Teach Them to Obey

Introduction

This is the last of the 5-part “Easter” Series dubbed as “iServe”

Seek the one you want to serve;

Engaged and be part of the church;

Rise up for our Lord is risen;

Serve the Lord Victoriously;

And today, keyword is “Educate” meaning: Imparting of spiritual, intellectual, moral & social instructions.

Opening

An inmate at Avenal State Prison here in California got our church address from my facebook friend and he wrote me a letter early this year. He manifested in his letter the great love that he has for the Lord and his love to my friend. In a few months from now, he will be out of the prison and he is so excited to marry her and start a new life serving Christ. They are seriously considering moving down here in San Diego to serve the Lord through Agape Church.

The power of “social media” can be so effective if we use them to reach out and bring the lost to His kingdom. It is everyone’s dream these days to have many “followers” and become very “popular” through the help of “social media”. While I was watching the news from the Philippines the other day, they featured a “nobody” who became a “somebody”, all through the help of “utube”. He’s gone to the Philippines recently to do a concert and during his interview, he shared some of his tips that led him to his success story.

Just click! “FOLLOW ME!”

“Social Media brings far people close, but sometimes, it brings close people far”. So, be careful!

Philip “the evangelist” (One of the chosen seven . Not the Philip the Apostle ) was sent by an angel of the Lord to go south from Jerusalem to Gaza. And on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch (a castrate), an important official in charge of the of all the treasury, he was on his way back from Jerusalem after worship. In the Spirit told Philip, “Go & Stay Near”

- Go & Stay Near

The eunuch was reading the book of Isaiah particularly the prophecy about Jesus () but he said he can’t understand what he was reading, not “unless someone explains it to him” . And so Philip told him the good news about Jesus.

As they traveled, the eunuch saw a body of water and said, “look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”. Having no reason why not, Philip baptized him ().

Our message today is entitled “Teach Them to Obey”. Open your Bible to

This took place after the death & resurrection of Christ, right before He ascended to heaven.

Teach Them to Obey...

Matthew 28:16–17 NIV

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Matthew 28:16 NIV

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

Matthew 28:16–20 NIV

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 18:16 NIV

16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

Much more in our modern day that we have these “doubters”. Perhaps it is the DNA of Thomas passed down through generations. When Jesus appeared to Thomas he said, “My Lord, my God” ().. However, we all know that Jesus said...

Matthew 7:21 NIV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

James, the brother of Christ, taught us to persevere amidst the testings of our faith. That when we ask, “we must not doubt” (). Because those who “doubt” are double-minded and unstable, and should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Matthew 28:18 NIV

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 28

The resurrection is the ultimate validation of Jesus’ divine authority (compare 12:38–40; Eph 1:20–23). He extends this authority to His disciples to continue the work of the kingdom of heaven

The resurrection is the ultimate validation of Jesus’ divine authority. He extends this authority to His disciples to continue the work of the kingdom of heaven.

- Go & Stay Near

On the evening of resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for the first time and said...

John 20:21 NIV

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

He gave them Authority () and Power through the Holy Spirit (). He told them that laborers are few (), and so he sent another 72 ().

And now, He is also sending YOU...

John 15:16 NIV

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Matthew 28:19 NIV

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

“Therefore” is a word “calling for an action”.

Upon this authority given to us by the Lord, we MUST MAKE DISCIPLES. Start your Life Groups. Learn from Sunday School and attend Discipleship Meetings.

It is very clear to me that the Lord placed it in my heart to make disciples all over the world. Beginning here in America, from our home country the Philippines and to every part of the planet where the Lord is going to take me. Even behind bars if that will bring the Lord more glory. He said that we will be His witnesses to Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and Malaysia, and Singapore, and Japan, and Africa, and Germany, and Australia, and Indonesia, and Laos, and the rest of ASEAN Countries, UN Countries, EU Countries and to the ends of the earth ().

