Stories # 10

Recap

We are a:...

Covenant

Relational

Rebellious

Complacent

Fickle

Insecure

Accountable

Redeemed

Loving People

Command

The New International Version Chapter 28

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

~ (NIV)

We are a commissioned people

We know that loving others indicates that we are His disciples. There is a difference between Christian and Disciple.

But as a result of loving God and loving others, our lives should begin to change in a counter-intuitive and redemptive way.

First things first

If we are going to make disciples, we are going to have to clarify what the cost of being a disciple is. We have to have the correct perspective.

The difference between a Christian and Disciple.

The New International Version Chapter 14

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.

“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

~ (NIV)

It is counter intuitive to give everything up to gain something of greater value.

Another time in another place

Door-to-door

Revivals (something at church, and used to be heavy on guilt)

Invitations to events at the church

Perspective Shift

Two things

-Eventually we’ll have to invite someone to follow Jesus

-Having the proper perspective is the key.

Person-to-person > Door-to-door

Invitations to community service (loving our neighbor) instead of mere events. Redeeming the world and people around us. Helping in a tangible way.

An invitation to follow Jesus, and offer to walk along with them (get together with them regularly, show them how you do things, listen, and encourage). Not a mere invitation to church.

The reality is, these are the ideas that changed us, not the first ones.

Challenge

Radical by David Platt (Page 87-88)

Invite someone to follow Jesus this week

Remember, you need to be prepared to walk with them.