1 00:00:00,170 --> 00:00:03,630 Speaker 1: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in 2 00:00:03,670 --> 00:00:05,729 Speaker 1: the name of the Father and of the Son and 3 00:00:05,769 --> 00:00:11,730 Speaker 1: of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28, 19 Heavenly Father, we 4 00:00:11,810 --> 00:00:15,470 Speaker 1: humbly embrace our calling to share your love and truth 5 00:00:15,630 --> 00:00:21,610 Speaker 1: with the world. Empower us to be faithful disciples, spreading 6 00:00:21,660 --> 00:00:25,799 Speaker 1: your message of hope and salvation to every corner of 7 00:00:25,820 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: the earth. Remind us that we are never alone in 8 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:33,449 Speaker 1: this mission for you are with us always, in every moment, 9 00:00:34,330 --> 00:00:38,830 Speaker 1: until the end of time. Strengthen our resolve and fill 10 00:00:38,930 --> 00:00:42,590 Speaker 1: our hearts with your love, so that through your words 11 00:00:42,850 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: and actions, others may come to know the grace and 12 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:51,860 Speaker 1: truth found in you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 13 00:00:53,300 --> 00:00:56,540 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 14 00:00:56,580 --> 00:01:01,090 Speaker 1: The Jesus Podcast. sagas from the gospel told like never before. 15 00:01:02,270 --> 00:01:05,950 Speaker 1: Remain here to immerse yourself in the drama and wonder 16 00:01:06,550 --> 00:01:09,610 Speaker 1: of Christ's story. If you want to partner with us 17 00:01:09,709 --> 00:01:12,190 Speaker 1: in our mission to bring the Bible to life in 18 00:01:12,270 --> 00:01:16,660 Speaker 1: new ways, follow this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. 19 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:20,660 Speaker 1: Doing so will keep you updated, but also help us 20 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 1: get discovered by more people. That way, we can reach 21 00:01:24,660 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: the whole world with the story of Jesus. Jesus and 22 00:01:31,100 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: the eleven disciples reclined at a small table, enjoying a 23 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 1: meal and laughter. The room was small and humble. The 24 00:01:40,380 --> 00:01:44,030 Speaker 1: wooden table was old and rickety, and the fireplace was 25 00:01:44,110 --> 00:01:47,910 Speaker 1: worn and weathered from years of use. Yet there was 26 00:01:48,050 --> 00:01:51,790 Speaker 1: joy in the room, and captured within the four walls 27 00:01:52,650 --> 00:01:58,180 Speaker 1: was a majesty unseen, deeply felt. The disciples' laughter shook 28 00:01:58,260 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 1: the room as they reminisced, and dreamed about the future. 29 00:02:02,580 --> 00:02:08,900 Speaker 1: Jesus was among them, listening, laughing, eating, and praying. Their 30 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 1: joy was complete in the light of Christ's resurrection. Now, 31 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 1: there was only one thing left for Jesus to do. 32 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:21,780 Speaker 1: Clearing his throat, he lifted his voice for them to hear. 33 00:02:22,540 --> 00:02:25,690 Speaker 1: He gestured to Mary and Salome, who were reclining at 34 00:02:25,710 --> 00:02:26,650 Speaker 1: the table beside them. 35 00:02:27,030 --> 00:02:30,169 Speaker 2: You didn't believe those who proclaimed my resurrection, did you? 36 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:36,020 Speaker 1: The eleven, feeling convicted and embarrassed, shook their heads. Jesus 37 00:02:36,100 --> 00:02:38,160 Speaker 1: gave them an assuring smile and said. 38 00:02:38,540 --> 00:02:42,250 Speaker 2: My dear children, you have seen me and believed, but 39 00:02:42,290 --> 00:02:46,130 Speaker 2: blessed are those who have not yet seen and still believe. 40 00:02:46,610 --> 00:02:50,010 Speaker 1: The disciples raised their cups in acknowledgement of the blessing 41 00:02:50,669 --> 00:02:51,110 Speaker 1: and drank. 42 00:02:51,669 --> 00:02:53,970 Speaker 2: Master, what are your plans now? 43 00:02:54,350 --> 00:02:54,989 Speaker 1: Matthew asked. 