Making Disciples: An Obligation & An Opportunity

I have been reflecting on God’s faithfulness in my own personal life recently. I remember standing up at IMPACT making a commitment to the Lord that I wanted to be a disciple of Jesus Christ who makes multiplying disciples, meaning that I was to be a disciple (a learner and follower) of Jesus who tells other people about Jesus & teaches them to follow them.

The Lord in His faithfulness has allowed my paths to cross and my relationships to grow with a few young men, including Samuel, who not only have I had to opportunity to encourage them with the Gospel, but am getting the opportunity to teach them on a personal level how to be a disciple, how to follow Christ. The commitment I made in my heart to the Lord was met with His provision of opportunities that simply required my “yes” to be on the table. 

What challenges me the most about this is that making disciples is absolutely an OPPORTUNITY that God has allowed us to be a part of the fulfillment of His plans. Yet, Jesus after He is raised from the dead and appears to His disciples presents this as an OBLIGATION for us. It’s the status quo.

18 •Jesus came near and said to them•, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18–20, CSB)

It’s not off-limits to anyone in the body of Christ. Whoever is able to take the faith they have in Jesus, point others to them, and bring them alongside them on their journey of following Jesus in order to show them the way is making disciples. There are often two obstacles to obedience in this command and invitation from Jesus: Cost & Confidence. 

Being a disciple of Christ is costly, so therefore making disciples is costly. It costs always finding time, making changes to schedules, being honest, and inviting someone else into your life. Sometimes we can also feel unequipped that someone can do it better than us, so why would we do it? Notice who Jesus says is with them as they go in verse 20? “I will be with you always.” A promise of God’s presence is a reason for confidence. Practically, if you don’t feel equipped, I have a process for discipleship that is effortless to teach and to reproduce for anyone to do. 

If you want to take the next step of obedience to be a disciple of Jesus Christ who makes disciples, please text me, call me, email me, or however to get the tools on your belt to obey the obligation and experience the beautiful opportunity to make disciples!

Love you, church!

Pastor John