The Mandate | Disciple
DISCIPLE:
The Mandate
Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV) 16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
SOUL TATTOO: Becoming a disciple doesn’t happen in a day, it happens daily.
I.) The backstory of The Great Commission.
Context:
Matthew 28:16 (ESV) 16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
Significance:
Genesis 1:28 (NIV) 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.
Authority:
Matthew 28:18 (ESV) 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
He wasn’t suggesting—they were being sent under divine authority.
II.) What happened to the disciples after being commissioned?
Peter – Crucified upside down in Rome.
James (son of Zebedee) – Executed by Herod (Acts 12).
Andrew – Crucified
Philip – Martyred, put to death by the Roman proconsul
Thomas – Believed to have taken the Gospel to India and martyred there. Pierced with spears.
Matthew – Stabbed to death in Ethiopia.
Thaddeus – Stoned to death by non-believers in Persia.
Bartholomew – Martyred for preaching the Gospel.
James (son of Alpheus) – Stoned and clubbed to death.
Simon, the Zealot – Martyred after refusing to worship the sun god in Persia.
Matthias – Replaced Judas. He was burned to death.
John – The only one to die of old age, but after exile on Patmos (where he wrote Revelation).
Jesus gave the commission and the disciples gave their lives to complete it.
III. The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of DISCIPLESHIP.
SOUL TATTOO: Becoming a disciple doesn’t happen in a day, it happens daily.
1.) WHO? – Every believer is called to disciple others.
Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples…”
Every believer is both a disciple and a discipler.
Discipleship isn’t a position, it’s a participation.
2.) WHAT? – It is our heart to make disciples, not just converts.
Matthew 28:19 – “Make disciples…”
Conversion without discipleship is incomplete.
Salvation is the starting line and discipleship is the journey.
3.) WHEN? – Discipleship is now and always.
Matthew 28:20b – “I am with you always…”
Discipleship doesn’t end with a prayer it lives through a lifestyle.
4.) WHERE? – We disciple wherever we go.
Matthew 28:19 – “Go into all nations…”
Discipleship begins where your feet are.
5.) WHY? – We disciple because it’s the heartbeat of Jesus.
Matthew 28:20a – “Teach them to obey everything I have commanded…”
We disciple because Jesus didn’t just die to save us, He rose to shape us.
6.) HOW? – We disciple through baptizing, teaching, and walking with people.
Matthew 28:19–20 – “Baptizing them… teaching them to obey…”
Practical steps to becoming a disciple:
A. Surrender daily.
Luke 9:23 (ESV) 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”.
B. Learn His Word.
John 8:31–32 (NIV) 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
C. Build Godly relationships.
Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) 17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
D. Serve others.
Mark 10:45 (ESV) 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
E. Share your faith.
Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
F. Practice obedience.
John 14:15 (NIV) 15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what Jesus said.
Discipleship is not a class—it’s a connection.
SOUL TATTOO: Becoming a disciple doesn’t happen in a day, it happens daily.
Final Challenge:
- Are you being discipled?
- Are you discipling someone else?
- Where is God calling you to “go” this week?