Watch our Livestream 10am Sundays at 10am on Sundays Give Online
Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV)
“It was a dark and stormy night…” Really, it was, just a week ago when we got all of that rain from an unnamed storm. After dinner, I had to go out during the flash flood warning to pick up one of my kids from a babysitting job. It was really terrible out. Visibility was awful. The winds were blowing. Waves of rain were going sideways. I’m on a curvy road with all double lines. And… I get behind a student driver. Now, I’m not a speed demon, but I do like to go above 23 miles per hour in a 45, even if it’s raining.
That student driver instructor—bless him—is a great example of what it’s like to make disciples. I’m sure many of us could teach the classroom portion of Driver’s Ed without much trouble. But how many of you are ready to sign up for being the Driving Instructor, where you have to get in the car with the inexperienced driver?
In fact, this is the warning that no one gave me when Stacey and I were having all of our kids in our 20s and 30s. Nobody reminded that I would have to teach them all how to drive when they turned 15. We’re on driver number 7 right now, and she’s doing fine, but one is only born with a limited supply of the nerves it takes to ride with a brand new driver. I think I’ll happily pay one of you to teach Jack to drive when it’s his turn.
As we consider what it means to make disciples this morning, I want you to keep the image of the Driving Instructor close at hand.
I don’t know exactly what you mean when you talk about making disciples. There are many different aspects and perspectives on this command. Perhaps you think of a classroom, or a seminary. Perhaps you think of one-on-one coffee shop meetings with your bibles open.
Here is some of my experience
How do you typically refer to a person who has put their trust in God, received the forgiveness of sins, and been baptized?
We are not accustomed to using “disciple” as the primary word to describe our identity as followers of Christ. In fact, we may even think of “disciple” as a specific subset of believers, who have made particular commitments or reached a certain level of maturity.
Let’s take a few moments to review how we and the New Testament refer to followers of Jesus.
Though this is perhaps the term we use the most, this term is actually only used three times in the Bible.
This name was perhaps originally meant in a derogatory way, but it identifies the followers of Jesus directly with him (as opposed to normal Jews).
This exact phrase is used 9 times in the NT, but the idea is much more prevalent.
This emphasizes our adoption and inclusion in God’s own family.
Similar to the idea of being children of God, our participation in the family of God is emphasized by the many times the bible refers to believers as “brothers” (which does include the idea of both brothers AND sisters).
This is used 15 times, highlighting the importance of faith, and our confession of the God whom we believe in.
This is used 15 times, reminding us that we have been chosen by God.
One of the most used NT references to Christians is “saints.” It is used at least 61 times. This highlights that we are holy and set apart for the Lord’s purposes. It is found a few times in Acts, but mostly in the Epistles and Revelation.
We’ve seen 3x, 9x, 15x, and 61x.
The term “disciple” is found 268 times, exclusively in the Gospels and Acts. Of course, some of these uses refer to disciples of John the Baptist or others besides Jesus.
Still, we should feel the weight of this title, especially since this is the term Jesus uses (in verb form) in the Great Commission in our text.
Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)
This term is not intended to describe a particular group of Christians. Disciple, Saint, Child of God, Believer, and Christian all refer to the same persons, though they might highlight different characteristics or blessings.
Let’s remind ourselves what a disciple is.
Daniel did an excellent job defining what it means to be a disciple two weeks ago. He emphasized that being a disciple means we are a “follower” and we are a “learner.”
And, because we are living as disciples of Christ (not some human teacher), the demands on our life are comprehensive; the expectation is total obedience. Daniel said:
My mind is to be submitted—the things I think about and don’t think about.
My heart is to be submitted—the things I love and hate are to be conformed to Christ.
My body is to be submitted—what I do with my eyes and hands, the places I go, the actions I perform are all to be conformed to Christ.
- Daniel Baker, “As You Go, Make Disciples”, sermon on September 8, 2024.
We tend to use descriptors that don’t focus on our actions, and instead of using “disciple” to describe the person, we use the term “discipleship” to describe some of the things we do.
Let’s think about that for a moment.
or…The problem with the noun, “Discipleship”
What if I asked the question, “How much discipleship takes place here at Cornerstone?” How would you describe it?
What if I changed the question ever so slightly and asked, “how much discipling takes place?” Would your answers be the same? Would you think of a different set of activities or relationships? Would you see a distinction in discipleship (noun) and discipling (verb)?
We often use “discipleship” (the noun) as a synonym for programmed teaching and learning. For instance, we just had our discipleship class on eschatology back in August, and our next discipleship class will be in November when we introduce The Trinity Catechism over three Sunday morning meetings.
Do we perhaps lose something by using a noun or adjective to describe something that the Bible describes through an active verb?
It’s possible that when we use “discipleship” to describe a class or book or small group that we might miss the personal nature of our identity as disciples and the command that we must make disciples of others.
In the Bible, we don’t find the term discipleship at all. We find the noun disciple, and we find the verb to make disciples.
