The World Needs Disciples

Why is it important?

Jesus felt the need for disciples was so important it was His last words He spoke on earth to His disciples:

Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Can One Life Make an Impact?

The world needs Disciples of Jesus Christ not church attendants, as one disciple of Jesus can make more impact than an entire building full of church attenders. 

There are stark differences between the two, we will compare and contrast some of these differences and hopefully define what it means to truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

So why is the need so great for disciples then and just as much today?

Men and Women that are fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ can absolutely change the world. And it does not take very many disciples to change the world. Jesus had twelve main disciples He poured into, there were many more but those 12 along with the Apostle Paul and other early first century disciples turned the world upside down. 

Acts 17:6 “And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,”

Elijah was the only true Prophet of the living God amongst hundreds of false prophets in his era, and was used mightily by God. 

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭22‬ ‭

“Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.”

God doesn't need mega churches or multitudes of people to do something mighty. If we are not careful we think it takes a big crowd to accomplish something big, the ways of the Kingdom are not like the ways of the world.

Disciples have changed the world through the past two centuries. Disciples have created what we know today as hospitals, orphanages, translated the Bible into hundreds of languages, and have changed communities and nations throughout the entire world yet it all started with Jesus and the twelve. And many who accomplished these feats were small groups of devoted disciples or individuals who translated the Bible as missionaries. 

Differences between what a disciple is and what a church attendant is.

Church attender. Let me begin by saying that many if not most of us start at one of these misguided places, but staying here is not an option for a believer.

Matthew 23:28 - So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

• Church attender - One who says with words that the believe in Jesus but comes to church for one or many of the wrong reasons (the only right reason should be to worship and serve God)

  • Some of the wrong reasons a church attender comes to church:

    • It makes them feel good about themselves (self deception)

    • It makes them feel like they are a good person (self-righteous)

    • There are cute guys or girls that go there. (not seeking God first)

    • They have good programs and give me good entertainment (looking to be served rather than looking to serve)

    • The church feed me or gives me money (this could hit any level of church goer from full time ministry to someone leeching off a church to get what it can from it then on to the next hustle)

    • Goes because a Pastor preaches “good” or “is nice” or the Worship plays the kind of songs/style they like. (personality/entertainment seeker)

    • There are many more we can add here, but so the mic doesn't get shut off and I get run out of here I'll stop here…

Disciple of Jesus. 

• Disciple - One who believes in Jesus for salvation and forgiveness, and whose heart and mind are set on following Him daily.

  • That belief (trust) becomes the foundation for a relationship with the one and only true and living God who created the universe and everything in it and it also  empowers us by the Holy Spirit to live lives free from rebellion towards God and free from the power and bondage of sin & addictions (that means any rebellion, sin, and addiction we can become free from).

  • This belief begins a life of faith that sets us on a lifelong journey of following after our new Lord and master Jesus Christ who was God incarnate. Who walked among us and showed us how we should live in relationships among our fellow humans, and gave us many commands and instructions on how to live the life He intended for us all to live.

  • A disciple is at its core, one who follows Jesus, one who listens to Jesus, and who only seeks what pleases the Father (like Jesus did), and one who loves others and desires to serve others (not looking to be served).

  • This is a lifelong process that we embark on once we believe, the only requirement is that we continue to seek Jesus and keep a repentant heart.

John 10:27 - “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

John 13:35 - “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Mark 10:45 - “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Conclusion.

So you can see there are major differences in being a follower of Jesus and being a church attendant, but really it comes down to, has one truly believed in Jesus and the motives of the heart on why we do what we do concerning Jesus. Both require humble submission to God and a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit to occur. We need God to show Himself to us through Jesus and we need the Holy Spirit to help us bear fruits of repentance and fruits of the Spirit to live this life of a disciple. We can will our way to a life of faith that follows Jesus in our own strength and wisdom.

So the question I ask you today, which are you a disciple and true follower of Jesus, or a church attender? If you can sincerely say you are a follower of Jesus, praise God, and there is much work to do! If you are a church attender the good news is you still have the opportunity to become a disciple. Don’t waste your life, talents, and abilities on your own agenda, allow your life to be used for the only thing that matters when it’s all said and done, the Kingdom of God!