Disciples of all Nations

Disciples of all Nations

What is meant, when we refer to ourselves as a disciple of Christ?

Disciple is commonly defined as "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

Discipline [in relation to knowledge] is commonly defined as a branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education.

Today we will be discussing what is meant by the biblical phrase, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” This phrase is contained within our root scripture for this discussion (Matthew 28:19-20) but is not limited to this Gospel.

This scripture is what gives us our mandate as the Church under Jesus Christ, to continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus.

In our study today we will discuss the origins of discipleship within Genesis and how the doctrine continues unimpeded straight through to Revelations. We will show that true discipleship originates with God and ends with God (Hebrews 12:2-3), letting us know that our position is only to learn and to learn from.

In recognizing that Jesus is the only form of true discipleship we will learn how to learn from Jesus and subsequently learn how to learn of Jesus.

So, let’s begin.

Man without Discipline, is a Man without God

Scriptures

Genesis 1:26 to 2:3 [God made man Holy] Mark 2:23 to 3:6

Deuteronomy 18:14-16 [Discipleship]

Exodus 20: 1-17 [Discipleship Origin in the Law] 18 -21

1 Samuel 8 :1-8 [Rejection of God’s leadership]

In reading the scriptures above we can find the origin and basis for our knowledge and understanding of discipleship. The idea of walking in the likeness of God originates from Genesis and the subsequent reconciliation to God is exampled through the discipleship work of prophets that were raised in each time period.

The examples above are just that, a few examples of the structure and origin of discipleship. There were many prophets that demonstrated God's power and wisdom in the Old Testament but for the context of this discussion, the scriptures I have listed above speak to the methodology being established by God.

God delivered His instructions, God delivered His rebukes, God delivered His laws, and God continues to deliver His Discipleship through the ages. In the Old Testament we see God faithfully delivering for humanity, with humanity continuously rejecting God.

No matter the man, and no matter the prophet.

So now let’s continue on to the New Testament.

Jesus brings authority, Jesus gives Discipline

Scriptures

Matthew 4:17 - 20 [Jesus brings discipline] Matthew 5:1-11

Matthew 5:17 - 20 [Discipline in the Law]

Matthew 28:18 - 20 [Authority within Discipleship]

Luke 10:1-11 [Discipleship in practice] 17- 24

Romans 5:19 [Jesus reconciles us through discipline]

Revelations 21:5-8 [Reconciliation in Discipleship]

1Corinthians 1:10-21 [No division in discipline] 26-30

Matthew 24:9-13 [Discipline endures all] Revelations 2:10-11

Matthew 23:1-13 [No discipline in hypocrisy]

In reading the scriptures above we can educate ourselves on the model and example of Christ in discipleship. Jesus was organized, definite and disciplined in His approach to ministry. In discipleship Jesus teaches us not to be glad in the things we accomplish in line with the power and authority of God but rather we should rejoice in the power of God’s grace and mercy to reconcile us to Him.

This is noted throughout the Gospel, in that God Himself is our Teacher, Preacher, and Leader.

Therefore, we must remain humble in all things, refraining from the temptation of elevation within ourselves, through our experiences in discipleship. Choosing rather to focus on the exact work God has given us.

Spreading the good news of redemption through Jesus Christ.

As we take note, in particular about the subject of hypocrisy. Discipleship is about a relationship with Jesus, while hypocrisy is about a relationship with us.

We must learn to get out of ourselves, or as better described, we must learn to empty ourselves of what we believe about us. We must fill ourselves with what we know about Jesus. In Jesus we see all things that God has accomplished, and we can speak the truth of how God continues to accomplish.

God is doing the work of discipleship, and our only job is to learn how to remove our own nature that attempts to subjugate God’s work.

Therefore, in closing, the Great Commission to go out and make disciples of all nations must first be displayed in the individual. This is displayed through the reconciliation, by Jesus Christ, and it is evident in the individual’s relationship with Jesus Christ.

This relationship will never lead the individual to a feeling of justification by their reworking of issues or resolution of a problems within their own lives or others.

Rather this relationship leads to an understanding that as believers and disciples of Jesus, we are justified only by the testimony (Matthew 12:36-37) (Romans 8:28-29) (Revelation 12:10-11) of what Jesus has accomplished in our life.

True discipleship, the Gospel.

God Bless and Keep You always

JASONRapz