Anything Else Besides Making Disciples?

This is the last sermon in this series.  The question asked is whether the mission of the church extends beyond preaching the gospel and making disciples.  The answer stresses the priority of the call to make disciples and the need for the church to always maintain that priority.  The call to teach disciples all that Jesus has commanded, however, includes such matters as helping the poor, daily work and seeking justice.  The disciples of Jesus are called to have an influence in the world.

Read Isaiah 58:1-12

The Nature of Discipleship

Jesus’ relationship with his disciples helps us to understand what Jesus means in the Great Commission when he calls the church to make disciples.  Jesus nurtures his disciples in the context of a relationship, through teaching and by providing an example of how they were to live.  Jesus example is a model for elders in their discipleship of those under their care as well as all Christians who are called to disciple others.

Read Matthew 4:18-22

The Role of the Church in Discipling Children

Scripture teaches that the primary responsibility for the discipling of the children of believers rests on their parents. It also teaches that the church has a responsibility as well. This sermon considers various ways that that responsibility is to be fulfilled.

Read Ephesians 4:1-16

The Great Commission and Discipling Children

Since the central command of the Great Commission is to make disciples, an important part of implementing it is the discipling of children. The primary responsibility for the discipling of children rests with the parents, but the church is also called to be involved. This sermon looks at the call to parents to nurture their children in the gospel.  The next will consider the role of the church.

Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9;
Ephesians 6:1-4

The Great Commission and Prayer

It is clear from the Bible that prayer plays an important role in the fulfillment of God’s saving purpose as well as in the Great Commission which is part of that purpose. Examples from both Testaments are considered as well as biblical instruction about the content of our prayers.

Read Genesis 18:16-33;
Acts 1:12-14

The Great Commission and the Means of Grace

When people think of the Great Commission they tend to think of bringing the gospel to unbelievers.  And that certainly is part of what Jesus is commanding his people to do.  However, main command of the Great Commission is to make disciples and that involves the nurture of believers as well as the conversion of the lost.  The primary instruments that Jesus has given to the church for the fulfillment of the Great Commission are the Word of God, the Sacraments and Prayer.  This sermon considers the centrality of the Word of God (especially preaching) and the Sacraments in the process of making disciples.

Read  Acts 2:37-47;
1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Our Mission as a Part of God’s Mission

The Great Commission is Christ’s “Mission Statement” for the Church. It must be understood in the light of the rest of the Bible. When we do this, we understand that it is a part of God’s mission to rid the world of sin, bless the nations and renew his creation. Seeing our mission in the light of God’s mission is encouraging and motivating.

Read Matthew 28:16-20