Introduction Matthew 28:16-20 is the climax of the Gospel and the charter of the church's mission. These five verses have sent missionaries across oceans, established congregations in every nation, and sustained the church through every persecution. But the Great Commission is often misunderstood as a mere command -- "Go and evangelize" -- when in fact it is first and foremost a declaration of Christ's victory and authority. The command flows from the completed work. The mission cannot fail because the King reigns. This is a thoroughly Reformed reading: the success of the gospel is guaranteed by the sovereignty of God. Verse 16 -- The Disciples Went to Galilee "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them." The eleven went -- not the twelve. Judas was gone. The remaining disciples, despite their failures and denials, were gathered by appointment. This is grace: Jesus does not choose new apostles but restores the old ones. The mountain recalls the Sermon on the Mount and the transfiguration. Matthew structures his gospel around mountains, and here, on the mountain of appointment, the risen Lord meets his people. Obedience to Christ's appointment is the starting point of mission. Verse 17 -- They Worshipped Him, but Some Doubted "And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted." Even in the presence of the resurrected Christ, some doubted. This is remarkable honesty in Scripture. The disciples were not gullible men easily fooled. Their worship was mingled with uncertainty. Yet Christ does not reject the doubting worshippers. He commissions them anyway. The church's mission does not depend upon the perfection of her members but upon the perfection of her Lord. This is comfort for every believer who feels unworthy or uncertain -- Christ uses weak instruments for his glorious ends. Verse 18 -- All Power Is Given Unto Me "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." This is the foundation of everything that follows. Before the command comes the authority. "All power" -- the Greek is exousia, authority, not merely dunamis, strength. Jesus claims universal sovereignty. He is the risen Lord to whom every knee shall bow. Daniel's Son of Man has received the kingdom. The Reformed tradition emphasizes that evangelism is not begging sinners to accept Jesus; it is the proclamation of a King who already reigns. The gospel is not an offer but a summons. Christ does not ask permission to rule -- he commands all nations to acknowledge his crown. Verse 19 -- Go Ye Therefore and Teach All Nations "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." "Therefore" -- because all authority belongs to Christ, therefore go. The mission is global: "all nations." The method is Trinitarian baptism: "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." The singular "name" declares the unity of the Godhead, while the three persons declare the fullness of God's being. Baptism is the sign of covenant inclusion, the mark of discipleship, and the entrance into the visible church. The Reformed understanding of baptism as a sign of God's grace, not man's decision, is rooted in the covenant theology of the Old Testament applied to the New. Verse 20 -- Teaching Them to Observe All Things "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." Discipleship is more than conversion -- it is obedience. The church must teach converts "all things" Christ commanded. And the promise: "I am with you alway." Not "I will be with you if you are faithful enough." Not "I will be with you if you get the methods right." But "I am with you alway" -- because the mission is his, the power is his, and the promise is sure. The church endures not because she is strong but because Christ is with her. Conclusion The Great Commission is not a burden laid upon a struggling church. It is the announcement that the risen Christ reigns, and that his kingdom will fill the earth. Go therefore, not in your own strength, but in the power of the King who cannot fail. Application Questions: 1. How does recognizing that "all power" belongs to Christ change your perspective on personal evangelism and the church's mission? 2. Why is the Trinitarian formula in baptism significant for understanding the covenant community of the church? 3. What does Jesus' promise "I am with you alway" mean for you when you feel inadequate or fearful in sharing your faith?