WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:01.840 Well, good morning. 00:00:02.959 --> 00:00:06.080 Wow, it is so great to have everyone in the room. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:06.879 Amen? 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:09.279 Are you not in your normal seat? 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:10.000 Just show of hands. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:11.759 Who's not in their normal seat? 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:14.560 Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:15.279 All right? 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:16.480 Well, it really is. 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:26.320 It's genuinely a goal in this season where we're we're kind of casting vision and clarifying direction, our vision and our values and say, look, we're one church. 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:29.760 You look across a church, you're like, man, I I need to get to know. 00:00:29.839 --> 00:00:32.960 I didn't I know them from somewhere else, not from church. 00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:38.159 I hope that our greeting times, my oldest daughter said, Dad, that was not long enough. 00:00:38.320 --> 00:00:41.600 I did not get to go around and say hi to everyone that I know at this church. 00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:43.920 I hope that you're feeling that sense as well. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:47.679 Maybe you uh would feel compelled to stay a little longer after we close. 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:51.600 We have nowhere else to go but lunch and shake someone's hand and get to know them. 00:00:51.759 --> 00:00:55.679 I do want you to know that we have extra things because we're all meeting at once. 00:00:55.759 --> 00:00:59.520 We've got extra greeters, extra parking, uh, extra golf carts. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:01.439 There's overflow parking at Blue Hole. 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:04.879 Our safety team is really organized and ready to help. 00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:12.079 And so if you have any question for any need, a medical emergency, or you need to know where something is, ask somebody with a lanyard. 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:13.280 They're ready to help you. 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:13.760 Got it? 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:15.200 Got it? 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:16.000 Got it. 00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:16.640 All right. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:17.599 I cannot wait. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:19.920 We're gonna talk more about this at the end of the service. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:25.200 This is our uh devotion and life group, small group curriculum over the next few weeks. 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:29.599 But if you have a Bible, open it up to Matthew chapter 28. 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:31.760 We're gonna be in Matthew chapter 28. 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:35.439 These really are the marching orders of our King Jesus. 00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:42.719 And uh, we want to settle in as we talk about vision to see how our vision really connects to the mission of every church. 00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:46.159 Every church should be fulfilling the marching orders of Jesus. 00:01:46.400 --> 00:02:00.239 And uh if you come to church here regularly, you know I love to take this time to pray for a missionary or a pastor, a pastor friend of mine, or someone that's walking through a big decision or a transition, or they've got a challenge in front of them. 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:02.719 And today I'm gonna do something totally different. 00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:06.799 I might push you out of your comfort zone a little bit, and that's okay. 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:12.560 You don't have to do it just because I'm asking, but I'm requesting that as I pray, you would open your hand. 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:21.680 You would open your hand like this, and we would start our sermon time as we stand under the authority of God's word by really asking a few things. 00:02:21.759 --> 00:02:24.159 So if you're comfortable, would you open your hand? 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:27.120 And in a moment, when I say, would you pray this prayer after me? 00:02:27.199 --> 00:02:38.080 I'll just lead you through a prayer of surrender to say, God, we want to know how you would change our lives by being a part of this faith family, how we would obey you in a different way. 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:40.719 And if you don't feel comfortable, you don't have to say it after me, all right? 00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:41.840 But if you do, would you? 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:43.759 So let's pray, and I'll lead you in a moment. 00:02:43.919 --> 00:02:47.439 Lord, we are gathered in this place to lift up Christ. 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:50.159 I thank you for the joy that is in the room. 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:58.960 I thank you for what we've already sang and for the fellowship and the prayers that you've already heard, for prayers that you're already answering, we give you the praise. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:09.199 And in this special season of our church family, as we walk through it this week, I just pray that my heart would be fully surrendered to you. 00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:16.319 I pray that I would be fully dependent on you, that I'd be walking with the Spirit, these things that we're going to talk about. 00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:22.639 And those that are in the room now that would be willing to pray this prayer, would you pray after me? 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:25.520 Lord, I thank you for every blessing that you've given me. 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:28.800 Lord, I thank you for every blessing that you've given me. 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:31.199 Lord, I thank you for this church family. 00:03:31.599 --> 00:03:34.080 Lord, I thank you for this church family for this. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:44.240 As we walk through this vision from the Bible, as we walk through this vision from the Bible, show me if there's anything that needs to change in my life. 