Bill Johnson - The Power of the Gospel and the Great Commission
Most believers have greater faith in the return of Christ than in the power of the gospel. The idea behind that statement is that we know Jesus is coming back, and when He does, He’ll fix everything. Instead of believing that the power of the gospel we’ve been given fixes everything, we rely on His return to make things right. We are blessed, and Jonathan and Cindy, who are part of our house, are amazing. They understand what it means to truly lay down their lives and go into tough places. We feel privileged. Thank you for what you’re preparing for us. I have just a few minutes left and a couple of thoughts to share. Please open your Bibles to Matthew 28, and even if you can quote the passage, look at it anyway. We’ll also look at Acts chapter 1, so we’ll examine two sections of Scripture.
While you’re turning to your Bibles, I want to read a favorite psalm of mine, Psalm 22, which is considered a Messianic psalm about the death of Christ. It ends with the words, «All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord.» That’s an extraordinary statement: «All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.» For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations. «All the prosperous of the earth shall eat and worship.» Promises like this are not simply to be read and applauded; they are invitations. They can either remain on the page or become an active part of our prayer life.
One of the most amazing challenges in praying for nations and unreached people groups is that you don’t receive daily feedback to encourage you. You have to do it because of the call of God and your identity in Christ. If you need constant daily motivation, praying for the sick is easier because you see breakthroughs that encourage you. However, on a larger scale, your motivation has to come from your identity and the call of God. A number of years ago, certain missions groups started targeting what’s called the 10/40 window—a geographical section of the planet where many unreached people groups live. As we saw on the map earlier, these groups recognized that most of the world’s unengaged people reside in that window, so they focused their prayers there. Imagine now, after 10, 20, or 30 years of these groups constantly praying, we have story upon story of people in that area who have never heard the gospel. They report having dreams of a man in white or encounters with what they call the man in white, which has become so common.
This doesn’t replace the need to send messengers because they still have to hear the gospel, but these encounters with the man in white have become so frequent that I know of a man who stands in front of a mosque and asks people, «Have you seen the man in white?» If they say yes, he tells them to stand to the side, and he explains who He is. If they say no, they enter the mosque, so after he gathers those who saw the man in white, he shares the gospel with them. How does this happen? The atmosphere in these parts of the world is shifting because of long-term prayer. It’s not just about casual prayer on a mission Sunday, which is important; it’s the long-term focus that says, «We want Him to get His full reward.» We desire Psalm 22:27, which I read a moment ago, to be fulfilled where all the families of the earth bow before Him—all the nations, all the ethnos, all the people groups—not just the 200 nations that exist.
This is who we are as a church family. Let’s read these two passages, and then I’ll do more next week. I hope it will make more sense then, but let me plant the seeds for it right now. In Matthew 28, we have what we refer to as the Great Commission, which starts in verse 18. Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, «All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.» And I remind you He commanded them to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons. This was never supposed to end. Is this microphone on? This was never supposed to end; it was never supposed to end. It is part of the gospel. He said, «This gospel will be preached to all nations"—not just the 200 nations but the ethnos, the people groups. When the gospel of the kingdom is preached, it is always accompanied by miracles, signs, and wonders. So the prophecy that this gospel will be preached in all the world and then the end shall come is one that is demonstrated with power.
«Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.» I love that last phrase. One preacher said he doesn’t fly for that reason because Jesus said, «Lo, I am with you always.» That’s a corny joke, but it wasn’t mine; I’m just the messenger.
In Acts 1:8, «But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth.» Here’s the deal: we are required to walk in authority and power. That’s what Jesus did; it’s what He illustrated. He commissioned His disciples. In Luke 9:1, He gave them authority and power, but when He ascended to heaven, they had to get their own. They were under His deputized anointing, if you will. In Matthew 28, He shows up and announces that all authority has been given to Him; He passes that authority on.
It is in everyone’s life in this room to the measure we have said yes to His mission. Authority comes in the commission, but power comes in the encounter. Authority comes in the commission; power comes in the encounter. Jesus received power when the Spirit of God came upon Him at His water baptism. In the very next chapter, we see Him functioning in miracles, signs, and wonders. There’s a connection there.
