1. Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)
  2. Sermon suggestions

Fous on the Authority of Jesus Christ (Verse 18)

Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

If Christ has all power, why doesn’t he intervene in all the conflicts of this world? Or more personally, why doesn’t he intervene in the adversities I am coping with?

Answer:

  • He did intervene by humbling himself and becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).

  • He identified himself with mankind (Isaiah 53:1–12; John 19:5).

The church is called to proclaim the authority of Christ and his salvation, as Paul summarized in Ephesians 1:19–23.

He has the authority to:

  • Forgive sins: ‘But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins'—he then said to the paralytic—'Rise, pick up your bed and go home' (Matthew 9:6).

  • Give eternal life: For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him (John 17:2).

  • To judge this world (Matthew 25:31–46; Revelation 20:1–10).

  • To rule this world (Revelation 11:15–19).