(MT 28:18-20) The Mandate to Radical Discipleship

INTRODUCTION:

Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Are you being discipled as a part of your local church?

Perhaps, for some today - the Word “Discipleship” is a strange word.

We live in a day of what I would call discipleship confusion.

The Word “Disciple”

It's not that the Scriptures is confusing about discipleship,

but that we many times as the church have failed to define discipleship according to the Bible - and it has resulted in a lot of confusion about discipleship.

Take for instance,

How we use the word Discipleship and disciple in our churches is often a morphed version of what NT says.

And if you are an unbeliever here today - you probably really know idea what discipleship means, because it is a word that in the modern era is exclusively used by the church.

the question of who should be discipled (or another way to say it - who is a disciple? )

Just consider, the question of who should be discipled or another way to say it - who is a disciple?

And if you are an unbeliever here today - you probably really know idea what discipleship means, because it is a word that in the modern era is exclusively used by the church.

Just consider, the question of who should be discipled or another way to say it - who is a disciple?

- For some,

only the brand new Christian is someone needing to be discipled or the one with really big problems.

In other words - I don't have to be discipled because discipleship is for the young or immature Christian. I got it all together.

But I don't have to be discipled.

- For others - a disciple is only the apostles and those supers motivated Christians.

People treat discipleship like a second calling after you get saved,

one can have or one you choose not to have - it's up to you.

Or perhaps consider another question, how do you disciple someone?

We are just as confused about how to disciple as we are who is a disciple.

- For some – you're only discipling people if you're in a small group or one-on-one Bible studies.

But does discipleship happen only in small groups?

- For others – discipleship is this big giant program that the whole church gets involved in so everybody can be discipled.

But is a program necessarily discipleship? Or even necessarily a good system for discipling others?

>>>> Can we do discipleship without out having a small group and without having a big program?

- Yet still others – believe only real discipleship is happening when you are helping the ones who are hurting most in our society. The homeless, the drunker,….

So does that mean that average normal young families across America doesn't need to be discipled?

So does that mean that average normal young families don't need to be discipled?

My point – we live in a day of discipleship confusion.

In fact, all of those examples are examples that I have heard people say in the last three years since I moved to Laramie.

And if you are an unbeliever here today - you probably really know idea what discipleship means, because it is a word that in the modern era is exclusively used by the church.

CAVEAT: Now it is impossible for me on a single Sunday to clarify every question we should ask about discipleship.

Others what we could say about how we got here or what the real problem is.

But this morning I like to bring you to a text that is a major text for clarifying who is a disciple and what does discipleship involve.

And it is not by accident I choose this text - because this morning our church will celebrate 2 Baptisms and a membership.

I would propose from this text that what they are doing is being a disciple of Christ - following the teachings of Jesus.

****************************************************So let’s pray and then look at our text.

>>>> Bibles in the chairs in front of you.

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

I realize this text is traditionally used as text for missions,

but it also plays an important role in defining a theology of discipleship.

From the Gospel of Matthew,

But this morning I would like to take you to with that helps you answer many of these questions. It's not going to exhaustively develop for you a theology of discipleship – yet we will be far along the way to better understanding what a disciple is and what it means to disciple someone.

PROP: Everyone One of Us Ought to Be a Disciple of Christ.

TRANS: and as we understand this passage we will answer two questions that will help us understand discipleship.

TRANS: and as we understand this passage we will answer three questions -

Should you be a disciple?

and What should a Disciple be?

What is a disciple?

And,

And,

what does a disciple do?

So first,

1) Should You Be a Disciple of Christ?

The broader theological question we are asking is - who is a disciple of Christ?

But I want to personalize that question this morning by asking - Should You Be a Disciple of Christ?

This text has been coined – the great commission.

>>>>>It is one of four text in our Bibles that commands the church to go and tell others about Christ.

It is one of four text in our Bibles that commands the church to go and tell others about Christ.

The one of four text in our Bibles that commands the church to go and tell others about Christ.

Observe

After all – the church is commanded to go and make disciples in this text.

Observe

a. The command to the Church to Go and Make Disciples. (v. 19)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (v. 19)

To begin with, by what authority does Jesus send out the church?

ILLUSTRATION:

Out of all people to understand the importance of authority. - we should understand this.

Americans cherish their freedom because no one can tell me what to do.

Americans cherish their freedom because no one can tell me what to do.

Johnny, you need to clean up your yard!

Says who.

Johnny, you need to be careful not to fall off that cliff!

Says who.

Johnny, you need save money for emergencies!

Johnny, you need to control your anger!

Johnny, you need to be at church on Sunday!

Says who.

