Disciple Are Made - Not Just Born Again

Disciples are made, not just born again! Now that’s an interesting statement and one that really needs to be looked at closely. At one angle the statement seems completely contrary to what we know about having a relationship with Jesus Christ. After all, didn’t Jesus say, “… you must be born again …”? Of course He did! And what Jesus says is absolute truth! So, then the statement “Disciples Are Made - Not Just Born Again” is false! Or is it?

Didn’t Jesus also say in Matthew 28:18-20 as part of the Great Commission to, “… Go and make disciples …”? Notice the emphasis I am placing on the word, “MAKE”. Again, of course He did! And also, once again, what Jesus says is absolutely truth!

How then do we look at the original statement, “Disciples Are Made - Not Just Born Again”? Simply by just saying that it is true and must be accepted!

The real question then deals with how to understand and harmonize both parts of the statement so that it can guide us into complete obedience to Christ and His mission.

First, let’s take a closer look at what Jesus says about being born again. The statement is found in Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus in the Gospel of John 3:1-21. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to talk with Jesus and get more information from Jesus about the things of God. Nicodemus starts off his discourse with a statement he believed to be true about Jesus. He says,

“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God was with him.” (v.2)

Jesus then jumps right in there with this teaching about the need to be born again and how that experience is the entrance into being part of the kingdom of God. The born again experience is the essential step that every person must take if they are going to enter into the Kingdom of God. Without taking that step one cannot enter.

After some questioning and answering back and forth by Jesus and Nicodemus, Jesus finally explains that the way one experiences this born again experience is through believing in Him, the Son of God. This is the place where we read one of the most memorized scriptures in the Bible,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever, believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

God grace of salvation, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in Him alone is how one experiences this born again experience.

But in Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus wasn’t talking about the born again experience! He wasn’t talking about the initial step that brings them into the Kingdom of God. No. Jesus was giving His final words of instructions before He leaves this world and goes back to Heaven to wait for the time of His return. Jesus is talking about the final product that is to be produced in those who come to faith in Him.

Jesus was teaching Nicodemus how to get started but Jesus was instructing His apostles about what the final outcome would be for those who come and receive that born again experience. The verses in John 3 talk about the beginnings the verses in Matthew 28 talk about the goal.

The born again experience is the first step in the disciple making process but it is also not the final step. The goal of Jesus is to make him more and more disciples - not just more and more people being born again. While it is very true one cannot become a disciple of Jesus unless they are born again, it is also true that one cannot be a fully devoted follower of Christ by just being born again.

While John 3 brings a person to the first of salvation through faith, Matthew 28 reminds us that being a fully devoted disciple of Jesus requires us to take additional steps of obedience.

If we are striving to be fully devoted followers of Christ are going to be obedient we must share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost so they can hear and believe in Jesus and thereby receive that born again experience. But we must also recognize that that there is still much more to do if we are going to be obedient to Christ command and commission in Matthew 28. We must baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and we must teach them to obey all that Christ has commanded.

It is through the sharing of the Gospel, baptizing into the faith and instruction resulting in obedience that disciples are made.

Are You Prepared & Trained To Join Christ When He Brings A Powerful Movement To Your Community

Many people are praying for God to bring one of His powerful movements to their city and their nations!  Many pastors and churches are also praying for God to unleashing a great revival in their area!

But I have a question for you!  

ARE YOU PREPARED TO JOING CHRIST WHEN HE DOES BRING THAT POWERFUL MOVEMENT?

Watch this video and then ask yourself if there are some things you need to be doing as a Christian to be ready to join Christ on His mission.  Pastors you need to ask yourself if there are some things you need to be doing to position your church body (members) to be ready to joining Christ on His mission.  Take a few moment and watch this short video. 

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ARE YOU PREPARED?

Sometimes we just don't know when God will give us an opportunity to share His Good News!

SO BE READY AT ALL TIMES!

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2 Approaches For Dealing With Missional Living Failures

If you haven't already figured it out yet you will soon but no one lives a perfect missional life all the time!  We try new things like sharing our testimony but mess up; or we try to explain the Gospel only to stumble all over the place.  How we deal with these failure will greatly determine if we become successful at living a powerful missional life or experience the death of our missional living.  Watch this video and be encouraged to never quit or give up!

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12 THINGS I DO WHEN I SHARE JESUS DOOR TO DOOR

Yes, I do go door to door to share Jesus with people! And yes, I do find it to still be a very good approach to getting the Gospel out to people!  And yes, I do see lots and lots of positive responses from those I go to and many of them are giving their hearts and live over to Christ. 

For the most part people, even those not interested, have been cordial and polite. It has only been on very rare occasions a person is rude and mean spirited. 

But what I am going to share in this post is 12 things that I go door to door to share Jesus with people in my community.  These are 11 things that I have found to be important reminders.  I share this strategy with you because it can easily be done by any Christian in their own neighborhood where they live or with a Home Fellowship Group of churches that wish to be more missional. 

