You’ve BUILT the CHURCH, now BUILD the PEOPLE. – God
We are called not to be just BELIEVERS in Jesus, but DISCIPLES of Jesus.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
“Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Matthew 4:19 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
FOLLOWING Jesus (Head)
Being CHANGED by Jesus (Heart)
FISHERS of Men (Hands)
Disciple = Someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus and committed to the mission of Jesus.
Discipleship = The act or state of becoming a disciple-making disciple.
– Large Group TEACHING
– Small Group DISCUSSION
– One-On-One MENTORSHIP
– Intentional, Gradual COMMISSIONING
We need a Discipleship MENTALITY.
Luke 14:25-30 (NIV)
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
With discipleship comes a COST. (Building)
You must love me MORE than everything you think you should love MOST.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
With discipleship comes a CONFLICT. (Battle)
Luke 14:31-33 (NLT)
“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”
If you don’t count the cost, when the CONFLICT COMES, you will CONCEDE to the enemy.
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Two things that always cost more than we initially anticipate:
– Building – it will cost more than you anticipate.
– Battle – it will be harder than you anticipate.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Acts 1:3b-5 (NIV)
He (Jesus) appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
We need a Discipleship MODEL.
It’s time to COUNT the COST and PAY the PRICE.