Ramblings from Retirement – Get Out There and Disciple Someone

Ramblings from Retirement – Get Out There and Disciple Someone
By Retired Pastor Lee Hemen
July 17, 2021

I’m a big fan of the verses I’m going to share with you today but not in the Billy Graham-guilt trip kind of way where you’re left wondering if your Christianity is real. You know what I mean, because you don’t corner every living soul you meet with a black Bible in hand and demand to know if they are going to heaven or hell. Not that Billy Graham did this but I use this in jest.

Some of the last words Jesus spoke to his crew before he ascended back to his heavenly abode were these words recorded by Matthew: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)”

As a preacher for the past 35 plus years and a believer for a bit longer than that I have heard these verses used ad nauseam to the point of spiritual distraction. The Great Commission it is called by many. Let’s kind of break it down a bit and try to understand why Jesus gave them this bit of godly wisdom shall we? He first of all reminds them that “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given” to him alone. He is large and in charge. This means he knows all that is taken place yesterday, today, and tomorrow both where he is and also where we are right now. Now if you truly believe the words of the Lord then this should free your mind and any anxiety you might be having not only of what is going on in the world but also as far as your witnessing is concerned. Why would I say that? Because Jesus is totally and completely in charge -- all authority means all authority; not some part of it or what you’re trying to feel guilty over, he means all of it.

So, therefore, because Jesus is in charge completely we are to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Notice he said “make disciples” not get as many people baptized as we possibly can, increase our numbers through a myriad of revivals, renewals, or televangelists but we are to be making disciples. Now let me ask you: How does one make anything? You begin with a plan, recipe, or blueprint and begin to put together what you need to and then you go about putting whatever you’re going to make together, right? So what’s your plan to make disciples? It is not a hit or miss thing because you’re supposed to be making disciples not converts. There is a difference.

A convert just comes to the realization that they need whatever you’re offering them and they agree to whatever it is you’re offering; whereas a disciple is a long term proposition. Making a disciple takes time, effort, and will on your part. You tell them about Jesus until they are ready to commit then you are to “baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” So he means you are to bring them to the point whereby they want to commit to being baptized, immersed in water, to commit themselves to dying in Christ and raising with him to live their lives walking in him. But it does not end there because the next thing is to begin “teaching them to obey everything (Jesus) commanded” which begins with “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’ (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV)”

Now I do not know about you but I am still learning how to love God in this way and my neighbors are not always the kind of people I want to love like I do myself. So if you’re honest you will admit this is a process, a commitment, a life-long journey and not just some wham bam and riding off into the sunset kind of thing. We are not to be hit and run, meme regurgitating, pithy pronouncement, counting the spiritual bodies we’ve racked up evangelists many have lead you to believe. We are to share our faith as we go through our lives with those that we meet who God seems to have laid in the path of our lives. Taking them from point “A” of knowing about Jesus and who he is to point “B” of being baptized and teaching them “everything” he commanded of loving God completely and others like we do ourselves. We are to form relationships whereby we disciple individuals into being disciples of God. Jesus is sharing that as we go through life we are to share our life in Christ with others by teaching them the commands of God to love him completely and others. Now get out there and start discipling someone.

This article is copyrighted © 2021 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.

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