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:47.919 Show me if there's anything that needs to change my life. 00:03:48.159 --> 00:03:51.120 Show me if there's anything that needs to change in my family's life. 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:54.800 Show me if there's anything that needs to change my family's life. 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:57.439 Use me to be the light of Christ. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:00.000 Use me to be the light of Christ. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:04.479 Would our community see Christ magnified through our lives? 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:08.960 Would our community see Christ magnified through our lives? 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:10.719 Lord, we surrender to you. 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:13.759 We trust you. 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:16.720 We trust you and give us the strength to obey you. 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:18.639 We give us the strength to obey. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:19.839 In Jesus' name. 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:20.959 In Jesus' name. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:21.600 Amen. 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:22.399 Amen. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:24.240 Y'all were so bold. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:24.959 Thank you for doing that. 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:27.920 I don't do that all the time, but I think there's something really unique and really special. 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:33.680 You are in Matthew 28. 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:36.079 We're going to just read a few verses, 16 through 20. 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:38.399 But as you've turned there, maybe you're already there. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:39.680 Again, show of hands. 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:41.920 If you've ever been on a cruise ship, I'm just curious. 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:43.920 I've been on a handful of cruise ships. 00:04:44.079 --> 00:04:44.639 Show me your hand. 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:46.800 If you've ever been on a cruise ship, every day there, okay. 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:49.040 Now I know I'm talking to my people, okay? 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:50.319 So here's the deal. 00:04:50.639 --> 00:04:52.319 I love getting a chance to travel. 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:55.040 My wife goes really hard and really fast. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:56.800 Go, go, go, go, go see it all. 00:04:56.959 --> 00:04:59.920 The thing about a cruise ship is sometimes you just relax, right? 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:06.160 The other thing about a cruise ship is there's lots and lots of great food. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:12.800 You can go down and get a hamburger, you can go to the sub shop, you can get a pizza anytime of the day, late into the evening. 00:05:12.959 --> 00:05:16.480 If you're really looking for the good food, you're going into the dining room, right? 00:05:16.720 --> 00:05:21.279 So they've got these special meals where you can order five appetizers. 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:23.759 My wife and I went on a cruise one time when we turned 30. 00:05:23.839 --> 00:05:24.480 We were like, this is it. 00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:25.600 We got toddlers at home. 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:27.120 We've got to invest in the marriage. 00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:31.439 And this waiter that served us was like, I saw that you really like the lobster bisque. 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:33.120 Let me send you another one and another one. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:36.240 And then the next day while we sat at our table, guess what was at the table? 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:38.800 The lobster bisque, even though it was not on the menu. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:41.920 And then every night we had at least one lobster bisque. 00:05:42.079 --> 00:05:45.839 We ate and we ate and we ate, and it was glorious. 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:52.399 Just imagine if the cruise wasn't a vacation. 00:05:52.879 --> 00:06:08.639 Just imagine if for somehow maybe uh we worked on the boat or we had an extended stay, or or I mean it was it was a gospel boat, and I got to preach the gospel, and so I was stationed there for many months, and I ate and I ate and I ate and I never once exercised. 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:13.439 I never once walked up on the top deck or visited the gym. 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:16.959 I never got on a treadmill or a bike, I never got my heart rate up. 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:18.560 I never once exercised. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:21.040 How healthy do you think I would be? 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:38.160 Not our pastor team and our elders starting in January to Easter, we prayed and we prayed and we prayed and we said, God, how will we specifically at First Baptist Church of Wimberly fulfill this mission that every church has the same mission to make disciples? 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:46.319 But what is specifically unique about us in this season, in this time, how do we connect to each other and connect to this community? 00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:49.279 And we came up with this simple vision statement. 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:56.720 We exist to magnify Christ and share the gospel in our homes in the Wimblery Valley and beyond. 00:06:56.959 --> 00:07:01.360 Now, here's where this connects to the cruise ship, and I don't mean to step on your toes. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:04.480 That is not my goal, but some of y'all might accuse me of this. 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:20.480 If you've been coming to church for years and years and years, and you've not once opened your mouth to speak up about who Jesus is, it's not very healthy. 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:25.759 It's like living on a cruise ship and eating five appetizers and three desserts and never exercising. 