Topical Sermons - The Great Commission According To Matthew

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              "THE GREAT COMMISSION ACCORDING TO MATTHEW"


INTRODUCTION

1. In Matthew's account of  "The Great Commission," notice the main
   thought of Jesus' command...
   a. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" - Mt 28:18-20
   b. Jesus wanted His apostles to make disciples

2. Are you a disciple of Jesus?
   a. More than likely you believe in Jesus
   b. You might even be one to attend church services regularly

[But is that what it means to be His disciple?  Let's take a close look
at...]

I. THE MEANING OF A DISCIPLE

   A. THE DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE...
      1. The word "disciple" literally means a learner
         a. It denotes "one who follows another's teaching" - Vine
         b. A disciple was not only a learner, he was also an adherent
         c. For this reason disciples were spoken of as imitators of
            their teachers
      2. The goal in being a disciple
         a. As stated by Jesus:  to be like the teacher - Lk 6:40
         b. To be His disciple, then, is to strive to be like Him!
      3. According to Paul, this coincides with God's goal in the
         redemption of mankind, that they be conformed to the image of
         His Son - Ro 8:29
      -- Do you have a strong desire to follow Jesus and become like
         Him?  Unless you do, it cannot be said that you are truly His
         disciple!

   B. THE MARKS OF A DISCIPLE...
      1. One who abides in the words of Jesus - Jn 8:31
         a. This would imply being a diligent student of the teachings
            of Christ
         b. It also requires one to be a doer of the Word - Mt 7:21-27;
            Jm 1:21-25
      2. One who loves the brethren - Jn 13:34-35
         a. With a love patterned after the love of Jesus ("as I have
            loved you")
         b. With a love that is visible to the world ("by this all will
            know")
         c. Made possible when we have been born again - 1Pe 1:22-23
      3. One who bears much fruit - Jn 15:8
         a. Notice the word "much" (also found in verse 5)
         b. Jesus is not talking about an occasional good deed
         c. But a lifestyle which prompts people to glorify God! - Mt
            5:16
      -- To be a disciple of Jesus means more that just a casual church
         member; it requires commitment to the teachings of Christ, the
         love of brethren, and bearing fruit

[Now that we understand the nature of discipleship how does one begin?
For the answer we return to our beginning text (Mt 28:19-20)...]

II. THE MAKING OF A DISCIPLE

   A. IT INVOLVES BAPTISM...
      1. Why baptism?
         a. Remember the goal of discipleship:  to be like Jesus
         b. He was holy and sinless, yet we are to be like Him
         c. Fortunately, baptism is described as an act of faith which
            puts us in contact with the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ
            so we can be forgiven - Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ro 6:3-4
         d. It is also the means by which one "puts on Christ" - Ga 3:27
         e. So baptism is the logical starting place for true
            discipleship!
      2. What is baptism?
         a. It is an act of submission which must be preceded by faith
            in Jesus and repentance for our sins - Ac 2:36-38; 8:36-37
         b. It is also an act of submission which involves a burial in
            water, in which one then rises to walk in newness of life
            through the power of God - Ac 8:38; Ro 6:3-4; Col 2:12
      3. When done according to the Word of God, baptism then becomes an
         act of faith on our part which results in a wonderful working
         of God in our lives!
         a. Our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus - Ac 22:16;
            Ep 5:25-27
         b. We are regenerated and renewed by the Spirit of God- Tit 3:
            5-6
      -- When done in faith and repentance, baptism is truly a rebirth
         involving both water and the Spirit! - Jn 3:5

   B. IT INCLUDES TEACHING AND OBEDIENCE...
      1. This brings us back to the very definition of discipleship
      2. For Jesus clearly states:
         a. We are to be taught (that is, to be learners)
         b. We are to observe (that is, to be adherents or doers)
      3. In this way we embark on a life devoted to learning and doing
         all that Jesus commanded
         a. We are to continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine
            - Ac 2:42
         b. We are to imitate them, even as they imitated Christ - 1Co 
            11:1
      -- Thus baptism is the beginning of a life of learning and obeying
         the words of Jesus Christ - Lk 6:46

CONCLUSION

1. Only those scripturally baptized, observing all Jesus commanded, can
   truly be called His disciples!

2. Only they can take consolation in the promise of Jesus:  "and lo, I
   am with you always, even to the end of the age" - Mt 28:20

Do you desire this wonderful promise?  You must be willing to accept the
authority and lordship of Jesus Christ in your life (cf. Mt 28:18).  Are
you willing to be a disciple of Jesus Christ...?
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