INTRODUCTION
• VIDEO CLIP WE Praise Him- Facing the Giants
• SLIDE #1
• What is the main thing in life? What is the main focus of the church supposed to be?
• What is the most critical mission of the church and for all Christians?
• Where do many churches and individual Christians focus their attention?
• What is the purpose of the church? Why are we here?
• Have you ever thought about those questions?
• What should be the primary focus of the church?
• Evangelism? Fellowship? Youth? Music? Worship? Keeping the core happy?
• Today we begin a new series that will take us on a journey to help us to better understand a subject that is one of the most important issues for Christians to understand and embrace.
• The subject of this new series is essential for the church to get a handle on as well because getting a handle on this topic will help give direction to a church when it is struggling for guidance, and it will provide you with a renewed sense of focus as well as the purpose for your life.
• We are going to dive into the subject of DISCIPLESHIP for the next few weeks.
• A Disciple is a follower, a learner, discipleship is the act of making disciples.
• Today we are going to do an introductory look at the subject of discipleship, in the following weeks we will dig deeper.
• As we work through this series, I will ask that you look deep into your heart and try to visualize what your life would look like if you grasp the concept of being and making disciples for Jesus.
• I would also ask you to have a vision for what the church would look like if we all come together focused on what Jesus said was our mission.
• Today, of course, we begin with Matthew 28:16-20, a passage that is known as the Great Commission!
• Let’s begin with verse 18!
• SLIDE #2
• Matthew 28:16–18 (CSB) — 16 The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. The basis for the call. 18
• Just a little house cleaning to get started. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, when Paul speaks of over 500 people seeing Jesus at once, this is probably the event.
• Word was spread that Jesus was going to be at the mountain in Galilee. The other thing we see in verse 17 where it says that some doubted.
• This could be attributed to the fact that when Jesus first appeared that at a distance, then in verse 18, we see that He came near to the crowd.
• This is where we get to verse 18!
• When someone is dying or leaving us, we pay close attention to his or her last words. Jesus left the disciples with these final words of instruction.
• Jesus begins with the basis from which He is going to say what He was going to say.
• When Jesus appears to the group, He gets right down to business. He does not address any doubts He does not give out high fives, He gets right to it.
• He begins with “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
• In the past, Jesus was mocked, beaten, humiliated, doubted, and slandered.
• You name it, and it was done to Him.
• Jesus has defeated death! Jesus secured our opportunity for salvation!
• This brings power and truth to this verse!
• SLIDE #4
• Philippians 2:9–11 (CSB) — 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
• Throughout the Gospels, previous to the resurrection, Jesus spoke on the subject of His authority; however, NOW He makes it crystal clear who is in power.
• There will be no more beatings, humiliation, mocking, Jesus has all authority!
• Jesus is the one through whom all God’s authority was exercised.
• It follows that Jesus’ teachings and commands are invested with divine authority and therefore must take precedence in discerning the will of God. (College Press NIV Commentary: Matthew)
• The basis of the call, ALL AUTHORITY, is crucial for us to know because when given an assignment if we have no authority to do it, the assignment means nothing.
• As a silly example. Today I decree that every business owner gives me 5% of their business income each week and that Lawley Dodge and Jeep gives me three free vehicles every two years.
• Now unless I am the Mafia or the IRS, what will happen when I show up to the businesses with my decree? What do think Mr. Lawley would do when I show up for my free vehicles. By the way, the 700 HP Challenger, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a Jeep Wrangler, the Rubicon, please. ?
• Since I no authority to back up my decree, my decree would be as worthless as the paper it was written on.
• We need to realize that the calling we have from Jesus has the full authority and backing of Jesus and the Kingdom of God behind it!
• This means that we are not alone, it means that God will equip us to fulfill the calling as well as God working behind the scenes to help us to succeed.
• Jesus started the church with the 11, then it spread like wildfire, and it has survived ever since!
• We can boldly seek to fulfill the calling we have all received from Jesus! We do not have to be afraid or timid, we can KNOW that our God is with us, that the Holy Spirit is working to help us.
• Let’s look at verse 19 to see that this authority is calling us to do.
