Disciple Making
Raise the Sails
September 10, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Mark 11:12–25
In the 1st century AD, ships were sailing vessels. There were no cruise ships. There were no yachts. There were no speedboats. Ships did not have motors. They used the power of the wind to travel to their destination. The crew members simply had to raise the sails to catch the wind. Jesus’s disciples would have understood this comparison because many of them were fisherman who used sailboats daily. They knew that even though they couldn’t see or control the wind, but they could feel its effects and capture its power. When it comes to disciple making, we cannot impact all, influence many, or invest in a few without the wind of the Spirit.
A Field, a Cave, and a Mountain
September 3, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Matthew 13:1–23, Matthew 16:13–23, Matthew 17:1–8
Disciple making is not simply a matter of having the correct vision, the best strategy, and the right plan. Disciple making is a battle. The Devil, the flesh, and the world are fighting against us. Some seed we scatter will not grow. The hardest days may be at the most critical moments. But even when we feel discouraged or defeated, Jesus has already secured the victory. Nothing the world builds and nothing the Devil boasts can overcome the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus is the rock on which God’s kingdom is being built. We have a sure foundation because we have a risen Savior.
Marching Orders
August 27, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Luke 9:1–6, Luke 10:1–21
In Luke 9-10, Jesus gives two groups the same marching orders about where they are supposed to go, what they are supposed to take, and how they are supposed to minister. These marching orders put them in a situation that forced them to rely on God. They could have made excuses for not making disciples. They could have objected because it wasn't the right place, the right time, or the right person. They may have felt ill-equipped, unqualified, or unworthy to carry the message of Jesus. But all they had is all they needed to do all that Jesus asked.
It Takes a Disciple
August 20, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Matthew 4:23–25, Matthew 5:1–2, Matthew 9:35–38
It takes a disciple to make a disciple. We cannot give what we do not have. We cannot pass on what we have not received. We cannot teach what we do not know. We cannot share what we do not own. We cannot make disciples if we are not a disciple. We can only lead someone as far as we ourselves have gone. Jesus knew this. He knew that the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations would be unachievable if he did not train his followers to lead others. This is why the disciples did not do much more than watch Jesus work for a year or more. Following Jesus was on-the-job-training. He modeled ministry, then delegated assignments to the disciples, let them succeed and fail, and then gave feedback, correction, and encouragement. The more that people came to Jesus, the more opportunities Jesus had for teachable moments with his disciples.
Follow Me
August 13, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Matthew 4:18–22, Luke 5:27–32, John 1:29–51
We all follow someone. We follow people we want to be like on social media. We follow our favorite athlete or team. We follow celebrities by attending their concerts or watching their movies. We follow politicians by joining their rallies or supporting their campaigns. The story of becoming a disciple and becoming a disciple maker began with an invitation. The invitation is not to like and subscribe. It is not to download an app. It is not to join an email list. It is not to support a GoFundMe. The invitation is two words: follow me. We do not follow Jesus because he was popular, powerful, or prestigious. We follow him because of who he is, the Holy One of God, the Messiah King, the sacrificial Lamb.
Disciple Making
August 6, 2023 • Andrew Cullen • Luke 10:1–2, Matthew 28:16–20
Jesus models impacting all, influencing many, and investing in a few. Today, we tend to value impacting all and influencing many. We like writing big checks and seeing big crowds. It feels more significant because it affects more people, at least initially. It requires less transparency and lower commitment. However, the best investments are small contributions to the same asset on a consistent basis that compound over time. Disciple making is not just about introducing people to Jesus. It is about helping them take their next step in following Jesus. We baptize them and teach them to obey. Impacting all and influencing many are important, as Jesus modeled for us. But the most important priority, the Great Commission, is to make disciples how Jesus made disciples. There is no greater job, and there is no greater joy.