Matthew 28 says, «All authority has been given to me; go therefore.» Luke’s version adds this part: «Don’t leave Jerusalem until you are clothed with power"—Luke wrote that, go figure. Acts puts the two together; you see a seamless story.
My point is this: authority and power are both essential to living and demonstrating the gospel. In the two champion verses that deal with these subjects, they are tied to our influence on the nations. In Matthew 28, we are to disciple nations because of authority. In Acts 1, we receive power to be witnesses to all the earth. The bottom line is that authority and power qualify us to influence nations.
I’ll share more personal stories next week, but missions have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was weaned on it, so to speak. We always had missionaries in our home; it was a huge part of our lives. Benny and I gave significantly even before we were married, and we committed ourselves to world missions—it’s part of who we are. It’s not optional. How we do it may differ, but everyone can pray, most can send, which is giving, and some get to go. Actually, everyone gets to go. This is a nation that needs discipling.
When we dismiss you shortly, you’ll go into all the world and preach the gospel of the kingdom. This is who we are, recognizing that it is actually in our DNA to see entire nations and people groups brought to Him. That desire is coursing through His own veins; it’s His own prayer life, if you will, to intercede for us and for the nations. That’s our privilege.
What I hope we can all do is upgrade our sense of identity and responsibility for nations. Maybe the Lord highlights a nation to you or a missionary—or both. Regularly throughout the week, begin praying. Pick up a newspaper, see an article about that nation, and gain insight on how to pray.
Alright, let me wrap this up. We’re going to close in prayer in just a moment, so hold on. There may be people in this room who have never given their lives to Christ, have never received His forgiveness, and don’t know what it means to be born again. Before we pray, I want to give this opportunity: if there’s anyone here who would say, «Bill, I don’t want to leave the room until I know what it is to know God, to be forgiven, to be adopted into His family,» just raise your hand right now. By doing this, you are saying, «Bill, I don’t want to leave until I know I have found peace with God and what it is to be forgiven.» I’ll wait just a moment to ensure everyone has the opportunity.
We also have many people online who have been healed this week from the Randy Clark conference, which was outrageously wonderful. So many got healed online, and it may be that some of you online would say, «I don’t know Jesus.» Just write in the chat box, and there will be a pastor there to help you.
Now, let’s pray. Father, I ask that you impart grace for missions, even to those who have never given it a second thought. Teach us what you think and help us make this radical adjustment for this hour—to embrace the nations coming to Christ and celebrate everything we hear. We honor you for the testimonies today. Wow, resurrection is amazing; we honor you for it!
Everybody said, «Amen.» Remember when Jesus chose the 12, He met with them. It says He gave them power and authority in Luke 9. I’d like to describe it this way: Jesus came commissioned from the Father, so He had all authority. When He was baptized in water, He came up, and the Spirit of God rested upon Him in the form of a dove and remained. I like to put it this way: Jesus came to earth having been commissioned from the Father to take our place in death and be the sacrifice. He came with authority.
I don’t think He came with power; as God, obviously, He has all power. But the point is, He chose self-imposed restrictions to live within the limitations of a human being while still having access to everything as God. Make sense?
He came with authority. How do we know? Because the authority you walk in is equal to your submission to the commission. Authority is directly connected to the commission. Chris Vallotton once said, «Commissioned means you have to be in submission to the primary mission,» which is how you’re co-commissioned.
When Jesus came to earth, He had authority because He was commissioned by the Father, but He still needed to be clothed with power. He comes to John for water baptism. John says, «I’m not worthy to untie your shoes.» Jesus says, «Permit it.» He baptizes Him in water, and the Spirit of God comes upon Him in the form of a dove and remains. There, He receives power. If you read in Luke at the end of chapter 3 and the beginning of chapter 4, it was after that water baptism, after the Spirit of God came upon Him, that power was displayed.
Now fast forward to Jesus' ministry. He already commissioned the 12, and there are 11 left. He gave them power and authority, but after He dies and resurrects, He appears to them and says, «All authority has been given to me; therefore go.» What is He doing? He is imparting authority—the authority for the mission, the great co-mission.
