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Making Disciples of Jesus
Brian Mashburn
September 4, 2016
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Making Disciples of Jesus
There is a passage in the Bible that is so central to the Christian faith, so defining of what the church is to be about, so crucial to the gospel message, and so predominant in the heart of Jesus himself, that if you aren't following it, then it would be difficult to call yourself Christian at all.
Does this sound harsh? It does to me as I type it.
But it is not. This passage is an invitation. It is an opportunity. It is a rescue attempt. It is an offer of l healing, belonging, purpose, meaning, and, well... life.
Jesus is being loving, not harsh, when he says in John 14:23 that "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." Only the fearful hear this as a threat, rather than as a gift. Only the legalistic start making Biblical lists of rules to check off, rather than turning their hearts and ears to Jesus and listen to him with a loving and appreciative intent to follow.
So, what is this passage of which I speak? What is this directive of Jesus that not only marks us as Christian, but gives us the fullest possible life available?
It is found in Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus tells us to "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."
Are you making a disciple out of anyone? Are you connecting people to Jesus and his church? Are you growing in your Christlikeness? Are you going into the world and bringing the Kingdom of God into it?
If you follow Christ, you most certainly are. Connect, Grow, Go. This is your path. Your call. Your life.