Make Disciples – 2019 - 4
Subject – Teaching Believers to Obey Christ’s Teaching
by Rick Welborne
Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT2)
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
--‘Make Disciples’ – I truly believe that is what God is calling the Leadership here at Life Church to do with our church body…Our calling is to teach our congregation to obey all of Jesus’ commands. It’s biblical:
Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV)
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
--God has given you pastors and other leaders to do what? To prepare God’s people (are you God’s people?) for works of service…to prepare you to serve the body of Christ…to become servants in God’s Kingdom.
1. Paul was saying that God’s people should be developed into disciples who work and serve.
--So why is this necessary? Question of the year…these verses that we just read gives us several reasons why it is so important for people in the local body to work and serve.
A. They work and serve so the body of Christ will be built up.
--What does they say? God expects His church (our local church) to grow…numerically, spiritually, and financially. You are here to help this body to grow in all those areas.
--So how can you help us grow numerically if you are not reaching out to others. How can you help us grow spiritually if you are not praying and investing, and how can you help us grow financially if you are not giving?
--How can Life Church be built up if you are not building up the leadership and all that God is doing with what you tell others…what you tell the community.
--The Word tells us, in regard to the local church, to let everything be done for the edification (the building up) of the body. The Book of Jude tells us to build ourselves up in our most holy faith praying in the Spirit.
B. They work and serve so the body of Christ will come into the unity of the faith.
--Nothing of significance will happen in the body of Christ (in Life Church) unless we are all working toward that unity. When we are of one mind, one spirit, and one purpose we have unlimited potential.
C. They work and serve so the body will grow in its knowledge of the Son of God.
--Young believers and maturing saints require effort. It takes people who are willing to teach, to mentor, to coach, to model what it is to be disciples. This is what it takes to ‘Make Disciples.’
Hebrews 5:11-14 (NLT2)
11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.
12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.
13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.
12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.
13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
Ephesians 4:15 (NLT2)
15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
D. They work and serve the body of Christ and are successful as each one does his part.
--Start the rotation of the ministries that are working well. See all these ministries that are doing well.
--Take the list out of your bulletin and start now praying over it…fill it out. Do not mark a ministry you are already involved in…Just new ones you may be interested in.
--In a little while you will be able to sign up with these ministries…please just sign up and the department heads will call you and follow up. We are meeting with the Department Heads to make sure.
Ephesians 4:16 (NLT2)
16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
2. Paul was saying that Christians serving in the body of Christ is simply reasonable service.
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
--Paul was saying, because you have experienced the mercy of God we should be willing to serve and to give back to the One who gave His body as a sacrifice for us. How many of you have received mercy?
--In other words, if Jesus saved you, liberated you, broke chains, or just came and recued you, it is reasonable to think that you should be willing to serve Him and others.
--Christianity is not a spectator sport…it is all hands on deck. Do not just show up and not serve. Don’t get so conformed to this world that you feel like church is only there to serve you.
--Myth – Life Church has so many volunteers that all the positions are filled…not true. These areas really need your help! Pastor, I will help wherever I am needed! OK! We need you in these ministries.
Bereavement Ministry – Peggy Icker
Connect Groups – Pastor Joseph Diaz
Greeter Ministry – Nancy Lipps
House of Hope – Everett Bass
Toddler and Nursery Ministry – Christie Ann LoGuidice
Church Maintenance – Joe Vilar
Special Events Ministry – Bruce and Patti Everhart
--Paul is telling us to find what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God, requires we thank God for His mercy, we offer ourselves in reasonable service, and that we do not conform to the world.
Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV)
7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,
7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,
8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
3. Get in the River!
2 Kings 5:1 & 9-14 (NKJV)
1 Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.
9 Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha's house.
10 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean."
11 But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, "Indeed, I said to myself, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.'
12 Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage.
13 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"
14 So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
1 Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.
9 Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha's house.
10 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean."
11 But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, "Indeed, I said to myself, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.'
12 Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage.
13 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"
14 So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
--Okay, Pastor Rick, how can you tie this to ‘Make Disciples’? So glad you asked. To me, Naaman represents many in the body of Christ. How so?
A. Naaman was a man with a good reputation and a man with a good resume. But he had leprosy.
--How many of us come into the Kingdom of God and we have gifts to share but we have leprosy? We have issues. That would pretty much be all of us, we all have our junk! It’s a miracle that church works at all.
B. Naaman knew his answer was in Elisha’s house and we know our answer is in God’s house.
--Naaman has heard testimonies of Elisha’s miracles so he shows up to get one. His problem is that he already figured out what the miracle looked like.
--We come to church and we don’t serve or use our gifts because we have already figured out what we should be doing. Any variation is unacceptable. No bending.
C. Naaman wanted personal attention from Elisha, from the leader. Anything less was demeaning.
--I know there is no one like this here. I will sing in the choir but I have to be asked by Pastor Aaron. Didn’t you see the invitation on the video announcements.
--I will serve and help if Pastor Rick will contact me and ask me personally, and yes, I have to have a title. I must have authority and recognition. Yes, I am here to be your humble servant!
--I had a man tell me one time…If you do not make me an Elder of Heart my family and I will leave the church. I told him I would really miss his wife and daughter.
--Naaman wanted a show and he wanted to be the star. This is not a production with actors, this is a church in search of servants. Servant leadership…everyone serving…everyone like Jesus.
D. Naaman was into comparing…the rivers of Damascus are better than the rivers of Israel.
--At my old church…I was this…I did this…I decided this…I gave this. That church was better, cooler, more in touch, and they did nothing without my advice. All this available for you. Don’t you want me now?
E. Naaman was surrounded by great servants. Sometimes we need to listen to them.
--If the pastor would have asked you to be a deacon, you would have done it but since you were asked to be a greeter, you are insulted. Why not just serve where you are asked to serve and let God promote you?
Bill Wilson – Everyone is waiting on God to give them a personal invitation or a call from Him. The need is the call! The need is the call! Get up and serve where you see the need and God will promote you as He chooses!
--Make no mistake…God is keeping records of how we serve and work in His Kingdom.
Revelation 2:18-19 (NKJV)
18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience;
18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience;
--Altar service…Deny yourself, take up your cross (serve), and follow Jesus! “Make Disciples!”
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