[1] #317, Make Disciples, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday 06-29-2008

Text: Matthew 28: 18-20

INTRODUCTION:

• I sat in this chair some weeks ago and told you we were going to take the next four weeks and talk about us, who we are, who we are becoming and where we are going.
• We began by letting the words of Jesus speak into our lives, first He told us to Honor our parents, (Donna Goss gave a great testimony of how honoring her mother lead to her mother receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior).
• Next, Jesus told us to despise not the little ones, and men were huddled down at this altar and encouraged to write, call and take out on a date their sons and daughters.
• Last week Jesus told us to honor marriage and we saw not only did God create marriage, have in interest in marriage, but also he laid out a perfect design for every marriage to understand and follow.
• Today we are again going to hear words that Jesus spoke. These words give common purpose to every Christian home. But instead of beginning with Jesus’ words we are going to end with them.

QUOTE:

“The common response to the spiritual development of children, then, is for parents to seek the best help they can find and then get out of the way.” -George Barna-

TRANSITION:

I would like to ask you to take these next few minutes and come on a journey with me. In order to benefit from the journey you will have to take all your pre conceived notions about family life and any conclusions you have already made about family life and Christianity and lay them aside.

1. In this journey we will simply allow the bible to speak to us all by itself, about what should be happening inside a Christian home.
2. I have some helpers this morning that will be assisting us on our journey.
3. The journey will have four stops and each stop gives incredibly specific instructions for our lives. So specific you may get uncomfortable, but let me assure you the word of God wants you and your home to be prosperous and successful!

DEUTERONOMY 6:6-9

1. 1st responsibility is to place God’s words in our hearts. (impress them inside yourself)
2. Teach with diligence these words to your children.
3. TALK ABOUT THEM (sit at home, go about your day, evening & morning)
4. Keep them before your eyes by having the visibly on display in your house. (example)

PSALM 78:5-7

1. Father’s are commanded to declare to their children God’s law (God’s ways)
2. Specific purpose: Next generation would be spiritually prepared (3 generations-parents, children, grandchildren)
3. The need for the next generation:
4. Hope in God (growing faith in God)
5. Not Forget His works (healthy fear of the Lord)
6. Obey His commands (living relationship with Jesus Christ)

PROVERBS 6:20-23

1. Specific responsibilities; first for the parents
2. Father’s commands & mother’s teachings (mom & dad are command here by the word of God to have a plan for their children)
3. If I asked your children, what does your dad stand for? What is your mom teaching you? What would our children respond?
4. Second, responsibility of the children (impress them on your heart and around your neck)
5. They will lead you, keep you and speak to you as you go on in life.
6. See how important it is to have commands & laws that we instill in our children!
7. They work together like a lamp & light to guide in an ever growing dark world. (show oil lamp picture)

MATTHEW 28:18-20

1. Now we get to the words of Jesus. Because He posses all authority we are told to do something.
2. Make disciples (of all nations): Disciple = disciplined learner
3. TEACHING THEM (know God)
4. TO OBEY (see it modeled, understand what it means to them, have questions answered, see benefits and consequences)
5. EVERYTHING
6. I COMMANDED YOU
7. Our homes should be Learning Centers; where everyone is leaning to obey everything Jesus commanded.
8. The great commission is simply an extension of what should be happening in our homes as Christians.
9. If we are purposing to follow God’s ways for our homes then when we get to the Great Commission to go and teach people to obey Jesus, we & are children will be experts!

QUOTE:

“After all, God never told His followers to take over the world through force or intelligence. He simply told us to have children and then raise them to honor God in all they do. Therefore, you might logically conclude that bearing and raising children is not only our most enduring legacy but also one of our greatest personal responsibilities.” -George Barna-

CLOSING

• According to the Word of God, parents have a simple but deeply profound responsibility to evangelize & disciple their children.
• The local church should be and intimate and valuable partner.
• Israel cried for deliverance from the bondage of Egypt, God sent a Moses, but he was a baby.
• When Israel needed a judge to replace a corrupt leader named Eli, God sent Samuel, but he was a young boy.
• When the whole world needed a Savior, God sent Jesus, but he was a child.
• I was a young Christian, but hungry, and growing in the Word and ways of God. I was about to be put into a position of leadership in a church and I wondered what God was looking for. I came upon a Scripture that changed the focus of my life, because I was focusing all my attention on church & ministry, but just as I was about to be put into a position of leadership I read God’s perspective on it:
• 1 Timothy 3:4, 5 – “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)
• I began to understand that perhaps God’s church is struggling because we have not focused on our families.
• God determines potential leaders by what is happening at home. Do we?

ALTAR

• Invite up all young people 18 and under. Here is a generation that needs to be disciple… that begins at home.
• Who will teach them, who will model it for them, who will answer their questions, bring them understanding, who will love them with the love of the Lord.
• Who will join these young people and say I want to turn my home into a discipleship center for the Lord, no matter who lives there!