Discipleship: Engaging Communities with the Gospel

 

Summary

The call to "go and make disciples of all nations" is a profound and multifaceted command that extends beyond mere evangelism. It is a call to engage with the world around us, recognizing that the nations are not only distant lands but also the diverse communities that surround us daily. In Central Florida, for instance, we find ourselves amidst a tapestry of cultures and languages, presenting a unique opportunity to share the gospel with those who may have never heard it. This call to the nations is not new; it is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, tracing back to God's covenant with Abraham. God promised Abraham that through him, all the families of the earth would be blessed, a promise fulfilled in Christ, the true and greater Abraham.

The Great Commission is not merely about making converts but about making disciples, which involves teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded. This teaching is not just about imparting knowledge but about guiding others to live out their faith in obedience to Christ's commands. It is a call to teach the whole counsel of God, not just select parts, ensuring that the fullness of Scripture is communicated and lived out. This requires a commitment to sound teaching, grounded in Scripture, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Moreover, the call to teach is not limited to pastors and teachers but extends to every believer. Each Christian is called to be a light in the darkness, sharing the gospel and teaching others in various contexts, whether in formal settings or through personal relationships. This teaching must be rooted in Scripture, avoiding the temptation to rely on personal stories or cultural anecdotes. Instead, it should focus on the transformative power of God's Word, equipping others to live out their faith and pass it on to future generations.

Key Takeaways:

- The Great Commission is a call to engage with the nations, both near and far, recognizing that the diverse communities around us present opportunities to share the gospel. This call is rooted in God's covenant with Abraham, fulfilled in Christ, who blesses all families of the earth. [00:34]

- Making disciples involves teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded, emphasizing obedience and the full counsel of God. This teaching is not just about knowledge but about living out faith in everyday life. [10:29]

- Every Christian is called to be a light in the darkness, sharing the gospel and teaching others. This involves a commitment to sound teaching, grounded in Scripture, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. [09:52]

- Teaching should focus on the transformative power of God's Word, avoiding reliance on personal stories or cultural anecdotes. It should equip others to live out their faith and pass it on to future generations. [13:28]

- The call to teach is not limited to pastors and teachers but extends to every believer, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and the full counsel of God in making disciples. [12:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - The Call to the Nations
- [00:34] - Nations at Our Doorstep
- [01:05] - Re-evangelizing the Unchurched
- [02:09] - Understanding the Gospel
- [03:25] - Christ as Fulfillment of the Covenant
- [04:23] - God's Promise to Abraham
- [05:35] - Matthew's Genealogy and the Great Commission
- [06:50] - Participating in the Great Commission
- [08:02] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
- [09:39] - Called to Go and Shine
- [10:29] - Teaching as Part of Discipleship
- [12:19] - The Role of Pastors and Teachers
- [14:18] - Teaching with Depth and Simplicity
- [17:12] - Observing and Guarding the Faith
- [19:39] - Teaching the Full Counsel of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:19-20
2. Genesis 12:1-3
3. James 3:1

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, and how does it relate to the call to make disciples of all nations? [00:14]

2. How does Genesis 12:1-3 illustrate God's promise to Abraham, and how is this promise fulfilled in Christ according to the sermon? [03:25]

3. In James 3:1, what warning is given to those who teach, and how does this relate to the responsibility of teaching others as part of making disciples? [11:03]

4. According to the sermon, why is it important to teach the full counsel of God rather than select parts of Scripture? [19:39]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the presence of diverse communities in places like Central Florida provide unique opportunities for fulfilling the Great Commission? [00:34]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the call to make disciples extends beyond pastors and teachers to every believer? [12:59]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to fulfill the Great Commission? [08:38]

4. What does it mean to teach others to "observe" all that Christ has commanded, and how does this differ from simply imparting knowledge? [15:50]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own community. What are some practical ways you can engage with the diverse cultures and languages around you to share the gospel? [00:50]

2. Consider your personal role in making disciples. How can you actively participate in teaching others, whether in formal settings or through personal relationships? [12:59]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of sound teaching grounded in Scripture. How can you ensure that your teaching or sharing of the gospel is rooted in the transformative power of God's Word? [13:28]

4. Think about a time when you relied on personal stories or cultural anecdotes in sharing your faith. How can you shift your focus to the power of Scripture in future conversations? [13:28]

5. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of the full counsel of God in your own life, and how might this impact your ability to teach others? [19:39]

6. Identify one person in your life who may not have heard the gospel. What steps can you take this week to engage them in a spiritual conversation? [02:09]

7. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you seek His empowerment as you strive to be a light in the darkness and fulfill the Great Commission? [08:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Engaging with the Nations Around Us
The Great Commission calls us to engage with the nations, recognizing that the diverse communities around us present opportunities to share the gospel. This call is deeply rooted in God's covenant with Abraham, fulfilled in Christ, who blesses all families of the earth. In Central Florida, for example, the tapestry of cultures and languages offers a unique chance to share the gospel with those who may have never heard it. This engagement is not limited to distant lands but includes the diverse communities that surround us daily. By embracing this call, we participate in God's redemptive plan for all nations, both near and far. [00:34]

Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV): "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Reflection: Who in your local community represents a different culture or background? How can you intentionally engage with them this week to share the love of Christ?


