Jesus, in His final words to His disciples before He ascended back to Heaven to prepare a place for us, told them something very simple, and yet very difficult. He said this, “Go… make disciples…” (Matt 28:19)
Sounds easy, right? Some of you are saying, “yeah!! no problem!” Others of you are now TERRIFIED at the thought of doing this.
Let me put us all back into the same group.
It’s simple, but it’s not easy.
In order to “go make disciples,” we must first BE a disciple. A disciple that’s recognizable to others. A disciple that’s learning and doesn’t think they’ve got it figured out. A disciple that’s willing to admit they still have doubts. A disciple humble enough to serve. A disciple loving enough to not judge. A disciple… a follower of Jesus. One who tries to emulate the life He lived.
In order to “go make disciples,” we must be LESS concerned about a prayer we prayed months or years ago that gave us our ticket to Heaven (or so we think), and MORE concerned with how we’re living it out right now. How we’re living it out last weekend when we finally let our hair down. How we’re living it out when others aren’t around. How we’re living it out with that group of friends who care less about our walk with Christ and more about throwing a few back and having a good time.
In order to “go make disciples,” we need to do a gut check to see if we’re a disciple. Not in word, but in deed and in truth. Sound familiar? It should - 1 John 3:18.
You see, the statement “go… make disciples” becomes FAR MORE DIFFICULT when we look in the mirror and ask ourselves, “am I making ME a disciple?”
In the fire service, we’re regularly taught that you have to ensure YOU’RE taken care of first, before going in to rescue someone else. Sound selfish? Not really… if you follow it through, the situation could arise where the next firefighter in to rescue has not just one victim, but two (since you didn’t take care of yourself first). The same can apply to our walk with Christ. We can’t lead others to Him if we’re not following Him ourselves.
Have you wondered why it seems like forever since you’ve had some deep conversations and been able to lead someone to Jesus? It may be because your walk is talking louder than your talk is talking, and it’s become worthless in the ears of the hearer.
Sounds easy, right? Some of you are saying, “yeah!! no problem!” Others of you are now TERRIFIED at the thought of doing this.
Let me put us all back into the same group.
It’s simple, but it’s not easy.
In order to “go make disciples,” we must first BE a disciple. A disciple that’s recognizable to others. A disciple that’s learning and doesn’t think they’ve got it figured out. A disciple that’s willing to admit they still have doubts. A disciple humble enough to serve. A disciple loving enough to not judge. A disciple… a follower of Jesus. One who tries to emulate the life He lived.
In order to “go make disciples,” we must be LESS concerned about a prayer we prayed months or years ago that gave us our ticket to Heaven (or so we think), and MORE concerned with how we’re living it out right now. How we’re living it out last weekend when we finally let our hair down. How we’re living it out when others aren’t around. How we’re living it out with that group of friends who care less about our walk with Christ and more about throwing a few back and having a good time.
In order to “go make disciples,” we need to do a gut check to see if we’re a disciple. Not in word, but in deed and in truth. Sound familiar? It should - 1 John 3:18.
You see, the statement “go… make disciples” becomes FAR MORE DIFFICULT when we look in the mirror and ask ourselves, “am I making ME a disciple?”
In the fire service, we’re regularly taught that you have to ensure YOU’RE taken care of first, before going in to rescue someone else. Sound selfish? Not really… if you follow it through, the situation could arise where the next firefighter in to rescue has not just one victim, but two (since you didn’t take care of yourself first). The same can apply to our walk with Christ. We can’t lead others to Him if we’re not following Him ourselves.
Have you wondered why it seems like forever since you’ve had some deep conversations and been able to lead someone to Jesus? It may be because your walk is talking louder than your talk is talking, and it’s become worthless in the ears of the hearer.
Take some time. Take some SERIOUS time and look in the mirror. Can you honestly say you’re leading yourself to Jesus? Can your life be described by the words love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Or would your life be more accurately described by sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, division, drunkenness, envy, etc.?
If the second list seems to describe your life more than the first, take some time and repent, seek God first, and all the things from the first list will begin appearing in your life… THEN, you’re better equipped to “Go… make disciples.”
Because it’s simple… but it’s not easy.
If the second list seems to describe your life more than the first, take some time and repent, seek God first, and all the things from the first list will begin appearing in your life… THEN, you’re better equipped to “Go… make disciples.”
Because it’s simple… but it’s not easy.
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