Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 16:24-26. John 13, John 17
Paradigm Shift
Discipleship is not one of the Christian options, it’s the GREAT commission. Discipleship is not one of the purposes of the Church, it is the purpose of the Church. It’s not what we do part time, it’s what we use everything we do, to do! If you are not making disciples, you are not a disciple! If you don’t have the urge to birth another believer, something is not right! If you are not passionate about obeying Jesus by being involved in discipleship, you have do not love Jesus! Obedience is the only authentic proof of love! “If you love me, obey my commandments” – Jesus Christ.
Discipleship is not soul winning! Soul winning starts the journey, but discipleship is the process. Discipleship is not telling people nice things to get them to come to church, discipleship is telling people to count the cost of following Jesus and really know what they are getting into before they start. Discipleship is what Jesus modeled, it was the work he did, and the work we had better be doing. It’s the work he secured power for us to do, it’s the work that guarantees his abiding presence.
Audit your life, if you have not been involved in the birth, nourishment and growth of any believer, you need to rend your hearts before God today and ask him for grace to abound in every good work. You need to cry to God and ask that He touch your heart and help you to appreciate his love and finished work anew. If your heart does not burn for the lost, and necessity is not laid on you to preach the gospel and be involved in the lives of others, you may have been grown on the wrong message. The axe is at the root of every tree that does not bear fruit. Ask God for a new season, one more season in which your commitment will cause you to enjoy His grace.
Application
Matthew 16:20-26
– I must say “no” to selfishness and every other from of self. Peter cared about Jesus, and did not want the Lord to suffer. But Peter didn’t want Peter to suffer either. Peter needed to see beyond present and die to self, he did not realize that he was actually opposing God’s plan.
– I must carry my cross. Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross.” But what does it mean to take up your cross? One thing it means is a strong stand for Jesus Christ, in whatever situation or circumstance 1 find myself. When I take up my cross, I strongly identify with Him, I take a stand for Him.
– I must Follow Christ, and see that I become a fisher of men.
– I must Model Christ – In His teaching, in his ministry to others and in his discipleship work. I am the Christ my neighbor can see.
What will Jesus do?
Jesus totally poured his life into discipleship, he went everywhere with his disciples, you can tell they are part of his life. The lives of his disciples mirrored his own, making his disciples to be called Christians. He did not only teach and instruct them, he also prayed for them. He was deliberate about choosing and training his them.
Commitment and Prayer
Father, in this work that you have given to me, grant me grace to be deliberate, obedient and diligent in seeking your face in order to reach out to others. I Pray for grace to truly love others the way Christ loved us.
Lord I commit to stay focused on the assignment you have given me in Jesus Name.