Make Disciples! Matt 28:19-20 / Acts 14

Transcription

1 Make Disciples! Matt 28:19-20 / Acts 14 1 I. Introduction: Mission, Missions, Missionary A. Mission, Missions, Missionary: NOT BIBLICAL TERMS - DON T FIND THEM IN BIBLE 1. OUR CONCEPT, UNDERSTANDING, OUR USAGE OF THESE TERMS IS OFTEN NOT BIBLICAL 2. BECAUSE THEY RE NON-BIBLICAL TERMS a) EASY TO MIS-INTERPRET b) HAVE A WRONG PICTURE B. Examples 1. Mission (NOUN)- a) California - dilapidated, Adobe Building b) If your child has gone to Forestlake Christian School, YOU VE BUILT ONE! c) Or, if you re the business type, Church s organizational responsibility to the world, i.e. The Mission of the church d) BOTH OF THOSE ARE VERY DETACHED FROM REALITY. 2. Missions a) Africa, Huts, Natives with spears, barefoot, jungles b) Far down Amazon river only by canoe / boat! c) Or for the business type, (1)# of cultures not reached (2)# of languages without Bibles translations (3)% of World not reached with the Gospel d) BL: We always put Missions far off in another corner of the world e) We can get very detached from reality when dealing with missions in our church!

2 3. Missionary a) Blackboard in the open, thatch-roofed building with wooden bench seats b) missionary in shorts and the natives in loin cloths! c) WE HAVE TAKEN THESE TERMS TO VERY NARROWLY-FOCUSED DEFINITIONS AND PUT THEM AT A DISTANCE! d) JUST GIVE THEM MONEY - THAT S NOT MY CALLING! II. Make Disciples A. Right now - forget those terms - they re not Biblical. B. Let s use terms the Bible DOES USE! C. The terms JESUS USED TO DESCRIBE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO A LOST WORLD D. Turn to Matthew 28:19 (very end of Matthew) Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. 1. One of MOST misinterpreted verses in Bible! 2. What do most people think this verse teaches? a) A: Send people to the remote corners of the world as MISSIONARIES! b) Do you see the word MISSIONARY in the verse? NO! 3. What does the verse really teach? 4. First, what s the MAIN VERB? a) A: NOT Go b) Go is a participle c) ONE major verb - MAKE DISCIPLES! 2

3 5. Go, baptizing, teaching - all participles modifying the main verb MAKE DISCIPLES 6. Go therefore best translated As you go about your daily life MAKE DISCIPLES 7. SOOOOOOO, the Bible knows only of MAKE DISCIPLES NOT Missions and Missionaries. 8. Sooooooooo, use Disciple, Disciples, Disciplers! E. Definition of Discipler: Matt 28: Someone who goes about His/Her life making disciples and teaching them the word of God 2. LEADS THEM TO CHRIST AND THEN STAYS TO TEACH THEM! 3. WHO ARE THE DISCIPLERS OF THE BIBLE? A: YOU ARE 4. IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN YOU ARE TO MAKE DISCIPLES a) IT S A COMMAND. b) NOT a CHOICE 5. There are only two questions to ask you! a) ARE YOU making disciples? b) ARE You any good at making and teaching F. IN THE BIBLE THERE ARE ONLY DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST WHO MAKE DISCIPLES! 1. JESUS MADE DISCIPLES 2. APOSTLE MADE DISCIPLES 3. YOU ARE TO MAKE DISCIPLES G. Am I saying that worldwide discipling (Missions) aren t Biblical? NOOOOOOOO. 1. Matt 28 does say all nations 2. BUT JUST AS FEW ARE CALLED TO BE PASTORS WHILE THE MAJORITY TEACH AT HOME, IN SMALL STUDIES OR 1-ON-1 DISCIPLING, SOME, 3

4 NOT ALL, ARE CALLED TO DISCIPLE THE REMOTE PARTS OF THE WORLD. 3. BUT THAT S NOT THE BULK, THE MAJORITY OF THE DISCIPLING THAT JESUS COMMANDED IN MATT 28!!! H. REMEMBER - AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAILY LIFE, MAKE DISCIPLES! - FAMILY, FRIENDS, FELLOW CHURCH GOERS, CO-WORKERS I. MAKE DISCIPLES - Mathetueo = means to make a disciple, to teach, to instruct 1. THAT MEANS YOU FIND THEM, WITNESS TO THEM, TEACH THEM AFTER SALVATION! 2. Verb used 4X in New Testament 3. Matt 13:52 - Scribes were discipled - shows OT had concept - JEWS WERE TO BE DISCIPLERS 4. Matt 27:57 - Jesus and Joseph of Arimathea - JESUS MADE DISCIPLES - literal Greek says who himself had also been discipled by Jesus Christ J. Matt 28:19 - (here) - WE ARE COMMANDED TO MAKE DISCIPLES K. THERE ARE ONLY DISCIPLERS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST - NOT CHRISTIANS AND MISSIONARIES - JUST DISCIPLERS - ALL OF US!!! L. ONLY A QUESTION OF OUR OPENNESS TO BE WILLING TO DO GOD S WILL WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES! 1. WHERE: IRRELEVANT 2. HOW WELL PREPARED: IRRELEVANT (don t need Seminary degree) - unbelievers don t understand Christian doctrine anyways (1 Cor 2) - it s foolishness to them 3. WHO YOU ARE: IRRELEVANT (Pastors don t do all the witnessing)! 4

