Chuck Larsen

God is every believer’s supreme authority. It’s our goal and passion to live lives that are pleasing to Him. He’s our Lord, and we’re His servants. He’s given us all a mission. We often refer to it as the “Great Commission.” As the Commander in Chief of His Army, He commands us, His Soldiers, to “Make Disciples.” We are not commanded to make disciples of ourselves, like many in Paul’s day, but to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We must give high priority in our lives to this sacred calling. We must be committed to God’s Message in the Scriptures, not a particular perspective or system of interpretation, but to the message itself. The central theme in that message is the work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross.

A commitment to God’s Message will always be challenged in the secular world. There are numerous attempts to silence the centrality of Christ in Christianity in every major institution in American. The educational system is often hostile to the Evangelical mission of Christianity. The Judicial system is deciding cases in which attempts to remove Christian terminology from Christmas and Easter. One case currently being heard is whether a Navy Chaplain can end a public prayer “In Jesus Name.” The Political system in American has made it nearly impossible for a person of faith to be elected to any major office at the national level. We’ll see this again real soon. These are just modern expressions of the way it’s always been. The world has always been hostile to the mission and message of biblical Christianity.

In Acts, Chapter 4, Peter and John were commanded by the political authorities to stop preaching the message of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. Peter’s response was in the form of a question. He knew what his mission and message was. He knew it came from God and had the authority of God’s Son, Jesus Christ (See Matthew 28:19 – “all authority has been given to me…”). So, he asked those commanding him to be silent about Christ, “you choose whether I should obey God or obey man.” If we’re not committed to God’s mastery, God’s mission, and God’s message we’ll never persevere in a world hostile to the Biblical faith. After their miraculous delivery from prison, Acts 4:31 says, “When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness.” It will always require boldness to talk about Jesus Christ!

Chuck
“Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech…” 2 Corinthians 3:12

Paul instructs Titus that in order to make disciples one must be committed to God’s mastery. We must acknowledge that God is Lord of our lives and that His mission for our lives is crucial for living a meaningful, successful life. He then makes a connection between God’ mastery, God’s Mission, and God’s message. It’s the revealed Word of God that must be the primary focus of anyone who intends to lead others into spiritual truth.

I have known many preachers, chaplains, and pastors who were trained psychologists or sociologists but have no true in-depth training in God’s Word. They have numerous principles to suggest to their “disciples.” They have procedures to follow for gaining victory over addictions and problems. Their sermons and teachings are based on the popular issues of the day, but void of biblical truth. Many, working in association with Psychiatrists, prescribe drugs to help deal with life’s difficulties. I’m not suggesting there is no place for such things. There certainly is! But if that treatment is devoid of the truth of God’s Word, it will play out empty and meaningless in the end. There are many Christian counselors, psychologists and even Psychiatrists who not only offer treatment for the difficulties associated with our modern society, but also spiritual insight from God’s word that can bring lasting life change in the present as well as eternal life in the future. A true and total commitment to God’s Message as revealed to us in Scripture is essential for any true spiritual leader. The true “balm of Gilead” that is the only medicine “that heals the wounded soul” is found solely between the pages of the God’s Holy Word.

If the Scriptures are not the central theme for our ministries, whether we are full time pastors or small group leaders, or believers working and living in the world, we are offering nothing of truly lasting value to those we attempt to reach. The central theme of God’s Message is Jesus Christ and His work on the cross on our behalf as recorded in the Scriptures from beginning to end. If we’re not doing what Paul did (preach Christ only, and Christ crucified) we are only making disciples for ourselves, not for God. Later in this book we’ll meet the “party of the circumcision.” They took the focus off of God’s message and put it on their traditional practices. Paul told the Galatians they are only seeking to make you “their disciples” not disciples of Jesus Christ (See Galatians 6:13).

Chuck
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” 2 Timothy 3:16

Paul begins his letter to Titus by modeling what it takes to become a good disciple maker. In verses 1 through 4 of chapter 1, Paul illustrates for Titus and us that it all begins with commitment. The first commitment is to the mastery of Christ in our lives. We must place ourselves fully under Christ’s authority. Then we must commit ourselves fully to God’s Mission.  Jesus calls us to “Make Disciples.” That’s every believer’s true commission. It’s recorded in every one of the four Gospels as well as in the book of Acts. Committing ourselves together to this purpose gives life true meaning and eternal significance.

The first two verses give us the three focuses our mission must take. Paul calls himself a “servant” of God “for the sake of the faith of the elect.” This is “Evangelism.” Paul’s primary role as God’s servant is to bring those chosen to their full stature as believers in Jesus Christ. The mission always begins with evangelism. There are those who must hear God’s Good News about Jesus. Paul is God’s servant in this respect. We should be also. The second aspect is “Edification.” Paul is God’s servant, not only for the sake of the faith but also for the “knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness.” This speaks to me of building up the faith we profess through learning God’s word and growing in our understanding and then putting it in practice in our lives. Paul wants to lead others to faith in Jesus and then help them grow in that faith. Thirdly, it’s “Encouragement.” Paul is God’s servant for evangelism, edification “in the hope of eternal life.” Paul charges those with growing faith to live their lives with an eternal perspective.

Committing ourselves to a life of making disciples, evangelism, edification and encouragement is the path to living a meaningful life. Paul told another young disciple, Timothy, that he should “Command” his followers to live like this. He writes, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

Chuck
“Go… and make disciples.” Matthew 28:19

The Great Commission calls all true believers to be committed to the mission of making disciples. Paul left Titus on the Island of Crete to do just that in a troubled, difficult environment, but he did not desert him to the task. We know of at least one letter Paul wrote to Titus instructing him and encouraging him in his mission. This letter is one of the letters in the Bible. Paul begins his letter to Titus by modeling what it takes to become a good disciple maker. In verses 1 through 4 of chapter 1, Paul illustrates for Titus and us that it all begins with commitment. The first commitment is to the mastery of Christ in our lives. In verse 1, Paul calls himself “a servant (slave) of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.”

Placing oneself under the umbrella of rightful authority is the safest place anyone could ever be. It’s the most secure place. It’s the most rewarding place. It’s the most productive place. To Paul God was his master, and Christ was his authority. The word “apostle” means “sent one.” Paul saw himself as one sent out by Christ. Jesus told His disciples that just as the father had sent Him, so too was He sending them. You might also notice that the Great commission in Matthew 28:19 begins with the phrase “all authority has been given to me (Jesus) in heaven and on earth, therefore go, make disciples…” Israel’s leaders, judges, kings and prophets were all called God’s servants because they were speaking for God. Of course many of them fell short of the ideal. It’s when that happened that the Prophets began to speak of the one future, perfect servant of God; the Messiah. Jesus was that perfect figure. He said, “I have come to do my father’s will.” Just as God had sent Jesus, Jesus has sent us.

Obedience is the key to success. If we study the genealogies in the bible we soon learn this lesson. Constable puts it this way, “Throughout history people and nations have succeeded or failed as they recognized God.” Recognizing God as the ultimate authority in life and committing ourselves to be His servants is the first step of obedience. It’s also a prerequisite for making disciples.

Chuck
“Submit yourselves therefore to God.” James 4:7