Memory Verse
Matthew 28:19-20
Our Lord’s last commands to His church all come back to one thing making disciples.
Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8
What is a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Luke 14:26; Matthew 10:37
A disciple loves Jesus Christ supremely.
Luke 14:27-32
A disciple denies self to follow Christ, whatever the cost.
Luke 14:33; 9:57-62
A disciple is willing to leave all to follow Christ.
In summary, a disciple is a worshipper of the Lord Jesus Christ, who denies self to singlemindedly follow, please and obey the Lord Jesus Christ.
How are we to perform the task of making disciples?
We must firstly understand that we cannot make disciples. Only God can. Nevertheless, as we yield to His means, He will use us to make worshippers and followers out of former rebels.
Matthew 19:23-26
Our memory verses, Matthew 28:19-20, give three parts of the central command to ‘make disciples’. Though God is the one who does the saving and transforming, the following three responsibilities are ours.
“Going” = Conversion Through a Clear Gospel
Our first responsibility is to share the Gospel that transforms lives. We are to share the message of salvation with family, friends, colleagues, and strangers. Jesus appointed us as witnesses of His transforming power.
Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, Ezekiel 33:7-9
What is a ‘clear Gospel’?
I Corinthians 15:1-4
All of the elements of a clear Gospel are found in these verses. We must make sure we do not add, subtract or modify these clear aspects of the Gospel.
- “our sins” The Gospel is about our sins. Man is not inherently good. He is sinful and separated from a holy and righteous God. Man deserves the penalty of death.
- “for our sins” The Gospel is about substitution. We could not save ourselves, or else Christ did not have to die. None of our own works are good enough to save us.
- “Christ died” The Gospel is about a Saviour. God’s holy nature is also merciful. God lovingly paid the penalty that our sins had incurred. For Christ to be a worthy and acceptable substitute, He had to be the Godman. He had to be conceived of the Spirit, born of a virgin.
Romans 3:23, 6:23; Isaiah 59:2; Matthew 25:46
Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-9