Disciples Make Disciples
Crossway story
This week I was reading the story of an Australian couple who went to Bangladesh as missionaries. When Stuart and Margaret arrived in the country they were informed, by the Baptist missionaries already there that the Muslim people were impossible to reach with the Gospel message. For the six years their experience seemed to confirm that conclusion. At the end of 6 years they were expelled from the country however they returned by themselves two years later.
They went to a city of 200,000 people, where they were the only Europeans, and to their knowledge the only Christians. They had no mission support agency but they determined to find ways to reach the Muslim people for Jesus Christ.
For six years they lived culturally as Muslims. That meant that Margaret never left the house, unless it was night. She was completely covered from head to foot in front of anyone but her husband. Stuart lived with the men and disciplined himself to eat what they ate, prayed when they prayed, and fasted when they fasted. They learned to present the Gospel in terms that were culturally appropriate to the Muslim people. For six years
The result that many many people came to know Jesus. Their effectiveness was an anomaly among missionaries to the Muslims.
Why did they succeed where others had failed?
From Bangladesh Stuart and Margaret returned to Australia to pastor a church in Melbourne. At that time, a little over a decade ago, it was a church with less than two hundred in attendance and they had been fighting for four years over where to locate the handicapped accessible bathroom. As you do in Baptist churches!!!
Stuart says that the little church in Melbourne thought they were getting a white Australian pastor who would do things like they always had done them. He goes on to say ‘They were wrong they were getting a missionary who understood that reaching people for Jesus Christ means understanding their culture and meeting them where they are, just as Jesus met us where we were.
At the heart of Stuart’s calling to ministry was John 1:14 ‘The word became flesh and moved into the neighbourhood’. MI reckon that’s why he was so effective in Bangladesh and why today his church is the largest Baptist Church in Australia. It is Crossways Baptist and I’m talking about Stuart & Margaret Robinson. Many of you would have heard their names.
His church is committed to being missionaries in their own land. It is a church clear on its mission to reach out to the spiritually sick who have no doctor.
Earlier this year I listened on the net to Stuart address his congregation about their visions and goals for the year. I heard him say that Crossway are aiming for 17% growth on their current attendance of 2000. And it will be consistent with their growth over the last few years – because the people think like and behave like missionaries.
And its not about their numbers or their size – its all about their focus and their values. Its about what they see as their primary purpose for existing.
Author Martin Robinson a British missionary who was in Perth last month has said, “It is necessary for the church to rethink its stance entirely and to become a missionary church within the west. Sadly, the church seems to be functioning in the West on the now outdated assumption that it belongs.”
A letter in last week’s Baptist Advocate made the same point – the western world is a mission field – we are a mission field – people are sending their missionaries to us. And what they are doing is coming and living in our culture and discovering what it will take to connect the gospel with ordinary Australian people. Folks – that’s our job!
In 2 Cor 4:3 Paul writes ‘If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.’ This is a life and death matter for those outside the kingdom of God.
Australia needs missionaries if we are to see the gospel impact our nation. And I believe our churches are packed with potential missionaries. I shared last year my dream for LBC is that it will be a church of missionaries – a church of people who are not necessarily all evangelists – but of people who all own the call to take the gospel to the world in whatever way we can. Australia needs people who think like missionaries to run our churches and our denominations so that they can be effective at what Jesus called them to do.
Never has Australia been such a godless place – yet never has there existed such opportunity for dialogue with people – if we will just take it up.
I could go on (and I do sometimes!!) But let me cut to the chase of what I’m on about today.
Review
For the last two weeks we have been looking at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ as opposed to being an admirer – what it means to be a follower rather than a fan. And we said a disciple is one who gives up everything to follow Jesus. One who lays down their life for him – because he laid down his life for them.
Last week we said the key quality of a disciple is not their ability – but their teachability and their availability. Disciples are like marshmallows not ginger nuts. They have soft moldable hearts.
