Jesus the Multiplier: Dispatching Every Disciple to Make Disciples

JESUS THE MULTIPLIER: DISPATCHING EVERY DISCIPLE TO MAKE DISCIPLES Matthew 28:16-20 (Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:47-49, John 20:21-23, & Acts 1:4-8), MHAFB, 19 May 19 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Series: Life of Jesus / Topics: Life of Jesus; Great Commission; Evangelism; Mission; Discipleship Songs for Worship: You're Worthy of my Praise, Christ Is Enough, All Heaven Declares, I Could Sing of Your Love Forever Opening Verse: Psalm 67 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Slide: Transition to Sermon: Psalm 119:105 Introduction 1. Attention: a. This past week I finally got over my recent catching of ‘the common cold.’ i. Quite the pesky bug, isn’t it? 1. Stuffiness, sore throat, drainage, sneezing, coughing, and more! 2. A quick study of history shows the earliest reference to this bug coming from the 1550 BC Egyptian document, Ebers Papyrus ii. Variations of this sickness have plagued humanity for thousands of years! 1. It it has only lasted through these years because people pass it on. 2. From one to another, this sickness travels around the globe over and over again, every growing with the human population b. Now, think of a professional relay race—the kind where they pass batons on from one person to the next. i. Relay teams have one key objective: Get your team to the end first through passing along the baton ii. And these batons travel in much the same way as a common cold—through human contact iii. To reach their goal, every team member must be ready, focused, & fully engaged. 2. Big Picture: As Christians there is something we can learn with these these two reflections and it relates to what we call “The Great Commission” a. Slide-Title: Today we are returning to the Gospel of Matthew—its final verses, Matthew 28:16-20, i. Where we see “Jesus the Multiplier: Dispatching Every Disciple to Make Disciples” b. It’s a sad fact that... i. Many of us pass along the “common cold” far better than we pass along the Good News of Jesus, that… ii. Many of us share the Gospel with far less intensity & focus than racers pass along the baton. c. Slide-Thesis: And so today we will be challenged to recognize and receive that... i. Jesus assigns each of His disciples with the task of making disciples of all the nations! 3. Verse: a. Background: i. Todays’ verses are found at the end of the final chapter in the Gospel of Matthew 1. Matthew 28:1-15 shares events on the resurrection day of Jesus 2. In Acts 1:3 we are told that Jesus appeared & provided many convincing proofs of His resurrected state for over 40 days a. However Matthew jumps straight from Jesus’ resurrection to these commissioning words. b. And he leaves these as the last teachings to savor at the end of his Gospel 3. You see, the Great Commission is quite important to us as Christians! a. Similar Great Commission statements of Jesus are found in Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:47-49, John 20:21-23, & Acts 1:4-8. b. Jesus also mentions this mission when Mary anoints Him with the costly perfume (Matthew 26:13, Mark 14:9) i. He again speaks of its fulfillment when addressing the end times in Matthew 24:14 c. Paul addresses its current outworking In Col 1:6, sharing that the Gospel is bearing fruit & growing all over the world 4. And so, let us focus today on how Matthew puts it & consider what it means that... a. Jesus assigns each of His disciples with the task of making disciples of all the nations! b. 2 Slides-Passage: Join me now in Matthew 28:16-20... Matthew 28:16–20 CSB 16 The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” c. Key Definitions: Before we go much into this, let’s talk briefly about two similar Greek words that appear in this passage; in v16 it mentions the… i. Intro-1 & 2: Disciples: (Gk. µαθητής, Strongs # 3101, mathetes) Most simplistically it means “A pupils/followers of a rabbi/teacher” 1. In the days of Jesus a cultural tradition existed in which key teachers, known as Rabbis, would have a collection of students, known as disciples 2. Being a disciple, though, was not merely an academic pursuit—It was a life direction. a. I-3: Disciples would spend a great quantity & quality of time with their rabbi’s i. I-4 & 5: In order to carefully study, learn, & follow his wisdom, values, words, actions, & lifestyle ii. In the deepest/fullest way possible! 