And let's be honest,

Johnny, you need to go and make disciples!

Johnny, you need to go and make disciples!

Says who.

Says the one who's been given all authority.

Matthew 28:18 ESV

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

Matthew 28:16 ESV

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord of lords, the creator of the world.

The one who the father gave all authority too,

The one who the father gave all authority to0,

And thus,

every one of us ought to listen and obey his command.

And let's clarify what we are being commanded to do.

Now I know that somewhere along the way most of us have heard – we are not commanded to go, were commanded to make disciples.

And it's partly true.

But it's only half the story.

But it's only half the story.

>>>>>>>>>Slide (Language Explanation)

What is the primary command of this verse?

The main verb is not go, but make disciples. That is true.

The main verb is not go, but make disciples.

But does that mean that God does not command us to go?

But - I would suggest from the language of this text

I would suggest from the language of this text

– we are commanded to go as much as we are commanded to make disciples.

I don't want to get over technical here,

but I know that many of you have heard almost contradictory things from this text.

And so I hope to explain this a little bit more in detail then normal.

It is true, that the main verb, which is a command, is to make disciples.

Our primary task given by Jesus is to make disciples.

But the word “go” is a participle that modifies the main verb.

The question is – how does it modify the main verb.

The question is – how does it modify the main verb.

This particular word is what they call a “participle of attendant circumstance”.

And that is a big fancy language word to say that it happens alongside the main verb.

At the big fancy language turned to say that it happens alongside the main verb.

So the relationship between these two words is that the going is added to the verb make disciples, and the command, making disciples adds to going it’s command.

()

Thus, we are commanded both to go and to make disciples.

They both are part of our text

We have the responsibility to go to our neighbors including our neighboring nations

>>>> and tell them about the gospel.

When we tell them about the gospel,

>>>>>we are making them disciples of Jesus Christ.

Fundamentally, our mission in life as a church and as a believer in Christ - is to go and make disciples.

Remember, our main question here is should I be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

And I believe that –

The command to go out

b. The Implied Implication: Everyone Should be a Disciple of Christ.

Consider the implications of this command.

The disciples of Jesus Christ were commanded to go out and make disciples, who then had responsibility to make more disciples.

So if we were to trace your spiritual tree as a believer back to the apostles

– we would have to conclude that you are a disciple who was made a disciple by another disciple.

In other words – the implied idea that every believer in Jesus Christ is a disciple.

Is there a way to verify that is actually what Scripture says? And I believe there is.

One of the frustrating realities of the New Testament is that the word disciple cannot be found in the epistles.

It might lead you incorrectly to think the believers don't have to be disciples.

It might lead you incorrectly to think the believers don't have to be disciples.

After all, show me a verse from the epistles that tells me I have to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

And it fails that litmus test.

Yet, the book of Acts becomes a great transition to our theology.

In the gospel of Luke,

Luke uses the word disciple almost exclusively,

yet in the book of acts he uses the word believer and the word disciple interchangeably.

Acts 6:1–2 ESV

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

Acts 6:7 ESV

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

EXPLANATION:

So for Luke, and arguably the early church, if you were a believer then you are a disciple.

If you were a disciple then you were a believer.

Luke confirms what is implied in .

(1) Everyone who believes in Christ is a Disciple.

Discipleship is not a second calling, but part of thee calling to believe in Jesus Christ.

But perhaps you are sitting here and saying – hahahahaha

I don't believe in Jesus so I don't have to be a disciple.

But let's look closer at our text - should an unbeliever be a disciple of Christ? >>>>

And I believe we will find that –

(2) All non-believers also ought to be a disciple.

V. 19 - Our text says.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.

What is implied in this verse is that not only should believers be disciples,

but even unbelievers ought to become disciples.

Because the Gospels is the greatest news the world could ever hear, it is news that every one of us should listen to.

In simple terms – the gospel teaches:

- We are sinners who stand before God under judgment for sin.

Yet,

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

EXPLANATION:

The church is compelled to tell the nations what every person needs to hear

John

- Jesus Christ has bought our salvation on the cross and yet if we would believe in him and him alone we can be saved.

- The world is compelled to hear the good news, and believe in Christ,

because he is bought our salvation on the cross.

So, Should I be a Disciple?

So, Should I be a Disciple?

I don’t care what you believe about Christ - Because it doesn’t matter.

You can say this is not my thing.

I don’t want to be a disciple.

I don’t want to be a believer.

But that doesn’t change the reality -

Everyone of us ought to be a disciple of Christ.

But everyone of us ought to be a disciple of Christ.

So the next logical question is -

that both comes from this text and happens in our mind – is

2) What Should a Disciple be?

