Intro.

1.  We are familiar with Christ’s "great commission" - Matt. 28:19-20.

2.  Commission: "an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts: charge" (WWWebster Dictionary)

3.  Here are some other "commissions" we can apply to ourselves:

I.  THE COMMISSION TO THE PHARISEES: "GO AND LEARN" - Matt. 9:13.

  A.  What Must We "Go And Learn?" (Divine truth)

    1.  Truth has a definite meaning: "Learn what this means" (Hos. 6:6).

      a.  Not "relative" to one’s experiences, desires, race, nationality....

      b.  Hos. 4:6 - Was Israel destroyed for something she couldn’t know?!

    2.  Divine directives to learn: Prov. 4:5; 15:14; Matt. 11:29; 2 Pet. 1:5.

  B.  How Do We "Go And Learn"?

    1.  Prov. 2:1-6: Some qualities we need to "go & learn":

      a.  Value truth - 2:1 (Prov. 23:23).

      b.  Listen to godly wisdom - 2:2 (Psa. 119:97-100).

      c.  Devotion to learning (getting understanding) - 2:2-3 (2 Tim. 2:15).

      d.  Be a truth-seeker - 2:4; Acts 17:11.

      e.  Expect to understand - 2:5 (Eph. 5:17).

      f.  Use God’s word to learn truth - 2:6 (Matt. 9:13 -- Hos. 6:4-6).

      g.  Resolve to do God’s will - Jno. 7:17.

      h.  Humility - Matt. 11:25-27.

    2.  1 Tim. 2:3-4 - God desires you to know the truth & be saved!

    3.  Therefore, "go and learn"!!

II.   THE COMMISSION TO A LEPER:  "GO AND SHOW" - Matt. 8:1-4.

  A.  Jesus Is Able & Willing To Forgive Your Sins - 8:2-3.

    1.  Able to completely heal our sin - Heb. 7:25.

    2.  Willing to save: Your sin is not so black that He cannot cleanse you; it is not so blatant that He cannot remove it; it is not so consuming that He cannot heal you! - 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:12-16

  B.  Jesus Will Declare You "Clean" From Sin If You "Go And Show" Yourself To Him - 8:4.

    1.  Deut. 24:8 (Lev. 13 & 14) - Carefully follow the OT priests for cleansing.

    2.  Heb. 9:11-14 - High Priest Jesus cleanses us: B-R-C-B-Faithful.

III.  THE COMMISSION TO THE MAN FREED FROM DEMONIC SLAVERY: "GO AND TELL" - Mk. 5:18-19.

  A.  Tell Of Your Freedom From The Bondage Of Sin - cf. 5:2-5; Rom. 6:16-18.

    1.  The man was delivered from the power of Satan by the power & compassion of Jesus.

    2.  We need deliverance from the power of Satan - Jesus can free us! - Heb. 2:14-15; Jno. 8:34-36

  B.  Go Tell Those Who Are Still Enslaved By Sin Of Freedom In Christ - 5:19.

    1.  Friends, family, strangers - all who will listen!

    2.  Mk. 16:15 - Preach the good news to everyone!

    3.  Never forget that we (Christians) were slaves to sin once, too!

Conclusion

1.  We have been charged by Christ to:

  a.  Go & learn: Hear & believe the gospel message.

  b.  Go & show: Obey the gospel commands.

  c.  Go & tell: Share the word of salvation with others.

2.  Will we follow the Master’s charge?!

 Adapted from outline appearing in PULPIT HELPS

by Victor Knowles, Peace on Earth Ministries