Making Disciples
06/13/19 17:08
Discipleship is at the heart of Jesus’ teaching for his followers. His last words before the ascension make clear our calling. In the last post I tried to point out the need for the Church to recognize this calling and how sometimes we lose this vision amidst all of the activity of church life. It should however, be at the heart of all we do - inside and outside the church!
“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.” Matt 28:18-20
As I’ve thought about this in my own life, I know l could have done a better job at making disciples. I have missed opportunities and been distracted by other things good and sometimes bad. I’ve needed to be in better relationships where I am being discipled. And I certainly could have pursued discipling relationships more intentionally. Even though some people more “people oriented” than me, that does not the diminish the call for me, and each of us, to pursue the people the Lord has for us to disciple. Lord, help us to seize the day!
So how do we make disciples? A ton could be, and has been written about this. But here are a few thoughts to simplify this high calling.
This starts with sharing the gospel in deed and word, action and conversation, love and truth. People desperately need to receive Jesus Christ by faith, trusting his finished work on the cross. (Rom 3:25, John 1:12) When someone receives Christ, they're saying they want to be a disciple - a follower of Christ - and they do indeed become a disciple.First invite someone to become a disciple!
To be baptized means to be identified with or take on a new identity. It was a term used for dying fabric in which the entire color of a piece of fabric was changed. (See Greek "bapto") The external baptism with water was an outward expression of an inward change and it should be the same today. It is a proclamation to the world of my new life in Christ and recognition of my new identity.Second, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Don't let this word scare you.
This aspect of discipleship has to do with “being.” I am no longer identified by my old self, but by the new creation I now am in Christ. I like to think of it this way.
Being baptized into the name of the Father means I am now His son! As the prodigal son returned to his loving, forgiving, celebrating father, so we come the God the Father through the saving work of our elder brother, Jesus.
Being baptized into the name of the Son means I am now His disciple! Jesus, as the expression of God’s love, made it his mission to make disciples that carry on His mission on earth in word and deed.
Being baptized into the name of the Holy Spirit means I am now His servant on earth. The Holy Spirit is that person of God in the Trinity who is active on the earth. He is using His people to expand and build His kingdom. I am God's servant and He is my "audience of One" in all things.
Meditate on this! In Christ, I am:
- a son of the Father
- a disciple of Jesus
- a servant of God by the Holy Spirit
Lord, help us to accept and believe who we truly are in You. Let our “doing" flow from our “being" with You and in You. As a discipler, the challenge is to model and help others discover and receive these gifts of grace!
This is the doing. It is the behavior flowing from our an authentic union with God - the fruit of our transformation. And as we observe/obey, it brings more transformation toward Christ-likeness and knowledge of God. Together we become “salt and light” in a world of darkness.Third, teach them to “observe all I have commanded you.”
So I must ask myself, and you if you are a disciple:
Am I living and walking as a son/daughter of the Father?
- Do I believe He is a father who loves and cares for me - who has unlimited love and blessing for me as his son?
- Do I accept that I am His special creation, ransomed and given a new heart and life because of His sacrificial love?
Am I living and walking as a true disciple of Jesus?
- Do I believe all Jesus taught and am I following Him?
- Do I walk in all the ways of a disciple, losing my life for His sake, emulating the life of Christ on earth?
Am I living and walking as a servant of God, in the Holy Spirit?
- Am I in daily surrender to His Spirit - His wisdom, leading and empowerment?
- Am I accomplishing His mission of serving others for His sake?
When someone looks at my life do they see a follower of Jesus? Does God see this?
Lastly, how does this happen? How do I actually disciple someone? Certainly by “baptizing” and “teaching” but don't think of this through only our modern sense of formal education. Look at how Jesus related to His disciples. He was their Rabbi, their friend, teacher and much more. He loved them and they knew it. Which brings me to the final point.
Like Jesus, we must let the love of God flow through us to others for their good and transformation. And eventually, they should do that for others. This is Jesus' way for His kingdom to grow. It is how we will grow and be transformed. It must be at the heart of all we do. Let us be disciples and make disciples for His glory!We disciple through relationship not just teaching.
Lord, help us to cut through all of the distractions of life to the beauty and simplicity of being and making disciples. Let us make this the heart of all our relationships and ministry. Let us stand firm in You and fight for Your purposes on earth. For to be and walk as Jesus’ disciple is to walk in authentic love toward God and others. Help us fan into flame Your passion and purpose for us on earth. And let us remember:
"Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
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