The Passion: All Power — The Great Commission
Study The Word
Matthew 28:18–20
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
After He had risen from the dead, Jesus met with His eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee where He had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him — but some doubted. And then Jesus spoke and made a declaration that changed the course of human history. He said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” All power! Not some power. Not a portion of power. All power! Remember, He had spoiled principalities and powers. He had made a public spectacle of Satan, triumphing over them in it. He had defeated death, hell, and the grave. And now He comes and says, “All power — all power — all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth!” Glory to God!
ἐξουσία exousia power – authority, right, jurisdiction, delegated influence, the power of rule and governance
And then, by reason of this power, He now delegates it. He says, “Go ye therefore.” That “therefore” is critical. It means “because all power has been given to me — therefore, go!” You are not going in your own power. You are not going in your own strength. You are not going in your own ability. You are going in the authority of the One who possesses all power in heaven and in earth! How incredible is that?
And look at the scope of the commission: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” That is what Mark’s account records. And Matthew says, “Teach all nations.” All nations! Not some nations. Not your comfortable nations. All nations. Baptizing them. Teaching them to observe all things. This is the Great Commission. This is what we do. This is what we are here for. Hey! And then Jesus adds, “And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age.” He did not send us out and leave us alone. He is with us! The One who has all power is with us always!
μαθητεύω matheteuo teach – to make disciples, to instruct, to train as a pupil, to enroll as a scholar
And in Mark chapter 16, verse 17, Jesus listed the signs that shall follow them that believe: “In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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.” These are not signs from two thousand years ago that have expired. These are signs that follow believers — that means they follow you! You have been given the authority of the name of Jesus. You have been commissioned by the One who holds all power. Now go! Go into all the world. Teach all nations. Preach the gospel to every creature. And the Lord will work with you, confirming the word with signs following. Hallelujah!
Pray The Word
Heavenly Father, I thank You that all power in heaven and in earth has been given to the Lord Jesus Christ, and that He has now commissioned me to go into all the world and preach the gospel. I thank You that He is with me always, even unto the end of the age. I receive the authority of His name and I commit to fulfilling the Great Commission, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Speak The Word
I am commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ who holds all power in heaven and in earth! I go into all the world in His authority and I teach all nations. Signs follow me as a believer — in the name of Jesus I cast out devils, I speak with new tongues, I lay hands on the sick and they recover. The Lord works with me, confirming the word with signs following, in the name of Jesus Christ!