The Disciple’s Call

Opening Prayer (Thanksgiving and Adoration)

When we see ‘the Lord adding to the Lord’, so that he is both subject and object, source and goal, of evangelism, we have to repent of all centered, self-confident concepts of the Christian mission.

John Robert Walmsley Stott (English Preacher)

Regarding Discipleship and Evangelism:

While religious affiliation has declined over the last several decades, in 2025 there has been a surge of engagement in reading the Bible. Among Gen-Z bible reading registered a 49% increase from 2024.

66% of U.S. adults claim a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a 12 point increase from 2021.

Younger Adults have nearly doubled their church attendance from 2020 (roughly 2 weeks per month).

Many pastors today would classify evangelism being on “Life Support.”

Only 31% of Christians agree that they have a personal responsibility to share their faith.

Younger generations prefer a relational engagement over a traditional evangelistic method.

Many pastors rank discipleship towards the bottom of their priorities in church life.

Mentoring/Discipleship in church life is seen as rare in church life. Only 1-in-10 “born-again” believers sees themselves as active disciples of Jesus Christ.

Churchgoers are seeking authentic and unashamed congregations.

These questions were answered by Google when prompted:

“What is the attitude toward Christian discipleship and evangelism today?”

Key Question: Do I consider my life a call to serve the King of the Universe?

I. We are gathered for a purpose. (v.16-17)

2822 In the initial stages of discipleship you get “stormy weather,” then you lose the nightmare of your own separate individuality and become part of the personality of Christ, and the thought of yourself never bothers you anymore because you are taken up with your relationship to God.

Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)

Jesus has been resurrected, the tomb lies empty, and the witnesses are paid-off to deny what they saw.

Notice the call by Jesus to his disciples. He does not leave room for ambiguity or double-guessing. He calls us to come and be with him.

The text presents us with two distinct responses, while these are diametrically opposed. They bowed down to him, but some doubted. Notice that the term used here was also used to describe the spiritual condition of a sinking Peter, amidst the stormy Sea of Galilee.

Hebrews 12:1–3 LSB

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, fainting in heart.

II. We are sent in power, not cowardice. (v. 18)

All true theology has an evangelistic thrust, and all true evangelism is theology in action.

J. I. Packer

Jesus knows what is going on in the hearts of his disciples, and yet, he is not deterred by wavering belief.

Jesus imparts to his disciples the foundation of the Church until He returns.

In the formula Jesus speaks, there is a strong Trinitarian interloop, regarding Salvation, the Church, and God’s work in the universe.

2 John 6–10 LSB

6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 See to yourselves, that you do not lose what we accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. The one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting,

III. The Church is built in power when it focuses on her commission. (v. 19-20)

His promise to be with us to the end of the age is thus the matrix out of which we obey the Great Commission, simultaneously the ground and the goal, the basis and the reward.

D. A. Carson

The Disciples of the LORD are called to Go to the world. The Church must gather to worship God, but it must charge the world with the Gospel of the cross and the empty tomb.

The Church is to proclaim Jesus to the point that when people follow they do not follow a pastor, a teacher, or a movement. True Christians will abide in the Word and Seek after the Word in Flesh.

Disciples seek to obey God’s Word, the written and the incarnate, with all our lives. We start by making our new life and alligence known, and then by encouraging others to obey God’s Word.

We are given both boldness and consolation when we see the read Jesus’ final admonition. Because He is with us we can go and do what He commanded. Because He remains with us, we shall receive the promised presence in its fullest sense at the end of this age.

When we give our live in service to The King of Kings, we gain life to the fullest extent, both here, and in eternity.

IV. The Church is built to glorify God through her commission.

Obedience is the end of our calling.

John Calvin (French Reformer)

The Church God build is made ready as a Bride for Him is the oracle of redemption to a world steeped in darkness.

Are you in darkness, today?—Confess your sin, Repent before a Holy God, and Surrender to the Holy Spirit to Make You a New Creation.

Are you meandering as a Disciple?—Repent of your wandering, Plea for a renewed love and strength, Get in the fight.

Are you a One-Man Squad?—Join this church family. While imperfect, we are loved and grown by a perfect God who loves us, and we will share that love and call with you.

1 Peter 2:1–5 LSB

1 Therefore, laying aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Closing Prayer (Confession and Petition)