44 00:02:55,270 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 3: We are eager to follow you wherever you go. 45 00:02:57,860 --> 00:03:02,109 Speaker 1: The disciples leaned in to hear Jesus' answer. His resurrection 46 00:03:02,169 --> 00:03:08,490 Speaker 1: was mysterious, and Jesus' intentions were still unclear. Jesus looked 47 00:03:08,530 --> 00:03:12,989 Speaker 1: at his followers. They were devoted and eager. He knew 48 00:03:13,150 --> 00:03:17,620 Speaker 1: what they were expecting. They were expecting a revolution, an 49 00:03:17,820 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 1: upheaval of Rome, and a reformation of the temple. Yet Jesus' 50 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:27,639 Speaker 1: revolution was for the heart, not the government. He did 51 00:03:27,700 --> 00:03:31,750 Speaker 1: not rise again to restore one nation to prominence, but 52 00:03:31,770 --> 00:03:36,030 Speaker 1: the entire world to God. With love in his eyes 53 00:03:36,650 --> 00:03:40,530 Speaker 1: and tender strength in his voice, he said, Go. 54 00:03:40,390 --> 00:03:43,510 Speaker 2: Into the world. You will proclaim the gospel to my 55 00:03:43,550 --> 00:03:47,830 Speaker 2: creation and reconcile their hearts to God. You will be 56 00:03:47,870 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 2: my ambassadors on the earth and proclaim the coming kingdom. 57 00:03:52,350 --> 00:03:56,140 Speaker 2: People who believe in me will be saved. However, many 58 00:03:56,180 --> 00:04:00,020 Speaker 2: will reject me and be condemned. Where do we begin? 59 00:04:00,660 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 1: Peter asked eagerly. Jesus' attention was fixed on Peter. His 60 00:04:05,840 --> 00:04:10,059 Speaker 1: eyes reflected pride in his dear friend. Peter saw his 61 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 1: future reflected in Jesus' gaze, a future of strength, power, 62 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:16,740 Speaker 1: and persecution. 63 00:04:17,300 --> 00:04:20,960 Speaker 2: You begin with faith, Peter, Jesus said softly. There will 64 00:04:20,980 --> 00:04:23,870 Speaker 2: be many signs and wonders you will behold, yet you 65 00:04:23,900 --> 00:04:26,669 Speaker 2: must wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. He 66 00:04:26,690 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 2: will guide you into all truth. With him counseling you, 67 00:04:30,710 --> 00:04:33,910 Speaker 2: You will be able to cast out demons, speak new tongues, 68 00:04:34,690 --> 00:04:37,810 Speaker 2: and be immune to the poisons of this world. You 69 00:04:37,830 --> 00:04:40,669 Speaker 2: will lay your hands on the sick, as I have, 70 00:04:41,290 --> 00:04:45,860 Speaker 2: and they will be healed. Yet it all begins with faith. 71 00:04:46,660 --> 00:04:49,900 Speaker 1: Jesus placed his cup on the table and gathered the 72 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 1: disciples into a warm embrace. 73 00:04:52,220 --> 00:04:54,380 Speaker 2: Meet me on the mountain above Galilee in the morning. 74 00:04:54,779 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 1: He whispered. Then, just as he had done several times before, 75 00:04:59,870 --> 00:05:07,570 Speaker 1: he vanished. What does it mean to live in light 76 00:05:07,740 --> 00:05:10,979 Speaker 1: of the resurrection? How do we imperfect people on this 77 00:05:11,010 --> 00:05:14,859 Speaker 1: side of heaven live lives that echo eternity? We begin 78 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:19,039 Speaker 1: with the Great Commission. Welcome to the final resurrection episode 79 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:22,240 Speaker 1: of the Jesus Podcast. Don't worry, we have hundreds more 80 00:05:22,300 --> 00:05:24,960 Speaker 1: stories for you this year, but this is where the 81 00:05:25,020 --> 00:05:28,419 Speaker 1: resurrection story draws to a close, where Jesus ascends to 82 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: heaven to be with the Father. Before Jesus leaves, he 83 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:35,430 Speaker 1: gives his followers a final command, a commission. This calling 84 00:05:35,490 --> 00:05:38,050 Speaker 1: extends to us today. These are the final acts and 85 00:05:38,070 --> 00:05:40,909 Speaker 1: words by Jesus here on earth. We can't afford to 86 00:05:40,970 --> 00:05:46,290 