Christ made clear to His followers, prior to His ascension that the priority for each of their lives was to be making disciples. In this address recorded by Matthew, both men and women would have comprised the assembled group of hearers and given this responsibility.
Jesus spoke claiming and proclaiming His worldwide, universal, and timeless authority and power. As the God-Man, He was given total sovereignty over everything by God the Father as a result of His death and resurrection. With that authority He then gives a basic command to all His followers to "make disciples." Neither Christ's authority nor responsibility to His command can be avoided.
For those who are a disciple of Jesus Christ there is a great paradox. Being a disciple costs you nothing while at the same time costs you everything. He demands complete allegiance and superseding everything else, wherever His disciples are, they are to make Him known and serve Him.
His disciples, having been taught, are then to "make disciples" by telling the Gospel to others as they go forth. Those who hear and believe are to be baptized, making public identification with Christ, and to be taught so they can mature and live obedient lives.
The responsibility is clear - but not easy which Christ knew so He gave the promise that He will always be with His disciples as the Gospel is carried forth.
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In the fall of 1969, Gil began a full-time teaching ministry as Senior Pastor of Indian Hills Community Church. He also earned his Ph.D. from the California Graduate School of Theology. The focus of Pastor Rugh’s ministry is systematic, verse-by-verse teaching of the Bible. As a...
