Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
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."
2 Timothy 2:2 AMP - And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust [as a deposit] to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also.
Jesus commissioned His disciples to "Make Disciples of All Nations!" How can we do this? This message examines this command of Jesus and guides us in the beginnings of accomplishing this command.
I. Decade of Discipleship
Definitions
• Decade is 10 Years (2020-2030)
• Discipleship – A fully devoted follower…
A. Discipleship and God’s Divine Order for His Church flow together.
Ephesians 4:11-16 (Read & Expound
• God’s goal through the five-fold ministry is to bring the Body of Christ into a place of maturity where they begin winning lost people to Jesus, disciple new believers, lift each other up and minister to one another in love.
1. Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers
a. Apostle – A Ministry Leader who oversees the work of the Lord. They usually function as ministry planters/re-planters, administrators of God’s work and General Overseers of the work of the Lord. – An Apostle will have ministries from different arena’s attaching to and flowing in and out from their ministries.
b. Prophet – A Seer. Someone who needs strong oversight from an Apostle because they can lose their way very easily. A Prophet has the uncanny ability to see things coming in the future but many times does not have the personality to garner corporate support because they are naturally harsh. They are often misunderstood and if they live by the flesh very much they will struggle with offense. They will offend (if they don’t submit to Spiritual Oversight) and they will be offended frequently. It’s hard for a person with the prophetic gift to “lock-in” anywhere.
c. Evangelist – A Passionate Defender of the Faith! A person who only thinks of revival, winning souls, working miracles, assisting with deliverance, etc. These are the fun ones to hang around. They live constantly on the edge of excitement and are often great story-tellers.
d. Pastor – Pastors are prone to relationships… That is how God built them! They marry, counsel, love and lead. They dedicate babies and bury loved ones. A good Pastor doesn’t have to be a great communicator they just need to have a gift to guide the flock of God through the good and bad times of life. A good Pastor is defined and fulfilled through relationships.
e. Teacher – Someone who teaches the depths of God’s Word by explaining it line upon line and precept upon precept. A good Pastor will be a Spiritual Teacher. Teachers dot the I’s and cross the T’s. A good teacher of God’s Word will help you grow exponentially as they teach under the anointing of Holy Spirit causing your understanding to be opened and your spirit to be enlightened with the truths of God’s Word. Holy Spirit is our greatest teacher as He anoints individuals to open up the mysteries of the Kingdom to the faithful! – They that have “ears to hear” can hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church through God appointed and God anointed teachers.
B. Discipleship happens when the flock of God is being fed by qualified individuals who have a desire to raise up Spiritual Son’s & Daughters for God!
II. The Work of the Local Church (Win the Lost & Develop the Believer)
• Continue mobilizing the Body of Christ to reach our community with the message of God’s love. - Discipling Believers
• Raise up leaders for the last days harvest through CBCS!
• Develop a New Testament Culture that embraces the following mandate:
Identify | Teach | Train | Endorse | Promote | Send Forth Credible Ministries in their pursuit of the Great Commission.
Mark 16:15-16 AMP
15 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].
16 He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.
A. Discipleship is a “Christian Development Process” that finds its home in the local Church. However, if the local Church rejects this process we are out of the will of God and disassociate ourselves from the blessings of God for our communities!
1. If we only have a local focus then we are being disobedient to the Great Commission.
2. If we only have a Global Focus then we are also being disobedient to the Great Commission.
3. God’s Focus – ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE WORLD!
a. The Gospel of Jesus is Global in nature.
b. We should caution ourselves and others not to attach a single, national subculture to the message of the Gospel. (ie. American subculture into foreign missions)
B. Local Church Discipleship Venues
1. Groups (Large & Small)
a. Large (Men’s Ministries, Women’s Ministries, Youth, Young Adults, Children, Seniors, Tweener’s, etc…)
b. Small – (Interest based, Book Studies, Relational & Intimate)
2. Foundation Classes for New Believer’s
a. What does it mean to be born again?
b. How can I live a Spirit-Led life?
c. Living by faith.
3. Sunday School
a. Is “ongoing discipleship training.”
b. May have to revert to Living room or backyard Sunday School because of space issues at the Church…
4. Subject Specific Seminars
a. Marriage
b. Parenting
c. Finances
d. Conflict Resolution
e. Leadership Development
C. Mentoring
Titus 2:1-8 AMP (Read & Expound) – This is not a suggestion… It’s an imperative command! God says, “Do it!”
1. Father’s & Mothers of the Church
2. Something to think about… Jacob dug a well where his grandfather built an altar.
David was a man of war but his son built a temple for the Lord.
a. Just because the move of this generation looks different than the last doesn’t mean that it’s not God! (There’s a big difference between Fire and Water, War & Temple Building…)
D. Corporate Worship – (God’s Living Room)
Hebrews 10:25 AMP Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.
1. Don’t isolate yourself! We are called to be together.
2. There is strength in unity. Unity inspires partnership. (Saul put his thousands to flight and David his 10,000’s)
E. Outside Sources
1. Inspirational Authors
2. Media Ministries (Be discerning… there’s a lot of junk out there)
3. Faith Based Internet Outreaches
III. The Benefits: A Culture of Discipleship…
A. Strengthens our personal walk with God and inspires Christian Community.
B. Helps us fall deeper in love with Jesus.
C. Brings New Birth which brings new seasons.
a. Baby Christians
b. New Ministries
c. New Songs…
D. Spawns Revival creating a Revival Culture!
CLOSING: How can I be involved?
• Get on Board! (Make this vision a part of your everyday life)
• Plug into a ministry as a volunteer. There is plenty of room…
• Intercessory Prayer
• Sow into the vision at Easter…
o Some of you have moldy money that you need to put into the Kingdom
o Some need to leave the ministry (Specifically CBCS) in your wills.
o Some have declining assets just setting around that will continue to decline. (Why not liquidate that old boat and put the money into training people for life changing ministry)
o I don’t want to stand before God and try to explain why His work was hindered because I wouldn’t turn loose of money I would never spend…Selah!