Speaker 1: miss them. So let's dive in. The followers of Jesus 87 00:05:46,390 --> 00:05:50,950 Speaker 1: rose the following day before sunrise. The serene calm of 88 00:05:51,010 --> 00:05:55,020 Speaker 1: dawn was interrupted by a cacophony of people gathering at 89 00:05:55,060 --> 00:06:00,660 Speaker 1: the base. 500 people had come to see Jesus. Each 90 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:05,530 Speaker 1: individually called to bear the message of hope within. The 91 00:06:05,570 --> 00:06:09,790 Speaker 1: crowd followed the eleven disciples up the mountain, each step 92 00:06:09,850 --> 00:06:16,010 Speaker 1: taken with anticipation and fear. Peter, James, and John were 93 00:06:16,050 --> 00:06:19,230 Speaker 1: a few strides ahead of the rest. They had once 94 00:06:19,310 --> 00:06:22,710 Speaker 1: climbed up a mountain to see Jesus transfigured in glory. 95 00:06:23,700 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 1: Now as they reached the summit, they didn't quite know 96 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:30,280 Speaker 1: what to expect. At the top of the mountain, with 97 00:06:30,300 --> 00:06:35,770 Speaker 1: the wind whistling overhead, was Jesus. He stood there looking 98 00:06:35,970 --> 00:06:39,950 Speaker 1: out at the sun radiantly peeking over the horizon. He 99 00:06:39,990 --> 00:06:44,530 Speaker 1: turned back to his followers and smiled. His robe and 100 00:06:44,630 --> 00:06:48,349 Speaker 1: hair flew back in the wind as he gestured for 101 00:06:48,390 --> 00:06:52,739 Speaker 1: them to step closer. The Son of God stood there 102 00:06:52,940 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 1: on the mountain's edge. The radiance of the morning sun 103 00:06:56,860 --> 00:07:02,080 Speaker 1: was nothing in comparison to his glory. Small slivers of 104 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:06,270 Speaker 1: light began to shine through his skin like flickering flames. 105 00:07:07,330 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 1: Hundreds of them bowed before Jesus. They sang his name 106 00:07:12,500 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 1: and proclaimed his mighty works to the heavens. Hallelujah, they sang. 107 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 1: Hallelujah to the son of David. For the first time 108 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:27,260 Speaker 1: in history, a group of people gathered to worship the 109 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 1: risen king. They sang his praises and spoke of his 110 00:07:32,300 --> 00:07:37,750 Speaker 1: glory and grace. their songs of hope and salvation would 111 00:07:37,850 --> 00:07:43,630 Speaker 1: resonate for a thousand generations. Peter stepped forward from the rest. 112 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:48,780 Speaker 1: The ground near Jesus was pulsing like a heartbeat. He 113 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:52,980 Speaker 1: looked up to see Jesus. When Peter saw him, he 114 00:07:53,060 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 1: covered his face and fell to his knees. He now 115 00:07:56,780 --> 00:08:00,690 Speaker 1: fully understood he was in the presence of the Most 116 00:08:00,850 --> 00:08:06,660 Speaker 1: High God, Elohim, the creator of the heavens and the earth. 117 00:08:07,500 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 1: He was speaking to the great deliverer, the voice from 118 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:16,700 Speaker 1: the burning bush, the great I Am. He bowed before 119 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: him and looked up. 120 00:08:18,750 --> 00:08:22,850 Speaker 2: Jesus, is it time for you to restore the kingdom 121 00:08:22,890 --> 00:08:23,350 Speaker 2: of Israel? 122 00:08:23,790 --> 00:08:24,450 Speaker 1: Peter asked. 123 00:08:24,870 --> 00:08:26,570 Speaker 2: Is it time for you to take the throne of 124 00:08:26,630 --> 00:08:28,750 Speaker 2: David and claim your authority? 125 00:08:29,270 --> 00:08:33,210 Speaker 1: Jesus looked down at Peter and walked toward him. The 126 00:08:33,270 --> 00:08:38,020 Speaker 1: earth beneath him rippled with each step. His voice resonated 127 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:39,360 Speaker 1: with the power of God. 128 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:40,560 Speaker 2: Authority? 