I have heard this phrase mentioned numerous times in church circles for as long as I remember. But what does it mean… truly, what does it mean to be a disciple who makes disciples?

To answer that question, we have to first define what we mean by the word “disciple”. The most common definition of the word (according to the Oxford dictionary) is a personal follower of Jesus. So, in order to be a disciple we have to follow Jesus. In order to follow Jesus, we have to KNOW Him. To know Jesus is to have a personal relationship with Him; repenting of our sins and asking for His forgiveness, filling our lives with a great love for Him and for God’s Word.

Every follower or believer of Jesus has a story to tell; we call this a testimony. It is often this testimony that God will use to call someone else to Himself. If we want to be effective witnesses for our heavenly Father, we must desire to GROW in our faith and in our walk with Jesus everyday. It is not that a new believer who is just getting their feet under them can not do this… it is just that we all will be more effective as witnesses when we desire to be better at following Jesus tomorrow than we were today… and we repeat this process, day after day. This will result in growth, in more ways than one.

At some point in our walk with Jesus, He will call us to GO. Where? When? For How Long? … I do not know the answer to these questions, I just at some point as you Grow, you will learn to trust, supremely. It is in this mindset of faith that we realize the answer to these questions matter not, and only our obedience to His command makes any difference in our lives. It might be across the world or across the street, we must be ready to go and do His will… as commanded in the book of Matthew:

18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:18-20

If we follow this logic, we see that in order to be a “disciple who makes disciples”, we must Know – Grow – and Go as the Holy Spirit leads us. As we start this month (February) we will begin a study in the book of Romans. Among other things, Romans will show us the depths that we must strive to reach if we truly want to make an impact in this world by making disciples. The early Roman “church” was a million miles wide and mere inches deep … many people, but lacking depth. May we strive to be the church that throws that example to the side and becomes who she is supposed to be …. The committed, dedicated, passionate bride of Christ; who changes the world by reaching one lost soul at a time, celebrating as death crosses over to life, as Christ is magnified by disciples who truly desire to follow Jesus and see others do the same.

I love you all,

Pastor John