"The Discipleship Dilemma"
Matthew 28:19-20
John 15:1-17
Happy Leap Year! Today we're looking at some verses outside of the One-Year Bible reading track as there isn't a given reading for the 29th.
Have you ever been given a job and really had a hard time completing it because you didn't understand it? I think there is a vast majority of believers who suffer from a sense of paralysis because there's not an understanding of the assignment. In the great commission of Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands all of us, "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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
When you hear the words, "Go and make disciples", what feeling do you experience? I believe for many there's a feeling of intimidation because we don't understand what that means. When we hear the words "teaching to obey..." there's this level of confrontation that can be somewhat disconcerting. It's really important however, to look at the context of who's giving this command, and how he put this into action.
The Pharisees were people who walked around looking at people, and judging whether or not they were measuring up to the commands of God. They were judgmental. They looked down their nose at people. I think when we consider discipling people, our misconceptions of what it means may cause us to align with the methodology of the Pharisees.
But that's what we've got to reconsider. Jesus' method of discipleship was not a yardstick of judgment reminding people of how they fell short. His purpose and plan was to build relationships with people, and through those relationships teach them the ways of the Lord.
Listen to what Jesus says to his disciples: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands, and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as i have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit -- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:9-17)
Notice the key mindset: FRIENDSHIP.
When we have an incorrect view of discipleship, and we align with the methods of the pharisees, we don't engage in the process. We're not connected to the vine. We're not bearing fruit. This is the dilemma: We're commanded to disciple, but don't do it.
We need to understand that the priority of discipleship is Making Friends! As we focus on building relationships and becoming Godly friends, THEN the exponential expansion of discipleship begins to take place. Our friendships need to have the focus of encouragement, servanthood, and love. Jesus said that the world will know we are his disciples by our love for one another. He didn't say it was by the fact that we have a discipleship workbook in our hand.
Make disciples today! You can do it! Build friendships with purpose!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
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