• SLIDE #5
• Matthew 28:19 (CSB) 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,
• SLIDE #6
II. The call. 19
• We have covered this passage in the past, but I want us to look at it once again. The first thing we have to do to fulfill the call is to GO!
• Or the way the original text implies, AS YOU GO or AFTER YOU HAVE GONE.
• The THEREFORE links the reason for the going back to the authority which Jesus possesses in heaven and on earth!
• Since He has ALL authority, we are called to go.
• So, what we called to do?
• This is important for us to consider. Jesus does not say GO THEREFORE and build BIGGER CHURCH BUILDING, although, if we are doing what we are called to do, God’s church will grow.
• Jesus did not call us to be SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIORS, although if we are following the calling, we will deal with social issues and social justice.
• Jesus did not call us to gather together and judge other people or make up our own little sects to keep ourselves away from the world.
• Jesus did not call us to be a social club, although if we are doing what He invited us to do, we will have a great social connection.
• See, there are many things of which the church and individual Christians focus on that Jesus did not call us to place priority upon.
• From our opening clip, one would think a football team's focus would be on winning. Winning is good, victory is essential, but if you sell your soul to win, you have lost.
• Jesus calls us to MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations!
• We are to help people to become like Jesus.
• Paul stated it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:20
• SLIDE #7
• 2 Corinthians 5:20 (CSB) Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.”
• An ambassador is called to represent their country. As Christians, we are called to represent and act like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
• When you think of all the problems we face just in this world, if the church would place its focus on making disciples, most of the issues we face would be gone.
• IF ALL who called themselves a Christian, a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ simply reflected Jesus in their life, the world as we know it would be a better place.
• To adequately fulfill this call, we have to have balance, and Jesus also offers some instruction as to how we are to do this task.
• SLIDE #8
• Matthew 28:19–20 (CSB) — 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
• SLIDE #9
III. The framework for the call. 19-20
• The only verb in verses 19-20 is making disciples, that is the main point. This is what Jesus commands us to do.
• Going, baptizing and teaching are all participles, in other words going, baptizing and teaching are all the means involved in making disciples.
• Put another way, the command to make disciples is the primary command, while the commands to baptize and teach are ways of fulfilling the central command.
• As far as the church is concerned, there should be a balance between evangelism and discipleship.
• The church must not merely evangelize, but it also must show new converts how to obey Jesus’ commands. Discipleship must be stressed without neglecting evangelism.
• We are called to reach, baptize and teach.
• Jesus does not tell us to offer a sinner’s prayer, nor does he tell us to do whatever we want to do, He tells us that IF we are going to make disciples, it will happen by going, baptizing and teaching.
• Notice that Jesus tells us what we are to teach, we are to teach these newly baptized believers to observe EVERYTHING He commanded.
• When we preach and teach at FCC, we are to preach and teach God’s Word, not what some denominational headquarters, convention, or group tells us to teach.
• We are not to teach the latest fads and pop psychology, nor are we to teach with government or society tells us to teach.
• We are to stand on and teach all that Jesus commanded lovingly. Genesis through Revelation, nothing more, nothing less!
• If we are teaching anything but the Word, we are not making disciples.
• Observe is used of commandments in 19:17 and of instructions in 23:3; it is also the same verb translated “keep watch” in 27:36, 54, and the participle “guards” (28:4) is also derived from this same verb. Here translators can say “to do all the things I have commanded you” or “to live according to my commandments to you.” (UBS Handbook: Matthew)
• When we baptize new believers, we are to do it in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What this means is we do it by the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
• If we try any other formula to make a disciple, we are not making a disciple of Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
• Think about how much better your life would be if you could become a true disciple of Jesus. How different would your life be if you were more of a reflection of Jesus each day?
• Now multiply that to how it would be when a church is full of disciples, then a community, then the world.
• If I would just treat others as Jesus calls me to do, as a disciple SHOULD, I can make the world a better place.
• Now think about all the social issues we face. The government will not solve them, nor will program, making disciples of people for Jesus will.
• AND the eternal benefits are out of this world AWESOME!