Like the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch which was very mobile, me & my sister wife agreed to pray and ask the Lord, that if it is His will, to bless us with a “motorhome” instead of a single-family home wherein the price of homes here in San Diego are astronomically ridiculous. Besides, it will not be long from now when it will be just me, my wife (with the Lord) again. Jada is joining the Air Force, Anton will soon follow, while Jaja may already have her God-fearing husband in the not too distant future.

We did the “math”, and it is way way economical to live in a “motorhome”, compared to a single-family home. You save on utilities, you don’t have a lawn to maintain, so you save on water. There’s no association dues, no “mello-roos”. Plus, since it is a “home”, it is tax-deductible. And the greatest thing about it is that, we can bring it anywhere the Lord wants us to “make disciples” and “plant churches”.

Acts 1:8 NIV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

On June 24, which is a Saturday, we will be having our “Summer Splash 2017”, it is a whole-day “church picnic” by the beach but the most significant part of it will be the “water baptism”.

If you believe that you are like the Ethiopian Eunuch, and feel that there’s nothing in the way of you being baptized (re-baptized). Then, I encourage you to sign up for “water baptism”. Before that, there will be pre-water baptism class to address whatever un-answered questions you might still have.

After Peter addressed the crowd during the Pentecost at Jerusalem, around 3,000 who accepted the Lord’s message were baptized ().

Matthew 28:20 NIV

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Teaching Them to Obey

And here is the most important part of the Lord’s command. “Teaching Them to Obey”...

The word “teaching” was used 89 times in the NIV translation of the Bible. In this particular verse, the root greek work is didaskō (διδάσκω) which means: “teach, instruct”.

Imparting of spiritual, intellectual, moral & social instructions

Here are some “pericopes” about “teaching” in the Bible:

Consecration of the First Born

Bezalel and Oholiab (Building of the Tabernacle)

David’s Charge to Solomon

Ezra Reads the Law

And the word “obey” was used 143 times in the NIV translation of the Bible. The root greek word is tēreō (τηρέω), pronounced as “te-re-oh”, which means: “keep, observe”.

Here are some “pericopes” about “obedience” in the Bible:

Noah and the Flood

The Call of Abram

Abraham Tested

Aaron to Speak for Moses

Joshua Succeeded Moses

David Builds an Altar and many many more

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (marked by the second coming of Jesus)

Do you really believe that the Lord will be with you to the very end of age?

Because if you doubt the fact that the Lord will, indeed be with you until His return, then, this “teachings” and “obedience” will not make any sense at all…

The power and authority of the church’s mission

End

John 15:16 NIV

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

James 1:22–25 NIV

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Laborers are Few

Just like the contentious cycle of which came first, the chicken or the egg. It could also be another form of question as to which one should come first, “to obey” or “to teach”?

Jesus sends out the 72

If we obey first, then we will teach, and when we teach others, they will obey and teach others as well. It’s a God-honoring cycle in until Jesus returns.

Luke 9:1 NIV

1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,

See also ; ; ; ;

John 20:21 NIV

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Acts 1:8 NIV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

See also ; ; ; ; ;

Luke 9:2 NIV

2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

See also ; ;

Proclaiming the gospel

Acts 20:24 NIV

24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

See also ; ; ;

Acts 5:30–32 NIV

30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

See also ; ;

Ephesians 3:10–11 NIV

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

See also ;

The universal scope of the church’s mission

Luke 24:47 NIV

47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

See also ;

The church reaching out in mission

To the Jews

The disiples’ mission began with the Jews.

See also ; The scattered believers at first preached only to Jews.

To the Samaritans

Acts 8:4–8 NIV

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

See also ;

To the Gentiles

Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles:

; ;

Peter preaches to Cornelius and his family; Scattered believers preach to the Gentiles; Paul begins his first missionary journey (with Barnabas); Paul begins his second missionary journey (with Silas); Paul is called to preach the gospel in Macedonia; Paul’s third missionary journey; Paul preaches the gospel in Rome.

Missions undertaken by church officials

Barnabas is sent to Antioch to strengthen the new church.

Paul and Barnabas take gifts to Jerusalem:

;

Judas and Silas are sent to Antioch with a letter from the apostles and elders.