Who Is A Disciplemaker?

 Who Is A Disciplemaker? (Matthew 7:13-14)

A disciple-maker must first of all be a disciple simply because it is impossible to give what you don't have. The individual who is seeking an educational qualification or professional certificate must come to terms with being a student. That would entail making decisions that would prioritise his or her studying; abiding by the rules of their preferred educational institutions or professional bodies. The goal would be the qualification but there would be a process. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said, 

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it." (AMP).

Since there can be no discipleship without Jesus, it stands to reason that the potential or prospective disciple must desire life - eternal life found only in Jesus. The disciple cannot have a life that is independent of Jesus because true discipleship is a function of one's relationship with Him. 

It is important to note that failure to grasp the reality of everalsting life leads to self-deception and frustration. The road to eternal life is narrow and difficult; its gate is narrow. The implication is that effort, determination, and focus is required. Apostle Paul wrote, "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14, AMP). 

Despite all his achievements in the ministry and in the vineyard of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, Paul was desirous of more; he made a decision to press on toward the goal, the prize of the upward call of Jesus. In other words, he was determined to follow Jesus to the end. Is that your desire?

The early believers became disciples instantanoeusly (after receiving Jesus) because they were totally sold out to Him right from the beginning. They were determined to run their Christian races to the end, no matter what. There was no option B. I put it to you - that is where discipleship should start. The acquisition of knowledge is good but the working out of such knowledge demands sacrifice, total surrender, humility and a Kingdom mindset. In other words discipleship starts with a heartfelt commitment that is demonstrated by asking the question, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" each day of our lives. This is what Paul did in Acts 9:6.

This is why Jesus stipulated the conditions for discipleship. It makes no sense subscribing to the conditions when the willingness and commitment are not there. It makes no sense enrolling for a course when the commitment towards studying is lacking. It makes no sense to yearn for discipleship when self-aggrandisement, self-centredness, self-promotion are at the forefront.

Having decided to embrace the realities of eternal life, the believer comes to terms with the difficult conditions laid down by Jesus namely:

1. Taking up one's cross daily - "Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:27, AMP). There are tests, trials and temptations we would have to endure. 
2. Hating parents, siblings, wife and children and one's self -  “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]—he cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26, AMP). Our love for  members of our immediate and extended families should look like hatred compared to our love for Jesus.
3. Giving up all of one's possessions - "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [carefully consider the cost and then for My sake] give up all his own possessions." (Luke 14:33). We must be willing to lay all at the feet of Jesus - our educational qualifications, our careers, our money, our families, our status, our cars, etc. for the sake of the Kingdom. Apostle Paul gave up everything as did the disciples of Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22; Philippians 3: 7-11). 
4. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness - "But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also." (Matthew 6:33, AMP). We must out God first in everything.
5. Offering our lives as a living sacrifice - "Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]." (Romans 12:1-2, AMP)

Commitment to the above conditions paves the way for spiritual growth, reproduction and multiplication. Following Jesus is the prerequisite for becoming fishers of men. Following Jesus is not a walk in the park. It requires fixing our eyes on Him the Author and Finisher of our faith. When we are rooted in Jesus, we cannot fail; God will make us what He had ordained for us to be before the world began. Yes, we shall be pruned but it will be to enable us to be more friuitful (John 15:1-5).  Hallelujah!! Have a blessed day.

The Essence of Discipleship

The Essence of Discipleship

Matthew 28:18-20 - 
"18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen" (NKJV)

"18 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” (AMP)

The Great Commission is stated as given by Jesus in the NKJV and AMP versions of the Bible. The Great Commission is a commandment given by Jesus to all believers irrespective of their denomination, age, ethnicity, titles, offices, sex, size, or location. It is a universal command and bishops, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, deacons and the laity must obey. Disobedience to the great Commission or any other command of God is detrimental to spiritual growth. Period.

"The Christian life is the discipled life and the discipling life" (Mark Dever, 'Discipling', page 13)

Mark Derver's statement is simple yet very profound and interesting. From a sequential viewpoint, in terms of arrangement of the words and phrases, the implications reveal what Jesus really had in mind. The task of discipling is not for the undiscipled. It is impossible for one who is not a disciple of Jesus to make a disciple or be a disciplemaker. 

In Acts 11:26, we read of how the disciplies of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch. Note that the word, 'Christian' was not used as a means of commendation for the disciples;it was used in a derogatory sense. It can be inferred that the person who truly wants to be a Christian should be prepared for ridicule and mockery. 

The disciples did not suddenly become Christians. No!. Their Christian lives were demonstrated as a result of their discipled lives. Therefore a true Christian must be a disciple of Jesus. Otherwise his or her profession of faith in Jesus is false. That the disciples were called Christians does not mean that they were elevated in status. In fact, they remained what they were - disciples of Jesus whose newly acquired derogatory title, 'Christian' was a description of the visible outworking of their discipled lives brought about by following Jesus, wholeheartedly and unreservedly in the power of the Holy Spirit.

• They forsook all to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 14:33)
• They remained with Jesus, even when their understanding was minimal and others forsook Him (John 6: 66-71)
• They voluntarily died for Jesus. All the disciples except John were murdered for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• They loved Jesus more than their wives, children, siblings, parents, relatives, friends, and their own lives (Luke 14:33)
• They resisted any suggestion that implied putting man first (Acts 5:28-29)
• They were persecuted, imprisoned, and beaten all of which they considered to be an honour (Acts 5:40-42)
• They did not fast and pray to avoid persecutions like many Christians are doing today. They embraced God's Word that states that those who would live godly lives will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12)

Are you ready for persecution? The early Church did not grow in the absence of tests, trials, and temptations. Contrary to popular opinion, the early Church grew in spite of persecution. Stephen who was a deacon was stoned to death because he stood firm on the infallible and uncompromising Word of God. Today the underground Church is growing exponentially in countries where brutal regimes seek to dehumanise and wipe out believers of Jesus. 

My brethren, disciplemaking is an undisputable outcome of discipleship. Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7, 15-20, NKJV)

Are you making disciples for Jesus? The fruit of a disciple of Jesus is another dsiciple of Jesus. A disciple of Jesus must be a disciplemaker.  May God give you the grace and strength to receive His Word and put it into practice.