129 00:08:41,140 --> 00:08:44,620 Speaker 1: Jesus asked with a smirk. He stretched out his hands 130 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:45,010 Speaker 1: and said. 131 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,729 Speaker 2: All authority I have, Peter, give to you. 132 00:08:49,190 --> 00:08:51,630 Speaker 1: He looked out at his disciples and the hundreds of 133 00:08:51,710 --> 00:08:52,710 Speaker 1: followers behind them. 134 00:08:54,809 --> 00:08:58,309 Speaker 2: All authority I have, I give to you. You will 135 00:08:58,330 --> 00:09:01,810 Speaker 2: receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, 136 00:09:02,450 --> 00:09:04,980 Speaker 2: and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in 137 00:09:05,059 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 2: all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 138 00:09:09,420 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 1: Jesus raised his arms, voice booming with a power more 139 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:14,860 Speaker 1: palpable than the wind. 140 00:09:15,540 --> 00:09:18,110 Speaker 2: All authority in heaven and on earth is mine. I 141 00:09:18,770 --> 00:09:21,270 Speaker 2: hold the very power of the universe in my hands, 142 00:09:21,929 --> 00:09:25,230 Speaker 2: the power to transform and save. 143 00:09:25,950 --> 00:09:30,460 Speaker 1: Jesus' voice grew louder, and the clouds around him illuminated 144 00:09:30,540 --> 00:09:34,680 Speaker 1: with light. The crowd looked behind Jesus, to see the 145 00:09:34,780 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 1: sun holding its place on the horizon. It became impossible 146 00:09:40,110 --> 00:09:43,130 Speaker 1: to tell where the light was coming from, the sunrise, 147 00:09:43,530 --> 00:09:49,150 Speaker 1: the clouds, or Jesus himself. Jesus' voice poured forth to 148 00:09:49,190 --> 00:09:52,490 Speaker 1: his followers like a thousand raging waters. 149 00:09:52,990 --> 00:09:57,630 Speaker 2: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them 150 00:09:57,670 --> 00:09:59,709 Speaker 2: in the name of the Father, the Son, and the 151 00:09:59,730 --> 00:10:03,460 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit. and the Holy Spirit. Teach others to observe 152 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 2: what I have taught you, to love, to obey, to sacrifice, 153 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:10,099 Speaker 2: and to serve. 154 00:10:10,820 --> 00:10:14,910 Speaker 1: Matthew looked and noticed that Jesus' feet were rising above 155 00:10:14,970 --> 00:10:18,150 Speaker 1: the ground. He's leaving. He and the others ran to 156 00:10:18,210 --> 00:10:21,030 Speaker 1: Jesus and fell at his feet. Master, no. 157 00:10:21,570 --> 00:10:22,609 Speaker 2: Don't leave us alone here. 158 00:10:23,070 --> 00:10:26,860 Speaker 1: Fully immersed in the radiance of heaven, Jesus smiled. 159 00:10:27,640 --> 00:10:33,179 Speaker 2: Alone? Oh, my children, you are never alone. Behold, I 160 00:10:33,220 --> 00:10:37,000 Speaker 2: will be with you always, even to the end of time. 161 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:41,490 Speaker 1: And as he said this, the light fully enveloped him, 162 00:10:42,170 --> 00:10:46,490 Speaker 1: and he disappeared into the skies like a vapor. The 163 00:10:46,670 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 1: sun's rays fully peaked over the horizons, and the clouds 164 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:57,020 Speaker 1: disappeared into the skies. Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God, 165 00:10:57,520 --> 00:11:01,500 Speaker 1: the Great I Am, had gone to be with his 166 00:11:01,620 --> 00:11:06,620 Speaker 1: Father in the heavens. There he would prepare a place 167 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:09,829 Speaker 1: for them. He would map out the course of eternity 168 00:11:10,150 --> 00:11:15,270 Speaker 1: with them in mind. The King of Kings would be 169 00:11:15,330 --> 00:11:25,290 Speaker 1: the architect of his kingdom on earth, and What does 170 00:11:25,340 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 1: it mean to live in light of the resurrection? We 171 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:32,100 Speaker 1: live in a polarizing time where battles for political power 172 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:36,160 Speaker 1: or division from cultural struggles are rampant. Everyone is trying 173 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:39,850 Speaker 1: to aggressively dominate culture with their ideology. How do we 174 00:11:39,910 --> 00:11:43,870 Speaker 1: as believers, followers of Christ, function in it all? Are 175 00:11:43,890 --> 00:11:47,250 Speaker 1: we supposed to contribute to the clamoring, the arguing, the debating? 