Living on Mission with the Lord in 2026

The more things change, the more they stay the same. And as we begin the new year, with the promise (or threat) of ongoing changes in the world around us, it is good to remember one thing that remains the same: Jesus Christ is Lord and all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him.

In Matthew 28 we hear Jesus say to his disciples, “All authority in heaven and earth have been given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations . . .” Typically, when we read this Great Commission, which concludes the Gospel of Matthew, we think immediately of the church’s mission to evangelize, disciple, baptize, and teach the saints to obey all that Christ has commanded.

But if we only think about what we are to do with Jesus’s words in these verses, then we move too quickly. For, the command to disciple the nations is a new commandment. Earlier in Matthew, Jesus told his disciples *not* to go to the Gentile nations, but only to the lost sheep of Israel (see Matthew 10:5). Now however, the command is universal and this is due to a new authority that Jesus has received.

But this new authority raises a host of questions: Who gave Jesus this authority? And why now? Did Jesus not have authority over heaven and earth before Matthew 28? And if not, who did? Equally, what kind of authority does Jesus have in heaven and on earth? And how can we know? And then practically, what does this mean for us now? And how should Christ’s authority impact our day to day life and our calling to make disciples?

These are questions that emerge from considering the all important reality that the risen Christ has all authority. And in a world where authority is constantly changing and often corrupted, knowing the one who has all authority is vital for walking faithfully before the Lord. And this Sunday, that is how we will start the year by looking at Matthew 28:18, and what the Lordship of Christ means for us today.

Just the same, this sermon kicks off a series of messages in January that will help us consider what it means to be on mission for Christ. This sermon will being that series. Next week we will look at the mission that churches and families have to raise children and give them a vision for having children for the generations to come. The week after, we will consider the mission of rescuing the unborn. And in the final Sunday of the month, we will consider the mission of bringing the good news to the nations. In all, these four Sundays will put us on a path to walking faithfully before the Lord, as we carry out the mission he’s given to us.

For this Sunday, as we prepare to consider Christ’s authority in the Great Commission, take time to read Matthew 10 and Matthew 28. You can also look up the word “authority” in a concordance and see where it is found in Matthew’s Gospel. Finding its ten uses will be a key to answering the questions above.

As we begin a new year, I’m excited to think about the mission God has given to us, and to recall that Christ has invited us to invite others to know him. Indeed, if you know someone who needs to know Christ, take time to call, text, or personally invite them to come this Sunday. Equally, take a moment to invite them to read the Bible with you in 2026.  

On the Lord’s Day, I look forward to seeing you, as the Lord allows. May the Lord be praised as we gather to worship him together this Sunday.

For His Glory and your joy in Christ,
Pastor David