Go and Make Disciples

Introduction

General: What are we trying to accomplish by being part of a church?

To grow closer to God… To help others grow closer to God… To have a positive impact in the world (for Jesus).

To be disciples and make disciples… and to honor God and make a difference in the world.

To follow Jesus together for the glory of God and the common good.

Biblical

The reason most churches have a mission statement like ours is because Jesus gave his disciples a mission statement just before he ascended into heaven.

Summarize the Jesus story, and read Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV).

Subject: How do we accomplish our mission? How do we fulfill the great commission?

Body

To accomplish our mission, we need the right mindset. To fulfill the great commission, we must have right thinking.

Exposition: A few observations…

It begins and ends with Jesus (Matt 28:18, 20).

We go under Jesus’s authority, not our own.

We go with Jesus, not on our own.

Jesus’s power and presence bring success… It’s only ever always all about Jesus.

Making disciples is not a suggestion but an order (Matt 28:19).

Part of being a disciple is making a disciple. Helping others follow Jesus is part of you following Jesus.

Making disciples is not just for the “professional” Christians but for all Christians.

Discipleship doesn’t just happen in here but out there (v. 19, “go…”).

Illustration: “Do you believe that you can make disciples without the performance, the program, or the professional?” ~ David Platt

Application: The last part of having the right mindset is understanding that you already have everything you need to make a disciple: the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and the church.

To accomplish our mission, we need the right methods. To fulfill the great commission, we must have the right action.

Exposition: Baptizing (Matt 28:19) & Teaching (Matt 28:20)

Baptism isn’t just about dunking someone underwater.

It symbolizes dying to your old self and being raised or born again into a new life in Jesus—a new person, living in a new creation, belonging to a new community.

When Jesus said to make disciples by baptizing them, he meant by immersing them (or plunging them) into the life and community of Jesus.

Teaching

What are we supposed to teach? Obedience.

How do we teach obedience?

The 90:10 Rule: 90% of what we learn comes from practice and feedback, while 10% comes from instruction.

The primary way to teach people to obey Jesus is by showing them. Sermons and Sessions will only accomplish 10% of what needs to be done.

This is really good news because it means that you don’t have to have the gift of teaching in order to make disciples! You just have to be able to show someone how to follow Jesus!

We make disciples by immersing people into the life and community of Jesus and showing them how to follow his teaching.

Application: So, how do you follow Jesus?

Devote yourself to these six basic practices (from Acts 2:42-47).

Obey God’s Word

Belong to the church

Worship God

Pray

Give of yourself (time, talent, treasure)

Share Jesus with others

Note, these are practices, not steps.

As you practice these things, you will be filled with the Holy Spirit, filled with the Word of God, filled with the love of Christ, and sent out to make a difference for Jesus.

Conclusion: Where do I start?

You can’t make disciples unless you are a disciple. Are you following Jesus?

Start Here: Belong to the church. Together, we will practice all these things as we follow Jesus together for the glory of God and the common good.

The man Gary and I prayed with a few years ago…