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 inthe 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.” Matthew 28:18-20
The last few words of Jesus’ earthly ministry took place on a mountain after He was resurrected. He gathered the disciples together and gave them their marching orders and these words are for us today the same. Jesus claims full authority in heaven and on earth, then commissions his followers to make disciples of all nations.
Today we are able to read the initial response to this mission in the book of Acts. In the book of Acts, we see the beginning of the church in Jerusalem and then the unprecedented spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Over 2,000 years later, we gather as a body of believers here at Eastern Hills in Montgomery, AL because of this mission given by the Lord Jesus. Not only do we just gather as followers of Jesus, but our church has a history of sending out missionaries under the banner of the Great Commission for the purpose of making disciples in Montgomery and across the globe. This going and sending is in our DNA as a church. What a privilege and joy it to take place in this great mission knowing not only that Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth but that, as the last words of this verse tell us, He is with us to the end of the age.
At the conclusion of the service this past Sunday, we commissioned our student ministry as we will soon embark on Choir Tour 2021. I can not tell you how incredible this process has been for me in just the past 11 weeks to see God orchestrate and provide opportunities for our students to minister on tour this year. A process that typically takes 8-12 months to plan was accomplished in just under 3 months. We are excited about the opportunity for us as we go. Will you pray for us? Pray for us as we travel, as we sing, and as we serve. Pray for our hearts to be captured by the greatness and goodness of our great God. Pray for those with who we will engage with the gospel. Pray for our students to be changed by the gospel.
Pastor Jeff