Our topic today in Sunday school is “Pass It On”. We talked about the stories from Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 1:6-11. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb of Jesus and the angel spoke to them and told them that Jesus had risen. The angel instructed the women to tell the disciples that Jesus rose from the dead and will meet them in Galilee.

When the disciples went to the mountain Jesus told them to go, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus commanded His disciples to:

• go and make disciples of all nations
• baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
• share God’s Word to others and teach them to obey God’s command

Many people question the authority of those who teach the Word of God in our time today. Unbelievers think that the command was given only to the Jesus’ disciples in the Old Testament. However, everyone who believes in God are commanded to do the same today. We are Christ’s present-day disciples.

“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’” Acts 6:2-4

“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.’” Luke 10:1-3

We are all sinners (Romans 3:23), but when we receive Jesus and believe in His name, our sins will be forgiven and we will become children of God.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

When we sincerely repent from our sins and accept Jesus in our heart, we will be made new. It says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

When God cleanses us from our sins, He gives us a new heart, He makes brand new, and He welcomes us into His family. As children of God in heaven, we are to obey His Word. The great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is His command to all His children.

How are we now going to do all these things God commanded us to do? We are merely humans with limited abilities. Jesus told His disciples before He ascended to heaven, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

When Jesus ascended to heaven, He left His disciples with the Holy Spirit.

“On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 1:4-5

We will receive the Holy Spirit when we repent from our sins and call on the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit in us will enable us to do what God commands us to do. The Holy Spirit will guide and help us fulfill our mission.

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 2:38

Jesus gives us power when we call on His name. Jesus’ name is powerful.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” John 14:13

“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:14

“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:23-24

Jesus gives us the authority to preach His Word. We are His vessels on earth.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God for He called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which HE HAS CALLED YOU, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and HIS INCOMPARABLY GREAT POWER FOR US WHO BELIEVE. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, are above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:17-21

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:17-18

“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:7-8

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” Matthew 10:1

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:1-2

“So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.” Luke 9:6

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3:1-8

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.’” Luke 10:17-19

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19

“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” James 5:17-18

I learned that we should preach with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We should cover everything in prayer.

“But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:19-20

We will witness God’s miracles when we believe. Our lack of faith hinders us from experiencing the power of God.

“And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” Matthew 13:58

“‘Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’” Mark 11:23-24

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

It is not about us but about God and what He can do in and through us. The power comes from Him, not ourselves. We cannot rely on our own strength and knowledge. Our confidence should come from God and not ourselves. We are nothing apart from Him.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

It is about God’s power through us, His disciples. Our authority comes from our submission to God’s authority. If Jesus is in us, we can do great things. The one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). All glory is HIS!

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1

“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20