Disciplined Disciple Making

Jesus Outlines the plan

Many people in the United States are very aware of the numbers game. We understand the vitality of the stock market and the amount of inflation and interest within the banking industry.

Unfortunately, this has flowed over into the method of growing the body of Christ. Many churches are more interested in how many people come through the door instead of pouring into those who already grace its doors.

Both are good but one without the other is not part of the plan.

Whether the church is a small group or a mega church, the goal is the same: to make disciples who follow Christ who in turn grow into mature disciple makers.

Retreat from the World

In understanding the dangers of temptation and the lure of the world while being in the world, many people resist the world altogether. Throughout the years, people have retreated from the world in order to be closer to God.

This is a necessary part of becoming more Christ-like. The Bible is filled with many accounts of those who have been brought out of the world for a time in the desert. However, it was not God’s intention to leave them in the desert. It is God’s intention to reconcile the entire world to Him.

During your retreat, closeness with God is attained. The Israelites were given the law during their desert journey. Jesus was ushered into the wilderness to endure the temptations of the world.

Each one of us will also go through this during our humbling commitment to God.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16 NASB95

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.

Matthew 28:17 NASB95

When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.

Matthew 28:19 NASB95

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:20 NASB95

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Before the ascension of Jesus, the teachings are summed up in a command for the remaining disciples. There were eleven who ascended to the mountain with Jesus. His command to them was an action.

Instead of remaining in isolation to build their characters, they were to understand their journey was one of movement, action, and obedience to God’s command. Although they were doubtful, they would receive the Holy Spirit who would guide them in the truth of Jesus Christ.

Bookends of the Mission Call

We just completed the journey of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Matthew with the reading of the beatitudes. At the outset of this ministry, truth was being spoken but the people were wary about believing it fully.

However, the end of Matthew is the justification that the words that Jesus spoke were true then, are true today and always will be truth.

The blessings are for those who receive His word and message while obeying the word.

Jesus is the Word of God become flesh for the world to see John 1:14.

While we are searching for knowledge to help us in our journey, it is the Word of God that guides us.

Matthew 28:19 NASB95

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Go

In your goings. Wherever you go, remember the reason for which you go. It is not of your own will and desire that you follow Christ. It is for the glorification of God in the world. If your desire is to stay safe and guarded within your protected house, in fear of the outside world, then your faith in God would be considered doubtful.

We all have those doubts at times and it is something we fear to share in the world.

Make

We are made in the image of God. Jesus says we will do greater things than these works that Jesus showed the world. John 14:12. Look at the multitudes of churches out in the world making a difference in their community.

Be cautious to follow through with how we are making disciples. We do not make disciples in our image. God’s body of believers is from all nations, all cultures, and all walks of life. It sometimes take many years for something to become something else.

When we are impatient, we are placing mistrust in God’s plan.

The making of a disciple with the creation of humanity with free will is the most difficult part of the making.

We get frustrated when the response is not immediate. We are impatient with the understanding. We falter ourselves as teachers and leaders by giving up on others when they don’t listen or understand.

Baptize

Baptizing others into the body of Christ is the outward profession of faith that we are buried with Christ in His death and are born new coming out of the water. It is our discipline in our belief that should transfer to others.

We should understand the hearts of others before they make the commitment to profess their belief. It does not need to be a theological dissertation. If the Holy Spirit has lead the person for understanding, they are ready for baptism. Look at the story of Philip and the Ethiopian in Acts 8: 26-40. After the Eunich’s understanding of the story, he wished to be baptized. What is stopping you?

Matthew 28:20 NASB95

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Teach

Once a person has made a commitment to the faith through baptism, that is just the beginning of the journey. It has been said many times that the church today is great at making spiritual orphans instead of committed disciples.

How is this so? Think of the person who through lust and desire creates a child but does not want the responsibility of the commitment it takes to raise the child into a person who will then be able to be a parent to others.

Churches do this all the time. We create converts instead of disciples. Robby Gallaty mentions that many churches are more concerned with getting the numbers up so their budget is easier to make than to pour into those who have made commitments for Christ.

So, instead of having a plan of teaching disciples and pouring into others, many times we fall into the trap of the business world’s marketing strategy for church growth. Growth of the church body only happens through God’s will and the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of those to understand who Jesus is and what He is wanting for the world.

Observe

As people are being made into disciples, they will watch in observation what you are doing in your teaching of them. If you skirt your responsibilities in Christ, not wishing to form a close relationship with Him, then those you are teaching will not do so either. Just as Jesus said He only does what He sees the Father do, so too will those who we are teaching do.

The observations are the outpouring of our belief. Belief comes first through faith and then the works of believe are made evident in our lives. Not the other way around or we would be able to work out our own righteousness before knowing God.

Observing Christ means to be committed to some form of accountability. How must we be able to teach if there is no test. Paul tells Timothy that those who are lead to serve the church must be tested.

Commanded

Jesus does not suggest the church work with others to make disciples. It is not a side note for the church to take up every once in awhile to be reminded of in seasons. No, it is a command by God who gave the authority to His Son through His son’s obedience to God’s will.

We often think the words of God, through our inability to put our faith fully in Him, are only for us during the difficult times of life. Instead, they are the command of life that will entrust us with responsibility, purpose, an easier yoke, and a great reward; to know that we have been loved by God first so that we may in turn love His creation.

I am with you

We do not do this alone! Ultimately we are guided by the forming of ourselves to into the likeness of Christ.

Many of us believe this is only for our benefit to embolden us to be able to do what we would like in order that the commission be fulfilled. But do not forget that Jesus rebuked the disciples in their misunderstanding of what God wants to accomplish.

When the sons of thunder, James and John, wanted to call down thunder upon the unbelievers, Jesus corrects their thinking.

When Peter attempts to tell Jesus what God’s will is instead of the crucifixion, Jesus knows that is not what is needed.

Yes, we are guided for the emboldening of God through being able to understand where He wants us to go. But there have been many people who forget the methods of Christ in accomplishing His Father’s will along the way.

We must come together in our prayers, in our goals, and in unity with the Holy Spirit as we are all being transformed.

Later on, Paul recognizes the journey for some is in the instruction of those who would be going into the world. Into the mission. They have a charge as well.