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:29.920 And we sit and we learn and we grow, and all of that is so important. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:38.560 But if we never pour that back out to serve others, if we never pour that back out to talk about the love of Jesus, just a simple phrase, did you know Jesus loves you? 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:41.199 That'd be a great first step for many of us. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:45.360 Then we get unhealthy really, really fast. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:52.879 So here at FBCW, we exist to magnify Christ and share the gospel. 00:07:53.360 --> 00:08:02.079 We want to do that unapologetically and unashamedly so that we can fulfill the marching orders that Jesus has given us right here in Matthew 28. 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:03.279 I want to read these verses. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:06.319 Matthew 28, starting in verse 16. 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:14.000 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:18.079 And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:20.560 Some doubt is very important. 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:22.800 They've already seen the resurrection. 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:24.720 And there's some doubt. 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:25.759 Some doubted. 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:31.040 Jesus came and he said to them, All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:53.039 Go therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe, obey is another word there that is in some translations, to observe or obey all that I've commanded you, and behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:58.159 Jesus gave us these marching orders. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:01.360 Go make disciples. 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:04.559 Now, he's speaking to the eleven disciples here. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:07.679 Judas has already betrayed Jesus. 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:12.960 And I would argue that he's not just speaking to the eleven, he's speaking to the church. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:23.360 This is why I would argue that because in John 17, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane, he's praying before his cross and resurrection. 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:25.360 He knows the pain that's coming. 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:27.039 And he's praying. 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:30.399 Oh God, unify these believers. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:32.480 Oh God, sanctify them in truth. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:33.600 Your word is truth. 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:39.200 And then he prays and he says, I pray even for those Christians that haven't even heard. 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:44.240 They're ones that are going to hear about me because these people are going to go tell them. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:47.679 I pray that they would be mature in the faith as well. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:10:03.679 So when Jesus gives a command to these eleven, he's not just thinking about the eleven apostles, he's thinking about all those that they're going to go and tell and how their lives are going to be transformed through the gospel and how they are going to be used to obey this great commission. 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:07.679 You can look at Acts chapter 2 as well and read the book of Acts. 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:12.799 By the way, I started my morning this morning by listening to the first four chapters of Acts. 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:17.120 Because I want fresh in my mind what's happening when the Holy Spirit comes down. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:18.720 We read it in chapter 1. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:26.080 You will be my witnesses, you will be empowered, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth. 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:36.960 So if Jesus is only speaking to the eleven apostles here, why in the world is there that pattern and acts of the church growing like wildfire? 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:47.360 I believe these 11 disciples are the beginnings of the Christian church, and Jesus is addressing the whole church as he addresses these 11 men. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:51.360 If you're taking notes, you can start just by writing this from Matthew 28. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:55.919 Remember the authority that Jesus gives the church. 00:10:56.159 --> 00:11:01.039 It's no accident that he starts by saying, All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:02.559 Therefore, go out. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:05.120 You go out with my authority. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:07.120 Now, why is that an encouragement? 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:09.919 Because we learned in the context that some were doubting. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:11.519 Do you remember those words? 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:14.159 They worshiped him, but some doubted. 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:21.840 Why in the world would these eleven that have seen signs and wonders, the teaching of Jesus, miracles? 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:26.240 Why in the world would they be in this season of doubt? 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:28.720 Well, just think about it for a moment. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:33.279 Before the resurrection, they were hiding. 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:36.639 Jesus gets arrested. 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:39.279 Peter betrays like, I don't know this man. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.159 He's cursing. 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.519 It's a little slave girl. 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:44.639 They're like, I think you're one of those people that are following Jesus. 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:45.360 I don't know the man. 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:46.159 Curse you. 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:47.039 Curse me. 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:47.919 Cursing. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:48.960 I don't know him. 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:51.840 Then he's on the cross. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:56.000 And the pain and suffering. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:58.799 That's our hero. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:00.960 That's Jesus. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:03.360 Get off that cross, Jesus. 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.480 What are you doing? 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:06.000 Letting them put you to death. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:10.080 Even though he had said this many times in the Gospels, I'm going to be put to death. 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:12.159 This temple's going to be destroyed. 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.600 I will rebuild it in three days. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.960 I'm going to die. 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:16.559 And I'm coming back in three days. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:26.320 He had said it over and over, but in the midst of it happening, there is a dark day in the life of these men that had given everything to follow Jesus. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:30.320 And yes, praise God, the resurrection has happened. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:34.159 We see that right there at the beginning of Matthew 28. 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:38.559 But these men had walked through this low valley of darkness and doubt. 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:45.200 And even though they're worshiping Jesus now, some were still in that moment of doubt. 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:59.440 So when Jesus says, I want to start not by giving you a command, I want to start by giving you a reminder that I have all authority in heaven and earth. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:03.120 And I want you to remember that because I know some are doubting. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:11.120 And even in this of your doubt, would you know that the authority that I have I'm sharing with you that you might go and obey my commandments? 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:15.039 You see, he had shown authority over earth. 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.000 They had seen that. 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:19.279 Demons flee, disease is healed. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:22.559 They had seen his authority over earth, but this is interesting. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:27.679 Jesus says, All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:31.759 What's so important about heaven and earth? 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:37.360 I think this is a subtle nod to the power of Jesus' resurrection. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:42.399 Here, Jesus is saying, just remember, death could not have me. 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:44.720 Satan could not have me. 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:52.399 There's victory, and I'm telling you, even if some that are doubting, all authority, not just on earth, but over heaven, has been given to me. 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:57.279 And when I tell you to go out and obey me, I'm sending you out with my authority. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:59.679 My friend Andrew, he's a pastor. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.279 He loves to say about the resurrection. 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:04.799 In the resurrection, Jesus kicked death in the teeth. 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:10.639 And Jesus is giving them that reminder, this command that we hear, make disciples. 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:12.960 It's grounded in the authority of Christ. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.639 The risen Lord's authority. 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:25.679 One scholar says it like this the risen Lord's universal authority makes possible the universal mission to take his message to make disciples to the ends of the earth. 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:27.600 Just think about it for a moment. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.360 The authority of Christ. 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:35.440 We have these great Christocentric or Christological passages in the New Testament. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:37.200 One of them is Hebrews chapter 1. 00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:44.480 And it says that Jesus is the exact radiance of the glory of the Father. 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:49.919 And by Jesus' word, the whole universe is held together. 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:52.240 You want to talk about major authority? 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:57.600 Jesus speaks, and everything in the universe is bound together. 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:00.559 What about Colossians chapter 1? 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:05.440 It says, For by him and through him and for him all things were created. 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:11.279 So when Jesus says, I'm expecting you, eleven men, go make disciples. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:13.440 He's saying, You don't have to do it on your own authority. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:16.080 I'm giving you my authority. 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:19.279 The same authority that holds the universe together. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:23.840 Jesus grounds his command to make disciples in his very own authority. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:24.960 He's saying two things here. 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:29.759 The first is this listen to me, because I'm the one most worthy to be obeyed. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:30.559 Amen. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:33.679 Now some of you know you can omit, amen. 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:35.120 Some of you are learning that. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:41.519 I ask you to do it so you can say, Yeah, that's true. 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:42.480 Yes, amen. 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:44.399 Or Jesus said, truly, truly. 