(This is Part III of a sermon preached at the Boone’s Creek Baptist Church, Lexington, KY, on Sunday, May 25, 2008. You can also read Part I and Part II.)
We pointed out in verse 19 about the dangers of relaxing the commands of God. Here, I want to warn you about the fact that we at this very moment are discipling someone else in our way of thinking. Right now, you are communicating to someone else what you believe is important — and they are watching you. In the Great Commission that Jesus gives to us the core of what we are to do: “Go and make disciples” — the idea being, as you live in your day-to-day routine, make disciples and reproduce me in others.
Notice what Jesus says in Matthew 5:19, “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” It’s not just about doing, it’s about teaching others. This is called discipling. And who does this? Whoever. Not the ministry professionals, not the seminary-trained, not the uber-gifted in teaching. Not those who take a spiritual-gifts test and scored aces in the area of “teaching.”
Martin Luther said one time, “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.” As Christians, we have most certainly received something. Romans 8:31-33 tells us:
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
Nathan Schaeffer one time said:
At the close of life, the question will not be,
“How much have you gotten?” but “How much have you given?”
Not “How much have you won?” but “How much have you done?”
Not “How much have you saved?” but “How much have you sacrificed?”
It will be “How much have you loved and served,” not “How much were you honored?”
What does this look like?
First, we must be sure we are being discipled and growing in Christ.
Second, we must let go of the mindset of discipleship as classes at church or a church program.
Thirdly, we must seek out those who know more than us and develop a relationship with them.
Fourthly, we must seek out those who may know less, and help them in every area of their Christian walk.
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