Embracing True Discipleship: The Great Commission
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Collective Church! Today, we concluded our series "It's Not About You" by diving into the Great Commission from Matthew 28:16-20. Jesus, after His resurrection, gave His disciples a mission: to go and make disciples of all nations. This mission is not just for the original disciples but for all of us who follow Jesus. We explored what it means to be a true disciple and the importance of discipleship in our lives.
I shared a personal story about my journey to improve my physical health, which involved seeking guidance from various people in our church. This journey mirrors the process of discipleship, where we seek guidance, learn, and grow under the mentorship of others. Just as I needed help to navigate my fitness journey, we all need spiritual mentors to guide us in our walk with Christ.
Discipleship is more than just attending church; it’s about living a life that reflects Jesus in every aspect. We discussed the characteristics of a true disciple, including counting the cost of following Jesus, being baptized, giving up our lives to follow Him, putting Jesus first, abiding in His teachings, loving our fellow believers, and being committed to His mission.
We also examined the historical context of discipleship in the first-century church, where disciples would follow a rabbi closely, learning and emulating everything about him. This deep, committed relationship is what Jesus calls us to have with Him and with each other.
In closing, I challenged everyone to reflect on their spiritual journey. Are you a fan or a true disciple of Jesus? Are you investing in others and allowing others to invest in you? Let’s strive to be a church filled with disciples and disciple-makers, living out the Great Commission in our daily lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Counting the Cost of Discipleship: True discipleship requires us to consider the cost of following Jesus. It’s not a decision to be made lightly or out of mere emotion. Jesus calls us to give up everything and follow Him wholeheartedly. This means evaluating our lives and being willing to lay down our desires, ambitions, and even relationships to prioritize Him. [21:50]
2. Baptism as a Mark of Discipleship: Baptism is an essential step in the discipleship journey. It is an outward expression of an inward change, symbolizing our commitment to follow Jesus. If you have accepted Christ but have not been baptized, it’s a crucial step to publicly declare your faith and obedience to Him. [24:23]
3. Complete Surrender to Jesus: Being a disciple means giving up our lives to follow Jesus. This involves surrendering our plans, dreams, and possessions to Him. Jesus calls us to complete abandonment, where we hold nothing back and allow Him to lead every aspect of our lives. [25:21]
4. Abiding in Jesus’ Teachings: A true disciple remains in the teachings of Jesus. This means regularly reading and meditating on the Word of God, allowing it to guide and transform our lives. It’s not enough to have a superficial engagement with Scripture; we must dive deep and let it shape our thoughts and actions. [29:50]
5. Loving Fellow Believers: Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. This love is a distinguishing mark of true discipleship and a powerful witness to the world. When we love each other well, it reflects the love of Christ and draws others to Him. [32:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[04:40] - Greeting Newcomers
[05:49] - Upcoming Series: Goosebumps Part Two
[06:49] - Reading Matthew 28:16-20
[07:48] - Prayer and Gratitude
[09:19] - Personal Health Journey
[11:14] - Introduction to Discipleship
[15:05] - The Call to Make Disciples
[16:52] - Difference Between Fans and Disciples
[18:35] - Historical Context of Discipleship
[20:30] - Characteristics of a True Disciple
[24:23] - Importance of Baptism
[25:21] - Complete Surrender to Jesus
[29:50] - Abiding in Jesus’ Teachings
[32:34] - Loving Fellow Believers
[35:22] - Committed to Jesus’ Mission
[39:14] - Signs You’re Not a Disciple
[43:40] - Equipping the Saints
[44:59] - Generational Discipleship
[46:38] - Invitation to Discipleship
[47:25] - Prayer and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV): "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What specific mission did Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 28:16-20?
2. According to the sermon, what are some characteristics of a true disciple of Jesus? ([20:30])
3. How did the pastor's personal health journey illustrate the process of discipleship? ([09:19])
4. What historical context about first-century discipleship was shared in the sermon? ([18:35])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is counting the cost of discipleship important before deciding to follow Jesus? ([21:50])
2. How does baptism serve as a mark of discipleship, and why is it considered essential? ([24:23])
3. What does it mean to completely surrender to Jesus, and how does this affect a disciple's life? ([25:21])
4. How does loving fellow believers serve as a distinguishing mark of true discipleship? ([32:34])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Have you truly counted the cost of following Jesus? What are some things you might need to give up to follow Him wholeheartedly? ([21:50])
2. If you have not been baptized, what steps can you take to make this public declaration of your faith? If you have been baptized, how can you support others in taking this step? ([24:23])
3. In what areas of your life do you struggle with complete surrender to Jesus? What practical steps can you take to surrender these areas to Him? ([25:21])
4. How can you abide more deeply in Jesus' teachings? What specific changes can you make to your daily routine to spend more time in the Word? ([29:50])
5. Think of a fellow believer you find difficult to love. What actions can you take this week to show them Christ-like love? ([32:34])
6. Are you currently investing in someone else's spiritual journey or allowing someone to invest in yours? If not, who can you reach out to this week to start a discipleship relationship? ([20:30])
7. Reflect on the difference between being a fan and a true disciple of Jesus. In what ways can you move from being a fan to being a committed disciple? ([16:52])
Devotional
Day 1: The Cost of True Discipleship
True discipleship requires us to consider the cost of following Jesus. It’s not a decision to be made lightly or out of mere emotion. Jesus calls us to give up everything and follow Him wholeheartedly. This means evaluating our lives and being willing to lay down our desires, ambitions, and even relationships to prioritize Him. Counting the cost involves a deep, introspective look at what we hold dear and being willing to surrender it all for the sake of Christ. This is a radical call to live a life that is fully devoted to Jesus, no matter the personal cost. [21:50]
Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"
Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you find difficult to surrender to Jesus? How can you begin to let go of it today to follow Him more closely?