A profound reality of the New Testament - is that everyone of us ought to be a disciple.

But what does that mean?

How do I know if I am being a disciple?

And I think our study has to begin with the very word "disciple" found in our text.

In today's culture,

the word disciple is one of those Christian words that is only used in the church.

- I don't say, I want to become a disciple of engineering, or computers, or cars.

- The word disciple exclusively comes from our Bible and the historical background of the Gospels.

The word disciple exclusively comes from our Bible and the historical background of the Gospels.

At it’s most basic meaning -

a. The Word Disciple Means:

We are -

(1) Basic Definition: A Follower of Christ.

Yet, to be more precise,

the word disciple is a picture of an intimate relationship to someone who is training you.

(Baker Paraphrased)

In fact, if we examine the time of Jesus - we find that -

Jesus is not the only one to have disciples.

Jesus is not the only one to have disciples.

John the Baptist had disciples.

Many of the leading rabbis had disciples.

And in broader ancient culture, many philosophers and educators and religious groups had what they called disciples.

A Disciple traditionally would live with their master and submit to their teaching.

It was like a teacher-student relationship,

but much more personal and intimate then what we find in traditional primary and secondary school.

A closer relationship then we typically have with college professors.

In fact, it would have been more like a Father-Son relationship then a Teacher-Student Relationship.

If you lived with college professor, and you spent everyday learning from him, and overtime built a close-intimate relationship with him .... then

We

A Father-Son relationship is one where they live together, and the Father is constantly mentoring the young son into adulthood.

And that is the basic idea of a disciple.

And then Jesus took this idea, and heightened it in his teachings.

You could almost say

- there is discipleship, and then there is discipleship to Jesus.

We read this as part of our Scripture reading this morning, but want to take us back to .

Luke 14:25–33 ESV

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27 ESV

27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:25–27 ESV

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

So if we put this together,

W

(2) Longer Definition: A Disciple is Committed to an Intimate Relationship of Radically Following and Submitting to Christ.

That is what the Word “Disciple” means.

Do you have an intimate Master-Disciple relationship with Jesus Christ?

I am not just asking if you are saved today,

but I am asking you

- but I am asking you

- Do you have a close relationship with Christ?

- Are you radically following his teachings?

I challenge you to have a discipleship relationship with Jesus Christ.

But beyond understanding the meaning of the word disciple,

our passage gives us further clues about what a Disciple is.

And I hope it does - becau

Matthew 28:19 ESV

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,

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew

Our passage teaches us to go and make disciples,

And then tells us two ways we ought to do that.

And then tells us two ways we ought to do that.

By baptizing them and by teaching them .

That at a basic level is how you make disciples.

But think about how this adds to our understanding of what a disciple is.

It teaches us at least two major qualities of a true Disciple of Jesus Christ.

This passage teaches us,

b. The Qualities of a Disciple.

So first,

(1) A Disciple is a Baptized Believer.

Now I realize that our Bible does not actually say believer,

but I would suggest that the NT teaches us that Baptism is an act that comes after someone believes in Christ.

In , perhaps the most famous text on the Gospel, doesn’t even mention Baptism.

It in no way

In , Paul again talks about salvation and doesn’t mention Baptism.

, Cornelius’s household was Baptized after they have believed in Christ and received the Holy Spirit.

The New Testament norm was to only baptize after someone had come to belief in Christ.

Also,

we must remember what Baptism is.

Baptism doesn’t save us.

Baptism doesn’t give good standing before God.

Baptism instead is a public confession of what God has already done to us.

Paul teaches the meaning of Baptism in

Romans 6:4–5 ESV

4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Rom

In Baptism we are remembering that we are united with Christ,

and thus our old nature is put to death.

and our new nature is born into a new life.

This is why we immerse - it pictures us being united with Christ in his death and resurrection.

And Baptism serves as a public confession and illustration of what God has already done.

Thus,

we are to make disciples - which means bringing people to belief in Christ, and then leading them to publicly confess their belief through Baptism.

In other words - a Disciple is someone who is a baptized believer.

Perhaps you are wondering today - why would 2 people in our church choose to be Baptized?

A simple question today

Baptism doesn’t save them.

It doesn’t give them special standing in heaven.

So why do it?

And the simple answer -

They are disciples of Christ - who want to follow in obedience to Jesus’s commands,

by making a public confession of Baptism of what Christ has already done for them.

I have a simple question today,

Are you a Baptized believer of a local church?

And if not - you ought to be … Because Jesus commands it.

If not a believer today - come talk to us.

We would love to share with you the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If you are a believer, but haven’t been Baptized - come talk to us.