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:53.120 So when I say something like, Jesus can say, listen to me, because I'm the most worthy to be obeyed, that's true. 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:53.679 Amen. 00:15:55.120 --> 00:16:02.720 Number two, Jesus says, When I send you out, I'm not sending you on your own, I'm sending you with my power. 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:07.519 So remember that Jesus gives the church his authority. 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:14.480 That's what we start with when we look at this idea of being a healthy church, making disciples. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:23.120 Additionally, I think if we're gonna be a healthy church, we receive the command that Jesus gives. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:25.759 Receive the command that Jesus gives. 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:30.399 And he tells them right there in verse 19, go make disciples. 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:32.000 Now, what's a disciple? 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:38.720 Generally speaking, a follower, a student, a learner, a pupil. 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:43.039 In the Jewish context, I mean, Jesus, Jesus was raised in a Jewish household. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:51.759 He's a good Jewish boy, and all the Jewish boys had rabbis that they followed along and they learned from them and they memorized the Old Testament. 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:56.399 So sure, generally, there's this context of being a learner. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:05.759 When we think about New Testament discipleship, I'm reminded a lot of things that Paul taught us in Corinthians chapter 11, verse 1. 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:10.720 Paul says this, be imitators of me as I am of Christ. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:24.960 And so if we're obeying this command to make disciples, and there's someone that we're teaching them to observe everything that we've learned to obey, we're saying, hey, if there's anything in my life that points you to Jesus, just be imitators of that. 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:26.480 Here's what we're not saying. 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:33.519 You need to look like me, you need to dress like me, you need to talk like me, you need to like the things I like, because all that washes away. 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:38.480 The only thing that's important is anything you see in me that points you to Jesus. 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.039 That's right. 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:47.519 I think often of our son's addict, and many, many people say, Oh, he looks just like you, especially when he was younger. 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:51.920 He looks up to you, and he wants to, he wants to be like you. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:55.200 And I've told him many, many times, you don't have to be like me. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:59.759 You don't have to look like me, you don't have to like the things that I like. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:07.039 But one thing I'm hoping, son, is that if you see anything in me that points you to Jesus, follow that. 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:12.720 That's what disciple is. 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:29.039 And so, can you say in your own life what Paul said in Corinthians 11 that there are people in my life that I'm leading, I'm offering life on life observation, instruction, and you would say to them, Hey, you could follow me as I follow Christ. 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:31.759 And if that's true, you're obeying this command. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:34.559 You're making disciples. 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:42.240 Now, before we move on, we we kind of have a to understand this flow of verbs in Matthew 28. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:46.079 Go, make, teach, baptize. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:56.079 And many scholars, much smarter than me, have reminded me several times that the main verb in this section of scripture is the make disciples. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:59.519 And every other verb flows under that verb. 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:04.640 And so as we're as we're understanding this command that Jesus has given, I think there's a sublist here. 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:07.200 What does it look like for us to make disciples? 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:12.079 If the main command is make disciples, it looks like all those other verbs underneath. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:16.000 As we go along in our life, we make disciples. 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:19.200 We make disciples as we teach them about Christ. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:23.839 We make disciples as they're baptized and there's life change and they're obeying. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:27.519 We make disciples as they observe what we've learned to observe. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:33.119 And so we have to understand this idea of making disciples is supported by all the other verbs. 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:37.759 So, just by way of example, we make disciples as we go. 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:44.880 So the main idea is to make disciples that sub-idea is as you go, as you live your life. 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:52.400 We have people from nine decades of life in the room right now. 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:56.160 From one all the way to 90 something right now. 00:19:56.960 --> 00:20:02.799 Which means as you go in your life, it's gonna look different depending on what stage of life you're in. 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:04.240 But can I just ask the question? 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:07.920 As you go to work, could you make disciples? 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:11.440 As you go to school, could you make disciples? 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:14.720 As you go to dance practice, could you make disciples? 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:18.079 As you go to the baseball team, could you make disciples? 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:22.079 As you go to visit your grandkids, could you make disciples? 