Are You A Disciple Maker?
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Introduction
Sermon Introduction
Good Morning, Church.
I hope it is well with you all.
Please turn your Bibles to the Gospel of Matthew
We will be conducting our study in Chapter 28.
And we will be examining verse 16 through 20 in our message today called “Are You A Disciple Maker?”
Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
Before we consider our text, please join me in prayer...
Opening Illustration
Opening Illustration
This week as I was preparing this sermon, I came across a startling article.
The Pew Research Center took a recent survey.
They found that Among 13- to 17-year-old teenagers, 45% believe many religions may be true.
Nearly half of teens.
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It gets worse.
15%, believe there is little to no truth in any religion, and 8% believe no religion is true.
What does all this mean?
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At least 68% of teens do not believe what Jesus said in John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Unfortunately, parents weren’t any better, only showing a 1 of 2% difference in each area.
So nearly 70% of our population definitely does not believe in the Gospel.
Of the remainder 30+% that does believe in one religion being true, not all are Christians.
And of the Christians not all are part of churches that even believe the Word of God to be God breathed or infallible and inerrant.
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I hope you can see the picture I am painting for you.
Church, we have some work to do.
Souls are dying.
The broad road is getting wider
And the narrow road is getting thinner.
Again, I will say it:
Church, we have some work to do.
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Now this is a great time to transition to our text for today:
Reading of the Text
Reading of the Text
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.”
1) Follow The Directions He Gives You
1) Follow The Directions He Gives You
Verse 16: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
We must first and foremost follow the directions he gives us.
Verse 16 shows us that the disciples lightened to the direction of Jesus that he previously gave.
You see, you can’t be a disciple and not follow your master.
You can’t be a good student and ignore your teacher
Earlier in the Gospel Jesus said:
32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Not only does Jesus give the disciples direction to follow.
He does something else.
He goes before them.
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Remember, Jesus is the good shepherd and a good shepherd always goes before the sheep.
He both directs us and leads us.
So, we must obey Him and Follow Him.
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Let’s look again in this Gospel and see what else Jesus says.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Here again we see that Jesus gives the disciples direction.
But again, that is not all.
He said, Do not be afraid.”
Remember we are sheep and sheep are some of the most fearful animals God created.
Do you know why Psalm 23 says, “He leads them beside still waters”?
Because sheep are so easily frightened that rushing waters scares them and they wont drink water.
The shepherd has to lead them to still waters.
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Now before you laugh at the sheep, remember God call us sheep for a reason.
Often we are afraid to to the things He commands us to do.
How do I know?
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Because all I have to do is ask when was the last time you share the Gospel with someone?
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I have a feeling many would be ashamed to answer that question out load.
Where you afraid?
Don’t forget this truth:
He directs us...
He goes ahead of us...
And He reassures us not to have fear.
2) Some May Doubt Along the Way But You Are To Worship Him
2) Some May Doubt Along the Way But You Are To Worship Him
Verse 17: And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
There is debate among scholars if the “some” that doubted are part of the eleven disciples or a larger group of followers that where with the eleven.
The Greek word used shows a possible change in subject form those who worshiped and those who doubted.
If this is a larger group then is also possible that this is the same group of over 500 witnesses that saw the resin Lord all at the same time as is recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:6.
Either way, the Greek word that is being rendered as doubt is probably better translated as hesitation than unbelief.
It is incredible the miraculous things God does for us in our lives yet how quickly we can doubt or be hesitant.
And this is recorded all throughout Scripture.
Take for instance the Israelites:
10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord.
11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?
How many of us are guilty of this lack of faith?
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The Israelite saw 10 incredible acts of God against the most powerful nation at the time.
God signal handily made the Egyptians beg the Jews to leave there country, giving them tons of silver and gold along the way
But how quickly was all this forgotten.
It makes one want to reply:
Is God a mere man that he can somehow fail?
Is God powerless to the armies of man?
Is God not able to defend Himself?
Instead of panicking, trust God.
Instead of doubting Him, Worship Him.
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Did Isreal learn its lesson after God split the sea and lead them to safety?
Unfortunately not.
Fast forward some more to threats of the giant Goliath.
How did the Jews react?
11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
Really?
One giant of man?
Is that too much for God to handle?
God can use a boy to slay a giant.
Instead of panicking, trust God.
Instead of doubting Him, Worship Him.
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Surely we learned our lesson by the time we make it to the New Testament, right?
Unfortunately not.
Fast forward some more on the Biblical timeline and we see the leader of the disciples in Jesus’ presence.
Being with Jesus is truly the safest place one can be.
But look what Scripture says:
29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Is Jesus powerless against the weather and storms?
Is Jesus powerless against the storms in your life?
Instead of panicking, trust God.
Instead of doubting Him, Worship Him.
3) Who Do You Worship? The One With All Authority
3) Who Do You Worship? The One With All Authority
Verse 18: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Is He not worthy of our worship?