5 4. ONLY CRITERIA - ARE YOU SAVED? 5. Sooooooooooo, HOW CAN YOU BE A GOOD ONE???! M. TODAY Let s TALK about make disciples 1. Evangelism / sharing the Gospel / witnessing 2. It s summer time! 3. Lots of family time / vacation / travel / activities 4. PERFECT time to look for opportunities to make disciples! N. Acts 14 - GREAT PLACE to SEE Paul and Barnabas be OBEDIENT TO MATT 28:19-20! O. Turn to Acts 14:21 III. Characteristics of a Good Discipler (Acts 14) 5 A. Preach the Gospel! 1. CONTEXT a) Paul and Barnabas making disciples b) They were doing the great commission! c) Remember the Great commission DOES INCLUDE MISSION TRIPS d) I m going to use Paul s Missionary Journey JUST SO THAT (1) You see that I m not against missions! (2) You see that the PRINCIPLES of making disciples is the same EVEN if THE PLACE is different! 2. preach the gospel - Need to state the Obvious! 3. IF you are NOT SHARING THE GOSPEL, You are not doing evangelism! 4. Why do I say that? a) Christian lite church has SUBSTITUTED Community Service for Evangelism / Ministry

6 6 b) You can t JUST go serve meals at a soup kitchen and SMILE and somehow think you are doing ministry especially evangelism c) MINISTRY is ONLY MINISTRY WHEN (1) Gospel is Preached (2) Word of God is used, etc. 5. Take quick look at Acts 14 what s main activity here? Ac 14: 1 In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2 But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel. 15 We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. 21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, 24 They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia a) Preach the gospel over and over! b) Speaking Boldly = Preach the gospel with confidence! 6. What do we do? a) Know the Basics of the Gospel b) Simply take EVERY opportunity to share it! c) It is NOT your job to SAVE anyone! d) God ALONE DRAWS / SAVES e) God ALONE opens blind eyes and gives faith in Jesus Christ!

7 f) We are COMMANDED to share the Good News with others! 7. BL: Until you say the NAME of JESUS CHRIST, you have not preached the Gospel! 7 B. Persistence Ac 14:2 But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. 1. Great word: THEREFORE! a) Not inspite of - THEREFORE! BECAUSE OF! b) AND they spent a long time there! = weeks to years in Greek. 2. Application: a) DON T GO HOME AFTER THE FIRST REBUTTAL! b) Well, I tried to witness my neighbor, but if I try again he might get offended Ac 14:5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; (1) Aha! They fled! Wrong. It wasn t time yet. They re back by v.21! (2) THEY GO ON TO 3 OTHER CITIES TO MAKE DISCIPLES! c) Important to have the courage and persistence of Paul & Barnabas TO GO RIGHT AT IT! d) THE GOSPEL WILL DIVIDE e) YOU WILL BE PERSECUTED

8 f) GOD WILL BE PLEASED - HIS STRENGTH IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU! g) MANY CHRISTIANS NEVER EXPERIENCE GOD S PROVIDENTIAL COURAGE BECAUSE THEY NEVER GET THEMSELVES INTO A PLACE WHERE THEY LL HAVE TO HAVE IT! h) GET OUT THERE DISCIPLING WHERE YOU RE EXPOSED - WHERE IT CAN COST SOMETHING! THEN GOD CAN GRANT YOU SOME OF THIS STUFF! 8 C. Power God s Power! Ac 14:3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. Ac 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. 1 Th 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 1. Acts 14:3 reliance upon the LORD = they knew they had God behind them. 2. Have you ever been there? Where they situation is ugly, what you have to say / deal with is ugly or controversial BUT you know you re standing firmly in God s will through clear command of His word? You are assured. 3. Acts 14:8-10 Illustration Ac 14:8 At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother s womb,

9 who had never walked. 9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, 10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped up and began to walk. a) THAT TOOK A LOT OF FAITH ON PAUL S PART! b) DO YOU THINK PAUL DOUBTED AT ALL? Like what if this doesn t work? c) NIKE would ve loved the people of the early church - they just did it! 4. Application: a) We don t have the power of miracles today BUT b) WE OFTEN DON T HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE POWER OF GOD! (1) Afraid to witness (2) FEAR they ll be offended (3) FEAR persecution (4) FEAR we ll look foolish (5) FEAR they won t listen / will reject (6) FEAR they ll ask questions we can t answer (7) FEAR they ll make a counter-point we know is wrong but can t answer biblically (8) FEAR that we ll mess up (9) FEAR, FEAR, FEAR c) Principle: TRUE, EFFECTIVE, DISCIPLERS BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF GOD AND STEP OUT ON FAITH BOLDLY! D. Perspective It s all of God 1. OK, so you re preaching the gospel, using God s power, with courage and persistence, DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT FEEL A LITTLE PRIDE?! 9

