Kingdom of God Universal Kingdom Mediatorial Kingdom Christ s

Kingdom of God Universal Kingdom Mediatorial Kingdom (Christ’s Rule) Spiritual Kingdom

The King’s Resurrection Matt. 28: 1 -15

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the

place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you. ” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me. ” Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief

priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep. ’ “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble. ” And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day. ” (Matt. 28: 1 -15)

The King’s Resurrection Matt. 28: 1 -15 • A Miraculous Discovery (v. 1 -7) • A Momentous Declaration (v. 8 -10) • A Mass Denial (v. 11 -15)

A Miraculous Discovery (v. 1 -7) • A deliberate earthquake (v. 1 -2 a)

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred…, ” (Matt. 28: 1 -2)

Christ’s Death & Resurrection Have Earthquakes • Christ’s death (Matt. 27: 51). • Christ’s resurrection (Matt. 28: 2).

“No human agency rolled away the stone blocking the opening of our Lord’s tomb (Matthew 28: 2). It was the earthquake in the presence of the angel. God’s sovereign action was obvious in both the earthquake and in our Lord’s resurrection. The purpose of the stone being rolled away was not to permit the resurrected body of Jesus to exit. The purpose was to allow people to see that the tomb was empty!” Dr. Steven Austin Institute for Creation Research Steven A. Austin, Greatest Earthquakes of the Bible. Accessed August 8, 2017 http: //www. icr. org/article/greatest-earthquakes-bible/

A Miraculous Discovery (v. 1 -7) • A deliberate earthquake (v. 1 -2 a) • A divine emissary (v. 2 b-3)

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. (Matt. 28: 1 -3)

“The stone that would have taken several men to move was nothing to this mighty being. After he had rolled away the stone, he sat on it. This symbolized God’s conquest over all barriers to his will. The angel sat waiting for the women to arrive. He was also on a specific mission. ” Dr. Stu Weber Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 479.

A Miraculous Discovery (v. 1 -7) • A deliberate earthquake (v. 1 -2 a) • A divine emissary (v. 2 b-3) • A debilitating effect (v. 4)

“The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. ” (Matt. 28: 4)

“The guards were so awestruck that at first they shook for fear of him. Shook translates a Greek term that has the same root as “earthquake” in verse 2, indicating that the soldiers experienced personal earthquakes of both mind and body. But after a brief moment of shaking, they then became like dead men, paralyzed with fear. The idea seems to be that they not only became Dr. John Mac. Arthur rigid but unconscious, completely President TMS traumatized by what they saw. ” John F. Mac. Arthur, Matthew, Mac. Arthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), Mt 28: 2.

A Miraculous Discovery (v. 1 -7) • A deliberate earthquake (v. 1 -2 a) • A divine emissary (v. 2 b-3) • A debilitating effect (v. 4) • A disserted enclosure (v. 5 -6)

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. ” (Matt. 28: 5 -6)

Jesus & His Resurrection “for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ” (Matt. 12: 40)

Jesus & His Resurrection “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. ” (Matt. 16: 21)

Jesus & His Resurrection “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father. ” (John 10: 17 -18)

“The angel gently reminded the women that Jesus’ resurrection should not surprise them, because it happened just as He said. Luke reports that they then “remembered His words” (24: 8). ” Dr. John Mac. Arthur President TMS John F. Mac. Arthur, Matthew, Mac. Arthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), Mt 28: 2.

A Miraculous Discovery (v. 1 -7) • A deliberate earthquake (v. 1 -2 a) • A divine emissary (v. 2 b-3) • A debilitating effect (v. 4) • A disserted enclosure (v. 5 -6) • A dynamic exhortation (v. 7)

“Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you. ” (Matt. 28: 7)

“Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED. ’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee. ” (Matt. 26: 31 -32)

*** NOTE *** Jesus appeared to many after His resurrection.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas [Peter], then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. ” (1 Cor. 15: 3 -8)

The King’s Resurrection Matt. 28: 1 -15 • A Miraculous Discovery (v. 1 -7) • A Momentous Declaration (v. 8 -10)

A Momentous Declaration (v. 8 -10) • A Hasty Response (v. 8)

“And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. ” (Matt. 28: 8)

A Momentous Declaration (v. 8 -10) • A Hasty Response (v. 8) • A Happy Reunion (v. 9)

“And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. (Matt. 28: 9)

“Immediately recognizing their Lord, the women came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. They now knew with certainty that He was the risen Messiah, the divine Son of God, and that adoration and praise were the only proper responses to His presence. They did what every person, unbeliever as well as believer, will do one day. When He comes again, “every knee [will] bow … and … every tongue [will] confess Dr. John Mac. Arthur that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of President TMS God the Father. ” John F. Mac. Arthur, Matthew, Mac. Arthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), Mt 28: 9.

