Making Disciples
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The True Purpose of the ChurchIf you are not making disciples, are you really a church? Churches miss the mark when they decide they exist to "keep the doors open," or "to preserve a good old building," or "to be a place where friends meet (i.e. a club)."
Matthew 28:19-20 make it as clear as any command of scripture: "Go and make disciples..." It can't possibly more apparent than this. Our job is to duplicate the life and lessons taught by Jesus Christ into others who want to follow Him. If we aren't making disciples, we aren't being a church. |
Two Fundamental Operating LawsAgain, Jesus commands his people: Love God and love people (Luke 10:27). It's not popular to talk about commands anymore. But Jesus makes no apologies. He said to his disciples, that if you love him, you will obey his commands (John 14:15).
If we are to make disciples then, we must nurture that love for God and people by exemplifying it and practicing it through how our church engages with the world- or as we used to say, in our church programming. |
Three Life Changing Truths
God is Omniscient"God is omniscient: He's too wise to lead us astray." I have my congregation repeat this regularly. It helps them to remember that whatever is happening, God still knows what's going on and where we are. He knows how it's all going to work out. He's a sure guide, and He knows exactly how to get there.
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God is SovereignIn a sense this sentence covers two important doctrines: God has a plan for history, and God is so powerful (omnipotent) that He will bring about what He wants. This is powerful truth today. Life can seem so out of control. Remembering this practical truth helps us to navigate rough waters in life.
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God is Good All the TimeThis little phrase has made the rounds in Christendom through the years. It reminds us that God is never malicious, but is morally perfect. He will never act in a way that is mean or evil, but always acts with a view toward our long term best interest.
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Three Points of TransformationHead, Heart and Hands. A disciple is conscious of the fact that these three parts of life are not only in need of being transformed, but are the agents of transforming our world.
Head A new Christian does not think like a Christian ought when they first "get saved." He or she still thinks like a sinner. There is too much training and history for a person to be transformed in a mere moment. The Church is to teach what Christ taught us, and so transform that head into having a Christian worldview To this end, the Adult Christian Education class, the Bible Study, and personal discipleship are vital. Heart Heart is the seat of the will. Part of our role as a church is to mold and nurture a heart that is yielded to the Lord and ready to serve him. Preaching is the place where we persuade people into a deeper obedience. Service to others and personal mentoring are also critical in forming a heart that is ceded to God. Hands Hands represent our interaction with the world around us. Peter teaches us to "Be Holy in all your conduct (1 Peter 1)." That conduct is symbolized by our hands. Not only does a church model and nurture holy living but it also employs those hands in service to the kingdom. The arena you serve include both service to God's people but also to a world that desperately needs God's touch. You are His hands in a world that needs His transforming power. |