December 4, 2011 - Pastor Doug Caister
Matthew 28.18-20
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18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Are you ready for a bad joke? After two turtles collided, the policeman asked the snail what he saw. The snail replied, "I don't know officer. It all happened so fast!" For a lot of us, life can appear to come at us fast. That's when you have to step back and prioritize to get in line with God's priorities.
These words of Jesus are usually called "the Great Commission." These are Jesus' last words in Matthew's account and Jesus said discipleship was to be the highest priority in His follower's lives. Another way of saying it is "discipleship is the best use of your time."
Today I want to unpack this by answering 3 questions: Why is discipleship so important? What does discipleship look like? How can I know I won't mess it up?
Why is discipleship so important?
Because Jesus said so. In verse 18, Jesus said, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth." A Christian with the right priority is first submitted to Jesus' authority. Jesus' Great Commission is not a request, but a demand of all who say they are His followers. If you choose to submit to this demand, He promises He will lead, guide and empower you to bear fruit. Since Jesus has all authority, you can obey Him without fear from any other power seen or unseen! But we must get comfortable with Jesus being the absolute authority in our lives. I wonder if Jesus your highest authority?
This is a tough question. Apart from the Spirit's help, submitting to an authority naturally rubs us the wrong way. God has clearly established lines of authority in this world and the number one authority over us is Jesus. If He makes demands and we start negotiating or offering other alternatives to Him, its like a kid that through subtle means rejecting their parent's authority. Have you seen this before? A parent tells their child to do something and instead of a "yes Dad" or "yes Mom" they begin negotiating or offering their ideas of what they should do instead. Jesus said, "I have been given all authority." He says what our priorities will be. To do otherwise is to reject that authority. However, with submission comes the promise of His protection, guidance and care.
What does discipleship look like?
Jesus said to "go into all the world and make disciples (v.19). The word "go" really means "going." In other words, Jesus said, "while you are going, make disciples of all the nations." What's a disciple? When someone asks Jesus into their life, it goes beyond a prayer. Its like being an apprentice. An apprentice in the old days attached himselt to a teacher, identified with him, learned from him, and lived with him. He learned mostly by doing. That is how Jesus taught his disciples.
A disciple is like an apprentice who attaches himself to Jesus and is publicly identified with Jesus by being baptized. He lives in community with other believers that he might be taught the truths of the faith. He then is able to go out and win others and teach them in the ways of Jesus. A disciple never stops learning or relearning the ways of God and they should always share what they are learning with others.
One idea the Elders and I are kicking around is sometime next year to have everyone go through Discipleship Training level 1 together - kids, students, adults. Because it dawned on us. If God begins answer our prayers for spiritually lost people to come to Christ, then it makes sense for the person who led them to Christ should be able to teach them in the ways of Jesus. How cool would that be if in people's kitchens, living rooms, study halls, conference rooms or here at the church people would be taught how to be a disciple!
How will I know I won't mess up?
Because Jesus promised his presence. I read of story of this guy visiting this lady in the nursing home and he read this verse to her, "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." He said to her, "isn't that a great promise?" This lady responded, "young man, that is not a promise &emdash; its a fact!" As we submit to Jesus authority by being used to disciple others, we can walk confidently in His presence. That's not just a promise, its a fact! Lets pray.
Further Reading:
- "Becoming a Contagious Christian" book and DVD
- Matthew 10:5-6
- Acts 26:12-18
- Hebrews 5:7-9