I’m not actually suggesting that “discipleship” is a bad word or that we should stop using it, only that we need to think about what we’re actually saying. What do we gain by using verbs like “Being Discipled” or “Making Disciples”?
It’s no longer merely an activity that we do as Christians: going to a class, or reading a book, or participating in small groups. Our identity as a disciple is not limited to certain hours during the week.
Even the idea of “being discipled” is passive as if it’s something that happens to us. We’ll find more active verbs to describe our active pursuit of being a disciple.
We’ve seen in our text already that there are four verbs working together. Let’s look at them again.
Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)
Daniel helped us see two weeks ago that the main verb—the imperative command—is to make disciples. The other three verbs are all participles (going…, baptizing…, teaching…). We talked a bit about the relationship of “going” to “make disciples” two weeks ago. The main emphasis is not that you must go to a particular place or in a particular way in order to make disciples. “As you go…make disciples.” But, as Benjamin helped us see last week, neither does it exclude the idea of going on purpose to the nations—to the ends of the earth.
The focus for today is how we connect these other two participles (baptizing and teaching) with the imperative make disciples. I believe that Jesus is saying that the primary activities for making disciples is baptizing and teaching to observe.
This means it’s important for us to know what is meant by baptizing and teaching.
Being the somewhat bookish reformed church that we are, our natural bent is to go directly to the teaching aspect of discipling. Many of us feel more at home helping those who are already Christians to deepen their relationship with Christ. However, Jesus in his Great Commission reminds us that the discipling task actually begin with baptizing.
I think if we were restating the Great Commission today, we’d probably use the word “evangelizing” instead of baptizing. The fact that Jesus summarizes this evangelizing process with its conclusion—baptism—prevents us from minimizing the importance of the sacrament of baptism at the beginning of one’s journey as a disciple.
For our understanding of what Jesus is commanding us to do, though, we must think about what precedes the specific moment a new believer is immersed in water.
I wanted an excuse to reference our new Trinity Catechism. So here are the two questions related to Baptism.
- What is baptism?
Baptism is immersion in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and signifies our being grafted into Christ, receiving the benefits of the covenant of grace, and walking in newness of life.
- Who should be baptized?
Baptism should be administered to all those who sincerely profess faith in and submission to our Lord Jesus Christ and repentance towards God. No others should be baptized.
— The Trinity Catechism
We are firmly credo-baptist here at Cornerstone. This means we only baptize those who have made a credible profession of faith. We only baptize those who have believed the gospel and repented of their sins.
If baptism is for those who sincerely profess faith in Jesus Christ, then what must precede this act as a part of Jesus’ command to make disciples?
We must proclaim the gospel to unbelievers and invite and encourage a response of faith from those who hear. This could happen in one conversation, but most often happens over many. We sow seeds of the Gospel message not knowing when God might cause them to grow.
Often, this proclamation of the Gospel does happen through the teaching ministry described in the Great Commission. As we teach, model, and proclaim all that Jesus commanded, unbelievers can become convicted of their sin and turn to Christ in faith. At that point of conversion, a new disciple is born. The one that previously was God’s enemy is now God’s child by adoption. Baptism is the response to and declaration of that new birth.
Baptism is the rite of initiation into Jesus’ school.
- Robert H. Gundry, Commentary on the New Testament, 135.
Of these two verbs—baptizing and teaching, it’s interesting to consider that one of these happens as an initiation into the life of being a disciple. Then life as a learner and follower never ends.
There is one other significant detail which I don’t want us to miss regarding baptizing. Look back at verse 19.
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
I don’t think the point here is to make a rigid ceremonial requirement. We see throughout the Book of Acts people being baptized “in the name of Jesus” without this full Trinitarian formula. We see an example in Acts 2:38.
Acts 2:38 (ESV) — And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
See also Acts 8:16; 10:48; 19:5.
At Cornerstone, we do typically baptize with this Trinitarian formula given here, but the point in the Great Commission is broader than that.
This Trinitarian statement is clarifying what God we are inviting people to believe in and follow.
We are not merely appealing for people to “believe in God.” We are inviting and persuading people to believe in the God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in one person. We are inviting people to believe in the Father who sent his only Son into the world; the Son, Jesus who as God who became flesh and dwelt among us; the Holy Spirit who was sent by the Father and the Son to indwell believers, to seal us in Him, and to empower us for mission.
This is one of the strongest passages to defend the Trinity in all of the scriptures. It’s not “in the names of…” but “in the name of…”
There are multiple indications in the passage that Jesus is to be honored as God along with the Father and Holy Spirit.
The disciples “worship” Jesus in verse 17. Jesus claims “all authority in heaven and on earth” in verse 18. He promises to be with us until the end of the age.
What does it mean to “be baptized into the name…”?
“In [or into] the name” means declaring allegiance to or becoming associated with the power and authority of Jesus.
- Craig Blomberg, The New American Commentary, 432.
I keep thinking that someone will ask how it is that we can “make disciples” in the first place. Whether you’re a proponent of free will or of unconditional election it seems to challenge both to say we can “make disciples.”
