Are You Making Disciples?

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“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

This well-know passage from the gospel of Matthew is often used to teach that churches should be involved in missionary work.  While that is certainly true, a larger truth is missed when Christians go no further than that. That larger truth is this: making disciples is an individual responsibility of every believer.

We know that the disciples took this charge seriously because history tells us that they did indeed go into many different countries, some traveling great distances.  Thomas for example, traveled to India to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does this admonition of Jesus mean for us today?  While you may never be called by God to travel to a foreign land, you are charged with making disciples wherever you are.  Are you doing that?  Do you know how to do that? Do you understand the dynamics of what happens when Christians take seriously the call to be disciple makers?

Let me give you four major reasons why disciple-making is both strategic and foundational for the individual Christian and the Church.  These principles apply across the board regardless of gender or age.

First, making disciples points people to God and makes their existing relationship with Him stronger.  Who doesn’t need all the help they can get in this fast-paced hurry-up world when it comes to taking time to know and love God more? This is the vertical dimension of discipleship.

Second, discipling people improves their relationships in marriage, in the home, in the school, and at work.  In short, relationships on the horizontal are improved through a commitment to be a disciple of Jesus.

Third, discipling people equips them to be a functioning part of the local church body.  The apostle Paul compared the local church to the human body and stated that it functions best when every individual person fulfills their complementary function.

Finally, making disciples helps people see the role they are meant to play in the communities in which they live. Being salt and light means being involved in communicating and displaying the love of Jesus to all people.

Friends, disciple making helps believers grow in their relationship with God, in their relationships with others in their home environments, with others in their church body, and then as a witness to Jesus Christ in the communities in which they live.

Begin today to find ways to disciple someone else and watch the transformation that takes place in their life and yours.

Are You Heavenly Minded?

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For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven.  2 Corinthians 5:1-2

There is a saying that has been around in the church for many years. It goes something like this – “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.”

I think the point of this adage is that as believers in Jesus Christ we are called to be a part of the rhythm of life, living and ministering in our communities for the benefit of all people.  Leading a cloistered life is antithetical to the biblical mandate to be salt and light.

As with many other things this principle can be carried too far though.  The apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian believers reminded them that life on earth would be followed by life with God in eternity.  The bodies we now have, what Paul refers to as our earthly tents, will one day pass away and we will receive new bodies, “a building” perfected by God for all eternity.

A larger point is missed however, when we think that being salt and light and being heavenly minded are mutually exclusive. Consider for example the Apostle Paul’s great exhortation to the believers in Rome in chapter 8 of his letter to that congregation.  There we find Paul exhorting the believers to live a spirit-filled life in the here and now always keeping eternity in view.

This truth is exemplified in statements such as “If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” What are these “all things” Paul describes? They include most importantly the truth that we will all receive redeemed, glorified bodies for all eternity. The Bible says that believers are to wait “eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”

When we view life from this perspective it makes sense to be constantly heavenly-minded as a reminder that this life does not define who we are or who we will become.  God has already declared us righteous, holy, and redeemed.

Brothers and sisters – that is a transforming truth.

Apologetics? Yes!

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“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”  1 Peter 3:15

This verse from Peter’s first epistle is often cited as a basis for the work and ministry of apologetics.  Rightly understood, we are exhorted by the apostle to be prepared at a moment’s notice to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This assumes a number of things.

First, that we recognize that all disciples of Jesus are expected to share the news of God’s forgiveness through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Contrary to the thinking of many Christians, evangelism is not limited to those believers with the spiritual gift of evangelism.

The second thing this verse assumes is that we have taken the time to memorize Scripture and especially relevant passages that speak of the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ upon Calvary’s cross.  Chances are you don’t carry a Bible with you 24/7, so having Scripture memorized will enable you to always be ready.

Third, the exhortation assumes that we have taken the time to understand the thinking that characterizes the days in which we live.  Would you know how to respond to someone who says “Well, this gospel of Jesus stuff works for you but it doesn’t do anything for me.”? What would you say to someone who says, “Christianity is nothing more than a crutch for the weak-minded.”?

Finally, Peter’s admonition in this verse to make a defense or presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, instructs us to view the apologetic task as one that is done with gentleness and reverence.  This is one aspect of the apologetic mandate often overlooked.  We will never win anyone to Christ through argumentation or heated exchange.  Only when we have prepared ourselves for the harsh reality that many will ignore and even attempt to shut us up, will we be mentally and emotionally prepared to love them anyway.

The basis for the apologetic task is the gospel itself. When we have made Christ the priority of our lives – Peter says “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” – we will seek opportunities to share Christ and we will be ready when opportunities find us.

Brothers and sisters, that is a transforming truth.