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:25.839 As you go into that nursing home, could you make disciples? 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:33.839 As you go, as you go across the street and talk to your neighbor, could you be making disciples? 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:37.200 I think it's both the intentional, I plan to go here. 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:43.759 I was so encouraged visiting a few of our life groups this morning, and we had one person say, I would like to be discipled. 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:47.200 I would like to be mentored by someone that's wiser in the faith than me. 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:48.240 How do I do that? 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.759 And we're able to have the conversation. 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:54.720 Say, there's some very practical ways of saying, I'm raising my hand, I'm ready. 00:20:54.880 --> 00:21:02.880 If you go onto our website and register for one of our groups called the Discipleship Waitlist, that's the cue for me and the rest of our ministry staff to say, they're ready. 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.839 They're on the wait list. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:09.680 There's a paragraph there that will say, hey, give us a week or two, give us a little bit of time, we're gonna pray about who to pair you up with. 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:14.640 That is a planned, formal, intentional relationship. 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:16.400 And I think that's part of as you go. 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:18.319 It's a it's intentional. 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:23.039 But I also think a part of as you go is the one that's not planned. 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:23.599 Yeah. 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:33.200 As you go along your life, as you step into H E B, as you're working on that project, so you gotta run to ACE the fifth time because you're still working on that project. 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:43.759 Like I told you, students, as you go into school, the as you go of the unplanned times when you have an opportunity to speak up about Christ. 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:46.240 Can I tell you how much Jesus loves you? 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:49.359 Can I tell you how he's changed my life? 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:54.720 Are you committed to obeying that mission to make disciples? 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:59.759 We make disciples as we baptize, and there's a beautiful truth. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.200 Here about baptism. 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:08.000 I loved getting to do our creekside baptism just a few weeks back, and I think next week we're gonna have the opportunity to celebrate that. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.519 We're gonna watch a highlight video. 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:11.119 It's gonna be wonderful. 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:27.359 But all of the people they get up and they they share their testimony, they say, look, whether I've been a Christian now for a few weeks or I've been a Christian for several years, what I'm doing in my baptism is I'm going public and I'm letting everyone know there used to be a time where I only lived for myself. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:29.519 And then I met Jesus face to face. 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:32.559 I knew that Jesus was the only one that could wash me clean. 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:34.720 Jesus was the only one that paid for my sin. 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:38.000 Jesus was the only one that made forgiveness possible. 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:41.119 And I cried out to him, I said, Jesus, forgive me. 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:45.519 Jesus, save me, Jesus, help me to obey you. 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:52.799 And now what I'm doing in my baptism is I'm going public to say, that old person is dead, and Jesus gave me a brand new life. 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:54.400 He gave me a brand new heart. 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:56.559 And I want everyone to know about it. 00:22:56.799 --> 00:23:02.640 I think there's an important aspect of that when we consider being baptized among our church family. 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.960 You're never baptized into a church, by the way. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.240 Sometimes that language gets said. 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.759 I think that's not the best language. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:09.200 Again, I was proud of my son. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:15.279 He was praying up here at these steps, and he said, Would you just help us to remember that we're Christian first and Baptist second? 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:17.039 That's who I am, right? 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.160 I'm a Christian. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:20.400 I'm not a Baptist, I'm a Christian. 00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:22.559 I'm a Christian first, I'm Baptist second. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:34.559 But we're always baptized to go public with our faith and let our church know there was a day when I was dead in my trespasses and sins, and I cried out to Jesus, and he's made me brand new. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:37.519 And I want everyone to know that my life is for Christ. 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:39.920 I'm sealed by the Holy Spirit. 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:41.200 I'm living for him. 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:45.119 I'm not washed by the waters of this creek or the waters of that baptistry. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.880 I'm washed by the blood of Jesus. 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:49.440 I just want everyone to know that I'm living for him. 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:57.440 And so when you do that in the context in front of your church family, what you're doing is you're asking for some encouragement. 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:59.759 You're asking for accountability. 