10 2. PRIDE CAN SET IN! Ac 14:11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, The gods have become like men and have come down to us. 12 And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. a) They re calling Paul and Barnabas gods! b) Background: (1) They were polytheistic. (2) They believed 2 of their gods had visited their city - Zeus and Hermes. Disguised as men they went around asking for food and shelter. (3) No one would give except an old couple Philemon & Bowless (sp?) - poor old peasants. (4) In anger they killed everyone else in the city and made these two guardians of a temple. When they died they were turned into 2 huge trees. (5) Sooooo, they think Zeus and Hermes are Back! (if you have KJV, they use the Roman names: Jupiter & Mercury). c) Here s their one chance for a little glory - what do they do? 10

11 Ac 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. d) GREAT HUMILITY! WORSHIP JC NOT US! e) QUITE A FIGHT THEY HAD WITH THESE FOLKS! Ac 14:18 Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. 3. Application a) Remember- it s all God b) HE DRAWS MEN c) HE S WORKING THROUGH YOU WITH HIS POWER d) IT S ALL HIM! e) Persistence - Never Quit! Ac 14:19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, f) Jews came down 118miles and stoned him! g) THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD - THEY D BROKEN HIS BODY! h) That s persistence! 11

12 12 E. Pursuing / Partnering Ac 14:21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. 27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples. 1. What is going on here? a) A: Paul and Barnabas are GOING BACK through the CITIES that they preached the Gospel b) Why? A: To PURSUE the CONVERTS the NEW DISCIPLES c) Why? Mt 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; 2. V.22 strengthening = Strengthening through teaching the Word of God a) Used elsewhere in Acts for same purpose b) What did Paul remind the Ephesian Elders in his Going away speech?

13 Ac 20:31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 3. V.22 encouraging = exhortation to be obedient to the word of God! a) How does V.22 say it? encouraging them to continue in the faith, b) = obedience to the word! 4. V.23 commended them to the Lord a) When you ve done all you can do and it s time to leave, what do you do? b) Give them over to God! c) Put them directly in His hands as you will no longer be there for Him to work through you! 5. Then Partnering = Reporting / Fellowshipping / MORE teaching, ministering 27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples. a) They ve come full circle back to Antioch b) They REPORT c) Then they stay and minister to those disciples in their own church! (1) Probably Many whom they had Led to Christ in years past! (2) Still doing that Great commission of Teaching! 13

14 IV. CONCLUSION 14 A. As I said at the beginning The Great COMMISSION is ABOUT making disciples 1. Missions is ONLY a small part = People called to go to all the nations 2. VAST MAJORITY of Christians fit Go therefore and Make Disciples a) AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAILY LIFE Make disciples! B. Why is it this way? 1. What is the hardest part of missions abroad? 2. A: Cultural and Language assimilation 3. You re not one of them! Hard to get people to LISTEN and ACCEPT your message 4. Do you know what Missions do today? a) More and more TRAIN locals b) Train local pastors c) Train local evangelism d) START with LOCAL Christians and train them C. So, why As you go about your daily life, make disciples? 1. A: God puts you to work with people a) You see every day b) Family, Friends, neighbors, co-workers c) In your culture d) In your language 2. People who see your Walk with the Lord want what you have 3. People who have come to respect and admire you 4. IOW PEOPLE YOU CAN TALK TO ABOUT the LORD!

15 D. Go HOME and do the following 1. LIST all the PEOPLE GOD has PUT IN YOUR LIFE to make disciples with 2. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers! 3. Pray REGULARLY about the WHOLE LIST a) God, open their minds to the Gospel b) God, give me an opportunity to witness c) God, DRAW THEM and SAVE THEM (1) Remember God desires that NONE be lost! (2) Pray for their salvation 4. IF you are fearful, Get a fellow Christian to work on your gospel presentation with! PRACTICE! 5. THEN GO WITNESS to THEM! Keep notes! E. Do you know what is Grievous to our Lord? 1. The NUMBER ONE THING that HE HAS US HERE FOR 2. IS the THING WE FAIL HIM MOST AT! 3. I ll bet you grieve more over your sin and try to sin less THAN YOU DO over the lost souls God has put in your life! 4. WE FAIL GOD MOST in MAKING DISCIPLES 5. That should crush us with conviction and lead us to COMMITMENT to BE OBEDIENT to the Great COMMISSION F. Once more: Mt 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. 15