The Making and Commitment of True Disciples

The Making and Commitment of True Disciples Matt. 28. 18-20, 

Matt. 4.18-22

The great commission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is for all believers to “..go ye into all the world”, and make disciples of all nations. By this, we are to preach to people everywhere and teach them to become followers of Christ. A disciple is a follower, who learns from his master, obey his master, submit to his master and do the will of his master always. As believers, we are called by Christ as He called the early Apostles and mandated with the same commission to go and preach. Obedience to this commission brings blessings to us and deliverance to the sinner. It multiplies the disciples for Christ ensuring that more people would stand for Him in this world. However, disobedience to the master’s command has grave consequence and penalties. Furthermore, making disciples of all new converts extends to every believer. We must make adequate provisions for all new comers and invitees to fully know the Lord and to be committed to serving Him. This can only be achieved when we, leaders and members of the church, devote concrete time to teach, train and mentor them to be like our Master  

The Characteristics of True Disciples Matt.28.18-20,  Matt. 4.19, John 15. 1-3, John 8. 31-32, Acts. 4.13,

True disciples are very easy to identify. They strive to be like their master and always do His will. The following are some of the characteristics of a responsible disciple.  (i)  Commitment to the work of God (John 4: 34), (ii)  willingness to do the will of God (John 5:30), (iii) Always follow the Lord and abide in His teaching (John 8:31), (iv)  patterns his life after the master (Matthew 10:24; 1 Peter 2:21), (v) always do things that please God (John 8:29), (vi) A disciple believes the sound teaching of the word and allows it to control his life and (vii) A disciple continues in the word of God and a (John 8:31)

Christ-like Method of Training Disciples. Matt. 4.18-19, Acts 15.36, John 21.15-17, 1 Thess 1. 7-10, Luke 9.23, Col. 1.23

The work of evangelization of the world is not for one or few believers but for the whole church. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our model in raising disciples. His pattern and methods are precise and purposefully directed to fulfilling the goal of raising disciples of all nations. Like Christ, raising disciples of all men begins from but not limited to preaching. (i) We are to preach to the sinners everywhere they may be and patiently explain to them the dangers of sin and the need for the Saviour till they get converted.(1 Cor 9.16, Rom. 1.16, 2 Tim.4.2, John 4.34).(ii)After their conversion, we must follow them up to establish them in the faith. This is done through consistent teaching of God’s Word (Acts 15.36) to teach them of their new life in Christ (2 Cor.5.17, Gal.2.20). (iii) We must baptize them in water helping them to identify with the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (iv) We also need to mentor them by showing them examples of Christian discipleship by our lifestyle. This could be achieved through teaching and practice through our familiarity with them. Christ taught his disciples how to live as Christians and also showed them how to exercise Christian faith. Paul the Apostle also discipled the Thessalonians believers in this same manner. (1 Thess 1. 7-10). We must charge these new disciples to continue in faith, taking up their cross daily and following Christ. We must also teach and demonstrate to them total trust in God for daily provisions and to set their affections on things above and not on things of the earth and not conforming to the worldly pursuits (Col. 3. 1-3, Rom. 12-1-2). We can only achieve this by fully identifying with them individually and being friendly with them. We must encourage them to study God’s word personally and teach them to meditate on it and to grow in the grace of God and in Christian experiences through constant personal prayer. Finally, it is our responsibility to empower them by enlisting them and giving them opportunities to preach to others and to give generously for the evangelization of others (within and beyond), beginning from the House caring Fellowship.

Commitment and Commendation of Truthful Disciples Isa 6.1-8, Luke 24.46-48, Luke 11.23, John 4.36, Mark 16.20,

The need of the World evangelization is high. Souls are dying in their multitudes daily all over the world without Salvation. Without making disciples of all nations, it will be difficult for Christ’s prayer to be met(Matt. 6.10, Luke 24.46-48). Therefore a faithful and reliable disciple (both new and old) must consecrate their lifetime to the fulfillment of the purpose of Christ. To make disciples of all nations is to ensure that every sinner around us is reached for Christ, and every convert is discipled for the kingdom of God. We must consecrate our time, talent and treasures to get this done. Not just to bring them to the church, but also to get them into being and behaving like Christ. This is the only way by which we can gather with Christ to receive bountiful harvest.

The Lepers of old realized and lamented “We do not well..”(2Kings 7.9), Isaiah caught the vision and exclaimed “Here am I, send me”(Isa 6.8), Paul the Apostle caught it and proclaimed, Woe is me if I preach not the gospel,(1Cor 9.16) Jesus declared the servant that knows his masters will and do it not shall be beaten with many stripes (Luke 12.47). What will you declare to your Lord who died for the salvation of the world.

Nevertheless, those who obeyed and do the will of the Master will always receive the reward of their obedience (John 4.36), His abiding presence is certain upon all reliable disciples who go forth and preaching the gospel. Their prayers shall be answered, they shall shine like the brightness and stars forever, and whatsoever they do shall prosper. Signs and wonders shall equally follow them and they shall reign with God eternally.