OVERVIEW

• The greatest victory of the resurrection leads to the greatest commission to make disciples
• Both the messages of Jesus and the methodology of Jesus are to be obeyed.
• When we are obedient to the messages and methods of Jesus we get the results of Jesus.
• When we are disobedient to the message and methods of Jesus we will not get the results of Jesus.

WHAT’S THE MESSAGE, METHOD AND RESULT?
The Definition of a Disciple – Matthew 4:19 (ESV)—Come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

Peter’s Declaration – The confession of faith – Matthew 16:16–18 (NIV) — 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The Example and a New Command – John 13:15-16, 20, 34-35 (NIV) – 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him… 20Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me…” 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The Great Commission – Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV) — 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Apostles show us the model of what being obedient to the messages and methods of Jesus look like.

We see from Jesus’ model that he shared, connected, ministered and discipled (SCMD) the Apostles.

The results were that the church was established on the examples of the Apostles that were a result of following the example of Jesus.

The Apostles first shared the message of the Gospel (the declaration that Jesus is Messiah) and its reality in their lives – Pentecost.

The Result – Acts 2:41–47 (NIV) – 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The Message: Jesus is Messiah. Repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit and follow the example of Jesus with us.

The Method: Share the Gospel and your life and Connect people to God and to each other to experience God together.

The Results: The blueprint of the Church is set and results of God’s design are experienced.

The Blueprint for the Church:

1. Time – daily, weekly, yearly, routinely

Hebrews 10:24–26 (NIV) — 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,

Hebrews 3:12–13 (NIV) — 12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Acts 20:7 (NIV) — 7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.

Revelation 1:10 (NIV) — 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

2. Environment – small and large and growing

3. Relationship – honest, transparent, real

Ephesians 4:25 (NIV) — 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

1 John 1:5–7 (NIV) — 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

4. Generosity – time, talents, treasures and love

Colossians 3:12–14 (NIV) 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

5. Authority – Jesus is the leader, he appointed leadership and gave them authority, they did the same

When we are disobedient to the message and methods of Jesus we will not get the results of Jesus.

Common statements I hear from believers regarding the church and questions I have:

1. I don’t want to go to church, it’s just me and Jesus and that’s all I need. Does Jesus want you to go?
2. I want to be a part of a small church – Does Jesus want a small church?
3. I don’t like the organized church – Does Jesus want a disorganized church?
4. I am a part of the universal church so I don’t need to be in a local church – Does Jesus say you don’t need to?
5. I like the small group but not the big group or vis versa – Does Jesus just pick either?

QUESTIONS

• Where have you been obedient to Jesus’ message in the scriptures above? Where have you been disobedient?
• Where have you been obedient to Jesus’ method in the scriptures above? Where have you been disobedient?
• Can you see results in your life correlate to the obedience and disobedience you have shown?
• What is one next step you can take towards obedience to Jesus, others and his Church?
• Be thinking of any questions you may have or examples you can share in your small group.