And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

In reviewing several discipleship programs for our faith community, I was intrigued. Each one emphasized a different area of the disciple-making process. What all had in common was using Matthew 28 as their key Scripture to build upon. But each emphasized one specific aspect and gave little time for the vision.

Some emphasized the recruiting aspect. Others the learning. But none on the relationship-building purpose behind the discipleship making process.

This Scripture does capture the vision and strategy his team is to use for growing the Church. Yet when I see what programs are being used, I see an immense amount of strategy but very little on the vision. So let’s read this Scripture together. Let us see how the importance of capturing the vision helps direct the strategy to use.

First when Jesus states that ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to HIM, what does that mean? In summary, HIS incarnation restored humanity into the Triune circle. Humanity is now included within the Triune God circle of Papa God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived the perfect righteous life on behalf of all humanity. HE also defeated Satan in the process. Papa God thus rewarded HIM with full authority as the Son of Man and Son of God, and as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Jesus has final say on all heavenly and earthly matters. We now serve a benevolent dictator who has a heart of love balanced with the discipline of justice.

HIS instructions are for us to make disciples from all ethnic and racial groups. This includes all people from all nations – no one excluded. “Make” does not mean we force people to accept HIS beliefs. But as one practice this way of life, one learns to walk along with the Holy Spirit in HIS work. “To make” is a process. It is about recruiting and mentoring others with Jesus, Holy Spirit, and Papa God.

Also “go” doesn’t mean we necessarily leave our homes and travel to a far-off place. But the Greek text states otherwise. It is a corrective passive particle rather than an imperative verb. It means where you are already planted and active you share the message of Jesus to others.

“To be baptized” is our public acknowledgement we accept the work of Jesus Christ in our life. HIS life restored us into a relationship with Father-Son-Holy Spirit; the Triune God. To be baptized is us participating with Jesus in HIS death and resurrection. HIS death washed our sins away and HIS resurrected life has given us new life in HIM.

“Teaching them” is the primary function of the Church. As HIS disciples we teach others what we have learned from HIM. The process is for life; it never ends. It involves more than academic knowledge. It is training in all the practices and all the ways of HIS Kingdom. It involves head knowledge and heart knowledge. It involves the body, soul, and spirit of the believer. It covers the entire human experience of birth, family, work, community, and death. Jesus spoke about it all.

In the end, HE encourages us. HE reminds us that HE is alive and with you in all you do. Always. Even when you sin. HIS grace covers you. Even when you are rebellious. You may close your eyes at HIM, but HE is always there for you. We need to keep refocusing our eyes on HIM.

The purpose behind discipleship is to observe Jesus, our Rabbi and Teacher, work in our life. Yes, HE is Savior and Lord. But we start off the discipleship route as a learner. We are learning HIS Kingdom ways. We are putting them into practice each day. As we do, our relationship with HIM changes over time.

Like HE spoke to HIS graduating class of disciples the evening before HIS death. HE called them friends. The relationship changed from student to friend. Then again, after HIS resurrection, the relation changes even deeper. HE calls them brothers. A familial relationship.

Today we are HIS disciples. But we are also HIS brother and friend. The purpose of discipleship is to be trained in Kingdom practices. It is to learn how to live under the auspices of King Jesus. It is to learn how the Triune God governs the universe through the Kingdom of God. It is for us to learn how to govern ourself and others in similar fashion.

In many ways, discipleship is an executive training program of the Kingdom of God. It is the way Jesus is preparing you and me for eternity with HIM. It is more than head knowledge. It is training the entire body-soul-spirit under HIS authority. We are to learn how to serve others for God’s glory and for the sake of others. It is our preparation unto eternity. It starts now. It never ends. It is a life-long process. We are learning, integrating, and growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is the vision and purpose of discipleship.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

^{Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler}

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