Harvest of Souls: Discipleship
2024 IS THE YEAR OF BLESSING || Be Fruitful and Multiply
A year to steward more of the Lord’s voice, presence, purpose and authority
We have TENDED the Garden of Our Hearts
We have SOWN the Seeds of Blessing
We have resolved to ABIDE in Christ and bear His fruit alone
Now we look to HARVEST of Souls
Luke 10:1-3
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
This phrase is repeated again here: Matthew 9:35-38.
Jesus is looking for laborers!
LABORERS!
Someone who can get down and dirty, do the gritty work, the hard work
When Jesus said these words He didn’t say them passively, but with FORCE.
Send them out: (ekballō) cast out, drive out with notion of violence
GO! : (hypagō) The same “go” Jesus used when He casted the demons into the pigs and when He told Peter “Satan, get the behind me!”
We are the answer to this prayer!
You will labor, but it will not be in vain. Your labor in the harvest will be fruitful!!!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
The commission doesn’t end with evangelism, but with discipleship
Discipleship is where the labor begins.
3 Things to Note about Discipleship:
You must be a Disciple to disciple others.
Ephesians 5:1-3
(ESV) Be Imitators of God 5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved [a]you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God [b]as a fragrant aroma.
We must be imitators of Christ if we want to make true disciples.
When we disciple we are inviting others to imitate us as we imitate Christ.
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
This is why the secret place must be a NON-NEGOTIABLE in every believer's life! This is where we are transformed into the image of Christ.
It is only pressure if we think it means we need to be perfect.
Doesn't mean we need to be perfect, but it will require us to lead through authenticity, humility and repentance.
We must be able to acknowledge we missed it and to call people to the standard Christ has sent for us.
Discipleship will require Adaptability.
The season does not determine if we are making disciples. No matter what the season looks like, the mandate stays the same for us: make disciples.
Pray: I want to obey your command by making disciples. What should discipleship look like in my life?
Discipleship is Family.
People are giving their life to Jesus. That means they are abandoning their old life to live for Jesus. This means many are giving up old friends and some family members to give God their yes.
When people give their life to Jesus we become their family.
As the family of Christ, we have a responsibility to become home to new believers.
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:48-50
Pray: Teach me to Love like You Love.
7 Tips to Start Discipling Today:
Evangelize!
Share the gospel! Make it your goal daily!
Download the wallpaper that will remind you to obey this command daily!
Make a connection.
Invite them to sit with you at church that week or to Wednesday Bible study.
When appropriate, invite them into your home.
This is an ideal setting!
Pray for a set apart time to invite new believes into your home
Freely give what you have received.
As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:7-8
You have so much to give! Holy Spirit will continue to teach you as you go!
Remain in the secret place
Remain teachable and correctable
Schedule a time to get them baptized!
Within the week they should be baptized in water and with the Holy Spirit
We can’t do this apart from the Spirit! We shouldn’t expect non-believers to do this without the Spirit of God.
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5
Pray over them, that they would be filled and baptized with the Holy Spirit!
Pray for the evidence of speaking in tongues!
Our God loves to give good gifts!
Schedule a water baptism.
You don’t need to be a pastor to baptize people
Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). John 4:1-2
Invite them into your daily life.
Removes a lot of pressure and naturally brings them into your life. New believers can see you live life in the Spirit.
Serve with them!
Foster a sense of belonging
Brings them into the family of Christ
Ministry Moment:
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. Luke 10:1
