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
5
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and
gifts, he said,
6
As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there
shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
7
And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what
sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
8
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my
name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore
after them.
9
But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these
things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
10
Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom: Isa 19:2 Matt 24:7 Mark 13:8
11
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and
pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
12
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you,
delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before
kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13
And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14
Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall
answer:
15
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not
be able to gainsay nor resist.
16
And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and
friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18
But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19
In your patience possess ye your souls.
20
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the
desolation thereof is nigh.
21
Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which
are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the
countries enter thereinto.
22
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be
fulfilled. Hosea 9:7
23
But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those
days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this
people.
24
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive
into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until
the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and
upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves
roaring;
26
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which
are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Isa 13:10
Matt 24:29 Mark 13:25
27
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and
great glory. Dan 7:13 Matt 24:30 Mark 13:26
28
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your
heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
29
And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30
When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is
now nigh at hand.
31
So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the
kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be
fulfilled.
33
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
b. Paul referred to the end of the miraculous age, too
8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away.
9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be
done away.
7
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift
of Christ.
8
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive,
and gave gifts unto men. Psa 68:18
9
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the
lower parts of the earth?
10
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens,
that he might fill all things.)
11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers;
12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ:
13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness
of Christ:
14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about
with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is
the head, even Christ:
16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which
every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of
every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Vii. The Bible Does for Us Today What the Miracles Did for Them in the First Century:
a. reveals God’s will to mankind
16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek.
17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it
is written, The just shall live by faith. Hab 2:4 Gal 3:11
16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
b. It confirms the plan of God to all honest souls who study it
30
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which
are not written in this book:
31
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me
to you-ward:
3
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore
in few words,
4
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of
Christ)
5
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now
revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers
of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God
given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that
I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
A. we know the real purposes of miracles
B. we know that miracles have ceased
we know how important the Bible is -
Since God works through His word, is it not important for us to learn it, teach it, and live by it?
The Great Commission
PART NINE:
THEY LOOKED STEADFASTLY
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.
9
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and
a cloud received him out of their sight.
10
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two
men stood by them in white apparel;
11
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this
same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like
manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The five accounts of the Great Commission are in
Acts
1
Introduction:
A. We have covered 8 parts of the Great Commission:
1. The authority behind it: Jesus Christ
2. The obligation: Go
3. The place: All the world and everyone in it
4. The method: Teach
5. The message: Hear, believe, repent, confess Christ, and be baptized
6. The act of obedience: Immersion
7. The perpetuation: Teach
8. The Confirmation: Approved witnesses and miracles
b. There are four points that will help us to understand the importance of
this ninth lesson
i. The Gazing
9
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and
a cloud received him out of their sight.
10
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two
men stood by them in white apparel;
a. The apostles had spent 3 ½ years with the Lord. Precious moments they had
spent with Him would be on their minds often. This would include His words,
His actions, and His sacrifice
b. But it would now include the precious hope of His return. Although He was
not yet physically gone, they had been well prepared to go to Jerusalem and
begin their work as His ambassadors
II. The Responsibility: Obey the Commission
11
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this
same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like
manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
a. With the word “Why?” the two heavenly messengers helped to move these
eleven men from the intense gazing to the mission at hand
b. The Great Commission can be understood in part with the word “try.”
1. We are to do this in light of the obstacle that hovers all over the world
– the sinfulness of the human race
18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
2. But we are also to do this with the understanding that God has given us a
perfect plan for the conquering of sin
16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
3. This plan was promised
31
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with
the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Heb 8:8, 13
32
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that
I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my
covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Heb 8:9
33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;
After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts,
and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my
people. Heb 8:10, 10:16
34
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his
brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least
of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their
iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Heb 8:11,12, 10:17
13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all
truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that
shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
4. it was their power
16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek.
18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto
us which are saved it is the power of God.
5. it was perfectly delivered
9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love
him. Isa 64:4
10
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth
all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in
him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is
of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual.
14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they
are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned.
15
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no
man.
16
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we
have the mind of Christ. Isa 40:14
8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away.
9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be
done away.
iii. THE Decision
1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily
beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,
lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
a. They kept themselves pure
By remembering the “great cloud of witnesses,” and by “laying aside every weight,” they were able to run the race to the finish line.
1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily
beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
b. They kept their minds on Jesus
2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God.
c. And they accomplished the goal
There was a plan and
they followed it!
Hebrews 12:3
3
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,
lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
d. Are we ready to accomplish the Great Commission in our generation?
IV. The Opportunity Today
2
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of
salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold,
now is the day of salvation.) Isa 49:8
a. But the gospel is still perfect for the purposes of “diagnosing” our
malady, and for providing the remedy
25
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein,
he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be
blessed in his deed.
12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart.
b. Finally, this mission can only be accomplished by the genuine people of
God – THE CHURCH OF CHRIST!
16
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
10
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places
might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
c. We must not be passive at the loss of souls
d. We must not refuse to do that which we know to be good
17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is
sin.
Conclusion:
Let us accept the challenges:
a. give sinners the opportunity to hear, believe, and obey
34
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to
finish his work.
35
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I
say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white
already to harvest.
36
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal:
that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37
And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
b. Pray
36
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them,
because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no
shepherd.
37
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the
labourers are few;
38
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers
into his harvest.
c. Be a laborer
Acts 8:1-4
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.
2
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation
over him.
3
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and
haling men and women committed them to prison.
4
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the
word.