We must remember that God uses the means of the proclamation of the Gospel to bring individuals to saving faith. God calls us to this work, and God enables us to do it. This is why we pray as we evangelize. We know that it is God who awakens dead hearts; it is God who opens blind eyes. Yet, in God’s Providence, he calls us to be a part of that process. The Apostle Paul recounts his conversion and calling this way in Acts 26. He declares that God sent him…
Acts 26:18 (ESV) — to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
We know that Paul in himself simply does not have this power. Neither do we. But God can use our words, especially when they feature his words, to call people to himself.
Jesus went to those who did not know him. He ministered to those that the Jews ignored and despised. He healed and revealed himself to the sinners, the sick, the Gentiles, the unclean.
We are called to follow Jesus and become fishers of men. We are called to bring others in a relationship with the Triune God.
We’re not just called to evangelize and baptize, though. These are merely the initiation into the long pursuit of living life as a disciple.
We see the rest of the Commission in verse 20.
Matthew 28:20 (ESV)
Our responsibility for helping others know and follow Christ does not end at their baptism.
How many of you have responsibilities to teach as a part of your vocation or day job? Maybe you teach professionally in a school or university. Perhaps you help teach new employees at your company how to use the CRM or how to file paperwork the right way. Maybe you homeschool your kids and teach them the three “Rs” (and everything else). Some of you teach kids how to shoot a basketball, hit a baseball, or run XC with proper form.
We’ve also all had some teachers in our lives that were better than others. Take a few seconds and consider what characterized the best teachers in your life. What made them engaging and effective? Several things come to my mind.
Now let’s observe a few truths about what Jesus is commanding.
There is a place in the church for “Teachers” with a capital T. It is a spiritual gift listed in Romans 12:7. It is a specific role for some, and part of the job description of elders—these men must be “able to teach.”
We must remind ourselves, though that this Great Commission is not just for the Apostles and not just for pastors. It is commanded to Christ’s disciples. Part of being a disciple is making disciples.
I hope that you’ve caught this as we’ve read the passage several times this morning, but the command is not simply to “teach to understand.” Understanding is important, but being a disciple is not about taking the written test after a theology class. The real pop-quiz here is whether or not we put what we learn into practice.
The command is “teaching to observe.” The word means to guard or keep—to keep one’s eye on. This teaching is to lead to obedience, not just knowledge. This changes how we evaluate our success as teachers.
Several of my children take music lessons weekly. Most of you know that music is a significant thing in the McLeod family. We love and value it. We want to get better at it. I can remember my own piano lessons as a child. I hated to practice. Some weeks when I would show up at my lesson, my teacher knew I didn’t really practice at all that week. That’s not how to learn music. You don’t go hear a lecture on how to play the piano, take a test on that information and get an “A.” It’s only helpful if you can put it into practice.
Learning to follow Christ is much more like learning to play the piano (or play basketball) than it is like studying philosophy or history. Putting the knowledge into practice through playing the concerto or playing the game is not “extra,” it is required as a part of the learning.
Don’t worry. It’s just “all that I have commanded you.”
All the things.
Whether or not you think Jesus is intending to limit the Great Commission to the words of Jesus “in red” in your New Testament or whether you think he means that we need to teach all the scriptures (they are all his words, after all), it is still a daunting task.
In the end, teaching the content of the bible and theology is the easy part. Making disciples means helping another learn to forgive the person who sins against them over and over. It means helping someone trust God when tragedy strikes. It means loving your enemies and doing good to those who persecute you. It means learning to pray when God appears not to answer, learning to confess and repent when you fall into that sin again. It is helping parents love wayward children, coming alongside your neighbor when she loses her job, and speaking a word of warning or rebuke to a friend caught in a sin.
Teaching to observe is active. It is relational. It is time-consuming. It is costly. It can be heart-breaking. But it is not overly complex.
The basic idea, as expressed in family relationships, is captured well in Deuteronomy 6.
Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (ESV) — “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
In some way, does that not capture the way that Jesus lived with his disciples?
Remember that those hearing this command from Jesus on the mountain had walked with him. They knew what he meant when he said to make disciples. They had experienced it.
In the end, our identity as disciples means we must follow Him.
Here are two questions to ask yourself as we look at several biblical passages.
Is our understanding of discipling too broad or passive?
Is our understanding too narrow or specialized?
What does it mean for each of us to obey the Great Commission?
Some aspects of making disciples may feel like a classroom, but more often it’s like being in the car with a student driver.
The emphasis is not on “find a person to disciple me” but on discipling others.
After our weekly, Sunday morning gathering, the next most important events on our church calendar are our small groups (home groups). They are so important, in fact, that in our Exploring Membership class we explain that we expect all members of Cornerstone to do their best to be a part of a small group.
Here are some other recent messages.
We are a church built on the Bible, guided and empowered by the Spirit, striving to make disciples, and pursuing holiness in the context of robust biblical relationships.
© 2024 Cornerstone Fellowship Church of Apex
