Part Three Matthew 28:16-20

In part one we declared that Jesus must be our everything!

In part two we discovered the importance and the power of prayer.

Who are we praying for to know the Savior?

Today, in part three, we discover the importance of discipleship.

Who are you pouring your life into?

Who is intentionally pouring their life into you?

Matthew 28:16-20

Matthew 28:16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.

Matthew 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We’ve talked about discipleship before.

Discipleship has everything to do with taking my life and pouring it into yours.

It has to do with always learning, teaching and becoming more like Christ.

G3100 μαθητεύω math-ayt-yoo'-o To become a pupil; to disciple, that is, enroll as scholar: - be disciple, instruct, teach.

Another Scripture comes to mind.

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

2 Timothy 2:17a and their talk will spread like gangrene.

Today, I want to talk about three specific relationships that should be in every believer’s life.

For Men…

Relationships Spiritual Fathers Spiritual Brothers Spiritual Sons

For Women…

Relationships Spiritual Mothers Spiritual Sisters Spiritual Daughters

It’s about doing life together in community.

It’s about helping one another.

It’s not just about blindly believing somebody else’s words or instructions.

It’s about testing their words, past experiences and training with the Holy Word of God.

Another Scripture comes to mind.

Acts 17:10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Acts 17:11 Now there were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining

Acts 17:11 the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

We should all be Bereans.

As we look at the life of Paul we can clearly see the importance of these three relationships.

Paul and Timothy

2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

2 Timothy 2:5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

2 Timothy 2:6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

So we can see the importance and benefit of spiritual sons or daughters.

Here’s another important relationship in Paul’s life.

Paul and Barnabas

Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.

Acts 13:1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius

Acts 13:1 of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 13:2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:3 Then, when they fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

So we can see the importance and benefit of spiritual brothers or sisters.

Here’s another important relationship in Paul’s life.

Paul and James

Acts 21:17 After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

Acts 21:18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

Acts 21:19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

So we can see the importance and benefit of spiritual fathers or mothers.

But sometimes you can find yourself following the wrong leader.

Paul and Gamaliel

Acts 22:3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.

Acts 22:4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and both men and women into prisons,

Acts 22:5 as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started

Acts 22:5 off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.

Acts 22:6 But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven…

Who’s Your One?

Who are you pouring your life into?

Who is intentionally pouring their life into you?

Who are your brothers or sisters that will do life with you and stay the course?

Amen!