Day 2: Baptism as a Public Declaration
Baptism is an essential step in the discipleship journey. It is an outward expression of an inward change, symbolizing our commitment to follow Jesus. If you have accepted Christ but have not been baptized, it’s a crucial step to publicly declare your faith and obedience to Him. Baptism is not just a ritual; it is a powerful testimony of your new life in Christ and your willingness to be identified with Him. It signifies dying to your old self and being raised to new life, just as Jesus was raised from the dead. [24:23]
Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: If you have not been baptized, what is holding you back from taking this step? If you have been baptized, how can you live out the significance of your baptism in your daily life?
Day 3: Complete Surrender to Jesus
Being a disciple means giving up our lives to follow Jesus. This involves surrendering our plans, dreams, and possessions to Him. Jesus calls us to complete abandonment, where we hold nothing back and allow Him to lead every aspect of our lives. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily choice to trust Jesus with everything. It means letting go of control and allowing Him to guide our steps, trusting that His plans for us are better than our own. [25:21]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: Abiding in Jesus’ Teachings
A true disciple remains in the teachings of Jesus. This means regularly reading and meditating on the Word of God, allowing it to guide and transform our lives. It’s not enough to have a superficial engagement with Scripture; we must dive deep and let it shape our thoughts and actions. Abiding in Jesus’ teachings involves a commitment to study the Bible, understand its truths, and apply them to our lives. It is through this deep engagement with Scripture that we grow in our relationship with Jesus and become more like Him. [29:50]
John 15:7-8 (ESV): "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
Reflection: How can you create a daily habit of engaging deeply with Scripture? What specific steps will you take to ensure that you are abiding in Jesus’ teachings?
Day 5: Loving Fellow Believers
Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. This love is a distinguishing mark of true discipleship and a powerful witness to the world. When we love each other well, it reflects the love of Christ and draws others to Him. Loving fellow believers means going beyond superficial interactions and building deep, meaningful relationships. It involves being there for one another in times of need, offering support, encouragement, and forgiveness. This kind of love is sacrificial and selfless, mirroring the love that Jesus has for us. [32:34]
1 John 4:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: Think of a fellow believer who might need your love and support today. How can you reach out to them and show the love of Christ in a tangible way?
Quotes
1. "We are closing our collection of talks entitled, It Is Not About You. It's Not About You, Part Three. Next week, I'm excited. We did this last year, and we're going to do it again this year. Last year, I preached a collection of talks entitled, Goosebumps, and we went through scary stories in the Bible. Are there scary stories in the Bible? Yes, it is in there, and so we went through that, and this year, we just felt that we needed to do it again, so we're doing Goosebumps, Part Two. We're going to look at four different scary stories in the Bible, and I'm going to preach that, through the month of October, and hopefully explain some things that you might read, and you'll be like, what in the world is that?" [05:49] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When Jesus calls us to be disciples and Jesus calls us to make disciples, this is the type of relationship that he's calling us to. This is what he's calling and beckoning us to become and to be like. But I don't think that many of us reflect this. Come on. Can we give him a round of applause? Thank you guys so much. The truth is, once again, I want to preach this text in its entirety. I want to preach this text. I want to preach this text from the beginning to the end. And I want to skip and peruse nothing but give it to you straight. And I want to come before you today and I want to tell you, hey, follower of Jesus, believer in Jesus, we are called to make disciples. Let's go and make disciples." [15:05] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You know that nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say go and make converts? Do you know that nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say fill pews and fill seats? Do you know that nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say add multiple services and glory in your attendance? He doesn't say any of that. Jesus actually came and he flipped the system upside down. He said you like the crowds but I'm going to take 12 and I'm going to influence them so they can go change the crowds. That's what Jesus did. And that's what he calls us to. He calls us to discipleship. Are you a disciple? When you think of your spiritual life, when you think of your journey, what do you consider yourself? Do you consider yourself a Christian? Do you say hey I'm a Christian? Hey I'm a follower? Or do you say hey I'm a disciple of Jesus?" [17:40] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The first thing that Jesus says. Is the disciple considers. The cost of following Jesus. Before doing so. Let's go to Luke chapter 14. Verse 28 through 30. The Bible says this. So don't follow me. Without considering what it will cost you. For who would construct a house. Before sitting down to estimate the cost. To complete it. Otherwise he