Vision 2020 Make Disciples

Today we are continuing our Vision 2020 series

last week I spoke on revival. what it is and how we prepare for it!

I want to thank all those who stood up for prayer to be anointed as intercessors

I really believe, based on History, and the current moving of Holy Spirit

Intercessors need to rise up and take their place to start the next and possible last revival.

Our area is primed and ready for revival, God is looking for those who will step up and say

I want to be part of the greatest move of the Holy Spirit this world has ever seen.

Who’s with me!!

The word God gave me at the beginning of 2020 has spurred this series.

there are still copies in the foyer for those who’d like to read it in its entirety

with prophesy I believe the church has far too long just listened to the words, felt good… and moved on

I believe when God give us us word either corporately or individually we can’t just listen to and sand say good word…and act like theirs nothing else to do

rather we should examine it, and ask ourselves

What is God wanting me do do with it?

There is hardly a time when God says this is what I want you to do....... now you just wait here until I do it.

When God tells your something, its to get you in the place where you can start to prepare for it.

I’ve had prophetic words given to me that I spent years preparing for when they come about.

You see it order for the word to come into being God has to change me from the inside out so I’m who I need to be to do what He wants me to do!

So that’s why I’m expanding on this word.

Because I believe this word was given by God to prepare this Church for the awakening God wants to send in 2020

Let’s get into it! pick up where we left off

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

God’s heart is calling His children home.

First the dechurched, then the unchurched.

2020 will be the beginning of the biggest calling of God’s children home.

Welcome them into your lives, for bonds of friendship will form, that will seem to be already lifelong.

God is giving you a grace to see His heart on people, He does not expect you to judge but to Love, not to fix, but restore.

Make time to invest in relationships without expectation of return.

Let’s pray

Well that paragraph has alot to unpack

Let’s expand on the passage in Matthew 28

Matthew 28:16–20 NASB95

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

This takes place after Jesus died and rose again.

He just about to be taken back up into heaven well He delivers these words to the 11. (remember Judas hung himself)

This was not, “oh by the way I forgot to tell you!”

rather it was a culmination of everything Jesus did here on the earth.

Its the crescendo. The cherry on top, the milk for the cookies.

it’s the primary mandate of every believer to pass on the love they have received, to others.

This directive is given to us in the Great commission. Make Disciple.

Its not a suggestion, or a 'might be nice if you?" God expects this of us!

There is coming a day when When God calls you home.

You will stand before the bema seat or the seat of Judgment

now this is not to judge whether you are going to heaven or hell

This is not a judgment to determine who will enter heaven.

The sins of believers will not be an issue at the judgment seat of Christ - they have already been forgiven. The Bible says.

Psalm 103:10–12 NASB95

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Once your name is found written in the lambs book of life you are in heaven for ever

But the bema/Judgement seat comes after that

The Bible speaks of a special judgment that God will hold for believers only.

It is known as the judgment seat of Christ, or the judgment seat of God. Paul wrote.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NASB95

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

All believers will stand before God and be individually judged.

Romans 14:10 NASB95

But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Our Actions Will Be Judged The Bible says that God will reward the actions of believers.

Psalm 62:12 NASB95

And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord, For You recompense a man according to his work.

Matthew 16:27 NASB95

“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.

Ephesians 6:8 NASB95

knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

You see we will stand before God to receive His reward for obeying His commands

Let let me ask you a question.

What is Jesus going to judge you on?

Is it How much money you gave in the offering?

or how loud you sang during worship?

Or how often you attended church?

If you wore the right closes? or said the right things?

Simply put....

God is going to judge you on How well you loved!

let me show you!

One of the 5 crowns Jesus gives out at the the judgement seat for believers is the Crown of Life

James Jesus’ brother tells us

James 1:12 NASB95

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Believers who Love God and persevere under trial will receive the Crown of Life

Love God,

How do we Love God?

1 John 5:3 NASB95

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

John 14:15 NASB95

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

You see… believers will be rewarded at the Judgement seat of Christ for obeying Him!

that simple!

I suggest the most important area we can obey God is in making disciples

In fact when you come to the end of your time on this earth… Your name is read from the lambs book of life...

You stand before Jesus who is sitting on His throne handing out rewards....

there is absolutely no doubt in in my mind He will ask this question.....

Who did you make my disciple?

He won’t ask how much time you spent at work

Or how much money was in your bank account

How many signs wonders and miracles you preformed won’t even be on His mind

He will as

Who did you make my disciple?

Jesus commissioned us through the 11 disciples.

Go and Make disciples. He is going to ask you if you obeyed Him.

I’ve shared with you a vision I recieved back in 2016

I think it warrants sharing it again

It occurred during the week between Christmas and New years in 2016

As I lay awake in my bed attempting to fall asleep God revealed revealed something that changed who I am

As I lay in my bed I could sense a real tangible presence of the Lord

It was a type of vision that I never received before. Usually they happen in moments but this one actually took hours

It starts with me in a white room and this glory that filled the whole space was so peaceful and yet powerful at the same time.