A Momentous Declaration (v. 8 -10) • A Hasty Response (v. 8) • A Happy Reunion (v. 9) • A Heartfelt Reiteration (v. 10)

“Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me. ” (Matt. 28: 9 -10)

Christians Are the Brothers & Sisters Of Christ “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, ” (Heb. 2: 10– 11)

“Not only does he show himself as still loving and accepting those who had abandoned him, but he even treats them as equals! In other words, they remain laborers with him in the work of the Father. Jesus is neither denying his uniqueness nor deifying the disciples. But he is portraying the church as a brotherhood that manifests more equality than hierarchy, even if some Dr. Craig Blomberg functional differentiation between Denver Seminary leaders and followers is clear from other Scriptures. ” Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 428.

The King’s Resurrection Matt. 28: 1 -15 • A Miraculous Discovery (v. 1 -7) • A Momentous Declaration (v. 8 -10) • A Mass Denial (v. 11 -15)

“Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep. ’ And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble. ” And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day. ” (Matt. 28: 11 -15)

A Mass Denial (v. 11 -15) • The Guard’s Report (v. 11)

The Guard’s Report (v. 11) • The guards reported the miracles to the religious leaders.

*** NOTE *** The religious leaders did not question the guard’s truthfulness.

“The guards assigned to secure the tomb had been overwhelmed at the appearance of the angel of the Lord who came to roll back the stone. The chief priests did not question the veracity of the report…rather, the summoned the Sanhedrin [religious group]. ” Dwight Pentecost DTS J. Dwight Pentecost, The Words and Works of Jesus Christ (Grands Rapids: Zondervan, 1981), 502.

A Mass Denial (v. 11 -15) • The Guard’s Report (v. 11) • The Group’s Reaction (v. 12 -14)

The Group’s Reaction (v. 12 -14) • They concocted a lie (v. 12)

“And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep’. ” (Matt. 28: 12 -13; 27: 62 -66)

“It is significant that while the disciples disbelieved the report of the Resurrection and sought confirmation of it, the Sanhedrin believed the report and sought an explanation to deny it. ” Dwight Pentecost DTS J. Dwight Pentecost, The Words and Works of Jesus Christ (Grands Rapids: Zondervan, 1981), 502.

A Mass Denial (v. 11 -15) • The Guard’s Report (v. 11) • The Group’s Reaction (v. 12 -14) • The Generated Response (v. 15)

“And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day. ” (Matt. 28: 15)

The Generated Response (v. 15) • The Sanhedrin’s lie became a common response to Christ’s resurrection.

“You [Jewish leaders] have sent chosen and ordained men throughout all the world to proclaim that a godless and lawless heresy had sprung from one Jesus, a Galilean deceiver, whom we crucified, but his disciples stole him by night from the tomb … and now deceived men by asserting that he has risen from the dead and ascended into heaven. ” Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 108. Accessed August 19, 2017. http: //www. logoslibrary. org/justin/trypho/108. html

*** NOTE *** Other lies to explain the resurrection have also been offered.

False Resurrection Theories The Swoon or Resuscitation Theory- Jesus did not really die. When He was placed in the tomb, He was still alive and the disciples, mistaking Him for dead, buried Him alive. After several hours, He revived in the coolness of the tomb, arose, and departed.

Response This theory completely ignores the evidences of His death and would require a greater miracle than the resurrection. According to this theory: The cool damp air of the tomb, instead of killing Him, healed Him. He split out of His garments, pushed the stone away, fought off the guards and shortly thereafter appeared to His disciples as the Lord of life.

False Resurrection Theories Hallucination Theory- Jesus did not really appear to people after the resurrection. He was only a hallucination.

Response How could so many people have the same hallucinations--especially 500 at one time? Furthermore, the appearances happened under different conditions and were spread out over different times.

“Mass hallucinations are impossible. Hallucinations are inner, subjective experiences of the mind. They occur personally and individually, not as a group experience. ” Dr. Danny Akin President Southeastern Baptist Seminary Daniel L. Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Mark (Broadman & Holman Publishing, 2014), 365.

