Make Disciples
Our church’s mission is: “Make disciples who make disciples”. I remember the literary rule when reading a sentence like this… the “you” is implied. The last words of Jesus while He was on earth with His followers was for them to go and replicate themselves. Jesus’ disciples had been with Him around three years. They were watching Him and learning from Him. He had shown them Who He was and what His ministry was to look like.
The Jewish people expected a Messiah who would overthrow Rome and rule them like a king. Jesus didn’t fit what they were looking for. He was ushering in a Kingdom that wasn’t of this world. Even His followers had to learn the mission of the Messiah. Check this out…
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 NLT)
This is more than mentoring for a professional role or job. This disciple making is consistently pointing people to Jesus. If a pastor is drawing people to himself instead of drawing people to Jesus, then that pastor is off mission. Jesus’ last words were simple… go make disciples.
I think making disciples starts at home. The people that know me best and “behind the scenes” know exactly who I am and what I really believe. I can put on a friendly face to the world, but my family knows if my faith is genuine. I remember when I was a student pastor, I would say that my youth ministry started with my kids at home.
Today as I go about my work serving in Real Estate, I’m called to make disciples. I’m called to follow Jesus and invite others to follow Him.
Pressing On!
Dwayne