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