False Resurrection Theories Spiritual Resurrection Theory- Christ’s resurrection was not a real physical resurrection. Proponents of this theory assert that Christ’s body remained in the grave and His real resurrection was spiritual in nature. .

Response Jesus’ physical body did disappear from the tomb. If it was only a spiritual resurrection, then what happened to the body? History shows there was a body there and it disappeared. The enemies of Christ were never able to produce the body nor disprove the resurrection. The biblical record states that Jesus was touched and handled, that He had a body, and that He even ate with the disciples (Luke 24: 30, 41; John 21: 12 f).

Points to Ponder • The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single greatest proof of the truthfulness of the Christian faith. • The resurrection of Christ is the pledge and promise of the Christian’s future resurrection.

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. (1 Cor. 15: 20 -24)

Points to Ponder • The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single greatest proof of the truthfulness of the Christian faith. • The resurrection of Christ is the pledge and promise of the Christian’s future resurrection. • The resurrection of Christ ensures a future fulfillment of a literal kingdom reign.

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. (1 Cor. 15: 20 -24)

The Future Kingdom “It is during the Son’s [future] reign that Jesus, the ultimate Man and King, fulfills all the prophecies, covenants, and promises concerning God’s mediatorial kingdom program. When this occurs then the eternal kingdom of the Father will commence. ” Dr. Michael Vlach TMS Professor Michael Vlach, He Will Reign Forever: A Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God (Silverton, OR: Lampion Press, 2017), 443.

Christ Arose Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes; He arose a victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Let Us Pray

The Expositors 1 Peter 3: 15 “… always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and reverence. ”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kingdom of God Universal Kingdom Mediatorial Kingdom (Christ’s Rule) Spiritual Facet of the Kingdom

Kingdom of God “When Scripture uses the word ‘kingdom’ to refer to God’s kingdom, it could point to any one aspect of the kingdom or several of its parts together. The kingdom of God can be explained in this manner: The eternal triune God created a kingdom and two kingdom citizens (Adam and Eve) who were to have dominion over it. But an enemy deceived them, seduced them into breaking allegiance to the King, and caused them to rebel against their sovereign Creator. God intervened with consequential curses that Dr. John Mac. Arthur and Richard Mayhue, eds. , Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (Wheaton: Crossway, 2017), 44.

Kingdom of God exist to this day. Ever since, he has been redeeming sinful, rebellious people to be restored as qualified kingdom citizens, both now in a spiritual sense and later in a kingdom-on-earth sense. Finally, the enemy will be vanquished forever, as will sin. Thus, Revelation 21– 22 describes the final and eternal expression of the kingdom of God, where the triune God will restore the kingdom to its original purity with the curse having been removed and the new heaven and the new earth becoming the everlasting abode of God and his people. ” Dr. John Mac. Arthur and Richard Mayhue, eds. , Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (Wheaton: Crossway, 2017), 44.

The King’s Commission Matt. 28: 16 -20

“But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ” (Matt 28: 16 -20)

The King’s Commission Matt. 28: 16 -20 • The King’s Adoration (v. 16 -17) • The King’s Authority (v. 18) • The King’s Assignment (v. 19) • The King’s Assurance (v. 20)

The King’s Adoration (v. 16 -17) • A Designated meeting (v. 16)

A Designated meeting (v. 16) • Jesus had previously spoken on at least two occasions of His meeting the disciples in Galilee. (Matt. 26: 32; 28: 7, 10) • Though Matthew does not mention which mountain, it is probably a reference to where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount.

The traditional location for the Mount of Beatitudes is on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and Gennesaret.

The King’s Adoration (v. 16 -17) • A Designated Meeting (v. 16) • A Diverse Response (v. 17)

“When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. ” (Matt 28: 17)

“Exactly what was doubted is also not specified. If the fact of Jesus’ resurrection was in question, then the doubters could not have included any of the eleven, because all of them had already witnessed the risen Christ, some on several occasions. It seems most likely that the doubt concerned whether or not the person who appeared to them was actually the physically risen Christ or some form of imposter. Out of that large group [1 Cor. 15: 6], only the eleven Dr. John Mac. Arthur President TMS John F. Mac. Arthur, Matthew, Mac. Arthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), Mt 28: 17.

disciples and some of the women who had come to the tomb had seen the risen Christ. Perhaps some of those in the back of the crowd could not see Jesus clearly and, like Thomas, were reluctant to believe such an amazing truth without firm evidence. As if to alleviate that doubt, Jesus graciously came up and spoke to them. Whatever the doubt was and whoever the doubters were, as the Lord came nearer and as His familiar voice Dr. John Mac. Arthur President TMS sounded in their ears once again, all uncertainty was erased. ” John F. Mac. Arthur, Matthew, Mac. Arthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), Mt 28: 9.

