The Mission of Redemption

Jesus came into this world on a mission to seek and save the lost.

While the work of redemption is finished, the mission of redemption is just getting started.

John 20:21

"As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."

Jesus didn't just save you from something; He also saved you for something.

Matthew 28:18-20

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"

01. Jesus Has All Authority

Matthew 28:18

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

Jesus didn't teach like anyone else.

Matthew 7:28-29

"And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes."

The religious leaders were threatened by the authority of Jesus.

Matthew 21:23

"And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, 'By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?'"

Matthew 21:24-27

"Jesus answered them, 'I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?' And they discussed it among themselves, saying, 'If we say, "From heaven," he will say to us, "Why then did you not believe him?" But if we say, "From man," we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.' So they answered Jesus, 'We do not know.' And he said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.'"

If Jesus really has all authority, then He doesn't just get to influence my life; He gets to lead it.

If Jesus has all authority, then there is no part of my life that is off limits to His Kingship.

The Great Commission isn't good advice from a wise teacher. It's the marching orders of the One who has all authority in heaven and on earth.

02. Jesus Shares His Authority

Matthew 28:18-19

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…'"

The Great Commission isn't just a command to obey. It's an authorization to go.

Before He ever says, "Go," He says, "All authority belongs to Me." In other words, "You're not going in your own authority. You're going in Mine."

Exousia - The authorized use of power, the authorized right to act on behalf of someone else.

We have all the authority of Heaven backing us up as we go!

03. Jesus Shows Us How Authority Is Used

John 13:3-5

"Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him."

Jesus knew who He was. Jesus knew where He had come from. Jesus knew where He was going. & Jesus knew He had authority over everything.

So, He washed feet.

If you want to walk in the authority of Jesus, pick up the towel of Jesus.

Matthew 10:7-8

"As you go, proclaim, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."

Jesus didn't send His disciples into the world to make much of themselves. He sent them into the world to make much of Him by serving others.

The world says, "If you have authority, get people to serve you." Jesus says, "If you have authority, find someone to serve."

Wherever Jesus sends you, carry His authority the same way He carried His, by picking up a towel and serving the people He puts in front of you.