Discipleship
Children of God
John 1:12
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed
in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
NIV
I recently heard a sermon on the things needed to change our world. The point was that only disciples of Jesus could totally change the world, for what is needed is a spiritual awakening and change. One of the examples was that of the small body of Chinese students who became disciples of Mao Tse Tung. These students ate, drank, and slept with the teachings of Mao. They produced a revolution in China whose effects are still existent today as the Peoples Republic of China remains a communist state. This was not a political revolution, although it produced political results. This was a complete change of thoughts and actions on the part of these followers.
In more ancient times, around AD 30-50, another group of followers produced the same type of change. Although we normally focus on the Apostles, we must remember that Paul records a group of five hundred people seeing the resurrected Christ (1 Cor 15) and 120 disciples were gathered in the upper room awaiting Pentecost and the arrival of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1;). The spread of Christianity rested on the shoulders of these dedicated believers who ate, drank, and slept Jesus Christ!
Matthew 28:19-20
19 So go and make followers of all people in the
world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and
I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.” NCV
The Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20) tells us we are to continue to eat, drink, and sleep Jesus Christ. He should always be in the forefront of our thoughts and actions. Paul says “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Peter tells us we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus (1 Pet 2:21). Jesus tells us to be the salt and light of the world (Matt 5:13, 14).
Most modern translations use the phrase “make disciples” in Matt 20:19. The KJV translates it as “teach.” This is our friend “manthano.” To teach is to make a disciple. We are commanded by God to go forth and make disciples of all the nations. It is important to understand this concept involves both portions of the teachings of Scriptures. Since the nations do not know Jesus, we must teach them who Jesus is. We must teach them how to find God. Then, we must continue the process and teach them how to live once they find God. This involves helping them come to understand the true meaning of being a child of God.
Before we delve further into the concepts of discipleship, it needs to be clear at the start the real basis for accomplish this task in found at the end of the Great Commission. “Lo, I am with you always” (Matt 28:20 KJV). Jesus, God, through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) is ever present with us and will direct our paths and empower us to be disciples, IF WE ALLOW HIM. We must become the vines of the root branch of Jesus. This is the all-important teaching of John 15 on abiding fruit. That abiding fruit is our own growth as disciples and the making of new disciples, in all sense of the world.