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:04.559 You're telling those in your church family, I want you to help me grow in my faith. 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:08.000 And if I've not yet been discipled, sign me up. 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.039 I'm a candidate. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.480 I'd love to be discipled. 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:12.480 I want to learn better how to obey Christ. 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:14.799 And so we make disciples as we go. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:17.759 We make disciples as we baptize. 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:22.400 That number three is we make disciples as we teach. 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:26.000 Now, some argue here, we've already addressed it. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:29.839 Some argue Jesus is only talking to these 11 apostles. 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:31.440 I think they're wrong. 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:35.920 I think Jesus is talking to the church. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:43.279 And he says, as you teach, you will make disciples as you teach them to obey everything that I've commanded you. 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:50.160 Most people look for an excuse to get out of evangelism. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.160 Well, that's just not my gift. 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:54.400 I'm just not that bold. 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:56.559 I'm just not that courageous. 00:24:57.359 --> 00:25:10.880 There's a guy that's written on evangelism, his name is uh Rico Tys, and he says the number one reason people don't speak up about Jesus is because they're too comfortable and they're afraid to get out of their comfort zones. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:20.799 One of the things that we're gonna be asking over the next five weeks is that we would say, Lord, yes, I'm uncomfortable, but would you push me past my comfort zone? 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:22.240 Yes, Jesus. 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:25.920 I don't think Jesus is just talking to these 11. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:31.920 I don't think Jesus is just talking to those that have the spiritual gift of evangelism. 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:38.640 I think it is every believer of Christ needs to make disciples so we can make disciples as we teach. 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:43.920 Now, some have a formal relationship as I've described, some have a more informal relationship. 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:47.039 I want to just talk about the Bible with my coworkers. 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:48.799 Is there a way to do that? 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:57.440 Is there a way for me to share my testimony, share my experiences, invite a friend to coffee and just say, Can I tell you what I'm learning in the Bible? 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:59.519 And I think God is honored in that. 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:02.319 But we've got to be teaching something, right? 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:09.519 We've got to be teaching this idea that there's truth here, and we stand on this truth, and it changes our lives. 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:15.359 It's one of the things you'll read as we're going to be encouraging you guys to take one of these books home. 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:17.839 That's part of our 12 values. 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:19.759 We trust in God's word. 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:24.960 And as we make disciples, we teach people to trust in God's word. 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:40.720 Now, if it's more of an intentional relationship where you are meeting with someone one-on-one or one on two, one on three, and there's some accountability, and we're all growing together, and sometimes we fail forward, and sometimes we celebrate victories. 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:45.920 What you're doing then is you're teaching so that others would teach and that others would teach. 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:49.440 Can I give you a verse that I love and I've got committed to memory? 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:51.839 It's 2 Timothy 2, 2. 00:26:52.640 --> 00:27:00.960 Paul says to Timothy, what you have heard from me, teach to faithful men who are able to teach others also. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:04.559 There is a reality in that verse. 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:06.640 Maybe you saw it, maybe you didn't. 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:12.640 But I think there are four generations of disciples in that one verse. 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:17.440 Paul teaching Timothy, what you've heard from me, Timothy, I've taught to you. 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:20.000 Teach to other men. 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:23.599 Those other men are able to teach others also. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.079 Right? 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:28.720 So you got Paul, you got Timothy, you got other men, and the others also. 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:30.240 Do you see all four of those right there? 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:32.880 So Jesus always had this strategy. 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:43.440 He always had this mission when he's giving the great commission to the 11 disciples, he's letting them know this is how my church will grow. 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:57.279 Because you will make disciples as you go, baptizing them and teaching them that continual action of continue to teach, and then these that have been taught will be able to teach, and those over here will be able to teach. 00:27:57.599 --> 00:28:00.400 There's a big difference between addition and subtraction. 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:06.559 We can we can add people all day long and say, Well, we've got, we're gonna, we're gonna add one more, and we're really excited. 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:08.480 And by the way, I'm excited about addition. 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:14.880