Disciples Disciple or Disciple is a Verb (05/21/08)

Warren Sentinel "Weekly Pulpit" (05/21/08)

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 28:19-20 (ESV)

Over the years I have had opportunities to worship in a wide range of churches. Some were very informal and everyone (including the pastor) wore shorts and t-shirts. Others were very formal and everyone dressed to the nines. In some an organist played hymns and at others there was a band that included electric guitars and drums. Some had sermons that lasted more than 45 minutes and some were finished in 15 minutes flat.

Here's the amazing thing: despite all their differences (and the ones I have listed are among the most superficial), each of these churches and the traditions and denominations they represent are part of the "body of Christ." And they all, despite their differences in doctrine and practice, gather on Sundays (or some other day of the week) to worship God.

This past Sunday (May 18^th) was observed by many churches as Trinity Sunday. On Trinity Sunday we are reminded that God isn't just an abstract notion of the Divine. God is not just a concept or just some supernatural power that we simply agree to refer to as "God." On the contrary, God is real and God is relational. Indeed, the doctrine of the Trinity reflects the understanding that God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) exists in perfect community with God's self. And God desires to be in community with us too!

The verses above are part of what is often called the "Great Commission" and are often used to encourage missions and evangelism. Sadly, some of us were taught that these words were meant only for Jesus' earliest disciples or for a select few today who have the "gift of evangelism" or who have been "called" to be ministers or missionaries.

That's not how I understand these verses. One of the things that most Christians share is that we have been baptized (or plan to be baptized) in the "name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Sure some of us were baptized as infants and some of us were baptized later in life and some of us were sprinkled and some of us were dunked. But we all are baptized in the same name.

And with these words Jesus commanded his disciples to disciple, baptize, and teach others to obey everything he commanded them. Did you catch that? Jesus' command was/is self-replicating: disciple, baptize, and teach others to disciple, baptize, and teach! Put quite simply, being a disciple of Jesus (a Christian) entails discipling, baptizing, and teaching others. And being a disciple entails remembering that Jesus will always be with us as we do this, even to the very end of the age!