Olsen Park Church of Christ


“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).

Kyle Pope 2013

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