3. This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus! a. So, what is the second related Greek word in this passage? b. This is actually put into two English words, found in v19, to “make disciples;” or as I’ve been referencing it— ii. I-6: Discipling: (Gk. µαθητεύω, Strongs #3100, matheteuo) Most simply, this Greek word means “to cause one to become a disciple” 1. It does not mean to “force” someone into discipleship a. (As the English term “make” sometimes implies) 2. I-7: Rather, it means to “convince, urge, or lead” others to join the say discipleship journey that you are on. a. (Source: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament, 1996) c.f. Mt. 13:52, 27:57; Ac. 14:21 4. Transition: So, with this foundation laid, let’s consider in the truth that “Jesus assigns each of His disciples with the task of making disciples of all the nations!” by looking at it through the lens of two questions: a. Why can we make disciples? b. How do we make disciples? Slide-Main Point 1a: Why can we make disciples? 1. Explain: a. The answer to this question starts with the first words of Jesus in v18, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” i. MP1b: Jesus has all authority in heaven & on earth! ii. As we’ve journeyed through the Gospel of Matthew together, I hope that you’ve seen this consistent theme of Jesus’ authority! iii. Here it is put in the most straight forward way possible iv. And it is a clear fulfillment of the Son of Man prophesy in Daniel 7:13-14 Daniel 7:13–14 CSB 13 I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. 14 He was given dominion, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed. b. Jesus’ claim to this is a claim to divinity—the only Almighty One with complete sovereignty over heaven & earth! i. The implications of this are staggering! ii. MP1c: #1, He is worthy of worship (as the disciples do in v17) 1. And He is worthy of obedience! iii. MP1d: #2, He has the authority to command us! 1. And He has the authority to enables us to obey/fulfill His commands! 2. Illustrate: It actually makes me think of good leadership skills… a. A QA Manager on Linked-In (the professional social media site) speaks of “Perhaps the most unrecognized factor which leads to failed projects, initiatives, low employee morale and dissent among employees" i. He calls it “utterly ineffective delegation” b. This problem was first brought to his attention through a conversation with one of his close friends, an experienced Project Manager i. He “asked him on the progress of his project he was working on and somewhat cynical, he replied 1. “Well everyone is working as hard as possible to get things done, 2. but the delays caused by the project are well…… caused by ineffective management.”” ii. His friend further shared that 1. “the problem here is we have responsibility without authority. 2. It is the worst management strategy I ever came across, it drives me crazy!”. “ a. (Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/responsibility-without-authority-how-driveemployees-crazy-fialka) 3. Expand: Jesus is no such mis-manager! a. On the contrary, Jesus, having all authority both commands us to make disciples & enables us to do the same! i. He delegates the responsibility & He equips us with the authority & ability to carry it out! ii. And this is actually highlighted by Jesus a moment later when He shares, 1. “remember” (or “Lo!” a Gk. prompter for attention because this is important! !), 2. “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (v20) iii. Jesus makes a promise here— 1. MP1e: He will always, absolutely, without a doubt, be with us a. He is “Emmanuel,” God with us (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23) 2. And this, Not “until you sin” or “until I lose interest in you” or “until life gets rough,” but ‘to the very end!' iv. MP1f: Through the Holy Spirit Jesus is always with His disciples 1. MP1g: And by the Holy Spirit He empowers His disciples to accomplish what He commands! b. As genuine Christians, disciples of Jesus, we are His hands & feet i. And we can accomplish every “tasker” He has given us because He is with us ii. As 2 Peter 1:3a shares, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness...” (CSB) iii. We are given all that we need—strength, wisdom, humbleness, courage, love, whatever it is! c. Why can we make disciples? i. Having all authority & promising to continually be with us— ii. Jesus has commanded & empowered us to make disciples. 4. Transition: Now, let's now look specifically what Jesus says about 'making disciples.' Slide-Main Point 2a: How do we make disciples? 