Monday, October 26, 2009

October 27, 2009

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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 28:16-20
Jesus' Great Commission is a mandate for discipleship. Over the past few posts we have been examining what it means to be a disciple.
So far we have postulated that disciples are fully devoted to Jesus and have faith in Him. That faith is evidenced by their faithfulness. fully devoted disciples are also followers of Jesus. They follow Him fully, above all else that is sacred and important to them. And fully devoted disciples of Jesus are fearless because they live in His power and His presence. It does not mean that they are never afraid it means that they don't let fear nullify their faith. A fully devoted disciple is also focused on fulfilling the mandate Jesus gave them.
This morning we will notice one more thing about disciples. Fully devoted disciples are fruitful. That means they produce results and the results they produce are other disciples. A certain mark of discipleship is that disciples reproduce themselves in others.
How do they do that?
Through knowing Jesus. Discipleship is first of all a relationship. If you do not know Jesus personally in a faith relationship, you cannot be a disciple. There is no point to discipleship if their is not intimate personal knowledge of the Risen Savior. Knowing about Jesus isn't enough. Knowing Jesus' teaching won't suffice. Disciples know Jesus and know Him better every day. That is the fruit of discipleship.
By obeying Jesus. A disciple must be one of one voice and one choice. That voice he hears is that of Jesus and the choice he makes is the will of God. Salvation is an act of obedience. Baptism is a second act of obedience. Hearing and doing the will of God is a fruit of discipleship.
Going in the power of God with purpose of winning converts and making disciples is the fruit of discipleship. It takes a disciple to make a disciple. The ultimate test of whether you are one is when you can reproduce one. That demonstrates God's power and grace at work through you.
The fruit of discipleship is knowing God, growing in God, going for God and showing a faith reproduced in others.
Your fruit is showing! What does it show?

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