The Missing Link
Jerry Sellers, OpenDoor Church, Burleson, Texas
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2019
The Missing Link
Jesus never said make Christians he said make disciples. It seems like today in 21st century Christianity the culture of the church that it’s focus has shifted to getting as many as possible to the door.
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me.
It seems that what Jesus said in
Matthew 28:18-20
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.”
May have not been forgotten but definitely has lost its priority. Have we possibly confused and rearranged what His intent was. Hear me Salvation is important (duh Jesus died to redeem us back to the Father, so that our sins would be completely forgiven,) but hear me when I make this next statement…that just the beginning. It’s just the starting point. It’s become our focus. Remember a couple weeks ago I said what we focus on we give our power too. Well it seems that the church has put majority of its focus on the destination… on Heaven, on Salvation when all along the
Fathers Focus has been on Transformation
And I believe that’s comes from
obedience…doing what we know
relationship…with Holy Spirit and others who pour into you
partnership…With Holy Spirit and others you pour into
Salvation, by faith receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior is the wedding it’s not the marriage.
Let’s not forget our Vision/Mission the Great commandment which partners with the Great Commission
If you follow what Jesus commanded the disciples and then studied how they walked out what Jesus said in the early church you will see their focus was too bring others into connection and community.
Connection with people and connection with the Holy Spirit was paramount
Relationship was a priority that you was connected to someone who knew God cause 1st century Christ followers didn’t have what we have today.
Understand that connection was everything because they didn’t have the Bible and only heard portions if they went to the temple. They didn’t have books and didn’t have a printing press. Only the priest had access to portions of Old Testament scripture and for the common man and women they would have to go to the Temple to hear anything from the Bible.
So when Jesus said make disciples he wasn’t saying teach them to read God’s word cause they didn’t have it.
What they did have was modeled by Jesus and that was bringing others into connection and community and that produced transformation.
But in todays culture Christianity is not the same or means the same as following Jesus.
Can I suggest a thought or two?
How many people have you personally talked to that say they are Christian, they believe in God, or they prayed a prayer. But their life bears no fruit of any transformation.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Now, if anyone is enfolded in Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new.
You can’t live in sin and follow Jesus cause Jesus isn’t going that way.
Mark 8:34 (NIV)
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Can I live with my girl friend and be a Christian yes but you can’t love with your girlfriend and follow Jesus cause he’s not going that way.
It seems that Christianity doesn’t mean following Jesus anymore.
Could it be that we are making Christians but not making disciples
Acts 2:42
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
They were in community
Look at the order
Apostles teaching…remember they didn’t have a bible. (Sidenote I wonder maybe that’s why Paul said I would that you all prophecy)
Fellowship
Breaking bread
Prayers
Isn’t it odd that Luke noted fellowship and breaking bread before prayer
Another words what they were committed to was having meals together, hanging out together listening to the apostles teaching and then praying about. The different e was they were in community.
Who are you in community with?
What would have happened if we worked at getting into community the 1100 salvations we have had this year?
Acts 9:26-27 (DLNT)
And having arrived in Jerusalem, he was trying to join the disciples. And they all were fearing him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas, having taken-hold-of him, brought him to the apostles and related to them how he saw the Lord on the road, and that He spoke to him; and how in Damascus he spoke-boldly in the name of Jesus.
Discipleship is about Belonging
Barnabas and Paul 13 years
Then Barnabas and Mark
He mentors Mark
Barnabas writes no books in the Bible but takes ahold of a former Pharacie and he mentors him for 13 years. And that man becomes the great apostle Paul and writes 13 books of the New Testament. Then Barnabas and Paul spilt over John Mark and Barnabas takes a hold of Mark and mentors him for another 14 years and he in turn writes the book of Mark.
Without Barnabas 14 books of the New Testament may have not been written.
So what am I trying to say…Most of us are one Barnabas short of being a Miracle.
This is what it means to Disciple
We take a hold of them…You belong to Me
Belong
Believe
Behave
Belonging Your saying I care about you; what happens to you matters to me; I’m here for you.
Well I don’t know how to do that….Do you know how to love people yeah well then do that. We are talking about being there in times of need, caring for someone, picking up a phone and checking on them, giving advice, letting them know they matter. Belonging and connection and community.
Discipleship Is not just teaching people things its reproducing yourself
David and his mighty men 1SAMUEL 22(36:00)
DAVID IS A GIANT KILLER AND HE REPRODUCES GIANT KILLERS
At the end of his life it says these are the men who belonged to David.
Who do you have that belongs to you and who do you belong too?
Luke 6:40
The Student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher
The goal is not that you would know what I know the goal is that you would be who
I am
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
What is the goal of teaching? To know what I know
What is the goal of Fathers? That you would become who I am(44:49)