Of course He is worthy of our worship.
Jesus said:
27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
All things have been given to Jesus.
Not some things but all things.
All authority has been given to Jesus
Not some authority but all authority.
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He is sovereign and He is in control.
Do you want to know the Father?
You must first know the Son.
Why?
Because no one knows the Father except the Son.
No one
That is no one except those whom the Son chooses to reveal Him to.
Is He not worthy of our worship?
Of course He is worthy of our worship.
Remember this:
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
When you are mocked for your faith, which you will be if you are obedient to God, I want you to do something.
Take a look at the knees of those who mock our God.
Take a look at the lips that mock our God.
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Remember one day those knees will bow and those lips will confess Jesus.
Our prayer is that those that mock Him will today will turn to Him before it is too late.
For some will bow down and confess Him with joy fro they ran the race with endurance...
While sadly, others will also bow down and confess Him with horror and dread...
For they will realize they wasted their whole life and are headed for Hell.
Is He not worthy of our worship?
Of course He is worthy of our worship
4) Every Christian’s Mission Statement
4) Every Christian’s Mission Statement
Verse 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,
This Great Commission by Jesus fulfills the promises God made to Abraham back in Genesis.
Consider these verses:
3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
This is prophesy is being fulfilled.
Here we are in America in the 21st century blessed and benefiting from the promise of God to Abraham before the country of Isreal even came together.
Is that not amazing, church?
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Now, before we get to the the rest of the verse, lets pause at the word “disciple” and explore what it really means.
The definition of Discipleship from the “Lexham Theological Wordbook” reads:
“Discipleship is the process of devoting oneself to a teacher to learn from and become more like them. For the Christian, this refers to the process of learning the teachings of Jesus and following after His example in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. Discipleship not only involves the process of becoming a disciple but of making other disciples through teaching and evangelism.”
In the Old Testament discipleship was focused on learning the Torah and submitting to it in complete obedience. Based on the Hebrew, discipleship meant one was to change their behavior as a result of instruction.
In the New Testament if we look at the Greek word for discipleship goes beyond just the transfer of information but also to the transformation of one’s lifestyle in order to be more like one’s teacher.
So, discipleship involves all of one’s person.
It involves all their very being and not just the mind or intellect.
It’s a heart thing in addition to a mind thing.
So we must imitate our Teacher, our Lord and Savior.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
We are to follow His model and example.
We are to follow His footsteps.
That means we will be treated like Jesus.
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We will be mocked.
We will be insulted.
We will be persecuted.
And for some, our testimony will be sealed with blood.
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If you are not like Jesus, then you are not following Him.
If you are not like Jesus, then you are not a disciple of Him.
John MacArthur put it this way:
“A person who is not Christ’s true disciple does not belong to Him and is not saved. When a person genuinely confesses Christ as Lord and Savior, he is immediately saved, immediately made a disciple, and immediately filled with the Holy Spirit. Not to be Christ’s disciple is therefore not to be Christ’s at all.”
He continues:
“Scripture knows nothing of receiving Christ as Savior but not as Lord, as if a person could take God piecemeal as it suits him. Every convert to Christ is a disciple of Christ, and no one who is not a disciple of Christ, no matter what his profession of faith might be, is a convert of Christ.”
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Just look what Jesus said:
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Jesus had about a 3 year ministry that directly reached people in Isreal.
Now with the technology we have, we can reach the very ends of the world with a touch of a button.
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Stop using your social media fruitlessly and use it to share the Gospel.
When you interact with someone, give them a Bible and Gospel track.
Share your personal testimony with others.
Share the Good news with others.
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Are you a mature Christian?
Then go disciple someone.
Instruct them to the point that they can lead others to saving knowledge of Jesus.
Use the gifts God gave you and stop burying your talents.
As followers of Jesus, we have the tool to do amazing things.
Again look what Jesus said:
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
Have you washed someone’s feet lately?
Not literally.
But are you serving others?
Are you willing to do the lowly things for others?
Can people identify you as a Christian by your service?
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If Jesus can do the lowest of servant jobs, what is your excuse?
Are we better than our Master?
A Disciple not only instructs, and teaches, and serves but they also suffer for the Lord.
The Scriptures again warns us:
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
He suffered for us and left us an example.
So, for His sake and the sake of other we must endure suffering too.
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All together this paints a picture for us of a Disciple of Christ.
And we are to reproduce more disciples and more disciples.
This world desperately needs believers to step it up.
Who but the disciples of Christ can make other disciples?
Keep in mind Satan is making his disciples.
We can’t just sit around and watch.
The reason you don’t go to heaven the moment you are saved is because as a believer you have unfinished work to do.
So, get working, church.
Go and make disciples in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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Before we move to the next verse...
I want to stress how powerful this verse is in providing proof for the Trinity.
As one commentary I studied this week put it:
“The singular “name” followed by the threefold reference to “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” suggests both unity and plurality in the Godhead.”
