The Call of the Disciple (2)

Introduction

When I was in college, several guys and myself were at a friend’s house. Naturally, we wanted to go get a pizza. However, my friend’s parents would not want him to leave the house with some other guys there alone. So, he called on me to go get the pizza. After ordering it, he told me the directions on how to get there, and I left. I started driving down the road and realized that I completely forgot the directions he gave me. I turned to early to and ended up driving about ten minutes in the wrong direction. After turning around and going back, I pulled over and thought through everything he had told me. Only after thinking through what he had told me was I able to get back on the right path. He called on me to accomplish a task, but because I failed to listen to his instructions, I was unable to accomplish what he called on me to do. He called on me to accomplish a task! But it wasn’t until I listened to what he said that I was able to finish what he called me to do.

In Matthew 28, we read the instructions Jesus gave to his disciples, the people he called to accomplish a particular task. We read in verses 18-20,

Matthew 28:18–20 CSB

Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This calling that Jesus gave to His disciples was a call to make more and better disciples of all nations. The mission of Christ’s followers is to declare salvation in Christ alone to an unbelieving world and to develop believers into greater commitment to Christ alone.

So how is the American church doing at this?

According to a study by Lifeway Research, only 9% of Christians share the Gospel per month.

In another study, it was reported that, in 2019, 3,000 protestant churches were planted in North America. We should praise God for this! But, on the flip side of this coin, 4,500 protestant churches closed their doors. It is important to note that this was reported prior to all the COVID lockdowns. Church planting and attendance dropped dramatically during the Pandemic and has yet to increase back to what it was it was prior to it.

BIG IDEA: The call of the disciple is a call to greater accountability and responsibility in the context of the local church.

The Call of the Disciple is a call…

Hebrews 3:1 CSB

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.

2 Timothy 1:9 CSB

He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

1 Timothy 6:12 CSB

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Thessalonians 2:14 CSB

He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 4:18–21 CSB

As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, preparing their nets, and he called them.

1 Peter 5:10 CSB

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 CSB

In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith,

1 Thessalonians 5:24 CSB

He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 CSB

For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness.

1 Thessalonians 2:12 CSB

we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Colossians 3:15 CSB

And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.

Ephesians 4:1–4 CSB

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—

Ephesians 1:18 CSB

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Galatians 5:13 CSB

For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.

Galatians 5:8 CSB

This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

…to greater accountability…

To God and His Word

John 8:31–32 CSB

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

To Our Pastors

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 CSB

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Hebrews 13:7 CSB

Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:17 CSB

Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

To the Church

John 13:34–35 CSB

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Ephesians 4:1–6 CSB

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

…and [to greater] responsibility…

For Our Character

John 15:8 CSB

My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.

Hebrews 13:15–16 CSB

Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

For Our Clan

For Our Church

1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 CSB

And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

Hebrews 10:24–25 CSB

And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Hebrews 3:12–13 CSB

Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.

For Our Community

Matthew 10:42 CSB

And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

…in the context of the local church.