Commands of Christ: Lesson 32

Matthew 28:16–20 LSB

16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The translation I have on the screen is called the Legacy Standard Bible.

It is a new translation released this year (2022).

Publisher’s Description: The Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) is a translation that—at its core—seeks to be a window into the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. By translating individual words as consistently as possible within their various nuances, it allows the reader to discern the Author’s intent. In this way, the refinements in the LSB also preserve the legacy of the NASB.

The LSB advances the aim of the NASB. It brings out textual connections through consistent translation of words, highlights literary artistry like alliteration, and tightens grammatical structure. With this new level of precision, the Bible reader is able to see more of what is happening in the original text than ever before.

I feel that even if I transition to this translation (for instance, I like that it uses Yahweh), you will still be able to use the NASB95 to follow along in the reading (I also have the NASB2020 and am NOT inclined to adopt it).

So DON’T rush out an buy a LSB just yet.

Anyway, for the past couple of years we have been primarily seeking to obey the command of Jesus in verse 20

I have been using the NASB95 that says: “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you

That sounds VERY similar to KJV: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you

Keep All I Commanded you

I have focused on knowing what the commands are and then obeying them in our lives.

BUT I believe, through doing a word study on “keep” there is a deeper approach to this word.

Maybe other translations of verse 20 might help us understand that deeper concept?

Matthew 28:20 (NLT) Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20 (TPT) And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.”

Matthew 28:20 (TPT) [Translation footnotes] The Aramaic is “keep” or “guard” (a fortress).

Christianity.com: It is the general consensus of religious scholars and historians that Jesus and his disciples primarily spoke Aramaic, the traditional language of Judea in the first century AD. Their Aramaic was most likely a Galilean accent distinct from that of Jerusalem. Jesus spent most of his time in the communities of Nazareth and Capernaum in Galilee, which were Aramaic-speaking villages. The Gospels support this view showing Jesus using various Aramaic terms: talitha koum (Mark 5:41); ephphatha (Mark 7:34); eloi eloi lama sabachthani (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34); abba (Mark 14:36). Historians, scientists, and social anthropologists largely agree that Aramaic was the prevalent language in Israel during Jesus’ time. Aramaic was very similar to Hebrew, but with many terms and expressions that were acquired from other languages and cultures, notably Babylonian.

But, probably it’s better to look at the Koine Greek word behind “keep, observe, obey, faithfully follow:” tay-RAH-oh (tereo)

Koine Greek is the language in which the NT was written.

Complete Biblical Library:

Classical Greek: Essentially tēreō means “to watch over, to keep, to guard.” Implied in this is a sense of protection, care, and maintenance. A second major definition emphasizes the “watching” aspect of tēreō. Thus, it can mean “to observe carefully, to keep” (as in “not lose,” Bauer), or “to watch” (for something). Furthermore, it can mean “to keep” in the sense of “to observe” (such as “to keep” a holiday). The broad sense of tēreō is reflected in both Biblical and nonbiblical sources alike (Liddell-Scott).

New Testament Usage: Tēreō is particularly important in the New Testament and is used of keeping (i.e., obeying) the commandments

(Matthew 19:17; 1 Timothy 6:14; James 2:10; cf. Revelation 12:17; 14:12).

Matthew 19:17 (LSB) And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Matthew 23:1–3 (LSB) Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3 therefore all that they tell you, do and keep, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

Notice, not just do, but also tereo (maybe Jesus is saying to watch over guard)

1 Timothy 6:14 (LSB) that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

James 2:10 (LSB) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

It especially refers to keeping Jesus’ commands or His word—synonymous ideas (John 8:51; 52; 14:15, 21, 23, 24; 1 John 2:3–5; 5:3).

John 8:51 (LSB) “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death—ever.”

John 14:15 (LSB) “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

John 14:21 (LSB) “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”

1 John 2:3–6 (LSB) And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

Jesus himself modeled such obedience by keeping the word of the Father (John 8:55; 15:10; 17:6).

John 8:54–55 (LSB) Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; 55 and you have not known Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word.

John 15:10 (LSB) “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

Make Disciples

But, while we learn to “keep” (obey, guard, faithfully follow) let us NOT forget the first things Jesus said:

Matthew 28:18–19 (LSB) And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Let’s consider a few more things Jesus said about evangelism (Vs. 19 is NOT a one-off):

Matthew 9:37–38 (LSB) Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 “Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Luke 14:23 (LSB) “And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the fences, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.

Luke 15:7 (LSB) “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

John 20:19–22 (LSB) So while it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and while the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

What Jesus Demands from the World Demand 49: Make Disciples of All Nations, for All Authority Belongs to Jesus

Before Jesus demanded that his followers go make disciples of all nations, he gave the justification for this seemingly presumptuous mission. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). The basis today of any follower of Jesus telling a follower of another lord to repent and turn and follow Jesus is that Jesus has all authority in the universe.

We MUST not fail to communicate the love of Jesus! We have His command and we have His authority.

What does "making disciples” look like?

But then it get hard.

As we discuss the following, get your Bible out and…

Please give me chapter and verse.

Does “making disciples” look like the “street preachers” on the corner of Murphy Highway and Hwy 515? Why or why not?

Does it look like mass evangelism events (e.g. Billy Graham, etc.)?

Why or why not?

Does it look like going door-to-door (like the Jehovah Witnesses or Mormons)?

Why or why not?

Does it look like what I found on Sunday morning before I went on vacation?

The handout taped to the door.

The website listed at the bottom says:

The Way is the story of countless believers around the world who’ve traded Easter ham for Passover lamb and Sunday church for Saturday Sabbath - all in an effort to live like the Savior.

They’re holding every church tradition up against scripture and cutting away anything that doesn’t conform. In the process, they encounter resistance from a religious system two millennia in the making, and for the first time, learn what it’s like to be a “peculiar people.”

From everything I know, this appears to be the 7th Day Adventists.

Is this the way of “making disciples?” Why or why not?

Maybe it is “correcting those in error?”

James 5:19–20 (NASB95) My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Does it look like the Gloo program?

Why or why not?

Show video clips of videos.

Does this approach have value?

Would it be worth a $129 a month investment?