February 27th

Do you trust Him enough to obey? You have trusted Him for salvation, but do you trust Him with your life? Do you trust Him with your journey not just your destination?

To paraphrase David Platt: some people think that being a Christian is simply jumping out of the line that leads to Hell into the line that leads to Heaven all the while still wanting everything that is in the line leading to Hell.

As a whole, the Church has done a poor job at correctly articulating and teaching what becoming a Christian really means. We have watered down the gospel and made it seem limited to a sinner’s prayer and maybe water baptism. So many people unfortunately have no idea that those are the beginning of a full, blessed experience in Jesus that entails becoming a Christ follower/disciple making disciples. We have focused so much on the destination that we have failed to teach growth and make disciples.

Jesus didn’t say go make converts did He? He said go make disciples.

So, do you trust Him enough to obey Him and turn your life upside down and start making disciples?

Yes we want people to give their lives to Christ Jesus, but we don’t want them to stop there, we want them to be disciples making disciples. We want them to have their lives revolutionized (is that a word?) We want their lives turned upside down, to be set free, from the sin and desires for sin and the things that hold them captive now. We want them to be transformed (sanctified) back into the image of God whom they were created to be. We want their Shalom! So we have to adjust our thinking and approach. We have to start teaching that this is the beginning step not the end.

You know, Paul wrote letters to the church that he started at Thessalonica. Those letters we call 1 and 2 Thessalonians. If you read those books in the Bible you will see that he wrote about some pretty deep theological concepts. The significance of that is that they were new converts, what we would call “baby Christians.” He started that church and was only with them 3 weeks before he left! He didn’t waste time. He moved right on to the rest of their journey of becoming disciples, teaching them about the second coming of Jesus, sanctification, the Word alive in us, how to live a life worthy of the calling, etc. -You say, “Wait, you mean he talked about having a calling when they were only 3 week old converts?” Yes! Exactly the point, we have to start teaching/discipling right away.

This might involve inviting them to church yes, but it should NOT stop there. Set up a time to have a bible study with them and if the two of you can’t make it to one that we already have, we will start another one, and another one, and another one, whatever it takes. You might end up with a biblestudy in your home with your neighbors or coworkers. If you can read a chapter in the Gospels together you can lead them in biblestudy, you don’t have to be afraid. Remember, God is with you always, even to the end of the age, right? You don’t have to know all the answers. If you come across a question you can’t answer, you write it down and ask Pastor Bill for help later. It is good for new disciples to know that the one discipling them doesn’t know everything, it takes the pressure off of them (and you.) It feels good to them to be learning together, instead of just being preached at. Teaching the Truth of the Word right away starts them maturing so that they can deal with the deception of the enemy that will come at them as soon as they give their heart to Christ. The enemy won’t be happy and will try everything he can to derail them, so we need to pour truth into them immediately.

Ephesians 4:11-16 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God a may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Jesus, wow, I am a little overwhelmed. It is exciting but also not what I imagined. I can’t picture myself teaching a Bible study. Help me to understand what your will is and to walk in it. Help me to not look at these giants but to keep my eyes on you and walk in obedience. Thank you for being with me and reminding me that together this will be a great adventure not just a scary journey. Thank you Jesus.

Remember new converts don’t KNOW Jesus, so reading through the gospels with them helps them learn about who Jesus is, His nature and His love AND His commission to us!