176 00:11:47,670 --> 00:11:50,050 Speaker 1: What are we supposed to do with this polarized and 177 00:11:50,110 --> 00:11:54,110 Speaker 1: politically charged time? Jesus came into the world during a 178 00:11:54,150 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 1: polarized and charged time in history. Occupied Palestine under the 179 00:11:58,020 --> 00:12:00,959 Speaker 1: boot of Roman oppression, it seems like an odd time 180 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: to come in and establish a new kingdom. But Jesus 181 00:12:04,220 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: didn't do any of this by accident. He, the Son 182 00:12:06,540 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: of God, had chosen before all of eternity to enter 183 00:12:09,460 --> 00:12:12,750 Speaker 1: in and save his creation at the perfect moment. Looked 184 00:12:12,780 --> 00:12:15,109 Speaker 1: at from our perspective, it might not seem like it 185 00:12:15,150 --> 00:12:17,970 Speaker 1: was such a great time. Israel was a conquered country, 186 00:12:18,170 --> 00:12:21,730 Speaker 1: occupied by Roman soldiers and oppressed by Roman taxes. The 187 00:12:21,770 --> 00:12:23,930 Speaker 1: Roman emperors who ruled at the time and the Jewish 188 00:12:24,030 --> 00:12:28,030 Speaker 1: leaders they used as their puppets are remembered as violent, sadistic, 189 00:12:28,110 --> 00:12:30,950 Speaker 1: and demagogues. There was emperors like Caligula. 190 00:12:31,170 --> 00:12:34,860 Speaker 3: Nero, Herod. They were all terrible and corrupt men and 191 00:12:34,940 --> 00:12:38,580 Speaker 3: had their boots on the necks of society. That's why 192 00:12:38,620 --> 00:12:41,819 Speaker 3: when Jesus is with his disciples as the resurrected king, 193 00:12:42,300 --> 00:12:44,840 Speaker 3: they ask if he's going to restore the kingdom of Israel. 194 00:12:45,580 --> 00:12:48,540 Speaker 3: They are essentially asking if Jesus is going to storm 195 00:12:48,620 --> 00:12:51,540 Speaker 3: Rome as the resurrected ruler of the world and take 196 00:12:51,580 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 3: the throne. The answer is yes and no. Jesus said 197 00:12:56,179 --> 00:12:57,660 Speaker 3: to them, It is not for you to know the 198 00:12:57,710 --> 00:13:00,270 Speaker 3: time or the dates the Father has by his own authority, 199 00:13:00,610 --> 00:13:02,970 Speaker 3: but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes 200 00:13:03,070 --> 00:13:06,069 Speaker 3: upon you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, Judea, 201 00:13:06,110 --> 00:13:08,550 Speaker 3: and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. It's 202 00:13:08,590 --> 00:13:10,870 Speaker 3: not hard to notice that when Jesus is asked, Is 203 00:13:10,910 --> 00:13:13,130 Speaker 3: it time to take power and create God's kingdom here 204 00:13:13,190 --> 00:13:16,439 Speaker 3: on earth? Jesus answers that he wants them to preach 205 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 3: the gospel, convert people, and to grow the numbers of 206 00:13:19,700 --> 00:13:22,780 Speaker 3: disciples all throughout the world. He says, All authority in 207 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:25,560 Speaker 3: heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, 208 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:28,560 Speaker 3: go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in 209 00:13:28,580 --> 00:13:30,199 Speaker 3: the name of the Father, the Son, and of the 210 00:13:30,260 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 3: Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 211 00:13:33,710 --> 00:13:36,290 Speaker 3: And surely I am with you always, even to the 212 00:13:36,350 --> 00:13:39,990 Speaker 3: end of the age. Yet today, even among believers with 213 00:13:40,290 --> 00:13:43,390 Speaker 3: high view of Scripture and Jesus' words in their red-letter Bibles, 214 00:13:43,850 --> 00:13:47,350 Speaker 3: These