In this episode, Jeff Archie walks us through the scriptural account of the Great Commission, as recorded in the Gospel of John. Each passage is dissected to reveal its powerful message for believers everywhere. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or a deeper understanding of your faith, this discussion will enlighten and challenge you to embrace the core teachings of Christianity. Don’t miss the chance to gain insight into living a life filled with spiritual fulfillment and peace.
Remission. In the English language, that word is a sweet word. To hear that word in the realm of physical illness is most welcomed. But friends, it’s a great word for spiritual illness as well. We’re going to talk about it today here from the International Gospel Hour. Stay tuned.
SPEAKER 02 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.
SPEAKER 03 :
Well, greetings and hello everyone. Great having you with us once again for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. We come to you under the oversight of the elders of the West Fayetteville, Tennessee Church of Christ, located on 24 Boones Hill Road in Fayetteville, Tennessee, about 20 or so miles due north of Huntsville, Alabama. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. That’s International Gospel Hour, P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. Our toll-free number is 855-444-6988. You will hear that number a little bit later through our J-Web, of whom we appreciate his good work. Our website is internationalgospelhour.com. Please feel free to peruse our website and leave us a message if you’d like. Let’s consider John, the 20th chapter, verses 30 and 31. In previous broadcasts, we’ve been using this as a theme in this series of the phrase, these are written, or as we’ve talked about, the resurrection. From John 20, 30 and 31, And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. These are written. Now, what we have noticed in previous broadcasts, going up to John 20, the beginning and coming down, verses 1-10, we saw running souls to and from the empty tomb. Verses 11-18, running tears of Mary Magdalene because of the empty tomb, but comfort soon came. And in verses 19 and 20, refreshed disciples, they were glad when the Lord came in their midst. While remaining in their midst, Jesus says to them again, let’s pick up with verse 21 of John 20, Peace to you, as the Father has sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained. We’re going to talk about the remission message today. But first, here is a very special free gift that we’d love to send your way. And let me add this. Anything that we offer from International Gospel Hour is always free. Friends, you’ll notice we never ask for your money for our broadcast. We are grateful for a number of churches of Christ and fellow Christians, interested individuals, that help us with our work and for that we’re grateful. And that’s why we do not ask for money on our broadcast, whether radio or television. Never have, never will, have no intention. So what’s coming up to you? Here is our J-Web with a very special free gift from us here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
Courtesy of our friends at ApologeticsPress.org, we at International Gospel Hour have a limited supply of Valor and Virtue, a Christian apologetics magazine for teens. It is a great resource for any age, but especially for the challenging teen years. Get your free copy today by calling toll-free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Valor. That’s it. Again, that’s 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Valor. You can also request it through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contact tab and leave us your name and address and put Valor in the message box. We will send you a copy while supplies last. So get yours quickly.
SPEAKER 03 :
And now friends, as we consider John 20, 21 through 23, I want to back up to verses 19 and 20 and just read them all together one more time. In John 20, 19 and 20, Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, Peace be with you. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained. Now, friends, verses 21 through 23 is the Gospel of John’s account of the Great Commission that is found in three other Gospel accounts. Let’s consider those in a moment, but I have to note from this reading of John 20, 19-23, Jesus said, Peace be with you. When they were glad, he said to them again, Peace to you, an emphasis that I am among you. Please be at peace within yourselves, and please know what is ahead of you. Friends, sometimes we need to be reminded to accept the peace that passes all understanding, Philippians 4. We need to accept the peace that Jesus gives in obedience to His will and see what is before. We see John’s account of the Great Commission. Let’s return back to that thought. What about Matthew’s account in Matthew 28, 18-20? And 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 and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. We now go to Mark’s account in Mark 16 beginning with verse 14 through the end of the chapter. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe in my name. They will cast out demons. They will speak with new tongues. They will take up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Now, friends, I want to pause here because what we get is you don’t have contradictions within, but we have what each writer inspired by the Holy Spirit has penned. And when you blend them all together, when Jesus came into their midst, yes, very well, he did rebuke them. But as he rebuked them, he assured them of the peace that would be among them and gave instruction and commission unto them. Let’s continue on with Luke’s account of the Great Commission in Luke 24, 44-49. When he said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms concerning me. And he opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then he said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. Well, in the book of Acts, we find the apostles returning to Jerusalem, Acts 1. In Acts 2, the gospel was preached. The apostles were sent. They preached. Disciples were made. Sins were remitted when people believed, repented, and were baptized. You see, what Jesus told them in the Great Commission, they carried forth with that remission message. And here’s what Peter preached and the apostles. Acts 2, verses 38-41 Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call. And with many other words he testified and exhorted, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation. Then they gladly received his word, were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Well, folks, we drop down to verse 47, and we find they were added to the church. The Great Commission brought forth the message of remission, and to God be the glory. Friends, have you obeyed that gospel? We like to pause here and ask you if you want to look at this further, to study on your own in light of Scripture. Then here is an opportunity for you to receive our Bible study course by mail. Here is our J-Web.
SPEAKER 02 :
Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 03 :
Friends, again, we want to help you in your study of the Word of God. We’d love to help you. Please give us a call and go ahead and request the Valor and Virtue and for the Bible study too. We’ll be glad to help you in your studies of the Word of God. We appreciate you choosing to listen to our broadcast here from International Gospel Hour. We’ll do it again at another time, so thank you for joining me once again. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
In this episode, Jeff Archie walks us through the scriptural account of the Great Commission, as recorded in the Gospel of John. Each passage is dissected to reveal its powerful message for believers everywhere. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or a deeper understanding of your faith, this discussion will enlighten and challenge you to embrace the core teachings of Christianity. Don’t miss the chance to gain insight into living a life filled with spiritual fulfillment and peace.
