Discipleship is a Command, Not an Option!

I would like to share some important things about the command of discipleship and why it is the only real option for you and your church.  (Note: I will be quoting some from Stephen Lim and his article found here.)

The Command of Discipleship: 

Matthew 28:16-20 ¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ 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, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Please note the following about the above passage:

1. Jesus made disciples

2. Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples

3. Jesus commanded the new disciples to be taught everything He taught

4. Therefore, new disciples will make new disciples because making disciples is a command of Jesus.

The American Church Has Failed at Making Disciples: 

Lim, "Presently, 46 percent of Americans claim to be born again. Gallup, however, found that only 13 percent evidenced behavioral and attitudinal differences compared with the general population. Barna found that only 5 percent of adults — and less than 10 percent of churched youth — possess a biblical worldview. Dallas Willard bluntly states, “Nondiscipleship is the elephant in the church.”

Please note the following about the above stats:

1. Only 13 out of 100 Christians in the US are actually living a different moral life than unbelievers!

2. Only 15 out of 100 Christians (both youth and adults) know what the Bible teaches concerning "right & wrong," i.e., "they have a Christian world view."  Thus, the other 85% have more in common with Oprah than Jesus!

3. According to Dallas Willard, “Nondiscipleship is the elephant in the church.”

The American Church Thinks Big Churches are The Answer: 

Lim, "As a pastor, even when I knew better, I was tempted to use growing attendance as a measure of success. In a culture that prizes size, ministers and churches strive for this visible sign of accomplishment. Barna’s studies consistently indicate that churches measure their success by attendance, income, building size, and satisfaction of members.

In this age of residential mobility and consumer Christianity, however, 80 percent of church growth results from believers changing churches. Churches become adept at collecting crowds by offering desirable ministries. Through this means — especially in large or growing population areas — new churches can reach an attendance of hundreds and even thousands within a few years.

While outstanding exceptions exist, Carl George concludes that megachurches generally sustain growth by being receptor churches for believers from smaller feeder churches."

Note the following:

1. Barna’s studies consistently indicate that churches measure their success by attendance, income, building size, and satisfaction of members.

2. 80% of church growth results from believers changing churches.

3. Carl George concludes that megachurches generally sustain growth by being receptor churches for believers from smaller feeder churches.

4. As a result, we are losing ground in the US while secularism, Islam, and cults like Mormonism are growing.

No Discipleship Means No Transformation: 

Lim, "Serious evangelists and disciple makers need to emphasize the lordship of Jesus. Otherwise we continue the scandal of millions professing faith without living it. In his book, Mere Discipleship, Lee Camp bluntly asks, “Could it be that ‘Jesus is Lord’ has become one of the most widespread Christian lies? Have Christians claimed the lordship of Jesus, but systematically set aside the call to obedience to this Lord?”

Note:

1. "Without true discipleship..." we continue the scandal of millions professing faith without living it.

2. We have made more emphasis in "believing" than "being."

3. Jesus did not just say just "believe in His teachings" but He also said "hold to His teachings." John 8:31-32, ^"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”


Discipleship Test for Your Church: 

1. Does your pastor show consistent discipleship in his life? It has to start with the head.

2. Does your church have a "start and finish" discipleship program? Not membership or just bible classes, does it possess a structured plan for individual spiritual growth?

3. Does your church require all to be in the discipleship process? Or is it optional, just for the "spiritually elite" or those who think it is important?

4. Does your church have a way to keep everyone accountable to the discipleship process and Christian living? Or does everyone do it as they see best- whatever is right in their own eyes?

5. Does your church require discipleship before ministry positions? Or can anyone be a leader with a few "training classes," i.e., "greeter training?"

6. If you have small groups, are they mostly social or spiritual? Are they based in having fun or growing in discipleship?

7. Does your church have a way to make disciples make disciples- everyone involved? Or does it just depend on the leadership on Sunday and midweek services from the pulpit.

Two Excuses Not to Do Organized Discipleship: 

EXCUSE #1: Discipleship as stated above is legalism- i.e., "man's way of doing things."  Jesus did not have a "process" He just lived with His people and by teaching them they eventually got it.  I am making disciples by preaching on Sunday and having small groups.

ANSWER: (a) Jesus commanded His 12 to leave everything- do you command that? (b) Jesus commanded a rich man to sell everything- have you ever done that? (c) Jesus commanded His 12 to street witness- have you ever done that?  (d) Jesus rebuked His 12 when they sinned, do you rebuke believers in their sin?  If "no," than you are not doing what Jesus did.

BOTTOM LINE: You do not do what Jesus did, thus, your excuse is not to be more like Jesus, but to be less like Him.  Discipleship programs are currently the best representation to do what Jesus did- not seeker sensitive Sunday morning services, boring mid-weeks, or lukewarm small groups. 
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EXCUSE #2: Discipleship does not grow the church as much or as fast as "such and such method" by "Pastor So and So."

ANSWER: (a) Jesus was a failure by your standards, (b) Paul was a failure by your standards, (c) Thus, your standards cannot be found in the Bible.  (d) The largest churches in the world found in Korea, China, etc... are discipleship based churches!  Click here for the largest church in the world in Seoul Korea that uses discipleship as a key component.

BOTTOM LINE: Numerical growth or pragmatism (how good it works) is not the basis of pastoring/leading, however, Jesus' commands are.  Do what Jesus did, let Him add the growth as He wills (Acts 2:47).

Correcting Wrong Thinking About Church: 

1. If you think you could hide in sin in Paul's church you are not familiar with his churches- Paul expelled "sinful believers" all the time (1 Corinthians 5).

2. If you think spiritual sons/daughters were free from their spiritual fathers once they started ministry or joined another church, you are not familiar with 1-2 Timothy & Titus.  Denominations, new pastors, or leadership cannot replace spiritual leadership and authority. (Note: This does not take away from the "priesthood of the believer," or mean control or perversion of leadership, but it means to stay accountable with the leadership where you got saved to avoid wrong church hopping.)

3. If you think discipleship is going to church on Sunday and volunteering as a "greeter" or "helper" you have not understood correctly Jesus' definition of a disciple.  Jesus' disciples were rebuked, commanded to street witness, pray often, learn often, etc... this was normal, not above the norm.

4. If you think American seeker sensitive churches are really the closest thing to Jesus and the early church, you have never taken a mission trip and seen the real Gospel in action in Christ's church.  Click here for "real churches" doing Christ's work in China's underground churches. 

‎5. If you think going to church and agreeing with radical preaching makes you radical, you do not understand the book of Acts.

6. If you think the best times of the church are inside church meetings, conferences, and groups... you have never truly done street ministry.

7. If you think Jesus' ministry was mainly in a building you have not understood His time on this earth... over 85% of His time was on the streets.

Sermon on How to be a Disciple: 

Short Video on Comparing Disciples to Spartans:  

Discipleship Resources: 

1. Free Online Discipleship Courses

2. Free Online Discipleship Books

 Possible Slogans for Metro Praise or Any Discipleship Church: 

1. "Metro Praise: Seven years old and still offending the lukewarm church!"

2. "Metro Praise: We love you so much, we have to rebuke you sometimes!"

3. "Metro Praise: If we haven't got in your business yet, we apologize someone is making time right now to do so!"

4. "Metro Praise: If you do not like it like this, trust us, there are a 100 churches in Chicago you will like!"  

5. "Metro Praise: You're fleshy discomfort is our aim!"

6. "Metro Praise: We left the churches, you now left Metro Praise to attend, so we could do this!"

Top 14 Reasons Why People Love/Hate Metro Praise

I thought in a relatively "calm" time in our church, I would take some time to address the "Top 14 Reasons Why People Love/Hate Metro Praise."  This list is not meant to be entirely thorough or directed towards any persons individually, but just an overview after making our 7th Anniversary this March 2012.

(Note: What I mean by "hate" is "leave or dislike what we do."  Hate does not necessarily mean they totally hate us personally- they just don't like our messages/methods.)

Top 14 Reasons People Hate Metro Praise:

14. A radical, contagious, uncompromising love for God and people.  All disciples are expected to Love God defined as "passionate worship and obeying His commands," and Love People defined as, "helping them in their times of need and preaching the full Gospel to see their soul saved!"

13. Repeating of the same vision and strategy over and over again in every service.

12. Requiring all attendees to join the discipleship process before they can ever become active in any ministry.

11. Bold, loud, Biblical preaching that offends many of the hearers- no sugar coating.

10. Removing, sitting down, and placing in previous classes as discipline those who sin or who live a lukewarm Christian life.

9. Lack of places to hide in spiritual dryness, laziness, apathy, sin, and bitterness.

8. Continual focus on the nations with weeping and extended times of group intercession in the main Sunday service.

7. Personal one-on-one discipleship that holds every believer personally accountable to the standards of Christ and the Bible- no "man pleasing spirit."  Big money givers, senior saints, and the young know-it-alls are all expected to be teachable, humble, hungry for more of God, and servants.

6. Intense worship times with public speaking in tongues, powerful prophecy, and upfront repentance at the altars.

5. Passionate male/female leadership that do not timidly whisper correction but are bold and "in-your-face" to help everyone avoid spiritual shipwreck, at times even like "Jesus with the whip in the temple."

4. Lack of a bribbing Gospel, big productions, "one-man-preaching-show," and soft evangelism.

3. Constant reinforcement both from the pulpit and pew of expectation to street witness, join life groups, and be active in discipleship classes.

2. No compromise or fear of man in correction of sin.  We practice disfellowshipping for believers who continue in sin, slander, and commit unlawful behavior.

1. Metro Praise disciples believe there is no other way to have and be the church, for they call the above actions, "Love for God and People!"

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Now the Top 14 Reasons Why People Love Metro Praise:

14. A radical, contagious, uncompromising love for God and people.  All disciples are expected to Love God defined as "passionate worship and obeying His commands," and Love People defined as, "helping them in their times of need and preaching the full Gospel to see their soul saved!" 

13. Repeating of the same vision and strategy over and over again in every service.

12. Requiring all attendees to join the discipleship process before they can ever become active in any ministry.

11. Bold, loud, Biblical preaching that offends many of the hearers- no sugar coating.

10. Removing, sitting down, and placing in previous classes as discipline those who sin or who live a lukewarm Christian life.

