Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Making Disciples Who Make Disciples




The Great Commission is the driving force behind our actions as citizens of the Kingdom of God. It is a command that supersedes all human law. There is a right way to carry out this command. That way honors God and brings him glory. There are wrong ways to attempt to carry out this Commission. These grieve God and dishonor him before the world.

Mat 28:18-20 Jesus drew near and said to them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

If you have been in an evangelical church for any length of time, you have heard this passage of scripture explained and promoted many times. Jesus speaks here to his disciples just before he ascends into heaven.

Jesus reveals the foundation for the Commission in the first statement. After that he sets forth the pattern of ministry for his followers. As he has shared with them, they are now to duplicate his work out in the world. They are to be his Body at work until he comes again.

Since all authority is in the hands of Christ, his commands carry the force of heaven itself. What he rejected when Satan offered it during the wilderness temptations, he has gained through obedient suffering on the cross. Jesus has full authority to set the path for his followers and to expect obedience from them.

Making disciples of others must be a part of our daily lives. Jesus expects us to allow his Spirit to work through us during each day. Whether we are at home, at our jobs, or relating to our communities, we should be aware of the need to help others learn of Jesus and grow in their knowledge and obedience.

Through baptism an individual identifies with the Risen Lord Jesus. Baptism does not save an individual. Only faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the leadership of the Holy Spirit can do that. Baptism, however, serves the purpose of a public testimony indicating the person is not ashamed to be called a Christian. In today’s world once again this has become a dangerous stand to take.

The Risen Lord is emphatic we are to teach other to be obedient to what he has taught us. Making a disciple is far more than sharing knowledge. It must be more than recognizing who Jesus is as the Son of God and his authority as part of the Trinity. Knowledge is not the same as recognizing Lordship.

Jas 2:19 Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe---and tremble with fear.

Obedience comes from a willingness to submit to leadership and authority. James tells us even the demons recognize the truth about the nature of God and through him Christ, but they are not submissive to his Lordship. We must learn what Jesus taught and then we must be obedient to it. We must teach others the same. Salvation comes through faith, not knowledge. To make faithful followers we must teach them the necessity of obedience through faith.

Finally we make disciples by helping them to see they have the ongoing presence of Jesus with them. His promise to be by our sides at all times until he returns to take us home is as old as God’s relationship with man. The Psalmist in the Old Testament took comfort and gained strength through that assurance.

Psa 73:23-25 Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand. You guide me with your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor. What else do I have in heaven but you? Since I have you, what else could I want on earth?

Making more disciples is every disciple’s job. It is a basic part of the responsibility of the Bible study group.