1. Explain: a. Remember in Greek “Make disciple” is really just one word—we are to be “discipling” people i. That is, urging & leading them to be a disciple of Jesus— ii. A disciple in the manner we earlier looked at. b. Jesus provides three other verbs around the verb “make disciples” that answer howe we make disciples—we are to "Go, Baptize, & Teach” i. MP2b: Go: The Greek tense of this verb can more specifically be translated as, 'as we are going' or 'having gone' 1. While this can certainly refer to “going on mission;” a. MP2c: It more generally refers to ‘everyday going,’ everyday interactions with people! 2. Jesus defines whom we are to “go to”—all the nations (Gk, ethnos) a. Jesus was not merely talking about international travel here i. MP2d & e: He is sharing that the Good News is to be intentionally shared any & all ethnic group! ii. We must share the truth and implications that “Jesus Christ is Lord” across these cultural barriers! b. This is a consistent passion of God’s heart & thus a consistent command to His people! i. You see 1st expressed to Abraham, that “all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen 12:3) ii. And then finally expressed in Revelation 7:9 when we hear that the “vast multitude” is “from every nation, tribe, people, and language” 3. And to break a few misnomers or bad practices concerning the Great Commission... a. Obedience to this command requires movement & actions, i. It cannot be fulfilled through passively waiting for others to come to us! b. Also, Jesus doesn't say, "Take, therefore, all the nations into church..." i. While there is nothing wrong with inviting someone to church & I do highly encourage it— ii. The overwhelming examples & commands in Scripture show that each believer is called to *go* into the world! 1. We take the Gospel to a lost & dying world that is antagonistic toward Christ & finds His message foolish-2. But by and with Jesus’ authority & presence, we are to go! c. But now, let’s go to the next verb— ii. MP2f & g: Baptizing: In the days of Jesus this term referenced immersion someone into water to symbolize how their sins were forgiven 1. They were “washed away” as we were buried with Christ (entering the water) & then risen up to new life (exiting the water) 2. Baptism became as an ‘entrance rite’ for Jesus’ followers, closely associated w/their decision of faith a. It often became one of the initial steps of obedience for a new believer (Acts 2:38; 8:36-38; 10:47-48) 3. MP2h: This serves as an outward sign of an inward change (Rom 6:1-11; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21), a. Demonstrating that we have died to sin & ourself i. And yet we have been raised up to new life in Christ! b. We have been baptized in Jesus name (Ac 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; Rm 6:3 ), in the name of the Father & the Son & the Holy Spirit i. It was a baptism under His authority ii. It was a baptism into His family! 4. Some may be helped to think about “Baptism” as the evangelistic side of the Great Commission a. That is to say, how the Great Commission means we lead people to first become followers of Jesus! b. And often people exclusively focus on this! i. While they say they want to ‘make disciples,’ it seems they want to ‘make converts’ c. Remember, the Great Commission doesn’t stop with baptism! i. It forces us onward to be a ‘discipling’ people. :-) ii. So, let’s look at that now… iii. MP2i: Teaching: The Greek for this term implies that we are to ‘keep on instructing’ 1. MP2j: And specifically we are to teach complete obedience to Jesus a. We must teach both what Jesus said & how we can change our lives to obey it! b. And this isn’t external obedience, i. It is the consistent changing of the mind, heart, values, the inner-person! ii. As Paul says in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” iii. MP2k & l: Discipleship involves a life-long direction of inner-transformation & renewal! 2. This is when we recognize that the Great Commission is not just about ‘making new believers’ a. It is about discipling all believers into greater christlikeness! b. It both brings people in & on building them up! c. And plugging into this command is the responsibility of every believer! 