GO FOR THE GOLD
(Matthew 28:18-20)
(Revelation 3:14-21)
(Hebrews 10:23-25)
INTRODUCTION: DISIPLE MAKING IS UNIVERSALLY RELEVANT
Jesus’ command to make disciples was a perpetual one.
Every believer is personally responsible for it.
A. To make disciple IS the Great Commission…
“Go into all the world and make disciple…”
1. This methodology is God’s divine design.
2. The results are always the same – an explosion of Good News expanding into the world.
3. If you have “won” someone to the Lord - your job is only half done
I. DISCIPLING ALWAYS WORKS!
A. Mass evangelism and revival crusades, like the Day of Pentecost, is great… but discipling must follow if we are to fulfill the Great Commission.
1. Evangelism alone is incomplete, but is better thank nothing at all.
2. Disciples make disciples.
B. Don’t stop short of the Great Commission
1. Sunday School has been hailed as a great tool for evangelism and discipleship…BUT…
2. Why pan for gold nuggets in the river when the mountain upstream is filled with veins of gold!
3. Don’t make the stream bigger –GO WHERE THE GOLD IS!
II. DISCIPLE MAKING IS RELEVANT IN EVERY CONTEXT
A. The principles of discipleship are relevant in any culture or social setting (political,, war, peace, poverty, or wealth).
B. Disciple making requires no special place, no meeting house, no advertisement, no special organization, and no special programs.
1. There is only one situation in which discipling is not immediately applicable
- a lone person shipwrecked on a desert island or a prisoner in solitary confinement.
2. Where there are people – disciple making should be in the making.
C. Disciples should become spiritual elders who will oversee the spiritual welfare of others.
III. DISCIPLE MAKING AND THE
A. The present day church must re-discover its two fold responsibility – to the world as disciple makers, and to the local church as ministering body members.
1. The church lost its direction because people dislike getting out of their comfort zone.
2. Vulnerability stops some people from doing the Lord’s command.
3. Other reasons that surface are:
a. invasion of personal space, b. emphasis upon leisure time, c. poor time – management, d. lack of personal Bible knowledge
B. Churches have molded themselves to fit the mind – set of the people for non – threaten convenience and comfort.
1. There is nothing wrong with attractive, functional facility and accessible services and ministry programs.
2. DON’T FORGET TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST!
IV. DEFY CENTURIES OF TRADITION – ADOPT THE TWO FOLD MINISTRY OF A NEW TESTAMENT
CHURCH!
A. Revelation 3:14-21
1. Disciple making ignored results in luke warmness.
2. New converts (disciples) brings excitement and creates a thriving fellowship.
B. IF bombs or persecutions destroyed our church buildings, convention meetings, programs, and training seminars… the TRUE essence of Christian living (that is the two-fold ministry of the New Testament church) will survive.
C. Hebrews 10:23-25
D. Neither frills nor formality – ONLY CHRIST – is the reality of the true and living church.
V. CONCERNING THE RELEVANCY OF THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD – CHANGE IS COMING!
A. A revolution is coming! That is a good thing.
1. Christ is coming!!! That is a better thing.
B. The Holy Ghost is empowering all disciple makers afresh and anew. The anointing for setting the captive free is coming back to the Lord’s church.
C. We are here to do the same thing Jesus was anointed to do… and more so!
D. Determine today to shatter three attitudes:
1. Convenience
2. Complacency
3. Comfort
IV. HEAR THE MASTER CALLING FOR YOU EVEN NOW!
A. Like the blind beggar – cast off the old garment
B. Know that the Master is calling for you.
C. Listen to the still, small voice speaking even now.
