RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-08-14	Sovereign Comfort In Uncertain Times (Mt.28:16-20)
		Doesn't it seem that the one thing that is predictable in this life is that it is unpredictable. We have amazing promises in God's Word. Jesus certainly knew we would need encouragement for difficult times. Mat 28:16  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. Mat 28:17  When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Mat 28:19  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Mat 28:20  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. I. LOFTY CLAIM (v.18) Jesus begins by pointing out that all authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth (v.18). That is a lofty claim for anyone to make. It has been given to Him by God the Father. Because Jesus died, He overcame guilt, and condemnation. Because Jesus rose from the dead, He overcame suffering and death. Because Jesus overcame guilt, condemnation, suffering, and death He has triumphed over Satan. The only way Satan can batter the people of God is through guilt and condemnation. The only way Satan can beat us up is through suffering. Since guilt, condemnation, suffering, and death have been conquered by Jesus in His death and resurrection, Satan is empty-handed to destroy believers. Php 2:9  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, Php 2:10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, Php 2:11  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is just another way of saying, all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Me. Here is our King who is commissioning us. This lofty claim “all authority” has been bought by and given to Jesus. Now He passes that unto us. Jesus has all authority over Satan, demons, angels (good or evil), the natural universe, microscopic level, all animals, every part of your body. Jesus has authority over nations, kings, weapons, armies, terrorists, business, currency, media, education, and science. Jesus has authority over crime, neighborhoods, families, His body, i.e., the church, and every soul in the universe. Because Jesus has all authority He has the right to say, “Go” everywhere (v.19). Verse 18 is the “Search warrant” for breaking into other cultures. So we have a warrant from Jesus to Go. You do not do this kind of thing without a warrant. You do not go into someone's culture or house and say, “Jesus is Lord of this house.” Jesus died, has risen, and triumphed over all enemies. II. LOVING COMFORT (v.19-20) There are three pieces to His loving comfort. (1) Identification; (2) Continuation; and (3) Duration. 1) Identification: Remember the One who promised never to leave you (v.20) is the One who has all authority (v.18) to the end. 2) Continuation: “always”. Not just length of time, but unbroken time. Jesus never fails during any time of your life. Heb 13:5  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU." 3) Duration: “to the end of the age”. Till Jesus returns we can be assured He is there with us. Php 1:6  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. So the One with all authority, who will never leave you, can comfort you when things seem uncertain. It is not uncertain to Him! Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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