Disciple Making Environment

Now today will be a no-brainer type of day. This will make sense to you …I have no doubt.

When you think of the idea of “church” what do you think of? It might seem like a simple question, but it really is a rather complex question.

Some might think of a building…or denomination...

Some might think of a style of worship or a style of praise time...

Some might think of a place where ministry happens…like a place with an address...

Some might think of a place and time on Sunday mornings…like you might say…I’m going to church or we’re going to have church...

Some of you might think of that time on Sundays when you feel at peace or that time you look forward to...

Some of you might think of that time on Sundays when you take communion with your local church body…You might say something like…Sunday mornings are ‘church time.’

When I say the word church you might even think of that local body…your church family. This is my church....might be how you phrase that.

I think those are all good and appropriate thoughts. That last one though is …probably the closest to what Jesus would have said when he mentioned the “church.”

I believe it was a couple of months ago that we talked about that Greek word that we get our word “church” from. Ekklesia...

So when Jesus used the word, church…or ekklesia…when other authors from the NT used this word…there was more than just the thought of a “church” family.

This word, ekklesia, was a word used well before the NT was written. It was often used in reference to governmental groups…citizens. Many times you’d find this word used with respect to a Greek city state…Maybe like we might call a state…that had it’s own organization of patterns of life, ethics, justice…all for the common good of the people of that location. People…working together…in common and agreed to ways…for the good of each other. A little form of government maybe. People of a local…a state…living working growing together. Called together for each others best interests.

Jesus, and others, then use this word, ekklesia, to talk about the group of people who would call themselves disciples of Jesus.

A called group of people. Ekklesia means called out ones. But the context is bigger than just called out ones. For Jesus, it meant…those called by Him…into a commitment of belief and faith…a commitment to live like Him…through the direction of the Holy Spirit…in order to live and look more and more like Him. A disciple…lives to look and behave and live like their rabbi…Jesus.

So, maybe a fuller meaning is more like this…the group of people, called out of the world by Christ, committed to Him and His commands, looking more and more like Him, while also endeavoring to carry the Gospel to everyone around them.

It is very much not just…Oh I attend NICC.

The church is the disciples of Christ. Not just a title…but a way of living.

So when we think about discipling someone…or becoming a healthier disciple ourselves…the environment of the church family seems to be where this happens. Among other disciples (those of have Christ living in them).

That really shows that this idea of church can’t be a place or a building or and address.

It is the people, the called out ones, who follow Jesus. The church, this body, is the environment…not the place…where discipleship takes place.

Four local ministers met for a friendly gathering. During the conversation one minister said, “Our people come to us and pour out their hearts confessing certain sins and needs. Let’s do the same. Confession is good for the soul.” Maybe meeting together like this will give us a safe and helpful environment to challenge each other and grow in Jesus.”

In due time all agreed. One confessed he liked to go out and watch action or scary movies and would sneak off when away from his church. The second confessed to smoking cigars, and the third one confessed to doing a little gambling…playing cards in back rooms secretly. When it came to the fourth one, he wouldn’t confess. The others pressed him saying, “Come now, we confessed ours. What is your secret or vice?” Finally he answered, “It is gossiping and I can hardly wait to get out of here.”

Environments. What is the best environment for growing as a disciple…discipleship....or to help disciple someone else?

I believe the local church is the primary environment for disciple making. The church is for discipleship, and disciples manifest the kingdom of God to the world (Col. 1:28–29).

When the church reverses this process and primarily attempts to get the world to “go to church” instead of the church going to the world, you get chaos.

Jesus was a man for others; the church, likewise, is for others. Any plan that does not create disciples who live for others will end up in failure.

I love what one person whom I read last week stated though…I just read this....

The church is for discipleship, and disciples manifest the kingdom of God to the world.

manifest something in something The workers chose to manifest their dissatisfaction in a series of strikes.

manifest itself in/as The illness first manifested itself in/as severe stomach pains.

manifest itself in Lack of confidence in the company manifested itself in a fall in the share price.

To move an idea or thought or belief into reality. To make something real…tangible.

The church, the body of the risen Christ, makes manifest the Kingdom of God in this world....so others can see Christ in us…and just maybe, through our actions and words…just maybe the Jesus in us can be the Jesus in them.

How we live life…to the fullest (Jesus’ words), and help others to become disciples…those who are living with and in Jesus…shows God’s Kingdom to others.

The environment, best for all of us, is inside of this thing we call the church…the living breathing body of Jesus.

Reggie McNeal - if you’re a disciple of Jesus…wherever you are…the church is.

People called out…maybe from the environment of the world…and into an environment that is saturated with the love of Christ.

Paul wrote about this church…about this environment…about what Jesus did for us....and not only for us but for all of creation. And what he writes in this one passage kinda sets up his reason for being a disciple himself.

Colossians 1:15–23 NIV

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

What is the environment where disciples are made. Where you might make disciples…?

The environment is the body of Christ…the church. God, through us, calls people out of the world and into His Kingdom…and the people of God…the body…is called the church.

Paul stated that this is what the church, the body of Jesus,…including himself....does.

Colossians 1:28–29 NIV

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Matthew 28:18–20 CSB

18 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.”

Environments. Paul is saying…I am now in the environment of the church…Jesus’ body on this planet. I’m in it. And everywhere I go…Jesus is with me. His strength and His will. That’s what I use and follow. Its not me. Jesus is making disciples through me. This is really something all of us can say right? All of us can say this.

Environments. This is the environment Paul wants to create everywhere he goes. An environment where God is present and felt and acknowledged.

Now....there’s another environment isn’t there. The Bible talks of two environments. Jesus talks about this too…There’s the world…and there’s the Kingdom. The Kingdom is infiltrating the world that is opposed to God.

Paul talks about the contrast here…the dichotomy…two environments....

Colossians 2:8–10 CSB

8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. 9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

the church is filled with the presence of Jesus. Why? So we can look more and more like Him…have more and more of His image…reborn to look like him…and not only that but to help others look like him…(make disciples). Where’s this happen? Inside this thing we call the church…which is the family of God.

Now there are times in church history…when there was the idea that church leaders were the ones who ‘made disciples.’ This is kinda like the thought…they’re the professionals. I think higher education, in a way, drives this idea. You need a degree before you can help someone know jesus as their personal savior. I think we all know that’s not true…but for many many many years decades or centuries even…this is often how the church has operated.

This isn’t the design of Jesus though. The disciple were called to be disciple makers…and disciple makers made more disciple makers.

Here’s how Paul stated it:

Colossians 3:15–16 (NIV)

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another ...

The church…Paul wrote that to the church, the body of Jesus, in Colassae.

Now, I know what you’re saying…Ed…I just can’t do that. I don’t have enough knowledge or info or wisdom… Remember…with Christ in you…who do you have? That sentence that question kind of answers itself doesn’t it?

Six—year—old Molly complained to her mother that her stomach hurt. Realizing it was almost lunch time, Mom told Molly, “Your stomach is empty, you’ll feel better after you put something in it.” Later that evening, the Pastor came over for a visit. During the conversation he mentioned he had headache. Molly piped up with a solution: “That’s because it’s empty. You’ll feel better when you put something in it.”

Sometimes we feel like we don’t have what it takes to do this Christianity thing…this make disciples thing that Jesus asked. Well, in our own mind…we don’t have what it takes. We’re empty to do what Jesus asked. The only way to do what he asked is to rely on Him…because He wants to fill us up…for our own sake…His image in us…and for us to share Him with those around us…to fill them up too.

A young boy went to the local store with his mother. The shop owner, a kindly man, passed him a large jar of suckers and invited him to help himself to a handful. Uncharacteristically, the boy held back. So the shop owner pulled out a handful for him. When outside, the boy’s mother asked why he had suddenly been so shy and wouldn’t take a handful of suckers when offered. The boy replied, “Because his hand is much bigger than mine!”

God’s power and strength and patience and wisdom is so much bigger than ours....allow Him to simply use you…to work through you to do what needs to be done to reconcile all of creation back to Him. He wants to use you…all of us…the church.

Everywhere we go…He is. It’s like this wave of the presence of God going to different places living in different places, working in different places, shopping in different places, going to school in different places....the body of Christ…the environment where we grow…and bring others to Grow in Jesus.