Each week of the DISCIPLE series we will be asking a question and suggesting a motion.
How do disciples engage the world?
Make Kingdom Introductions
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV84)
18 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.”
John 15:26-27, 16:5-11 (NIV84)
26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
5 “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
One of the most revealing, and quite frankly scariest, things a parent will ever see is…themselves in their own children. Regardless of how many times you tell them to do as you say, the truth is they are more likely to do what you do.
It is the same when it comes to making disciples…we remake what me model. That is one reason that one of the most important things a Christian can do if he or she wants to make other disciples is to make sure that you are being a good disciple.
What does that mean?
For the entire DISCIPLE series we have been talking about a phrase: Discipleship is a heart issue that works itself out in our extremities. First and foremost a disciple is someone who is devoted to Christ. A disciple delights in Christ. A disciple talks to (prayer) and listens to (Bible reading and meditation) Christ. A disciple walks with Christ throughout their day. A disciple talks about Christ, not because they feel like they have to, but it naturally comes out in conversation. In the same way that a newly married husband can’t help but talk about his wife and wants everyone to meet her, a disciple can’t help but share about Christ. And, they want everyone to meet him.
When we allow ourselves to have a deep relationship with Christ and then share that with others, we are making kingdom introductions. The rest is up to God.
How You Can Introduce Others to Christ – Bill Bright
Introducing Someone to Christ – That’s My King – Dr. S. M. Lockridge