2. Transition: And so you have it— a. The answer to the two key questions from today—Why can we make disciples? & How do we make disciples? b. Now move to the weekly question we must ask ourselves—what are we going to do about this? Slide-Conclusion-1: Conclusion 1. Reiterate: Jesus assigns each of His disciples with the task of making disciples of all the nations! a. Having all authority & promising to continually be with us— i. Jesus has commanded & empowered us to make disciples. b. Thus, as we are going, i. We must welcome new believers into the family through baptism ii. We must teach people about Jesus. helping them to grow as a disciples. 2. Apply: So, how should we respond? a. Con-2: Be Discipled! i. Con-3: Regularly rest in His presence 1. Remember that He is with you always, even to the end of the age! 2. He is always with us, although we do not enough slow down & rest in His presence a. How often do you do this? 3. This week, take more time, make new moments to slow down & rest in Jesus presence through prayer & meditation on His Word a. Allow Him to disciple, or teach, you—to change your heart, mind, & values b. Listen to your Creator; and as you do... ii. Con-4: Learn to more fully trust, worship, obey, & become like Jesus 1. Personally making disciples & becoming a better disciple! 2. If you have committed yourself to Jesus Christ, that is the first step! 3. Some may have done this, but have not followed through with baptism a. You can see the importance that this has to Jesus because i. He both commanded it and He actually did it ii. Being sinless He had no ‘need’ of baptism, but He identified with us in it! b. If you would like to either first commit yourself to being Jesus’ disciple or follow-through with baptism, I invite you to talk with me after chapel 4. But as we discussed, this is not where discipleship ends! a. Each disciple is called to fully accept, obey, & fulfill every command that Jesus gave b. This does not come naturally to us! i. It requires that we become lifelong humble learners from Jesus! ii. We must let God use others to help disciple us iii. This week, ask God who He may want you to be discipled by c. A few Bible studies or sermons a week is not sufficient here— i. With these, how does God want you to more radically respond? b. Con-5: Be a Discipler! i. Bring others to Jesus! ii. Who has God has placed in your life that you can help know Him better? iii. Remember, there are two levels to this! 1. Con-6: Help people start to know Jesus (leading to baptism) 2. Con-7: Help those who already know Him to grow in christlikeness! iv. Christian parents are naturally the primary disciplers of their children— 1. While the church helps, parents must intentionally, wisely, consistently, & humbly do this v. But beyond these blood-relationships-1. who else in the family of God has He called upon you to disciple toward greater christlikeness? 2. I encourage you to humbly & persistently pray about that this week & then take action in accordance to what God tells you! 3. Appeal: a. Illustration: As a JH teacher I would frequently assign the class assignments & give some time in class to accomplish them. i. Every now and then, some students were not on task & I would call out a student's name & remind them to refocus ii. The students often replied, "What's wrong? I'm not doing anything!" iii. To which I would reply, "That's exactly what's wrong. You need to get on task." iv. And so let us “get on task” with this mission, this Great Commission, that has been laid out for us! b. This Great Commission is not a request, nor is it merely 'a good idea.' i. It is a mandate, a command ii. It represents the heart of God for the lost & it invites you to take part in His message to reach them. c. May we faithfully discharge the duties of our relationship with Him. i. And praise the Lord that we don't need to do this by our own strength or wisdom when alone! ii. God Himself gave us the authority to do this & He will strengthen us by His very presence to complete it. d. Let us join God on the exciting tasks that lay ahead! i. From working with our children, to sharing with coworkers or neighbors-ii. Forsake your fears & insecurities, trust in Christ & live in humble obedience. 1. Spread the Gospel better than you do the common cold... 2. Share the gospel with an intensity & focus far greater than an olympic athlete would share his baton e. May this resounding message at the end of Matthew be a resounding in your own life… i. Jesus assigns each of His disciples with the task of making disciples of all the nations! ii. Let us accept, live in & live out this Great Commission today. 4. Conclude: Pray with me... Slide-Transition, World in hands: