The Missing Key

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

ILLUSTRATION: The Missing Key

(Taken from Tony Evan’s book, Kingdom Disciples, Chapter 1)

One of the greatest tragedies of the twentieth century was the sinking of the Titanic in the chilly North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912. Over 1,500 people died in the frigid waters of the Atlantic during the maiden voyage of this elegant ship that was believed to be unsinkable. The cause of the catastrophe is commonly understood to be the ship’s hull being ripped open by a largely submerged iceberg, but the tragedy occurred primarily because of a lesser-known yet more strategic reason.

David Blair was the second in command, scheduled to make the journey from South Hampton, England, to America. However, on the day before the scheduled departure, Mr. Blair was reassigned. Mr. Blair had in his pocket the key to the crow’s nest locker, which contained the high powered binoculars that were used by the crew member who watched from the elevated crow’s nest for any potential dangers.

Because Mr. Blair inadvertently kept the key with him, the binoculars were unavailable at the moment they were needed most. Thus, the iceberg was not visible in the distance as it would have been had the binoculars been available. This ultimately led to the deadly crash we know today as the sinking of the Titanic.

If it wasn’t for the missing key, the tragedy could have been averted.

Similarly, a key is missing in Christianity today. It is a critical key--the absence has resulted in weak, defeated believers, family disintegration, ineffective churches, and a decaying culture. Without the full of this key, followers of Christ lack the tools needed to fully live as heaven’s representatives on earth.

What is the missing key?

You guessed it...it is discipleship.

Danger Ahead!

The modern church is in dangerous cultural waters.

Cultural icebergs surround it and threaten its effectiveness and existence.

Evolution, atheism, immorality, abuse, homosexuality, gender dysphoria, transgender, sex trafficking, unbiblical marriage, divorce, woke-ism, cancel culture, Marxism, socialism, communism, etc.

The Church has lost its kingdom influence in the world.

It has lost its kingdom presence.

It has lost its kingdom authority.

It has lost its kingdom power.

It has lost its kingdom impact.

We have sought to win the world by conforming to the world.

No longer is it being said that we are turning the world “upside down”! (Acts 17:6)

What is the Missing Key?

The Key of Discipleship!

The Church has failed to obey Christ’s command to make disciples!

How can we change the world if we are not changed?

How can we change convince people around us if our example is unconvincing?

How can we influence others toward Christ when we are being influenced away from Christ?

How will people see Jesus in us if we do not allow Him to live in and through us?

How can we change the future when we are controlled by our past?

How can we be history makers when we are content watching history being made?

How can we be like Jesus if our heart longs to be like the world?

How can we declare that Jesus is Lord when we refuse to hear and obey Him?

How can we be the salt of the earth when we have lost the savor of Christ in our lives?

How can we be the light of the world if we hide the light or fail to display it?

Until the key of discipleship is recovered and utilized:

We will cease to function as Christ’s representatives on the earth.

We will cease to communicate the truth of God in a world filled with lies.

We will not see sinners converted to Jesus Christ.

We will not see committed followers of Jesus Christ.

The Church will be filled with weak and anemic Christians and leaders.

The Church will cease to be the salt of the earth.

The Church will cease to be the light of the world.

The light of the Church will grow dim and eventually be removed.

What is Discipleship?

Discipleship is the process of forming genuine and committed followers of Jesus Christ.

Discipleship is more than “winning souls”.

Discipleship is more than making converts.

Discipleship involves an active investment of our lives in helping others become committed followers of Jesus Christ.

Jesus commanded His Church to “make disciples”.

Jesus has called every believer to be a disciple.

What is a Disciple?

A disciple is more than someone who believes in Jesus.

A disciple is more than one who joins or attends a church.

A disciple is more than a fan of Jesus Christ.

A disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ.

Are you a fan or a follower?

Are you wearing the fan t-shirt or the team jersey?

A disciple is a person who has made a conscious decision to deny oneself, takes up the cross, and follow Jesus.

It means saying “no” to you and “yes” to Jesus.

It means dying to this world to live for Jesus.

It means seeking to know and be like Jesus.

It means obeying and serving Jesus.

A disciple is one who is committed to working with others to make more disciples for Jesus.

Response to the Word

Have you surrendered your life to Jesus as your Savior and Lord?

Have you made a conscious decision to become a committed follower of Jesus Christ?

Is Jesus Christ your Lord? Is He is in the driver’s seat of your life?

Do you follow Him only when it is easy and convenient or when it is hard and inconvenient?

Do you obey Him only when you desire to obey or when you don’t desire to obey?

Have you counted the cost and esteemed Christ more valuable than all this world has to offer?

Is there something holding you back from following Jesus today?

Is there something or someone causing you to procrastinate until later what Jesus is asking of you now?

Will you allow Jesus to pass you by while He is calling you to follow Him now?

Will you commit with others in this church to become a disciple and to make disciples?

It is time for the Church to recover the missing key of discipleship!

It is time for the Church to become salt and light in this world once again.

Change will happen one disciple at a time!

Change can begin today with you and me!