What is Discipleship?
Just like every new month, we are starting a new sermon series that will be focusing on discipleship. With anything, we’re trying to bring a greater understanding of what discipleship is, why we do it and how we disciple over the coming weeks. The question that was brought to light during this sermon was, what is discipleship? Especially since discipleship is something that we may hear often in church as a program to be a part of or just a part of the church’s agenda. This usually means that we categorise it as something that is for the pastor or the leaders to carry out. However, it’s clear that there is a need to create a culture of discipleship. We need to become active participants in the mission of God instead of passive spectators thinking that it’s a job for somebody else. The passage of focus to help us answer this question is Matthew 28:18-20 and there are three points that were shared to provide answers for this question:
Discipleship is a command (v.18-19a)
Jesus states his authority over heaven and earth before he even speaks the command. The reason why he is doing this is that he’s making it clear that there is a link between his authority and making disciples. Without his authority, this command could be seen as a suggestion or a message that can be carried out by someone else. We need to understand that his authority is the highest above all else and it’s because God the Father has given him this authority. As seen in John 17:1-2, “Jesus looked up to heaven and proclaimed that the Father has given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each [person] you have given him. Again this passage makes it clear that Jesus has been exalted to the highest place because of the Father. The Great Commission is no longer a suggestion or something that we negotiate with but the Great Commission is an authoritative command that is non-negotiable because it’s coming from the highest authority over heaven and earth. The command rests on God’s sovereignty and absolute control and because of his sovereignty we have confidence that when we go and make disciples, it’s for Jesus, not for us. Everything is in Jesus’ control, we simply must do it.
Now what is Jesus commanding us to do? Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. The Greek word for disciple is mathētēs which means learner/pupil. It means that we are bringing people to accept Jesus as their Lord and ultimate teacher. We are making learners. The command itself is really saying that as we go on this journey of following Jesus we also need to be making disciples wherever and whenever. It’s not something that we pick up later when we feel that we are good enough or adequate. Jesus makes it clear that we are to disciple all people. He’s telling us to look within our world and beyond. A lot of people seem to think that it means that we have to be on the next plane or boat out to become overseas missionaries. We can start where we are. Making disciples is more than just telling people about Jesus but making disciples is for us to do our part in showing others how to live like Christ and submitting to Jesus’ authority so that they can choose to do the same.
We can see this embodied by Peter in Acts 2:36-39. We can clearly see that Peter took Jesus’ authority and command seriously. Peter acted on this immediately and understood that it was not a suggestion. He declared that Jesus was both Lord and Messiah in front of a large crowd. He called them to repent before God and to be baptised. From this passage we can see that people were added to the community or church because of what Peter said. We too need to have the same understanding as Peter and have faith in God’s absolute sovereignty and control.
We’re not making disciples for us. We’re doing it because we have been commanded to do so by Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and on earth. We simply must do it for that reason alone. So if we’re true believers, we will take this command seriously. And we’re confident that Jesus’ authority has been given to us to make disciples.
Discipleship is a life-changing process (v.19-20a)
Jesus states that to make disciples is to baptise them in the triune of God, being the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In addition we need to also teach disciples to obey all that Jesus has commanded. These are the two elements that represent what discipleship is all about.
When we talk about baptism, we generally think towards an event that involves water that shows that we are a Christian, but let’s look beyond the event itself. Baptism is essentially an outward symbol of an inner transformation that changes our lives. Baptism is choosing to submit to Jesus’ lordship and understanding that we are not living the same life as before. We are burying the old life and resurrection with Christ into a new life (Romans 6:1-4). Baptism also symbolises the start of entering a community that is founded in the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not only do we find ourselves entering into the experience of belonging to God but we also experience unity with other believers. As we have all been baptised into one body by one Spirit and we all share the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). Baptism is a start to a new life in Christ and a new community. This is where we’re calling others to be apart of with discipleship.
Jesus’ command doesn’t stop there but in addition we are to also teach these disciples to obey all the commands that Jesus has given. The word that we should focus on is obedience because it’s easy to just teach people knowledge of the commandments but the part that changes our lives is obedience. We are to live out what we teach and do life with them. Just as Jesus modelled the commandments to his disciples, we need to be able to do the same. To make disciples is a lifelong commitment as we are to baptise and teach people until the end of age. It’s also important to understand that the only content that we need to be focused on teaching others is Jesus’ commands not just in theory but in practical life that comes from obedience and a transformed life.
Our life has changed once we have become a follower of Christ. It becomes our life’s work to go and make disciples by baptising and teaching them to obey all of Jesus’s commands. And this is not just for those involved in full-time ministry. All believers should know disciple-making will involve our whole lives. It’s a whole process that involves time with others. True disciples are going to be a product of this ongoing process.
And if we create true disciples, the proof is transformed lives. Our life and the life of those who we disciple. John 15:7-8, Jesus reminds us that when we produce much fruit, we are called true disciples. Fruit is a result of this life-changing process of discipleship.
Discipleship is not something that we do alone (v.20)
It’s clear that the Great Commission involves our whole lives and is a mammoth task. We’re probably starting to think abour our adequacy or ability to carry this commandment out. This is where we need to tell ourselves to get out of our own heads and thoughts. Jesus is telling us to remember that as we go and make disciples, he is not sending us out on our own. His power and guidance is with us all the time and until the end of age. He is always with us. We also need to remember that disciple making is not based on our own efforts but Jesus has given us the authority and power to carry this out. We are making disciples by the authority of Jesus. He did the same thing with his disciples, giving them power and authority to cast out demons and heal all diseases with the mission to tell all people about the Kingdom of God while he was on earth (Luke 9:1-2). This is also evident with the gift of the Holy Spirit after Jesus ascended back to heaven, as he promises that we will receive the power from the Holy Spirit and we will be witnesses for Jesus to ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Jesus promises his constant presence and guidance. We are not alone while carrying out this mission. Everything is in Jesus’ control.
Paul understood that Jesus was working alongside him as he discipled the Corinthian church. Paul understood that God was the one that makes the seed grow, we simply must plant the seed and nurture it. This is the whole premise going and making disciples, Jesus is the one that is at the centre of this growth. We don’t need to be worried about the things that we need to say or do.
Again we are reminded that we are not doing this on our own. Everything is within Jesus’ sovereignty and control. We just need to remember that when we are carrying out the commandment to disciple, Jesus gives us power and guidance until the end of age. We are empowered and guided by Jesus to make disciples. The onus is on Christ. Discipleship is not something that we do alone so we don’t need to be afraid. We have all that we need because of Jesus and his eternal presence in our lives.
Father God,
Thank you for involving us to be a part of your plan in calling others to be a part of your Kingdom. I pray that we take the Great Commission seriously and understand that our whole lives is to go and make disciples. I pray that we continue to put you at the basis of this foundation and that the only reason we are going and making disciples is because of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen