Follow Me

ME

On Sunday as I reflected on what it meant to be a father; I thought about the legacy that I wanted to leave.

WE

We all want to leave a legacy behind.

What do you want people to remember about you? What do you want to be said about at your funeral?

Things we chase that probably wouldn’t make that list: The amount of money we made, how big our house was, how forcefully we gave our opinions, how many arguments we won.

I want to do an exercise with you this morning. While it may seem a little dark and gloomy, it’s one of the my favorite exercises I did in one of my courses in college. I want everyone to close your eyes (except if you have this playing in your car and you’re driving). Imagine you’re nearing the end of your life. What are things that you regret doing in your life? What do you wish you had more time for? What would your last words to your family and friends be?

TRANSITION

As you’re thinking about it, I want to read you what Jesus’ last words were before ascending into heaven. This is what He told the people that loved him the most.

GOD

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

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.”

The primary command here is to make disciples. While it’s not as clear in English, the original language makes it clear that all the other verbs accompany the primary one. In other words, Jesus’ main command is to make disciples. As we make disciples, we are to go, we are to baptize, and we are to teach. All of this is to be a part of making disciples, not addition to.

We need to ask ourselves a couple of questions:

What’s a disciple, and how do I make them?

What’s a disciple?

Merriam-Webster - one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another

Professor Talley at Biola University - A disciple is one who follows Christ, trusting in him alone for salvation, worshiping his person, loving him with whole heart, imitating his life, and obeying his teaching, living dependently by abiding in Christ, walking in the Holy Spirit, meditating on the word of God, engaging in communion (prayer), and partnering with the body of Christ (local church) resulting in the transformation of the mind, the heart, and the life and leads others to do the same.

Pastor Jim Putman - believes the definition is found in Mt 4:19 where Jesus says Follow Me and make your fishers of men. He defines a disciple as someone who follows Christ, is being changed by Christ, and is committed to the mission of Christ.

Matthew 4:19 NIV

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

John 13:31–38 NIV

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

YOU

WE