The point was simply to say that ordinary people make great disciples – if they are teachable and available to God. They did when Jesus called them – they still do.
The Purpose of a Disciple
This morning I want to look at the mission of a disciple. What Jesus called his disciples to do. He called them to be with him so that he could make them into – ie. train and equip them – to be fishers of men.
Fishers of men was a phrase Peter James and John could identify with – it was Jesus speaking their language – putting things in terms they could relate to – it was Jesus being a missionary. But as much as he wanted them to ‘catch men/people’ the bigger clearer picture of what he was seeking is in Matthew 28:18-20.
(Mat 28:18-20 NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {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."
He called them to make disciples – to reproduce themselves in others. Jesus wanted to make disciples who would make disciples who would make disciples. And notice again that I’m using the word disciple – because it is a weighty word – it isn’t a cheap plasticky word. It means one who is a dedicated devoted follower and learner. That was what he was seeking.
As we seek to be missionaries in this world today our call is the same – to be disciples but then to make disciples – to help people become genuine, mature followers of Jesus Christ.
We’re going to look at some of what Paul had to say today but before we look at Paul’s approach to mission why don’t we see the finished product he was seeking to create.
In Col 1:28 when Paul is writing he says our goal is to proclaim Christ so that we might present every man or woman perfect or mature in him. Paul is known as one of the world’s greatest ever missionaries but his ultimate goal was not just to see people sign on the dotted line. He wanted them following Jesus heart and soul for life.
As we look at what it means to be a ‘missionary’ – to have that kind of a spirit I want to look at Paul’s life and see some of the qualities that made him such an effective missionary in the first century and then see how they relate to us here in the 21st Century.
Throwaway lines
We’re going to pick up on some of Paul’s throwaway lines that we hear so often – but that were actually themes that he lived by. You have lines that have become part of your vocabulary over time.
Mine = ‘this is God’s show’ – when each youth leader left – when Al Scott moved on. This is God’s show – he just let’s me help out. I’m just doing what I’m told. And I am believing that more and more.
And as much as I have called these throwaway lines they are actually key identifying qualities of a missionary heart. These are things he believes with great conviction.
PP1.1 - 1. “For Christ’s love compels us”
PP 1:2 Paul’s starting point is here ‘Christ’s love compels us’. - Paul was motivated by Christ’s love. Hear what he says.
PP 1:3 - (2 Cor 5:132-15 NIV) {13} If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. {14} For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. {15} And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
It is his own experience and knowledge of Jesus’ love that compels him into missionary action. It seems that for Paul it almost an irresistible force driving him to tell people the gospel.
‘Have you heard?!! Have you heard?!!’ He can’t seem to stop himself. Because he has had such a powerful experience of God’s love and race and forgiveness.
Which begs the question why do we sometimes find it hard? Maybe its because we are unfamiliar with Christ’s love. Maybe its because we haven’t experienced it like we need to – we are distant from Jesus.
When you are close to Jesus his love will compel you. His love will drive you and that’s what needs to be the driving force in our mission – Jesus’ love for us and for people who don’t know him.
You can be involved in mission out of guilt or out of necessity, but the only motivation that will carry weight in the longer term is the love we have experienced from Christ himself.
This is first base. This is where we need to begin re-igniting our own relationship with Jesus. Growing that passion for him thru being with him.
Only a disciple can reproduce a disciple. We will reproduce who we are. If we are not disciples then we will reproduce spiritual mutants who also are not disciples.
PP 2:1 - 2. I am not ashamed of the gospel
PP 2:2 Secondly Paul was not ashamed of the gospel – because evidently some were. He has a conviction that the gospel is good news. He says:
PP 2:3 (Rom 1:16-17 NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. {17} For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
I don’t know if you have ever felt ashamed of the gospel? I guess I have felt awkward with it at times. I have felt embarrassed by it. Some of the behaviour that is engaged in as part of the gospel is shameful.
