Modeling Kingdom Discipleship
Today’s Focus: Foundation of Discipleship
Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20; Psalm 2:5-7
Greetings Kingdom Citizens
Now we have discussed and taught about the need for discipleship in the House of God and it is this process that is used to mature the sons of God. Now let's start with a foundation, de-construct it and then bring it back for understanding.
Matthew 28:18-20: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
This is the Great Commission that Jesus gave His disciples after the resurrection. Now when we look at the foundation of discipleship we are clearly talking about the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the foundation of our discipleship. How do we know? Jesus said in Matthew 28:18 that "All power in given unto me in Heaven and in Earth". Now this means Jesus has all power and authority in Heaven and Earth. He is the King! He is the sovereign ruler. Jesus was making a decree and declaration of his Kingship when He made that statement but look at that again. It says the power and authority was GIVEN UNTO HIM. But by who? The grace was given to Him by the one who was discipling Him? Let's look at Psalm 2 for the answer.
Psalm 2:5-7: Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath and vex them in His sore displeasure. Yet have I (Father) set my King (Jesus) upon my Holy Hill of Zion. I (Father) will declare the decree: The Lord (Father) hath said unto me (Jesus), Thou are my Son (Jesus); this day have I (Father) begotten thee.
So it is the Father that empowers, declares and anoints Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This is why Jesus has the word "Christ" attached to His name to declare that He is the Anointed One. Now to say the He has all power and authority is to say that He is the source of the power and authority in the Kingdom of God. Through Him and His power and authority are we even able to effectively work and participate in this Commission. It is only by Him because He is the one who commissions you when it is time to go. When man does the commissioning it should simply be a confirmation of a work that you are already doing.
Moreover Jesus must be Lord over your life before you can even think about discipleship. You had to repent of your sins, declare Jesus to be Lord and believe that God raised Jesus from the dead before you can enter into the Kingdom of God and begin your growth through discipleship.
In the next message we will look at how some people view the Great Commission and how it is not fulfilling the truth of the Commission and diminshing true discipleship.
Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,
Calvin Calhoun, Jr.
