Text: Matthew 28:18-20

 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20 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.  

 Wednesday, 8^th May 2024 

THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS TO COMPLETE THE MISSION

Text: Matthew 28:18-20

Memory verse: Acts 1: 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The Holy Spirit gives His church power to complete Christ’s mission, to make followers for Jesus from all nations. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ and just before He ascended to heaven, Jesus said to His disciples in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”. If there is one thing to know about the early followers of Christ even after His resurrection, it is that they were scared and fearful. When the Spirit filled them, though, He turned these discouraged and frightened followers of Christ into a bold and fearless force that began to turn the world upside down.

The disciples were to be made instruments in the establishment of the kingdom of Christ; but this must be by the energy of the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; nevertheless, this energy would be given in such times and seasons, and in such measures, as should appear best to the infinite wisdom of God. Christ does not immediately answer the question of the disciples, as it was a point of too much of mere curiosity; but he gave them such information as was calculated to bring both their faith and hope into action.

Though the word earth, is often used to denote Judea alone, All the inhabitants of the globe might at that period be considered divisible into three classes. The JEWS, who adhered to the law of Moses, and the prophetic writings, worshipping the true God only, and keeping up with the temple service, as prescribed in their law. The SAMARITANS, a half-breed people, who worshipped the God of Israel in connection with other gods, they had no kind of religious connection with the Jews. And the GENTILES, the heathens through all other parts of the world, who were addicted to idolatry alone, and had no knowledge of the true God. The extent to which this commission of instruction and salvation was designed to reach was: to the Jews; to the Samaritans, and the uttermost part of the earth, to the Gentile nations, thus, to the whole human race the Gospel of the kingdom was to be proclaimed. When the twelve disciples were sent out to preach, Matthew 10:5, their commission was very limited-they were not to go in the way of the Gentiles, nor enter into any city of the Samaritans, but preach the Gospel to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: but here their commission is enlarged, for they are to go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature, this was only made possible by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

CGDS HYMN 8; SS&S 379:

HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS FOR THE CLEANSING POWER?

1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Refrain

Are you washed in the blood?

In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?

Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

2. Are you walking daily by the Saviour’s side?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

3. When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white!

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Will your soul be ready for His presence bright?

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

4. Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;

There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

   Prayers:

1.  Lord Jesus, help me by Your Holy Spirit, to accomplish Your mission for me on earth.

2.  LORD God Almighty, help the end time churches on earth to focus on accomplishing Your mission before Christ tarries in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.