Devoted – Disciples Who Make Disciples

Devoted Part 4 – Disciples Who Make Disciples

FCBC 10/27/19 – Billy Mogensen

2 Timothy 2:1-7

"You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."

Mountain Bike race – thought I was killing it, but I’d veered off course.

There are times I do this in life – expending energy in the wrong direction – not even realizing it! I think that’s true of a lot of Christians.

“No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits” – have to remind myself. I could easily do that (triathlon, hobbies, recreation w/ family, my house… for you it could be ___.

Soldier’s “aim is to please the one who enlisted him” – wants to hear “well done”
What do I want to hear when I get to heaven? “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Worst nightmare would be to get there and realize I got off course and didn’t finish the race well. This is my LIFE. I don’t want to blow it in my life. I want to run well and finish well.

So what are we supposed to be doing? What will lead to hearing “Well done?”

#1 Commandment: Love God. #2: Love Others.

Rest hangs on those.

So what does it look like?

Jesus showed us – modeled to his disciples.
What it looks like is living as a disciple of Jesus.
AND helping others do the same – making disciples

That’s the reason behind this series – Devoted

Kirk has walked us through the mission statement the past 3 weeks:

“We Exist to Glorify God by Pointing the Affections of All Peoples to the All Satisfying Person of Jesus Christ.”

Is Jesus all satisfying to you? Do you love Him with ALL your heart? ALL your soul? ALL your might?

Often we don’t find Jesus, or his mission ALL satisfying, so we look to other things to satisfy us.

I want to share 3 things (pictures) I never knew about discipleship growing up in church and how they help me stay on course.

 [18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] 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, [20] 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)

Rabbis & Disciples (Talmadim) (credit – Ray Vander Laan)
Rabbi’s – 2 Kinds

Torah Teacher (Teacher of the Law).

Masters of Torah = 1st 5 books memorized!

Rabbi with S’mikheh (Authority)

Masters of Tanakh = whole O.T. memorized!!

They had disciples (Talmadim).

Beth Sefer – “elementary school” Boys & Girls ~5-12 years old

Taught by Torah Teachers. Goal: memorize whole Torah

Beth Midrash  - Boys 12-15 years old - Study Tanakh

How were disciples selected?

Find a rabbi with s’mikheh to hang with
Ask him if you can follow him: “Do you think I could be like you in my walk with God?” Rabbi tests you and makes his decision

Beth Talmud –~15 years old = Talmadim (Disciples)

Like making the NBA; Study until 30 – become rabbi or done

What is a Disciple?

#1 Goal = BE what the Rabbi IS in his walk with God

Intense commitment to become JUST LIKE the RABBI!

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.  It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.” –Matthew 10:24

“Whoever claims to abide in Him, must walk as Jesus walked.” -1 John 2:6

BUT: How many who asked Jesus, “Can I follow you?” ended up following him?  ZERO!!

What does Jesus do?  “Come, Follow Me.”

“I THINK YOU COULD BE LIKE ME”

AND: Jesus’ first disciples were fishing. Significance?

They hadn’t made the cut with a rabbi!

Jesus @ Last Supper – “Remember, you did not choose me. I chose you.”

-John 15:16

Why important? Life’s gonna get rough!! They’re going to doubt. Need to remember…

Even now, some of you are motivated by this – Awesome!
Others are discouraged. Feel like you’ve failed or can’t do this. Hearing all sorts of lies.
Imagine how Peter felt after he got invited by JESUS to be a talmid, and then said about his own rabbi, “I don’t even know the guy.”
But what did Jesus do after the resurrection? Restored Peter (and the rest). Lifted their chins and sent them back into the mission.
Ever been just stuck in depressed state of “I can’t do it”? Peter could have done that. But he didn’t.

Then after the resurrection, Jesus’ final words:

[18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me [Big deal! S’mikhah.]. [19] Go therefore and make disciples [talmadim] of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] 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)

Make Disciples of JESUS (you’re not the rabbi).

Baptizing them. Why? First step to becoming a disciple = need to know the Gospel – good news of Jesus –

that We have all sinned and deserve God’s judgment.
God, the Father, sent His only Son, Jesus to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him.
Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible.
If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.
And being baptized is publicly declaring that you believe that and want to follow Jesus. You want to be identified with Jesus.
Baptism is no less than that, but I believe there’s more to it, particularly in regards to discipleship.

#2 – Baptized Pickles & Disciples

Baptize – BlueLetterBible.org – Two words: Bapto & Baptizo

The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words.
First – bapto the pickle (dip to clean)
Then baptizo it in vinegar solution – until it’s transformed into pickle.
The cucumber is so penetrated by the thing it’s immersed in that it takes on those properties of what it’s immersed in – so that it’s permanently transformed into a new thing. (looks, tastes, feels different)

Which do you think is used in Matt. 28 = baptize?   Baptizo.

Could have used bapto. Like John 13:26 (dipped bread last supper)
Baptizo is always used in reference to Christian baptism
More than just dip; and not just a longer dip;
Point – should be an ongoing transformation (spiritual)

Baptizo “In the name” – character, works, reputation

The fullness of who someone is (in this case, Trinity)

SO Jesus is telling his disciples to go NOT only dunk people in water and teach them some lessons they learned from Jesus.

He was telling them to call others to join them in immersing themselves into the fullness of who God is so that they would not only be identified with him, but also be increasingly transformed to be more and more like
Which is the very definition of a disciple – to be like the master rabbi Jesus

[18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples [Talmadim who want to become just like Jesus] of all nations, baptizing [immersing/identifying – baptizō, like a pickle – permanent change] them in[to] the name [character, works, reputation – the fullness] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe [obey] all that I have commanded you [love God to the max, neighbor as self, etc.]. And behold, I am with you always [I’m with you in this!], to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

#1 – Disciples are devoted to becoming JUST LIKE their rabbi Jesus.

#2 – Disciples should be transformed (pickled) by God

#3 – Disciples Make Disciples (2 Tim. 2:2)
Paul à Timothy & many witnesses à faithful men à others

Example: Billy à Nathan & others à Noah à Everett & Colin à

Your partnership is helping make discipleship happen at Boise State. In a place where thousands are desperately needy for Jesus, some are not only learning to grow as passionate disciples themselves, but they’re discipling others too.

I want to encourage you: Be Disciples who Make Disciples

Be a passionate disciple of rabbi Jesus – desiring to chase after and become like him – transformed into his likeness – and help others do the same

Practical Next Steps
1. Never stop growing as a disciple of Jesus.

Immerse yourself into His word.
Surround yourself with other disciples who will sharpen you.
Younger in your faith? Find someone to disciple you – to help you grow to be more like Jesus. Who comes to mind? Ask them.

Make disciples. Invite others into the journey you’re on in becoming more like Jesus.

If you can’t already name who you’re discipling, who comes to mind right now that you could buy a coffee or meal and invest in them over time, helping them follow Jesus?
Kids / family
Co-worker(s) & Neighbor(s)
Church – someone you’re a step ahead of in this journey
Consider getting several together that you could invest in (2-3)

I believe anyone who does this – who makes their #1 focus to grow as a disciple of Jesus and to disciple others – will find there’s nothing more satisfying in life.  And you’ll stay on course to hearing “Well done”.