But obviously Paul writes this because there were those who were for some reason ashamed of the gospel message. They were unwilling to convey it others.
And it is easy to get flack and feel embarrassed as a Christian – the church and Christians are often targets when debate turns religious. I have never ever heard anyone speak as negatively of Buddhists! But we will cop it.
Perhaps its because we allow for the possibility of absolute truth in a world of relativism. Perhaps its because we call people to follow Jesus and Jesus only in a world where there are apparently equal options.
If you feel ashamed of the gospel – like in a discussion you would be embarrassed – then do some reading and know what you believe and why you believe what you do. Maybe some of us have inherited faith and need to own it more.
As an 18 year old I realised I was ill equipped to share the gospel so I made up and memorised a 10 point gospel outline. I read books that helped me know why I could accept the truth of the gospel. And it changed my whole approach to situations where my faith was questioned. Maybe you need to do the same. I can suggest some books.
PP 3:1 - 3. “I consider my life worth nothing to me”
PP 3:2 - Thirdly, Paul lived with a self sacrificing attitude. He says
PP 3:3 (Acts 20:24 NIV) However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
In Phil he said ‘To live is Christ – to die is gain’ You can’t stop someone with that mindset.
Paul was all about the gospel – he lived for it he died for it. He called himself the ‘apostle to the gentiles’. He knew what he was called to do and who he was called to be and where sacrifice was called for there was no question he would make it.
If we go back to the story of Stuart & Margaret Robinson in Bangladesh – they could have said ‘We don’t need to eat Muslim food, practice Muslim ways etc – but for the sake of the gospel we will give up our rights and became servants or even ‘slaves’ to those people.
They were following the model of Jesus Christ in Philippians chapter two where Paul says.
Phil 2:6-7 ‘Jesus who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, {7} but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.’
Stuart Robinson says ‘Jesus modelled what it means to have a missionary heart in coming to earth, to seek us out. His cultural sacrifice, of giving up heaven to save humanity, is the apex of missionary strategy. If He could give up the glories of heaven, we could give up Western dress, Western views of gender roles, and Western ways of thinking to reach the people for whom Jesus died.”
If you want to see self sacrificing devotion, if even misplaced look at the Palestinian Suicide bombers who are now as young as 13 year old girls – they have a passion that drives them. So – what drives us – or what stops us?
Why do we sometimes resist sacrificing our money, our time, our energy, our comfort for the gospel? Does Paul know something we don’t? Do we really value the gospel like he does? Our willingness to sacrifice usually tests what we really value.
And Paul’s line isn’t just that he has given $20 a week to the gospel – he says – “I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may get to finish the task of sharing the gospel” Maybe we need to get some perspective on what really matters.
PP 4:1 - 4. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
This is where practical strategy comes in – but it really is pretty empty if we aren’t motivated by Christ’s love – if we aren’t confident of the power of the gospel and if we aren’t committed to it with our lives.
PP 4:2 - Paul says “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some”. He’s speaking of building bridges to connect with people. The living Bible speaks of finding common ground with people. That’s all it takes.
PP 4:3 - Paul says in 1 Cor 9:19-22 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. {20} To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. {21} To those not having the law I became like one not having the law, so as to win those not having the law. {22} To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
Jon and Angela Wilmot are two of the missionaries we support in Africa. Recently I met with Rob Lutton to discuss the possibilities of a trip to Malawi. And he told me that when John comes back and speaks to groups one of the questions he asks them is ‘how far would you be prepared to go to communicate the gospel to people?’
Let me ask ‘how far are we prepared to go to see the gospel impact this community?’ What treasured practices will you surrender – what personal biases will you concede to see people around here come to know Jesus? I ask myself those questions and the answer to that has to be whatever it takes – whatever is not sinful is up for grabs.
I know some of those missionaries have had to come to terms with ‘Jesus mosques’ – Christian faith expressed in Muslim culture. What might that mean for us? I dunno but maybe we need to take some risks to find out.
