We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so that all of Christ’s followers will grow and become mature. - Colossians 1:28 (CEV) Again, with this passage, we are brought back to the idea of discipleship. We are all disciples and we are all disciple makers. The question is: who or what are we becoming disciples of, and what kind of disciples are we making? Paul made it clear. Its about Christ and Christ alone. Discipleship starts at salvation and that starts with someone sharing the gospel. But evangelism is just the beginning. If we are not growing to maturity then can we really claim to be disciples? Well, obviously we can claim anything, but like the old saying, the proof is in the puddin. Even the simplest overview of the New Testament will clearly show that Jesus work and the work of Paul was all about discipleship. Jesus called people to follow Him. He did not do that just so he didnt have to travel alone. His purpose was to make imitators of Himself. Paul did the same thing. Sadly, there is an extremism in many good churches today. They tend to be focused about 90% on evangelism and 10% on discipleship. Or they flip it. 90% on what they called discipleship and 10% evangelism. Too many churches just focus on teaching with no practical application expected. We have churches full of Bible study groups but very few baptisms to show for all the learning. We also see churches constantly adding new people, but seeing way too little life change among the membership. But God is a God of balance. And if we take a good look at the great commission we see this clearly. Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. - Matthew 28:19-20 (CEV) NOTE - this is what every believer is called to do, share the gospel and teach with a purpose. And that purpose is what Paul was talking about in Colossians, so that all of Christ’s followers will grow and become mature. So today, what is this saying to you personally?
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:09:07 +0000
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