We would love to help you have a master-disciple relationship with Jesus Christ.

2ndly -

(2) A Disciple is a Follower of the Teachings of Christ.

(2) A Disciple is a Follower of the Teachings of Christ.

Our text tells the church >>>>>>>>to make disciples,

by teaching them the commands of Christ.

Which means - a disciple is hungry for and obedient to the Word.

CAVEAT:

There is a lot that we could say about this. But may I just encourage you with glory of God’s Word.

There is a lot that we can say about this.

Last week we looked at - which teaches us how God’s Word is able to meet our every need.

It is completely sufficient to

make us wise,

to help us make good moral choices,

to heal our broken hearts

to give us hope in our darkest fears.

The disciple of Jesus Christ, recognizes the the priceless value of God's word in our lives,

and thus commits himself to a daily study and obedience to the word of God.

Remember – the word disciple means you're committed the teachings of Jesus.

Our text tells us, that we are to make disciples by teaching them the commandments of Christ.

Where do we find those commandments?

Our Bible.

So I ask you another question –

Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ who is committed and passionate about God's word?

Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ was committed and passionate about God's word?

Because that's what it means to be a disciple.

To bring this together -

What is a disciple from this text?

A person commited to a radical relationship of following Christ as his master,

- which includes a believe that he saved us through the Cross,

- a public confession of our belief through Baptism,

- and a radical following of the Word of God.

3. What does a disciple do?

a. They Go to the lost.

b. They make others disciples too.

a. Bringing them to a public belief and confession of salvation in Christ alone.

b. Training them to know and obey the Scriptures.

The short and simple answer - every one of us.

CONCLUSION:

Does that describe you?

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Faithfulness

When Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, there were many people buried in the ruins. Some were found in cellars, as if they had gone there for security. Some were found in the upper rooms of buildings. But where was the Roman sentinel found? Standing at the city gate where he had been placed by the captain, with his hands still grasping his weapon. There, while the earth shook beneath him—there, while the floods of ashes and cinders covered him—he had stood at his post. And there, after a thousand years, was this faithful man still to be found.482

For really that the very short and narrow definition.

I ask you this morning –

Are you faithful disciple of Jesus Christ?

Are you faithful disciple of Jesus Christ?

We have looked at two questions -

Should you be a disciple of Christ?

and What is a disciple of Christ?

And the answer is, you absolutely should be a radical follower the King of Kings and Lord of lords.

We may live in a time of discipleship confusion,

but I hope this passage has helped you understand discipleship better.

I can give you hundreds of books that will argue that discipleship is this or that.

But the real question is – what does the Bible say discipleship is?

But the real question is – what does the Bible say discipleship is?

Certainly I have not exhaustively dealt with the subject this morning,

But I hope you've walked away with this understanding -

But I hope you've walked away with this understanding -

PROP: Everyone of ought to be a disciple of Jesus Christ

The Scriptures command that every one of us being disciples of Jesus.

For further, I hope you've understood part of what discipleship is.

Discipleship

and that means -

We are believers in the Gospel.

You might be surprised by this, but history shows that Jesus was not the only one to have disciples.

We are believers in the Gospel.

We have followed in obedience to Baptism.

In Jesus's day, prominent Jewish religious teachers (Rabbi's) would take on disciples.

And we are radical about knowing and following the Word of God in our lives.

Part of becoming a disciple of someone, was a willingness to put yourself under their teaching and training.

Let me ask you – do you believe that Jesus has died to save you from your sins?

But is was more than just putting yourself under your college professor or your high school teacher.

Discipleship begins coming to belief in Christ.

ILLUSTRATION:

Discipleship involved leaving your home and living with the person who was discipling you.

Further, let me ask you – does anybody else know that you're a believer in Christ?

The common pastoral wisdom is that 20% of a church does 80% of the work.

I think that is not just a reflection of service in the church,

but a reflection of our following of Jesus.

What if everyone in our church - was radically commited to being followers of Jesus Christ?

In fact, that's exactly the 12 apostles did.

How would that affect our evangelism and missions?

Baptism of the public confession to the world that I am a believer in Christ.

And a necessary components of being a disciple is that you are baptized as a public confession that you are a believer in Christ.

How would that affect our personal daily worship of God?

When Jesus called them to be disciples they left everything, follow Christ, and learned his teachings.

How would that affect our church’s worship of God?

Finally, are you knee-deep in knowing and following the word of God?

When is the last time you opened your Bible?

When you read your Bible, do you read it as a radical follower of Jesus Christ?

I challenge this morning as part of our celebration - be followers of the greatest person who has ever lived.

Be a disciple of Jesus Christ.