Jesus commands us to go and make disciples. If we desire to be apprentices and disciples of Jesus, we need to follow in Jesus' footsteps and make disciples as Jesus did. We do not do this through our own power or strength, but with dependence and reliance on the Holy Spirit who is already working in hearts.

Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 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 4:19 (ESV)

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 4:19 (NIV)

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

RECAP

A Grand Invitation

• Who is this invitation from?
• Matthew 28:2-7
• 2 There was a violent earthquake,for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
• 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid,for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.Come and see the place where he lay.7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.
• Romans 1:1
• Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ,called to bean apostle, separated to the gospel of God.
• When we accept this invitation, we enter into a relationship with God who is love.
• 1 John 4:7
• Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
• John 15:13
• Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
• Romans 5:8
• But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Embodying Christlikeness

• “Formation will happen to you, per our earlier argument, with zero conscious decision on your part, but formation into a person of love in Christ will not. That you must choose, and keep choosing, day after day. It will require an intentionality. You will have to apprentice under Jesus and follow His process of training.” - Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
• What are you being formed by?
• “Kids are a like a river bottom. Take a closer look next time you're at the creek. Every stone, every contour of earth, every pebble is the result of consistent exposure. Their shapes are the result of the constant flow of water pressing and carving away at everything in its path. In the same way, our kids are being formed at all times by whatever we choose to expose them to. We can't see the contours taking shape, but make no mistake, they are doing just that. Only by exposing them to the Scriptures can we expect to see them shaped in the likeness of Christ. Lead them there to be discipled by our lord himself." - Coat, Cross Formed Kids
• Psalm 1:1-3
• 1Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,and who meditates on his law day and night.3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
• 'Apprenticing with Jesus' Back Wall

As we apprentice under Jesus, He will teach us what to do. We follow our master closely and live as He did. Jesus made disciples, and so must we.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Disciple making is NOT optional

• We are called to make disciples not converts
• John 14:16-17
• Be a witness (noun) and bear witness (verb).
• Acts 1:8
• But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)
• I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
• Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
• 1 John 1:9
• If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
• Romans 12:2
• 1 Therefore, I urge you,brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
• Romans 6:3-7
• 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

John 14:23 (NIV)

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

We don’t make disciples on our own! The Holy Spirit helps us to “do as Jesus did”

• Grab your blank piece of paper: What is the Gospel? 

Who are you discipling?