Until Jesus Comes Again

The Great Commission, found in vv 18-20, describe the assignment for all Christ-followers until Jesus returns. Many Christians pray for knowledge of God’s will. This is it! It is His will that we (believers) be actively making disciples until the day that the heavens open and Christ descends with a shout. His return should interrupt our work of fulfilling this commission.

Examination: (Why?)

1. Our Mandate and authority

Mt 28:16-20 “16 The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Even though Matthew specifically mentioned that the 11 disciples were present, it doesn’t mean that they were the only ones. John McArthur noted that “the fact that some doubted suggests that more than the 11 were there.” The reason I bring that up is because many people today want to say, “Oh, the Great Commission was only for the 11 disciples”. Not so! It is for every Christ-follower. It is YOUR commission as well as mine. There are people in your family and your circle of acquaintance that God intends for YOU to disciple. Others say, “When He said ‘Go’ He was talking about missionaries.” Again, not true. The literal translation of the word “go” is “as you are going” or “since you are already going”. Since you are going to work, make disciples as you go. Since you are going shopping, make disciples as you shop. Since you are going to school, make disciples as you go to school. Also, you are not to be picky as to whom you disciple…Jesus said “make disciples of all nations (ethnic groups),

You are not alone when you seek to fulfill the Great Commission. Jesus promised to be personally present with you by His Spirit until He returns bodily. You will be working under His delegated authority, which is unlimited. You don’t have to take a “how-to” course in order to be a disciple maker. You just have to tell them what you have been told from scripture and help them learn to implement it in their lives. Your actions, in living out what Jesus has commanded, will give weight to your words or will negate your words. You can’t make disciples with a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude. I know of families that, while saying that church attendance is important, will negate what they say if company comes, the weather is bad (or good for the beach or fishing).

2. How it is to be done

2 Tim 2:2 “2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Paul explicitly told Timothy how “making disciples” is to be done. What he said is an extension of “teaching them to observe what I have commanded you.” Since Timothy was present when Paul was teaching, Paul urged him to take those truths and dispense them to others who would in turn share them with others. There are four widening circles that run from Paul to the “others also”. Paul taught Timothy and “many witnesses”. Timothy then took what he learned from Paul and committed it to ‘faithful men’ who were capable of teaching “others also”. And, the “others also” continues on…it does not stop there.

From my own life, I taught Scott Steelman, Chris Lane, Craig Kilgore, Matt Nail, Rick Caldwell, Angel Polito and others. Scott is now discipling people in the DR. Chris is now discipling students throughout South Florida through “First Priority”. Craig is discipling people in the business world in Texas and beyond through his leadership position in a large company. Matt is pastoring a church in Alabama and personally discipling people he engages in business.

Someone did the math and discovered that applying this Biblical process of disciple-making would reach the world population in 34 years. All it would require is that you make one disciple per year who would then make one disciple per year, etc. God’s plan is sound. It is the implementation of the plan by the Christ-followers that is faulty.

3. Why it should be done

2 Pet 3:8-10 “8 Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.”

1 Tim 2:1-4 “1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

The two phrases that explain the “why” of disciple-making are: not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance and This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Application: (Remembering Jesus through Communion)

1 Cor 11:17-26 “17 Now in giving this instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For to begin with, I hear that when you come together as a church there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 Indeed, it is necessary that there be factions among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 When you come together, then, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For at the meal, each one eats his own supper. So one person is hungry while another gets drunk! 22 Don’t you have homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you in this matter! 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way He also took the cup, after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the LORD’s death until He comes.”

Today as we partake of the LORD’s Supper, we remember not only His death on our behalf, but also His resurrection and His mandate to us… “As you go, make disciples”.

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