Making disciples is the purpose of the church, and it goes far beyond the simple pronouncement of the gospel. It requires the multifaceted outworking of the Spirit through the whole of Christ’s body (the church) to shape for God those existing followers who will grow up to help establish more new followers in the faith.
Observations:
- Making disciples is the main command
- Disciples worship
- Making disciples is on-the-job training
Conclusions:
- Disciple making is an act of obedience by disciples
- Disciple making is an act of love by worshippers
- Disciple making is an act of modeling by non-professionals = intentional informality
Application: How do you make disciples?
- You must follow Jesus
- You must allow Jesus to repurpose your life
- You must be willing to sacrifice
Matthew 13:52
“He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
1 Peter 1:22
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
Mark 3:14-15
“He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”
Acts 4:13
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
Matthew 4:18-20
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.”
Matthew 4:21-22
“Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”
Mark 8:34-35
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”