Lord, Make Us and Send Us
Introduction: The Difference Between Attendance and Allegiance
In 21st-century Britain, we have many who attend church, but far fewer who truly follow Christ. We have information at our fingertips, sermons on demand, podcasts in abundance—but discipleship is not about consumption; it is about consecration.
Jesus did not say, “Go and gather crowds.”
He said, “Go and make disciples.”
The future of the Church in our generation will not be determined by how many people sit in pews, but by how many carry crosses.
Tonight we ask:
Are we disciples? And are we making disciples?
I. A WORK GOD HAS ALREADY BEGUN
Thanksgiving for His Grace Among Us
Philippians 1:3–6 (NLT): “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Paul writes from prison in Rome around AD 60–62. The Philippian church was born in suffering (Acts 16). Yet it was marked by partnership in the Gospel.
The Greek word for “partners” is koinonia — fellowship, participation, shared mission. Discipleship is not solitary. It is shared life in Christ.
The phrase “good work” refers not merely to moral improvement but to the saving and sanctifying work of God’s grace.
The verb “began” (Greek: enarchomai) indicates divine initiative. God starts the work.
“Will continue” (Greek: epiteleo) means to bring to full completion.
Salvation is not self-started and self-finished. It is God’s work from beginning to end.
1 Thessalonians 1:4–5 (NLT): “For we know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true.”
The Gospel came “with power” — Greek dynamis. Supernatural transformation.
Imagine a master sculptor chiselling marble. At first it looks like chaos. Chips fall everywhere. But the sculptor sees the finished masterpiece before the first strike.
So it is with God. He sees Christ formed in you.
Max Lucado: “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way.”
That is sanctification. Grace saves us as we are, but love transforms us into what we were meant to be.
Give thanks for:
Lives changed.
Quiet obedience.
Spiritual growth.
Discipleship begins with gratitude for grace already given.
II. THE COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
Following Jesus Daily
Luke 9:23 (NLT): “Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.’”
This is spoken after Peter’s confession and Jesus’ first prediction of His death.
“If any of you wants” — discipleship is voluntary, but costly.
“Give up” — Greek arneomai — to deny, to disown.
“Take up your cross” — In Roman culture, the cross meant execution. No one carried a cross casually. It symbolised death to self-rule.
“Follow” — Greek akoloutheo — to walk behind, to submit to another’s authority.
Romans 12:1 (NLT): “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you…”
Paul uses sacrificial imagery. Living sacrifice. Ongoing surrender.
The Greek paristemi — present, yield fully.
There was once a young man who wanted to climb a mountain but insisted on carrying a heavy suitcase filled with unnecessary belongings. The guide told him, “If you want to reach the summit, you must leave the weight behind.”
Many Christians want resurrection power without crucified self.
John Piper: “Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savouring God.”
Piper reminds us that discipleship is about ultimate treasure. If Christ is not supreme, He is not Lord.
21st-Century Application:
In a culture obsessed with self-expression and autonomy, Jesus calls us to self-denial.
Discipleship means:
Obedience over convenience.
Faithfulness over popularity.
Holiness over cultural applause.
III. MULTIPLYING DISCIPLES
Passing the Faith Forward
2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT): “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
Paul writes near the end of his life. Christianity is persecuted. The future depends on faithful transmission.
Four generations:
Paul ? Timothy ? faithful people ? others.
Greek word “entrust” (paratithemi) — to deposit something valuable for safekeeping.
The Gospel is not to be altered, but entrusted.
Matthew 28:18–20 (NLT): “Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations… Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you…’”
“Make disciples” — Greek matheteusate — to produce learners, followers, apprentices.
The authority belongs to Christ. The obedience belongs to us.
Charles Stanley: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
That is disciple-making. Faithful obedience, trusting God with results.
Ask:
Who am I discipling?
Who is discipling me?
Discipleship is relational, intentional, reproducible.
IV. DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST
The Vine and the Branches
John 15:5 (NLT): “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
This is spoken hours before the crucifixion.
“Remain” — Greek meno — to abide, dwell, stay connected.
Fruitfulness is not self-generated. It flows from union with Christ.
Acts 1:8 (NLT): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…”
Power (dynamis) again. Disciple-making is Spirit-empowered work.
R.T. Kendall: “The greatest proof of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life is not gifts, but Christlikeness.”
True disciples reflect Jesus.
We cannot manufacture spiritual fruit through programmes alone. We must remain in Christ through:
Prayer.
Scripture.
Obedience.
Fellowship.
V. THE GOSPEL AT THE CENTRE
Discipleship begins with conversion.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NLT): “Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day…”
Jesus lived the life we could not live.
He died the death we deserved.
He was buried.
He rose bodily, triumphing over sin and death.
Without repentance, there is no discipleship.
Without faith, there is no following.
The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, means a change of mind that leads to a change of direction.
Call to Action
For believers:
Recommit to daily surrender.
Identify one person to disciple.
Deepen your abiding in Christ.
Share the Gospel intentionally.
For those not yet saved:
Jesus calls you.
Repent of your sin.
Turn from self-rule.
Trust in Christ alone.
Confess Him as Lord.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NLT)
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Instead, the room grows brighter.
That is disciple-making.
Conclusion & Benediction:
May the Lord who began a good work in you complete it.
May you take up your cross daily.
May you remain in Christ and bear much fruit.
And may this church shine brightly in a darkened world—
Until Christ returns.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