Day 2: Teaching Obedience to Christ's Commands
Making disciples involves teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded, emphasizing obedience and the full counsel of God. This teaching is not just about imparting knowledge but about guiding others to live out their faith in everyday life. It requires a commitment to sound teaching, grounded in Scripture, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. By teaching the whole counsel of God, we ensure that the fullness of Scripture is communicated and lived out, leading others to a deeper understanding and obedience to Christ's commands. [10:29]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What is one command of Christ that you find challenging to obey? How can you take a step towards greater obedience in this area today?


Day 3: Every Believer as a Light in the Darkness
Every Christian is called to be a light in the darkness, sharing the gospel and teaching others. This involves a commitment to sound teaching, grounded in Scripture, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The call to teach is not limited to pastors and teachers but extends to every believer, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and the full counsel of God in making disciples. By being a light in the darkness, we reflect Christ's love and truth to those around us, guiding them towards a relationship with Him. [09:52]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you be a light to someone in your life who is struggling or in darkness today?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of God's Word
Teaching should focus on the transformative power of God's Word, avoiding reliance on personal stories or cultural anecdotes. It should equip others to live out their faith and pass it on to future generations. By focusing on Scripture, we allow God's Word to transform lives, leading to genuine faith and obedience. This transformation is not just for personal growth but for equipping others to share their faith and impact future generations. [13:28]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: How has God's Word transformed your life recently? How can you share this transformation with someone else this week?


Day 5: The Call to Teach for Every Believer
The call to teach is not limited to pastors and teachers but extends to every believer, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and the full counsel of God in making disciples. Each Christian is called to share the gospel and teach others in various contexts, whether in formal settings or through personal relationships. By embracing this call, we participate in the Great Commission, equipping others to live out their faith and pass it on to future generations. [12:59]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can teach or mentor in their faith journey? What steps can you take to begin this relationship today?

Quotes


The call to "go and make disciples of all nations" is a profound and multifaceted command that extends beyond mere evangelism. It is a call to engage with the world around us, recognizing that the nations are not only distant lands but also the diverse communities that surround us daily. [00:00:34]

Making disciples involves teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded, emphasizing obedience and the full counsel of God. This teaching is not just about knowledge but about living out faith in everyday life. [00:10:29]

Every Christian is called to be a light in the darkness, sharing the gospel and teaching others. This involves a commitment to sound teaching, grounded in Scripture, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. [00:09:52]

Teaching should focus on the transformative power of God's Word, avoiding reliance on personal stories or cultural anecdotes. It should equip others to live out their faith and pass it on to future generations. [00:13:28]

The call to teach is not limited to pastors and teachers but extends to every believer, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and the full counsel of God in making disciples. [00:12:59]

We are called to go forth and to teach not merely the gospel and not merely the account of the gospels and not merely what we want to pick and choose from in the gospels but rather we are to go forth and to teach the Nations to observe all that Christ commanded. [00:19:39]

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, teaching James tells us and warns us in James 3:1 let there not be so many teachers among on you, Brothers as such teachers will incur a stricter judgment teachers will be held to a higher account. [00:10:47]

We are called to go forth and to give people the word of God we're to remind them regularly of the Gospel of God as we see that Gospel of God highlighted and foreshadowed and pointed to and fulfilled throughout all of scripture. [00:20:01]

We are called to teach not give stories not simply fill our messages or our Bible studies with sociocultural or pop psychological anecdotes we're not called to fill our messages and our teachings simply with conversation we are called to teach. [00:13:28]

We are to teach the people of God to keep and to observe a disciple is not simply one who believes a disciple is one who believes and that belief that true Faith leads to a life of fruitfulness and following the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:17:09]

We are called to guard to keep to preserve the word of God and the doctrine of God not just for our sakes not just for our salvation but for the next generation and so Jesus says teach them to observe to obey and to guard if you will all all that I have commanded. [00:18:30]

We are called to go and to teach and what are we to teach the word of God because it's only the word of God not our own words not our own stories not our own own illustrations but we're called to go and teach the word of God because it's the word of God Scripture that is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching. [00:23:42]

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Transcript
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