may lay the foundation. And not be able to finish it. The neighbors will ridicule him. Saying what? Look at him. He started to build. But couldn't complete it. This is Jesus. He's saying look. I am the way. I am the truth. And I am the life. I am the one that can take your sins. And separate as far as from the east. As from the west. And make it no more. I am the doorway. That leads you into eternity." [21:50] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "A disciple gives up their life. To follow Jesus. Listen to what Luke. Chapter 13. Verse 44. Says. Put that up on the screen. For me. So. You cannot become. My disciple. Without giving up. Everything you own. Let's get the other translation. Out of the message. Simply put. If you're not willing. To take. What is dearest to you. Whether your plans. Kiss it. Goodbye. The truth is. You can't be. My. Disciple. So. Count the cost. Have you been baptized. And are you willing. To give up your life. Lay down your life. Carry your cross. And follow me. Are you willing. To lay down. Your wants. Your desires. Your hopes. Your dreams. Your ambitions. Your ideologies. Your thought process. Your relationships. Are you willing. To give up. Everything you own." [25:05] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "A disciple abides in the teachings of Jesus. John 8, 31, he says, to the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, if you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Another word instead of hold in the King James is if you abide. Another translation for abide or definition would be remain, if you remain in my teachings. How many of you read the word of God outside of your two-second devotion on your phone? How many of you actually read the Bible? The living word of God. How many of you will leave today and tomorrow you will crack that thing open and you will spend time reading it, trying to gain understanding, trying to remain in and trying to hold on? A majority of you won't. That's just the truth. A majority of you will not read the word of God." [29:50] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "A disciple loves their fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. Listen to what John says. A new command I give you. A new one. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. And by this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. This is great. Isn't it funny to me that the Bible doesn't... It doesn't say, when you go to your Christian concert, people will know that you're a follower of Jesus. When you go to gospel night at the fair, people, you will know you're a follower of Jesus. When you wear that t-shirt, people are going to know that you're a follower of Jesus. When you put that sticker on your car, people are going to know you're... It doesn't say any of that boo-boo. It says, but if you want people who don't know me to know me, you have to love each other well." [32:34] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "A disciple is committed to the mission of Jesus. Matthew 4 19 says this. Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people. That's the mission. God, I don't know where my purpose is. I just want to know. What should I do? What should you do? Go reach people for Jesus. That's the mission. Go make disciples. That's what he calls us to. To invest into other people. Man, there's a bunch of young believers in this church who are dying and starving for somebody that would just teach them the way. For someone that would just invest into them, but they couldn't find any. There's some of you in here with a plethora of knowledge and wisdom and experience that God wants to use. And he wants to make flow like a river that gives life. To these young believers. But you're keeping it to yourself." [35:22] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You know that I, as the lead pastor of this incredible church, I have one job in a sense. And scripture says that my job is to equip the saints. Do you know who the saints are? You. The ones who say yes to Jesus. I'm to equip you in Jesus. And do you know what it says after that? That I am to equip the saints for the works of the church. Some translations say for the building of the church. So what does that mean? It means that the gospel message and this leadership idea is decentralized. Meaning that the full weight is not on me to reach and disciple people. It's on you. That you have this obligation as the church, as this is my church. I am to help build and equip and build this thing up to where it's needed." [43:40] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Imagine what it would look like at the collective church if we made this decision. This conscious effort to say, man, I don't want to just be a fan. I want to be a disciple. I don't want to just simply attend church. I want to be the church. I don't want to just sit with all of this. I want to invest into someone. If you're thinking to yourselves, you can go ahead and stand to your feet as I get ready to close. That's just the bathroom crew. Or not the bathroom. The baptism crew. Maybe we need a bathroom crew. Maybe you're just thinking, this wasn't even my sermon, where do I get started? This is how it starts. If you wanted to ever get discipled, you have to be in a place in a community. But there's, just like me, just ask, hey, Trey. Man, were you invested in me? Hey, Brad. Hey, Matt. And here's the thing. It's not always a pastor. We always have it in our mind, oh, the pastor has to be the one. No. The pastor is the one investing into you so that you can go and pastor others and shepherd others and disciple others." [45:43] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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