This month we are doing a double take of sorts regarding a few events that are associated with and around the Easter Story.
So far we've looked at the garden (The Garden of Gethsemane), the tomb, and the boat.

After His resurrection, Jesus made at least 13 different appearances.
See the chart below regarding the resurrection appearances.
Today we'll look at the 9th appearance and it's something that Jesus has been leading toward since His resurrection.

Three times in the book of Matthew, the Lord told His followers that He would meet them in Galilee, and that is the reason we found them fishing from the boat (last week's message).
Our text this morning is found in Matthew 28:16-20.

A couple of thoughts on Matthew 28:16-17:
-God speaking to people from a mountain, either in person or through a prophet, is throughout the Bible.
-In verse 17 where we see that "some doubted" isn't referring to the Apostles but more than likely the 500 that Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 15:5-6 [NLT]

Today we look at the 4th event and location in this series, The Mountain.
The gospel writers didn't record the name of the mountain that Jesus told the disciples to go to. But there are 3 mountains that historians have considered:
1. Mt. of Beatitudes - top of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus had given a previous message
2. Mt. Arbel - to the immediate left of the Sea of Galilee which has a commanding view of the entire region
3. Mt. Tabor - to the southwest of the Sea of Galilee, a stand-alone bowl shaped mountain (although barely in Galilee)

The mountain has some relevance because of what Jesus was going to talk about.
Jesus had important words for them and for us. We can liken this moment to the greatest locker room talk given by a coach to the players before the biggest moment of their careers.
And we know that there are those who are solid believers in the coaches, the game plan, and the teammates and there are those who aren't as convinced or confident (Matthew 28:17; 1 Corinthians 15:5-6).

Think on this...if every one of those people had been called into a court of law, placed upon the witness stand, and asked to give an eyewitness account of what they had seen, heard, and experienced; that would be 5,100 minutes or 85 hours of irrefutable eyewitness testimony!

Is it any wonder that within 25 years the story of the resurrected Christ had spread throughout the known world, that secular and even hostile authors wrote about the resurrection, and that many of these believers went to their death claiming this truth.

What takes place on the mountain has been called the Great Commission. Jesus summarizes His own purpose on earth and passes it on to all those who claim to follow Him.
It is on the mountain that Jesus lays out the mission of Christianity and gives His locker room talk.

1. Jesus claims all AUTHORITY.
Matthew 28:18
The word authority means "the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience."

2. Jesus highlights our ACTIVITY.
Matthew 28:19-20a
The primary command in this whole passage is to make disciples. This means followers who are becoming like the one they follow.

3. Jesus gives His ASSURANCE.
Matthew 28:20b

Application and Discussion:

1. Review the web link of the appearances of Jesus after His resurrection. What questions or insights do you have about these?

2. Have you ever taken part in or watched a great pre-game, half time, or post-game speech by a coach to the players? What were your thoughts or feelings after this?

3. Reflect on the fact that the eyewitness account of Jesus from all those concerned would add up to about 85 hours of non-stop testimony. If you were on the jury of a trial and listened to all of this, non-contradicting fact verification; what would your conclusion be concerning the resurrection? If you are going to reject the eye-witness evidence, on what grounds would you do so?

4. Review the three points made concerning the Great Commission. Which of these points spoke most to you? What decision(s) will you make as a result of what you have heard in this message, and the whole series (if you were able to listen to it)?