And that means we might make some mistakes along the way. Anyone who tries something a bit edgy for the gospel – something that hasn’t been tried before – will find people ready to criticise – and sadly its often the other Christians who throw rocks – often those who aren’t reaching anyone themselves!
I said it gets risky. There is a little known story of Willow Creek’s first venture into Sweden. In teaching the Swedes about how to run services for people who don’t normally come to church Bill Hybels and the crew thought they had done a fairly good job. Until it came to the final night and they ran a sample guest service. You see the Swedes had got some ideas right, but had missed some other stuff. They had heard that it was important to do things that would help people connect so to open the evening they had girls dancing behind a screen with light shining on them just like on James Bond and ‘yes’ their girls were topless! Not quite what the Willow Creek crew had in mind – but when people have a go at new things sometimes they will get it a little wrong. But isn’t that better than sitting back in judgement.
How can you build bridges – find common ground with people?
Babies swimming classes – a perfect opportunity.
Teaching English to migrants – Amy Fitz
PP 5:1 - 5. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay”
Finally we must see this part of Paul because it would be easy to miss it if we view him from a distance.
PP 5:2 - For all his incredible ability and knowledge, Paul was a humble man. He knew his own weakness & dependence on God.
PP 5:3 - (2 Cor 4:5-11 NIV) For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. {6} For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. {7} But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. {8} We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; {9} persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Paul knew his own ordinariness and brokenness. He knew that on his own he could do nothing. Its why he is always asking people to pray for him.
When it comes to people becoming disciples we cannot make anything happen – we cannot convert anyone, grow anyone – we can do our bit to help people meet Jesus but ultimately its only he who transforms lives.
When I see a person wanting to believe – but not able to I am reminded of my own uselessness to overcome that – and the fact that its only when God acts and reveals himself to them that anything happens. I can’t change a person’s heart.
The measure of God dependence is probably closely reflected in our commitment to prayer.
But the beauty of what Paul says here ‘ we have this treasure in jars of clay’ is that mission isn’t limited in any way to experts. Its for ordinary people.
The Ohio church – 50-700 – a ‘loser’ missionary came home and it was all he could find. God used a humble weak person to do something quite amazing.
Conclusion
Its been said of churches ‘Twenty years ago, being off course was like missing your exit on the freeway. You drove to the next exit, swung around and got back on course. Today, being off course is like boarding the space shuttle and launching into the wrong orbit. You may survive, but you’ll not achieve your mission. All the effort and energy you have will be devoted to your own survival.’
A church that makes a difference today is a church that knows the course and is steering that course. A church that is devoted to the mission rather than its own survival.
My theory is that we will want to be that church – we will want to be a church that will see people coming into an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ and becoming disciples – but we will also resist being that church – maybe consciously – maybe unconsciously – because to be that church will inevitably mean constant change and personal pain. We will find it easier to say ‘this is how it is – fit in’ than to ask ‘how can we be most effective?’
I want to encourage you today to say ‘yes’ to whatever it takes’ – to swallow hard and say ok count me in. I want to be a missionary to Australia. I want to see people’s lives changed. God I want to let you use me.
Hear those qualities that characterise Paul again and maybe identify one that God would want to grow in you this year.
- PP 6:1 motivated by Christ’s love – do you need to get to know Jesus again and experience his love?
- PP 6: 2 not ashamed of the gospel – do you need to know why the gospel is good news?
- PP 6:3 a sacrificial spirit – maybe God is challenging you to change not just the amount you give to mission work but your whole approach. Maybe he’s calling for your life.
- PP 6:4 a builder of bridges – ask yourself where can I find common ground with people?
- PP 6:5 dependent on God – maybe you need to realise that its not about you. Its about what God can do thru you if you will let him.
Australia needs Christians with missionary hearts who can make disciples like Jesus intended.
What is God saying to you today?