He then says, «Don’t leave Jerusalem until you’re clothed with power.» I thought they already had power because they were deputized. No, now they have to get their own. Remember, it’s better for you that I go. I doubt there was one disciple who believed that because they had Him right there. They could ask Him anything, and He corrected them.
It was continuous, and He always adjusted things in their lives. He said, «It’s better that I go,» and they couldn’t imagine hearing anything that was more opposite of what they felt. He said, «It’s better that I go, because if I don’t go, I can’t send the Holy Spirit to you.»
Here’s the deal: imagine you’re one of the 11 disciples. Jesus is at your side; you can reach out and touch Him and ask Him anything. He is there guiding you with His eyes. Yet that one who is right there said, «It’s better for you that I go.»
Here’s the challenge: is your relationship with the Holy Spirit better than if Jesus were standing at your side? If it’s not better, then we’re not utilizing what God provided for us by giving us the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
This is what we were assigned to: the gospel of the kingdom of God. Paul says this gospel is not just in word but in power. There must be a demonstration of power—power in our personal lives to overcome sin, temptation, and all those issues. It’s power for the miraculous and to confront the impossibilities of life.
This is what we are assigned to live in and walk in: the power of God to demonstrate the resurrection of Jesus. Every time you and I pray for someone and there’s a miracle, it’s a demonstration that the resurrection of Jesus is real. If I pray for you and you experience a miracle, you’ve just seen what God can do. If I pray for you and nothing happens, you’ve just seen what I can do.
The clothing with power makes it possible for us to demonstrate the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we get to Acts 1:3, we see twice in the first few verses Him talking about the kingdom of God. All of you parents know that when you’re about to leave the house and your kids are with a babysitter or grandparents, you give final words of instruction.
Those final words are your most important words. Jesus' final words to His disciples were instruction in the context of waiting and about the kingdom of God. In verse 3, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father. He said, «John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.»
The disciples asked, «Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?» He said it’s not for you to know the times, but you will receive power. Twice in chapter 1, the conversation is about the kingdom of God—the first in His instruction and the second in their question: «When are you restoring the kingdom to Israel?»
What is the point? The very first subject He turns to after talking about the kingdom of God is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I would like to suggest that the introduction to the realities of the kingdom of God is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
This immerses us into a reality, and this is available for everyone. This is not for just some and not for others. I don’t like that whole argument; this is available for everyone who confesses Christ. The Spirit of God would come upon us and manifest differently, but the point is for Jesus to be represented well.
Verse 14 says, «These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.» This is significant because, at one time, His brothers didn’t believe He was the Messiah. They tried to trick Him into going to a public place to receive ridicule. So something has happened during this journey.
They came to recognize He was the Son of God. You also have the 11 disciples who spent three and a half years succeeding in ministry, yet they were caught comparing themselves to others, thinking they were better. So we have 120 people, all with different issues in their lives.
This 10 days of prayer—well, I don’t know if they settled their issues before they started or if they worked them out during the prayer meeting. Remember when Peter denied Jesus? Afterward, Jesus showed up and said to Peter, «Do you love me more than these?» I think He was asking Peter if he truly believed he loved Jesus more than the position of the other remaining ten.
Now back to the story: they continued with one accord in prayer. My translation adds the word «and supplication.» Let’s talk for a moment about prayer because our prayer life reveals how conscious we are of the God who is with us. You can’t have someone as glorious and significant as the Spirit of God resting upon you and not talk to Him.
The depth of our prayer life reveals our awareness of the Spirit of God in our lives. I’m not talking theologically because, as believers, we know the Holy Spirit lives in us. We know He walks with us. He guides us. I get that. But I am talking about the daily, ongoing consciousness of the Holy Spirit of God.
David said, «I daily set the Lord before me.» It’s not that we position God; He is not under our command; we are under His. But David was saying He’s everywhere; I turn my attention to God being with me. That consciousness of God in his life is what enabled him to be the greatest king Israel ever had.
Now, the second challenge I want to present is this: for most people, our prayer life consists of times spent pursuing comfort, peace, and the pleasure of the Lord. Comfort and pleasure are biblical concepts; God designed pleasure, He designed comfort, and He made us able to rest in Him.
