Discipleship– The Command

EBFC Discipleship Ministries Discipleship– The Command Matthew 28:19-20

What is Discipleship? • Disciple [maqhth/ß(MATHETES)] • from manthano, to learn • froma rootmath-, indicating thought accompanied by endeavor • A disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitatorsof their teacher. EBFC Discipleship Ministries

Imitators of Whom? “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30 NIV) EBFC Discipleship Ministries

God’s Eternal Plan Where does the Church fit in? Eternity Future Eternity Past Eternity Present Discipleship God’s Eternal Plan for His Elect (Romans 8:29-30) EBFC Discipleship Ministries

Big Idea We, the Church of Jesus Christ, have the privilege of being a part of God’s eternal plan of bringing Sons into His kingdom by makingdisciples of Jesus Christ. EBFC Discipleship Ministries

Background • Matthew is the gospel written by a Jew to Jews • Matthew’s design is to present Jesus as the King of the Jews, the long-awaited Messiah • Tax collector in Capernaum for the Roman government EBFC Discipleship Ministries

The Authority “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18 NIV) Exousia = liberty to do as one pleases with what is rightfully his. What this means is that Jesus Christ owns all things and there are no hindrances, obstacles, or higher authority that would limit His power! EBFC Discipleship Ministries

The Command “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,” (Matthew 28:19 NIV). Go = “After having gone” – going is assumed! Make disciples = the command to make imitators of Christ EBFC Discipleship Ministries

The Strategy “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20 NIV) EBFC Discipleship Ministries

The Strategy “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20 NIV) “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20 NIV) Baptizing (baptizo) = to immerse, submerge; to make fully wet. To be baptized into someone means that the baptized person was closely bound to, or became the property of, the one into whose name he was baptized. In other words, Jesus is saying that the first step in discipleship is ownership. EBFC Discipleship Ministries

The Strategy “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20 NIV) • According to scripture, there is only one way to be owed or identified with Jesus Christ, and that is through His gospel. • Gospel = “good news” (1 Cor. 15:1-4) EBFC Discipleship Ministries

The Strategy “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20 NIV) • “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV) • “Christ died for our sins” = the exchange • “He was buried” = the wage • “He was raised on the third day” = the victory EBFC Discipleship Ministries

The Strategy “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20 NIV) • Gospel applied by receiving (John 1:12; Mark 1:15) • Repent = changeyourmind about where you are heading • Believe = placing your complete trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ EBFC Discipleship Ministries

The Strategy “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20 NIV) “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20 NIV) Teaching (didasko) = to learn with the thought towards obedience. Notice that this step goes beyond the communication of data but requires that instruction be given in obedience to Jesus commands. EBFC Discipleship Ministries

The Strategy “baptizingthem in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teachingthem to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20 NIV) “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20 NIV) Both Greek verbs are in the present tense, which means that they are seen as continuous activities! EBFC Discipleship Ministries

The Presence “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NIV) Jesus further tells us that we are not in this alone. In fact Jesus begins this section claiming His authority and power; He ends it with declaring His always-available presence! EBFC Discipleship Ministries

Conclusion In order to fulfill the command of Jesus to Make Disciples you must first be one yourself. • Have you repented of your sins and believed the gospel? • Are you listening to and obeying His commands? EBFC Discipleship Ministries

Discipleship– The Command