9. Lack of places to hide in spiritual dryness, laziness, apathy, sin, and bitterness.

8. Continual focus on the nations with weeping and extended times of group intercession in the main Sunday service. 

7. Personal one-on-one discipleship that holds every believer personally accountable to the standards of Christ and the Bible- no "man pleasing spirit."  Big money givers, senior saints, and the young know-it-alls are all expected to be teachable, humble, hungry for more of God, and servants.

6. Intense worship times with public speaking in tongues, powerful prophecy, and upfront repentance at the altars.

5. Passionate male/female leadership that do not timidly whisper correction but are bold and "in-your-face" to help everyone avoid spiritual shipwreck, at times even like "Jesus with the whip in the temple."

4. Lack of a bribbing Gospel, big productions, "one-man-preaching-show," and soft evangelism.
 
3. Constant reinforcement both from the pulpit and pew of expectation to street witness, join life groups, and be active in discipleship classes.

2. No compromise or fear of man in correction of sin.  We practice disfellowshipping for believers who continue in sin, slander, and commit unlawful behavior.

1. Metro Praise disciples believe there is no other way to have and be the church, for they call the above actions, "Love for God and People!"


Watch a Keynote Message on the Heart of Metro Praise, "Discipleship"

Key Verses About Jesus' Love/Hate Ministry

1. Jesus predicted that many people would hate His disciples and their teachings, John 15:18-20!  

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.   

20 Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master. ’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

2. Jesus promised His teachings would bring division, even to one's family, Matthew 10:32-49!

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.   

35 For I have come to turn “a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter- in- law against her mother- in- law –36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. ’  

37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

3.  Jesus rebuked people who questioned His authority after they got offended and thus didn't do miracles in their towns, Matthew 13:53-58!

53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 

55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”   

57 And they took offense at him.  

But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

4. Click here to also listen to Dr. Michael Brown's message on the three most common roles with leaders in the ministry: "Politicians, Professionals, or Prophets!"


5. By the way, none of the these verses or teachings change how much Jesus loves you.  He just loves you enough to tell you the truth, John 14:21!

21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.  

The Fundamentals

I made this blog to give to the students in my Apologetics class so they could have a reference for the main doctrines of the faith.  Found in Chapter 11, "Disciples Defend the Faith" of our 201 book, click here to read in full.
 

Here are the Fundamentals:

1.     The Bible:  The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testament, are verbally inspired by God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.

A.             Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, & 2 Peter 1:21.

B.    Scholarly References:  Dr. James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries www.aomin.org has a great book called, “Sola Scriptura!” and a debate with Shabir Ally (Muslim) over the divinity of the New Testament.

Josh McDowell www.josh.org provides great resources on the infallibility of the Bible in his book “New Evidence That Demands a Verdict”, which I think is a must have for every Christian.

2.     The Trinity:  There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).

A.             Scripture References:  Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10-11, Matthew 28:19, & Luke 3:22.

B.    Scholarly References:  Dr. James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries www.aomin.org has a great book called, “The Forgotten Trinity”.

3.     Jesus is God:  As God's Son Jesus was both human and divine.

A.      Scripture References:  John 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV), Philippians 2:9-11, Revelations 7:9-11.

B.             Scholarly References:  Josh McDowell www.josh.org has a great book called, “More Than A Carpenter”.

4.     Fall of Man:  Though originally created good by God, man willingly fell to sin when tempted by Satan–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

A.             Scripture References:  Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:6, & Romans 5:12-19.

B.        Scholarly References:  Any good commentary on the book of Romans is worth having.  Tyndale Press makes an excellent commentary on the book of Romans by F.F. Bruce, which is a very valuable and informative resource on the most theological book in the Bible.

5.     Salvation:  Every person can have restored fellowship with God through 'salvation' by accepting Christ's offer of forgiveness for sin.

A.             Scripture References:  Luke 24:47, John 3:3-16, Romans 10:13-15, & Titus 2:11.

B.             Scholarly References:  Every Christian should own at least one theology book so they can see the basic doctrines of the Bible taught thoroughly throughout Scripture.  Moody Press makes a great beginners book called, “The Great Doctrines of the Bible”, by Williams Evans.

6.     Communion & Baptism:  The Bible teaches two practices that every Christian should participate in— (1) Water Baptism by Immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.

A.      Scripture References:  Baptism:  Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, & Acts 10:47-48.  Holy Communion:  Luke 22:19 & 1 Corinthians 11:25-26.

B.        Scholarly References:  Once again a basic theology book will teach these basic truths in depth.

7.     Final Judgment:  A Final Judgment will take place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and sent to eternal damnation in a punishing lake of fire along with the Devil and his fallen angels.

Those who have been saved and have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life will be given a resurrected body and will live and dwell with God on the new earth forever.

A.             Scripture References:  Matthew 25:46. Mark 9:43-48, 2 Peter 3:13, & Revelations 19--22.

B.           Scholarly References:  Once again a basic theology book will teach these basic truths in depth.