Make DISCIPLES!
Sterling C. Franklin
February 2008
Text: Matthew 28:16-20
Matthew 28:16-20 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Intro: Brief Verse Notes
16 -- where He told them to arrange [themselves]
17 -- ...but some hesitated
18 - All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth
19 Be going then, be disciples/make disciples {IMV} from all people groups (ethnh); baptizing them into the Name {SINGULAR} of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
20 teaching them to keep all as much as I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you; I am {in} all [things] the days, until the completion/consummation of the Age
I. The Great Gathering (16-17)
- ‘They worshipped’ but some doubted.
- ‘Doubting Thomas’
- “Some” doubted! (Plural)
- Who got off the hook?
- How much do we doubt God?
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD…
2 Corinthians 5:7 – Walk by faith, not by sight
Challenge: Hindsight is always 20/20 – it’s easy to trust what God has done, but are we trusting the Lord for things in our lives today?
II. The Great Authority (18)
- What amazing authority the Lord has. Philippians 2. Hebrews 2.
Philippians 2:5-11 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hebrews 2:9-10 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Note that Jesus humbled Himself even to death on a Cross. He humbled Himself and was exalted. He suffered, as well. We’re entitled not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake (as in Philippians 1)! May we put on the mind of Christ and serve Him in humility.
All Authority
What do we think of when we hear the word ‘Authority?’
American authorities:
Jesus as…
1) Legislative – Lawgiver
Matthew 22:37-39 37 Jesus replied: "’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’
2) Executive - King of Kings (Revelation 17:14 and Revelation 19:16)
3) Judicial – Judge
Acts 10:42 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
Jesus has been given all authority by the Father in Heaven and on earth, and thus, His Word is extremely important!
III. The Great Commission (19-20a)
Use of Participles
Participles: more in the background
The only Imperative: Make disciples…
What does that mean?
Present every man mature in Christ Jesus (Col. 1:28)
You all should be teachers! (1 Cor. 3, Heb. 5)
Was Jesus’ main command –
“Go!” – So was Jesus just saying, “Get up off your butt and do this”
In part, but it’s understood that it would happen anyway with the given Imperative.
“Baptize!” – This again is only part of the Discipleship process, but it is a joyous occasion!
Farmer’s term: Baptism (Pickle & Brine coat)
“Teach!” – No, though this again is a very important duty.
Note that “Name” is singular, as well. There is a parallel among the Persons of the Trinity here:
The Name of…
o The Father
o The Son
o The Holy Spirit
The language structure suggests an equality and parallel among the Persons. Note that it is not “Names,” as the Name being spoken about is God. Note elsewhere that Jesus claimed to be God (John 8:58, John 10:30, etc.). People understood that He was claiming to be God, as they picked up stones to stone him for blasphemy!
But note that all participles here in this statement have a sense of urgency, as well – the LORD has told us to do these things. However, the imperatival sense rests in Making Disciples, which is key.
Disciples will go, baptize, and teach in the process of continuing to make disciples.
Evangelism and Discipleship go hand-in-hand, though they have a lot of common ground.
We seek to make disciples when we evangelize.
We evangelize (proclaim the Good News) as we disciple.
All nations
Acts 17:26 - One blood
Acts 10:34-35 34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
No respecter of persons
Heaven: Every tribe, tongue, and nation will be there.
Diversity: Should be celebrated here on earth!
Unity: Should be sought through Christ.
IV. The Great Promise (20b)
Lo, I am with you always…
Also:
Hebrews 13:5-6 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
The Lord has not simply commanded us to make disciples, afterwards abandoning us.
He has sent us His Comforter – the Holy Spirit
John 14:25-26 25 "All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 20:21-22 21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
We also see at Pentecost:
Acts 2:1-4 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
…so He has not abandoned us by any means. He has promised to be with us even until the end of the age. We have the Holy Spirit as assurance that He has not abandoned us!
What are the Fruits of our Labors?
People gathered around the throne of God.
We become stronger disciples as we disciple others (e.g. Iron sharpens iron, Proverbs 27:17)
So how do we start making disciples?
1. Pray
2. Read Scripture
3. Tell Others - Actively work in the harvest field
4. Bring them to waters where they can drink
5. Actively continue to develop both yourself and them
Multiplication model…
1 per year? 2 per year? What can you do? At least do something! Seek the Lord as to where, whom, and how. Invest in the lives of others. Make sure that they can become disciple-makers. We really are disciple-makers, and we hope to make disciple-makers!
One important part of the Great Commission on our part: Be obedient & faithful.
