Seeking, serving, and sending so that more people are taught to progressively think, act, and speak like Jesus every day. Is this something that we, the church, should pray happens or hope happens? Or is this something that we should expect to happen, and that we can work toward happening? Is the multiplication of more disciples sent accidental or intentional?
When you read the New Testament, you find out that multiplication is built into the narrative. The theme of multiplication is built into the earthly ministry of Jesus. For example:
- Jesus multiplies the fish and loaves to feed thousands
- Fruit bearing as a follower of Jesus is referenced more than 50 times, and is a metaphor for spiritual multiplication
- You have the illustration of talents, seeds, and yeast all used to show the impact of the gospel would naturally result in multiplication
This theme is encapsulated in the Great Commission. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:19-20) The verbs “go,” “baptize,” and “teach” are all meant to serve the one true imperative of Jesus’ statement: “make disciples.”
The main imperative of the Great Commission is to make disciples. The theme of multiplication and the command of multiplication does not indicate an accidental replication but rather reveals a process of design and intentional action. So, how are we to intentionally engage in the making and sending of more disciples?
The first supporting verb in the Great Commission is “go.” An evangelist once said that you cannot spell the word “gospel” without the word “go.” The first intentional step is for us to engage with those the Holy Spirit may be drawing to Christ as we “go.” The idea of this verb is “as you are going,” make disciples. We have been using the words “seek” or “search” to express this idea. Be aware of those in your daily routines that are showing evidence of interest in the gospel, in God, in church, or in spiritual matters in general. Are your children asking spiritual questions? Is there a co-worker that keeps asking for prayer? Does your neighbor linger longer as you talk about what God is doing in your life? These are signs that the Holy Spirit is working in the hearts, and you have the opportunity to spiritually engage with them.
The second intentional step for you to take is to intentionally engage with new or young believers. The second supporting verb in the Great Commission is “baptizing” these new disciples. When we are seeking, we are looking to engage the lost, but also to engage with new or younger believers. Baptism is an act of obedience, it is the sign of a person following Jesus, but it is also the inclusion of the believer in a new community. The Bible expects older believers and more mature believers to teach, train, and equip young believers in learning how to read the Bible, how to develop a consistent prayer life, how to serve in the church, how to become a consistent tither, how to share their faith, and how to disciple someone else.
Next, the verb “to teach them all that Jesus commanded,” follows. We talk about serving as a means to disciple making. We serve others in a variety of ways, but we are to intentionally serve them by teaching what Jesus commanded and helping them on their journey of sanctification. We do that when we actively attend worship, when we participate in small groups, when we have intentional conversations, when we are transparent about our own struggles and God’s faithfulness. This is the thrust of disciple-making. We make disciples by teaching with our words and lives what Jesus commands.
The final step of our intentionality is that we send more disciples. This is implied in the Great Commission, more than it is implicitly stated. But you hear it in the statement, “teaching them to observe all Jesus commanded.” “To observe,” is to obey. We want to encourage people to obey all Jesus commanded, and that includes the command to “go and make disciples.”
One seed that bears much fruit. A talent that is invested and multiplies, rather than being buried and doing nothing. The power of multiplication. Not just hoped for, but intentionally engaged in. Disciples sent. It is not hard. It does take time. It does take an investment. You must give up your basket of fish or bread. But see what Jesus will do with it.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