I’m accepted in the Beloved; He delights in me. I’m His treasure; I’m the apple of His eye. All of those things are true. But what happens when we distort our pursuit of comfort? We sacrifice having a lifestyle of impactful prayer. There are prayers of fellowship with the Lord, which are refreshing, reassuring, and build hope and faith.
But the Apostle Paul taught at one point that prayer is like giving birth. He said, «I am in labor for you until Christ is formed in you.» He was talking about prayer. Consider this—okay, this is an awkward subject—but it’s the intensity of prayer. Most believers have greater faith in the return of Christ than in the power of the gospel.
The concept behind that statement is that we know Jesus is coming back, and when He does, He’ll fix everything. Instead of believing that the gospel’s power serves to fix everything, we wait for His return to fix things.
Maybe He is coming to pick up what is already fixed so we reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. He uses this phrase—a mature man, a perfect man. I find this mind-boggling and troubling. He has put us on a course that says this is where you’re going to end up.
While the people of God and the world become a greater mess and the church becomes more divided, He hasn’t changed His plan. He didn’t say, «Ah, too much work, never mind! I’ll just come back and fix it myself.» He didn’t change it; He didn’t do that.
I’m fascinated by everything Jesus did, but one story stands out to me in this moment: the disciples come to Him and say, «The crowd needs to go home. We have no food; they’re starving.» Jesus said, «You feed them.»
This is a classic moment because you can imagine the disciples waiting for Him to laugh and say, «Just kidding.» Instead, He doesn’t laugh; He says, «You feed them.» Nervously, they try to figure out how they can do that. They knew they didn’t have enough food.
Jesus gives them something to do: «Have the people sit down in groups of 50 and 100.» Does anyone have food? Yes, there’s a kid with lunch. Jesus could have created food from nothing, but He usually creates with something.
He could have simply created a mountain of food in front of thousands of hungry people. Instead, He divided it into 12 baskets, and the disciples distributed it. I don’t know how much was in a basket, but 12 baskets aren’t enough to feed 5,000 men, not counting women and children—maybe 15,000 people.
12 baskets wouldn’t suffice unless it multiplies as they give it out. When Jesus said, «You feed them,» He didn’t change His mind when they said they had no food. All He did was enable them to take simple actions that He would bless, causing the food to multiply.
In other words, there’s a point of obedience; most miracles connect to a point of obedience. We often wait for something to happen to us when we’re meant to act on faith.
Yes, the blind man was told to wash in the pool of Siloam—that’s a cruel assignment for a blind guy. He had to go to another geographical location and wash in a specific pool. That required confronting something in him.
So many times, we see actions. For example, blind Bartimaeus threw off his beggar’s robe. This was a profound act of faith for him; that garment was his legal identifier as a beggar. When he took it off, he made an extraordinary step of faith.
Actions must take place. If I had to sum it up, I would say I have often seen people do things. If you have a broken ankle, I wouldn’t tell you to jump off a stage to test if it’s healed. I wouldn’t do that unless He told me to.
I wouldn’t put anyone at risk out of principle. At times, I have to put myself at risk, but I have no right to put you at risk. Let me illustrate: Is it true that the widow gave her last meal to the prophet, and that was key to her economic breakthrough for the next season?
Read your Bibles because it’s a really good story. So it’s a principle of faith: she emptied her resources to give to the prophet. I’m grieved at how often I hear people in this position tell others that’s what they need to do.
You never put someone else at risk unless it’s clear that God says so. The prophet was brave to tell the widow that her breakthrough lay in feeding him first. That seems arrogant, but it displays incredible humility because it involves obeying to a point that makes you look foolish.
I want to look at John chapter 3; I’ve discussed this a lot, so I feel a little embarrassed doing it again. At the end of worship, it felt like I should touch on it. When Jesus told His disciples, «You feed them,» they didn’t know where to start. They were clueless that they didn’t have enough food.
All Jesus did was enable them through simple step-by-step instructions to accomplish something impossible. When Jesus tells you and me to go into the world and preach the gospel and disciple nations, you might feel like you have nothing.
If we listen closely, He will give us a step-by-step approach. He doesn’t change His plan or His mind. He has a specific assignment for you and for me.