Our God is both One being and Three persons.
But this is not the only time we see the Trinity all together in a verse or passage.
Consider these following passages the next time you are debating a Jehovah's Witness or Mormon or anyone who denies the Trinity:
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;
6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
Did you see what Scripture just did there.
Incorporating the whole Trinity.
We can miss it if we are not careful.
Consider these too:
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All three persons of the Trinity in one verse.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
You see...
One Spirit, One Lord, and One Father.
One more example, but there is more in Scripture if you are careful to look out for.
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
This is so beautiful.
We see the whole act of Salvation is a work of the Trinity.
The Father foreknows us and predestines us and calls us.
The Son purchased us with His blood and made the way to the Father.
The Holy Spirit sanctifies us and keeps us in obedience to Jesus.
5) Teach Them the Whole Council of The Lord
5) Teach Them the Whole Council of The Lord
Verse 20a: teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Jesus didn’t say teach them some of what I taught you.
Jesus didn’t say to teach the parts that everyone like to here.
Jesus said to teach them all I have commanded you.
So, that is verses about love and the verses about wrath.
We are to preach both Heaven and Hell and we are not to be ashamed.
We are to preach both Grace and Sin and we are not to be ashamed.
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But it was not just about intellect.
Jesu said specifically to teach then to observe all I have commanded
It about both knowing the commandments and following the commandments
Jesus said:
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
It will not matter what you say you believe if you refuse to obey Jesus.
Do you love Him?
Know Him commandments.
Do you love Him?
Then obey Him.
Jesus again says:
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Can Jesus be any more clearer?
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You can’t claim that you are in Christ if you act like a son of Satan.
You can’t claim that you are in Christ if His Word bores you.
You can’t claim to be a Child of God if you love this world.
You can’t claim to be a follower of Jesus and obey yourself over God.
John doesn’t hold back in his epistle.
He said:
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Who do you walk like?
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Who do people say you follow?
Not the people you see you on Sunday.
Who do the people on Monday say you follow?
Who do the people on Tuesday say you follow?
And on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday and Saturday...
Who do they say you follow?
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If you are truly in Christ, then you are not just in Christ on Sunday...
You are in Christ all 7 days of the week.
Again John says:
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
By His love, His commandments are not a burden to us.
In a works-based relationship one follows commands out necessity but it is burdensome.
In a love-based relationship one follows commands out of joy.
6) Have Confidence As He Will Not Abandon You
6) Have Confidence As He Will Not Abandon You
Verse 20b: And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Fear not.
He will never abandon us.
Even to the end of the age or end of all history, He is always with us.
His very name, Immanuel, means “God with us.”
He was “God with us” at His birth and He will continue to be “God with us” until forever.
Remember the Words of the Lord for those who trust in Him:
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Again, He goes before us...
And He is with us...
And He will never leave us...
And He will not forsake us.
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Remember the words of the Psalter:
25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
We have a God who takes care of us.
When he sends us on a mission, we are never alone.
And the Great Commission, this call by Jesus right before He ascended, is for us to make disciples.
That is, we are to call individuals to commit to Jesus as Master and Lord.
But we are not alone in this.
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It won’t be easy.
The world will hate you.
The world will persecute you.
The world will hurt you.
And The world may even kill you.
But He will never forsaken us.
28 For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
How long are the saints persevered for?
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Forever.
So, stop with the excuses on why you haven’t been in obedience to Jesus and obey Him.
Go forth and make disciples.
Closing Illustration
Closing Illustration
I read in a book one that a Christian family was neighbors with an unbelieving family.
The the family loved each other, often visiting each other and the fathers where especially close.
One day the Christian father shared the Gospel with his neighbor.
By God’s grace the unbelieving neighbor was unbelieving no more.
He believed, surrendering His life to Jesus Christ.
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This all seemed great but the Christian father noticed his neighbor’s face, as if he was confused about something.
He asked him what was the matter since a moment ago he was filled with so much joy.
His neighbor’s reply:
“Since this Good News consisted of such great life saving message, why did you wait 10 years to tell me?”
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By the grace of God, a man was saved but why did it take 10 years.
And what about those other stories...
Where a person passes away who never hears the good news....
Even though they had friends who knew the Gospel well but never shared it out of fear.
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Church take a look around the sanctuary.
Take a look at who is to the left of you.
Take a look at who is to the right of you.
Those empty spots are our responsibility.
Remember what Jesus said in Acts 1:8:
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
We need to be sharing the good news with our friends and family.
We need to be sharing the good news with our co-workers and neighbors.
We need to be sharing the good news with those we interact with and those we pass by.
We need to be sharing the good news with strangers.
We need to be sharing the good news with everyone.
Go and be His witness, church.
Go and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Go and train up the next generation of believers.
Go and be a disciple maker.
All the Glory to God.
Amen.
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Now if you will all stand to your feet...