sweeping commands from our Savior to evangelize rather than 215 00:13:47,410 --> 00:13:50,849 Speaker 3: to seek political clout are being brushed aside as irrelevant 216 00:13:50,970 --> 00:13:54,970 Speaker 3: in favor of other pursuits that are touted as more necessary, relevant, 217 00:13:55,030 --> 00:13:58,730 Speaker 3: or appropriate to highly charged political culture in which we 218 00:13:58,790 --> 00:14:01,580 Speaker 3: now exist. We see the church often getting lost in 219 00:14:01,620 --> 00:14:05,290 Speaker 3: political battles of occupation and regime change. That's the way 220 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:08,520 Speaker 3: of Caesar. It's not the way of Jesus. His rule 221 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:11,700 Speaker 3: was upside down to the dominating, oppressive, and aggressive culture 222 00:14:11,740 --> 00:14:14,809 Speaker 3: to the kingdoms and conquerors. He wasn't after the throne 223 00:14:14,850 --> 00:14:18,929 Speaker 3: of Caesar. To Jesus, that was too small of an accomplishment. 224 00:14:19,550 --> 00:14:22,690 Speaker 3: He wanted the souls of mankind. And what does it 225 00:14:22,750 --> 00:14:26,070 Speaker 3: look like for a redeemed soul to go in and 226 00:14:26,170 --> 00:14:29,430 Speaker 3: conquer the world? Well, it looks upside down to what 227 00:14:29,470 --> 00:14:32,130 Speaker 3: the world preaches. The world says, hate your enemies, but 228 00:14:32,190 --> 00:14:35,320 Speaker 3: Jesus says, love your enemies. The world says, strike back, 229 00:14:35,390 --> 00:14:39,140 Speaker 3: but Jesus says, turn the cheek. The Great Commission charges 230 00:14:39,380 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 3: us to change the world one heart at a time, 231 00:14:43,020 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 3: with the character, words, and power of Jesus. What was 232 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 3: that evangelistic strategy for the disciples who existed in an 233 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:53,100 Speaker 3: even more hostile and marginalized culture? It was to spread 234 00:14:53,140 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 3: the gospel message in any and every opportunity they had. 235 00:14:57,530 --> 00:15:01,070 Speaker 3: They wanted to proclaim the crucified and risen Lord. May 236 00:15:01,110 --> 00:15:03,609 Speaker 3: we never abandon the Great Commission in order to gain 237 00:15:03,670 --> 00:15:07,610 Speaker 3: control of culture and seize power. As we have seen, Jesus' 238 00:15:07,650 --> 00:15:10,150 Speaker 3: disciples were asking when he was going to restore the 239 00:15:10,190 --> 00:15:14,050 Speaker 3: kingdom of God. Their question was correct, but the intent 240 00:15:14,110 --> 00:15:17,340 Speaker 3: behind their question was wrong. They wanted to know when 241 00:15:17,430 --> 00:15:20,250 Speaker 3: Jesus was going to take the throne and establish an 242 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:24,880 Speaker 3: earthly kingdom, not understanding and perceiving that the kingdom was 243 00:15:24,900 --> 00:15:27,560 Speaker 3: going to be established in their hearts, and it was 244 00:15:27,580 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 3: going to be shown in the way they treated the 245 00:15:29,460 --> 00:15:32,100 Speaker 3: poor and the marginalized. It was going to be displayed 246 00:15:32,140 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 3: in the way they brought in the orphans and widows. 247 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:35,980 Speaker 3: It was going to be revealed in the way they 248 00:15:36,100 --> 00:15:39,239 Speaker 3: preached the hope of Jesus to the masses. It is 249 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:41,900 Speaker 3: the great tradition of false prophets who tell us to 250 00:15:41,980 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 3: battle against earthly powers and earthly regimes. But scripture explicitly 251 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 3: tells us that we're not fighting against flesh and blood, 252 00:15:49,940 --> 00:15:53,480 Speaker 3: but against the powers and principalities and ideologies that would 253 00:15:53,540 --> 00:15:56,840 Speaker 3: hinder people from the love of God. We are to serve, 254 00:15:57,060 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 3: not to rule or to influence