The King’s Commission Matt. 28: 16 -20 • The King’s Adoration (v. 16 -17) • The King’s Authority (v. 18)

The King’s Authority (v. 18) • Christ has been given all rights to exercise a sovereign rule.

“Of course Jesus already had authority during his earthly ministry. But now he has all authority, and that word all will be repeated insistently in vv. 19 (‘all nations’) and 20 (‘all things’, ‘always’). In Matt. 4: 8– 9 Satan offered him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; now, by the way of suffering obedience, he has received far more than Satan could offer, all authority in heaven and on earth. ” Dr. R. France London School of Theology R. T. France, Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 1, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove: Inter. Varsity Press, 1985), 419.

“which He brought about in Christ, when He [God] raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. “ (Eph. 1: 20 -23) “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ” (Phil. 2: 9– 11)

“I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. (Dan. 7: 13– 14)

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end. ” (Luke 1: 31 -33)

“But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God. ” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. ” (Matt 26: 63 -64)

The King’s Commission Matt. 28: 16 -20 • The King’s Adoration (v. 16 -17) • The King’s Authority (v. 18) • The King’s Assignment (v. 19)

The King’s Assignment (v. 19) • The Great Commission involves an imperative, a command. • In the Greek text, the command in the verse is to “make disciples of all nations. ” • The participles associated with the command are “going, baptizing, teaching. ” • These are the means by which the command is to be carried out.

The King’s Assignment (v. 19) • Going- This means “As you are going” or “having gone. ” It presupposes the activity of personal engagement. • Baptizing- identifying with Christ by being immersed in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

*** Question *** Why baptize in the name (singular) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Salvation in a Trinitarian Work • God the Father- Selected individuals for salvation before the world existed. • God the Son- Purchased and redeemed those selected and given to Him by the Father. • God the Holy Spirit- regenerates and causes the person to be born again by granting faith and repentance. The Spirit then indwells, fills, teaches, and guides the believer in fulfilling the Christian life.

The King’s Assignment (v. 19) • Going- This means “As you are going” or “having gone. ” It presupposes the activity of personal engagement. • Baptizing- identifying with Christ by being immersed in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. • Teaching- We are to teach and instruct believers in the Law of Christ.

Paul’s Method of Basic Discipleship • Teaching God’s Word- (Acts 17: 22 -34; 20: 18 -21)

And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned [dialegomai- to engage in a discussion or conversation. To dialogue with someone. ] with them from the Scriptures, (Acts 17: 2)

Paul’s Method of Basic Discipleship • Teaching God’s Word- (Acts 17: 22 -34; 20: 18 -21) • Baptize believers- (Acts 16: 33; 1 Cor. 1: 14 -16) • Modeled Christian Character- (Phil. 4: 8 -9; 1 Thes. 2: 7 -12) • Shared His Testimony- (Acts 22: 1 -22; 26: 13 -23)

Making Disciples is a Process

The Goal of Making Disciples or Learners Can teach others - Can apply in life. - Knows how terms & concepts relate to life. - Can state back terms & concepts to others - Can identify terms and concepts when observed. - Understands terms and concepts but without relational meaning.

Time + Biblical Data + Application = Spiritual Growth Teaching, Baptizing, Modeling Character, Sharing Testimony

The King’s Commission Matt. 28: 16 -20 • The King’s Adoration (v. 16 -17) • The King’s Authority (v. 18) • The King’s Assignment (v. 19) • The King’s Assurance (v. 20)

The King’s Assurance (v. 20) • Jesus will be with every believer as he carries out the Great Commission.

“For the individual believer that means all the days of his life. But in its fullest meaning for the church at large it means even to the end of the age, that is, until the Lord returns bodily to judge the world and to rule His earthly kingdom. ” Dr. John Mac. Arthur President TMS John F. Mac. Arthur, Matthew, Mac. Arthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), Mt 28: 20.

Points to Ponder • Making disciples is the church’s primary objective. • Making disciples includes sharing biblical data but it also includes how you live. Make sure your lifestyle is reflective of a sound biblical ethic. • We must be about the task of making disciples because this is the means God uses increase His kingdom.