This figure approach me but I couldn’t make out his face because he was veiled but everything about him glowed I immediately knew who he was

As He called my name I was filled with this overwhelming sense of joy peace and fulfillment

The discussion began with Him asking a simple question:

"Shawn what did you do with the life I gave you"

Immediately my life flashed before my eyes and I could recount every moment that took place some good some not so good. Past Present Future things that were, things that are, things that are to come

certain parts of my life became highlighted and I was finally able to speak

Lord you know that I've dedicated my life to serving you,

I've sacrificed, I've given of myself,

I've done my best to honor you and to represent you here on the earth.

Yes I know there's times I failed but that was never my intent

I then began to list all of my accomplishments:

Even as a teenager I stood up for you in a school that did not honour your name

I quit University so that I could follow your call into dedicated Pastoral ministry

I went to Bible college so I could better serve your people

I began serving as a pastor when I was 19 years old

I was a youth pastor where I helped Parents guide the next generation

I led worship helping people to worship you and enter into your presence

I preached faithfully your word never trying to distort it

I saw you heal hundreds of people through me

I prophesied in your name to countless people

I helped the homeless & the orphan

I lead a deliverance where I saw dozens and dozens of people set free from demonic possession

I know I never raise the dead but that never stopped my from trying

I raise my children in your ways

I tried love my wife as you loved the church

I showed love to my enemies

I was careful not to judge others

I spent countless time in prayer and your word

I was quick to forgive

I did my best to keep all of your commandments

After what seemed to be an eternity of Listing All My kingdom accomplishments one by one.

There was a pause my heart began to leap with anticipation waiting to hear the words that every true disciple of Jesus longs to hear

“well done good and faithful servant”

But the anticipation was cut short when Jesus asked another question

He started out by saying yes those are all good things that I asked you to do but what about my biggest charge to you

I responded though I can't believe I forgot to mention that,

but you know as well as I do that I that I lead hundreds of people in a prayer of repentance bring them into your kingdom

​At the very moment I quit speaking a new vision popped into my mind it was a vision of a lady walking up to a house holding hands with another lady

she put the key in the lock open the door, ushered the other woman into the house,

sat her down on the bench in the foyer of the house.

And then went about cleaning up the house she was studious she was detailed she's working very hard, but the woman on the bench just sat there bewildered and what she should be doing

should she get up and help ?

should she go do something else ?

should she just sit there and wait ?

should she get up and leave and go back from where she came?

·

· I immediately understood the meaning of this vision

the First Lady represented the current church and how we bring people into the kingdom by having them say a simple prayer.

And then we get busy doing whatever we are doing and leave the new believer to fend for themselves

Jesus then said to me

“I told you to make disciples

my entire ministry on earth I demonstrated to you on how to make disciples

My final words I spoke while on the earth was a culmination of everything I intended you to do

Make disciples

I was obviously impacted by this vision, more than you could know,

It awakened me to see what God was calling me to do.

Now have I been able to keep this constantly in perspective over the last number of years

No, I have to admit there have been times where I have not focused on making disciples for Jesus

With the help of Trevor our Church has developed a Discipleship pathway called “the Kingdom Way”

we shared that with you last year.

It still has more to develop.

Some of you may be remembering the goal God gave me to make 100,000,000 disciples and think this is crazy

I’m not asking you to believe that!

What I’m asking is can you Make 1 disciple for Jesus in 2020?

Just 1.....can you do it?

What will you say to Jesus when He asks you the question?

direction

God’s heart is calling His children home.

First the dechurched, then the unchurched.

2020 will be the beginning of the biggest calling of God’s children home.

God’s given us an order to pursue. not that we exclude anyone who is searching, but we focus on the dechurched 1st

Dechurched- those who love God....but God’s bride.....not so much

Unchurched- Pre-believers

Relationship

Welcome them into your lives, for bonds of friendship will form, that will seem to be already lifelong.

God is giving you a grace to see His heart on people, He does not expect you to judge but to Love, not to fix, but restore.

Make time to invest in relationships without expectation of return.

Discipleship must occur in the skin of relationship

remember new wine in old wineskins......

the current skin of making disciples through a classroom setting will not hold up!

we would be overwhelmed and the skin will burst loosing all its precious cargo

The wineskin God wants us to use is the original wineskin of relationship

rather than having the pastor or other church leaders to disciple people

every believer must take the responsibility, opportunity and commission to Make disciples upon themselves.

Yes it is the Church leadership responsibility to equip the saints for the work of ministry.

but let’s remember it the saints who do the ministry

I will one day stand before Jesus as He sits on the Bema seat and have to give an account of how I equipped the saints for he work of ministry.

As a believer you will have to stand and make an account for the ministry you carried out.

don’t Judge them, but love them

don’t try and fix them, but restore them

Make time to invest in relationships without expectation of return.

So where do we go from here?

Application

#1 Ask Holy Spirit who He is calling you to disciple?

God has specific people who are fertile ground for you to invest into

#2 Build a relationship/Friendship with that person

#3 Share God love with them at every opportunity

#4 invite them into your life

#5 Invite them to Church

be prepared to answer their questions

Ask Praise team to come up

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal who He is targeting for each one