in this world, but 255 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:03,940 Speaker 3: rather as imitators of Christ, serving the world, lifting it 256 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:08,260 Speaker 3: up so it would see and glorify Jesus. What does 257 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:11,100 Speaker 3: that look like for us today? It looks like establishing 258 00:16:11,220 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 3: a community of people transformed by the gospel, face planting 259 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:19,730 Speaker 3: through life still, but repenting continually, growing and being sanctified 260 00:16:19,770 --> 00:16:23,190 Speaker 3: into the image of Christ, serving the people around us, 261 00:16:23,530 --> 00:16:26,990 Speaker 3: extending hands to the broken, extending an encouraging word to 262 00:16:27,030 --> 00:16:30,050 Speaker 3: those who are lost in despair. The kind of community 263 00:16:30,100 --> 00:16:33,820 Speaker 3: that's fueled by the power of God, continually glorifying Jesus. 264 00:16:34,620 --> 00:16:37,610 Speaker 3: In Romans 12, 9, we're told, that our love must 265 00:16:37,650 --> 00:16:40,310 Speaker 3: be sincere. We must hate what is evil, cling to 266 00:16:40,350 --> 00:16:42,730 Speaker 3: what is good. We must be devoted to one another 267 00:16:42,770 --> 00:16:46,910 Speaker 3: in love, honoring each other, never lacking in zeal, but 268 00:16:47,130 --> 00:16:50,030 Speaker 3: with spiritual fervor, serving the Lord and those around us. 269 00:16:50,490 --> 00:16:52,950 Speaker 3: We want to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, 270 00:16:53,270 --> 00:16:56,030 Speaker 3: faithful in prayer, and sharing the Lord with people in 271 00:16:56,080 --> 00:17:00,020 Speaker 3: need and bringing peace and hospitality wherever we go. We're 272 00:17:00,060 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 3: told not to repay anyone evil for evil, but rather 273 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,880 Speaker 3: to bless those who persecute us. We're told to feed 274 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:07,879 Speaker 3: our enemy when they're hungry. We're told to give them 275 00:17:07,940 --> 00:17:11,780 Speaker 3: water when they're thirsty. In doing so, we will establish 276 00:17:11,900 --> 00:17:14,520 Speaker 3: a much greater kingdom than that of Caesar, than that 277 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 3: of Rome. The gospel comes equipped with the power of 278 00:17:17,500 --> 00:17:20,980 Speaker 3: the Holy Spirit of Jesus to change hearts. Each individual 279 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:24,740 Speaker 3: heart submitted to and changed by the gospel will eventually 280 00:17:24,810 --> 00:17:27,310 Speaker 3: create a community that looks like the kingdom of God. 281 00:17:28,090 --> 00:17:31,810 Speaker 3: No other message has either that dynamic or that joy. Today, 282 00:17:32,130 --> 00:17:35,109 Speaker 3: be people of the Great Commission. Go out there and 283 00:17:35,170 --> 00:17:37,470 Speaker 3: baptize people in the name of the Father, the Son, 284 00:17:37,550 --> 00:17:40,830 Speaker 3: and the Holy Spirit. Teach them about the character of Jesus. 285 00:17:41,290 --> 00:17:44,350 Speaker 3: Live life with people, but don't be succumbed to the 286 00:17:44,390 --> 00:17:47,909 Speaker 3: darkness of the world. Be people of hope, restored out 287 00:17:47,950 --> 00:17:52,770 Speaker 3: of shame, and mobilized for something great. Thanks for joining 288 00:17:52,810 --> 00:17:55,930 Speaker 3: us on the road to the resurrection. In our next episode, 289 00:17:56,010 --> 00:17:58,540 Speaker 3: we are going to explore a new little mini-series through 290 00:17:58,580 --> 00:18:02,790 Speaker 3: Christ's parables. We'll enter in to dramatize parables told in 291 00:18:02,830 --> 00:18:06,200 Speaker 3: a way that you have never heard before. In so doing, 292 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:08,600 Speaker 3: we'll learn more about the kingdom that we just spoke of. 293 00:18:09,140 --> 00:18:11,119 Speaker 3: How do we exist as kingdom citizens? 294 00:18:12,369 --> 00:18:12,850 Speaker 1: Buckle up. 295 00:18:13,250 --> 00:18:16,330 Speaker 3: The Jesus Podcast is just getting started, and it's only 296 00:18:16,369 --> 00:18:17,370 Speaker 3: going to get better from here.