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 everything I have commanded you… Matthew 28:19-20a HCSB
The first followers of Jesus called themselves disciples. What does that even mean? By definition, a disciple is someone who lives according to the teachings or philosophy of another. But that is not what Jesus was talking about exactly in the verses above. For Christians, a disciple is someone who knows Jesus as Savior and progressively learns to discipline actions, attitudes, conduct, and character in order for his or her life to be a duplication of Jesus. A disciple follows and learns. A disciple is hungry for the words of the master. A disciple seeks to be like his/her master in every way. This past week Sam Nobles preached a sermon on what it means to be a disciple. One of my favorite things said during the sermon was when Sam said that a disciple was to follow their master so closely that the dust from the master’s shoes would be all over the disciple. Am I following Jesus so closely that the dust from His shoes would be all over me if He were literally walking in front of me? You would be able to tell because you would see the dust on my. There would be signs. The bigger question is “Am I following Him now with my life so closely that you could see the evidence? Could you see the “dust” all over me?”. Definitely a question we should be asking of ourselves. And one that needs to be answered before we can follow the command of Jesus above. Go and make disciples…In order to make disciples, we need to be a disciple first – Hisdisciple– and if we are a Christian, we are a disciple.
The first followers of Jesus called themselves disciples. What does that even mean? By definition, a disciple is someone who lives according to the teachings or philosophy of another. But that is not what Jesus was talking about exactly in the verses above. For Christians, a disciple is someone who knows Jesus as Savior and progressively learns to discipline actions, attitudes, conduct, and character in order for his or her life to be a duplication of Jesus. A disciple follows and learns. A disciple is hungry for the words of the master. A disciple seeks to be like his/her master in every way. This past week Sam Nobles preached a sermon on what it means to be a disciple. One of my favorite things said during the sermon was when Sam said that a disciple was to follow their master so closely that the dust from the master’s shoes would be all over the disciple. Am I following Jesus so closely that the dust from His shoes would be all over me if He were literally walking in front of me? You would be able to tell because you would see the dust on my. There would be signs. The bigger question is “Am I following Him now with my life so closely that you could see the evidence? Could you see the “dust” all over me?”. Definitely a question we should be asking of ourselves. And one that needs to be answered before we can follow the command of Jesus above. Go and make disciples…In order to make disciples, we need to be a disciple first – Hisdisciple– and if we are a Christian, we are a disciple.
Five Thing to Remember About Disciples -
- As Christians, we have the authority of Christ and it is by this authority alone do we have the ability and endorsement to make disciples. No one else on earth has this authority, not even the angels. It is through this delegation of authority into the realm of man, that a disciple can lead a person into the saving grace of God. By that same authority, the newly saved person becomes a disciple and is fully able to lead another person to know the saving grace of God.
- Discipleship happens by duplication. This means that we become a disciple of Jesus by replicating as much about Him as possible in our own life. The whole idea of being a disciple is to operate under the authority of your master, in the same way your master would operate, so much so, that you could be mistaken for being your master.
- Disciples are made by going, baptizing, and teaching. We have to go, outside the walls of the church, and spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to share what He has done, is doing, and will continue to do for us personally. The term baptize means that disciples need to be completely different that who we once were. Our lives need to identify with the fullness of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, identifying us as a representative of the King.
- Disciples have the promise that the power of Jesus is with us always. When we are making disciples, the power of Jesus is present in the three-fold process (go, baptize, teach) to give us the assurance of success that has worked since the ascension of Jesus.
- God’s only plan for making disciples is disciples. We are God’s means of making disciples. Making disciples is similar to a mentor process. It is all about showing someone how to follow Jesus the same way you follow Jesus. It is opening up your life to them.
Following Jesus automatically qualifies us to make disciples. As a disciple, you are responsible to make sure that you are involved in discipleship. Get involved at church, meet people, serve and see what disciple making opportunities He provides.
