The Three C's of Discipleship

David Wells has observed, “It is very easy to build churches in which seekers congregate; it is very hard to build churches in which biblical faith is maturing into genuine discipleship.”

Right now, we are focusing on discipleship at Hebron, with the goal of becoming a church "in which Biblical faith is maturing (in our lives) into genuine discipleship. We want and desperately need to become a church that makes disciples who make disciples. Jesus gave His followers one great mission, which we call The Great Commission, in Matthew 28:18-20. "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It's interesting that in the original language that the only verb in those three verses is "make disciples." All the other action words are participles that connect to the singular command Jesus gives in this text, which is to make disciples. In our first message in the series back on August 17, we looked at The Three C's of Discipleship. I'd like to review them briefly in this and following posts. I hope you'll find them helpful and encouraging.

The Call to Discipleship
In Matthew chapter 4, we read about Jesus calling His first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James and John.  He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." There is much that could be written about this call. In the message, we focused on four things. First, it was a personal call. Jesus called them individually. The call to discipleship is one that Jesus extends personally to each of His followers. It is one that we must answer personally as well. We must decide for ourselves if we will answer Jesus call to follow Him. Second, it was a pivotal call. It was pivotal of each of them because it would mean a radical shift in their lives. They would be leaving behind their lives of fishing for fish. They would leave behind their business in order to follow Jesus. The call to follow Jesus might not be so radical for us today, but it is a pivotal call that radically reorients and redirects our lives. Third, it was a practical call. The call to discipleship isn't just some mystical, ethereal concept. It is a call that impacts our lives in very real ways. It is a hands-on call that shapes the activities and endeavors of our lives. God doesn't call everyone to the same task. Not all are called to be preachers or missionaries. But the Christian life is a hands-on life and there is something that every believer can do to show the love of Jesus to those around us and point them to the hope found in the Gospel. Fourth, it was a preeminent call. Jesus call upon His disciples' lives is the highest calling that can ever be given in this life. The most significant and rewarding thing that we will ever give our lives to is the call to follow Christ; serving Him and spreading the message of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life in Him. Have you answered Jesus personal call to follow Him and do the practical work of ministry and evangelism He has commissioned us to complete?

Someone once said, "The most significant contribution we make in life is the passing of our faith to the next generation." May we answer Jesus' call to follow Him and make that lasting and significant contribution.