2 - MAKE DISCIPLES
Series: The Commission
January 14, 2024
Frank Foreman
Matthew 28:18-20, And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ---------- What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Is it merely one who believes in Christ? One who commits to him in baptism for the forgiveness of sin? Actually, discipleship involves more than simply believing in Him and even more than making a commitment to surrender to Him through baptism. ---------- Instead, discipleship is the growth of a Christian to maturity in Christ. It is a process or investment in becoming more and more like Christ in how we live, the choices we make, the priorities of our lives, etc. Discipleship is an ongoing effort that continues throughout my lifetime and eventually, leads us to equip others to be disciples as well.
Episode Notes
Matthew 28:18-20, And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Big Idea: To be a disciple maker…. We must understand the depth of the invitation.
Disciple: a learner, a pupil, one who follows one's teachings... Spoken of as imitators of their teacher.
- As disciples, we are recognized by our love for one another.
John 13:34-35, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
- As disciples, our unity draws others to seek God.
John 17:22-23, The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are one, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as you loved Me.
The invitation to be a disciple:
Luke 9:23, And He said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
1. Deny Self.
Philippians 3:7-8, But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
2. Take up your Cross Daily.
Matthew 16:25-26, For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
3. Follow Jesus.
John 6:66-69, After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God.”
Next Step: Follow Jesus by following His example…. Be a disciple making disciple.
Romans 5:8, …but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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