“I Am With You Always”
(Matthew 28:20)
Introduction. (Matthew 28:16-20). The
book of Acts, picks up some time after this describing Jesus’ return to heaven.
(Acts 1:9-11). Jesus’ involvement, care, and oversight over the lives of His
people did not end when He reassumed His heavenly position.
I.
Jesus’ Intercession.
A. “There is One Mediator”
(1 Timothy 2:3-6).
1.
Sin
separates us from God (Isaiah 59: 2).
2.
In
such a condition, we cannot come to God. Only through Christ can we come to
God.
3.
Obedience
to the gospel Jesus becomes our “Advocate” (1 John 2:1-2).
B. “He ever lives to make
intercession” (Hebrews 7:19-25).
1.
We
confess our sin to God, through Christ and in repentance may be forgiven (I
John 1:9).
C. “Whatever you ask in
My name” (John 14:12-14).
1. We must ask according
to His will (1 John 5:14-15).
II.
Jesus’ Presence.
A. “Where two or three
are gathered together” (Matthew 18:15-20).
1.
Christ
is present in Spirit when His people act in His name. (Matthew 26:28-29).
2.
The
church is the kingdom and the observance of the Lord’s Supper is described as
“communion with the body of Christ” (1 Cor 10:16).
B. How do we act in
Christ’s name? We do this through obedience to His word.
1. We do all things “in
the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:16-17).
2. Only when we act in
Christ’s name do we have the assurance of His presence “in our midst.”
III.
Jesus’ Oversight.
“Chief
Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4) shows that Christ serves a continuing function in His
relationship to the church.
A. “He is head over all
things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22-23).
1.
No one
on earth serves this function.
2.
Christ
leads and guides His church through His word.
B. He established church
organization and work (Ephesians 4:11-13).
C. Unscriptural
denominational additions usurp this role from Christ
IV.
Divine Providence.
A. “He cares for you” (1
Peter 5:6-7). How many ways the Lord has shown this!
B. “All these things will
be added to you” (Matthew 6:25-34).
1.
This
does not mean that we will not have hardship (John 16:33).
2.
This
indicates that God in His providence will give us the necessities of life.
3.
He
does so through his people, through His word, and through His providence.
Conclusion. “I will never leave you”
nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Spiritually we must be content with what we
are given as well. (2 Peter 1:2-4).