1.  Go In Teams Of Two Or More

Going in teams of two is a very Biblical approach. In Luke 10 when Jesus was sending out the 72 He sent them in teams of two.  We see the Apostle Paul and Barnabas forming a missional team. We see Peter and John often together on missional activities.  

Teams provide safety, encouragement, and accountability.  If you have to go by yourself then I guess you have to but if you can find someone to go with you, even if its just there to pray while you talk, then that is more desirable.

2. DON'T WEAR SUNGLASSES

I know that sounds silly but the reality is that if people can't see your eyes they will be more suspicious of you. You will look intimidating and it will create an immediate wall of separation between you and the person you're talking to. 

Your eyes communicate your sincerity and passion. Allowing people to see your eyes is part of the communication and connection you are wanting to establish with a person you're trying to share Jesus with. 

3. KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKET

Again, this is about creating trust and putting people at ease.  The reality is that if you talk with a stranger while having your hands in your pocket the person will concentrating more on your hands and pockets than what you are saying to them.

When strangers see you with your in your pocket they are wondering if you have a knife, gun or some other thing they should be worried about.  The solution is simple: Take your hands out of your pockets and fold them in front of you, so they are in plan sight. 

4. INTRODUCE YOURSELF

This seems obvious but I have been amazed with the number of people who have gone door to door but never once shared their name or the name of the person that came with them.  Here's what I usually say,

"Hi, my name is Jay Moore and this is my wife Linda."

The shorter the introduction the better.  Once you share with a stranger your name psychologically you are no longer a stranger! Why? Because they now know you by name.

5. TELL THEM WHY YOUR THERE

This is important and needs to be share real quickly.  The people you are visiting are wanting to know, so there's no need to have a chit chat session with them.  After I introduce myself I will say something like this:

" ... we are going through the neighborhood sharing with people that God loves them, we care about them and because life is really tough for people these days we have come by to see if there's anything you need God to do for you, any miracle you need God to perform for you that we can pray about for you.  Is there anything you need God to do for you?"

Many times after saying this many people have questions.  They may ask, "Are you JW's" or "Are you with a church?"  or they may not really understand what you said and they ask, "What are you here for?"  After answer those clarifying question I'll always go back and say, "So, is there anything that I can pray for you about?"

6. PRAY WITH THEM FOR THEIR REQUEST

After they share their prayer request immediately pray for them about that specific need. Ask God to meet that need and do in such a way that the person knows it was God who did it.  Believe me when I tell you that people are hungry for prayer - they need prayer - and very often accept offers for prayer.

Prayer communicates to the person you care about them.  And communicating that you care is critical to preparing to share the Gospel.  There's old saying,

"People don't care how much you know - until they know how much you care."

Praying for people communicates that you care a whole lot!

7. ASK PERMISSION TO TELL THEM A TRUE STORY FROM THE WORD OF GOD

Once you have prayed for them ask them if you can tell them a true story from the word. of God. This is important because the Bible teaches us that faith comes from hear and hearing the word of God.  To share a Bible story about Jesus is a powerful way to initiate a spiritual conversation that will lead to a Gospel presentation. I would suggest the story of Jesus at the house of Simon the Pharisee' when the sinful came and began to cry on Jesus' feet.  

Don't read the story - tell it in your own words but accurately.  Don't add to the story but also don't leave anything out of it. 

8. TRANSITION TO TELL YOUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY

After sharing a true story from the Bible immediately begin to share you personal testimony of coming to Christ.  Don't ask permission.  They already gave you permission to share a Bible story just continue to talk by sharing your story in Christ.  Start your testimony off by saying, "Just like this person who was desperate to see Jesus and receive forgiveness of sin so I to had a time in my life when I wanted my sins forgiven.  Then tell them your story. Share with them what you life was like before coming to Christ, how you came to Christ and what your new life in Christ is like now.

9. TRANSITION TO TELL A SIMPLE GOSPEL PRESENTATION

Once you have finished your testimony say something like this, "And the best part of my new life in Christ is that Jesus now has me going around telling people that just like the person in the story was forgiven of their sins and just like I was forgiven of my sins, so now they too can experience Jesus' forgiveness for their sins.  And then share with them a simple Gospel presentation.

10. ASK THEM THE QUESTION

Once you finished sharing the Gospel ask them the million dollar question! Ask them, "Would you too like to experience Jesus' forgiveness of sin?"  If they say, "yes" then lead them in a sinners prayer of commitment. A good fisherman knows that they need to reel in the line if they will ever catch a fish; likewise a good disciple maker knows they need to ask the question to receive Christ.

11. CELEBRATE THEIR DECISION

Once you're done praying get excited and let it be known how amazing a decision they just made.  Let them know and experience your excitement for their decision to follow Christ.

12. SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO COME BACK IN A FEW DAYS

Before you leave make sure you set up a time to meet within the next few days to begin learn more about Christ and what he has commanded.  This is when you begin to disciple them to be obedient followers or Christ.

5 Biblical Principles For Shining The Light Of Christ

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

#1:  ALL CHRISTIANS HAVE THE LIGHT - NOT JUST SOME!

"You are the light ..."

Having the Light of Christ isn't for just a few special people. Every single person who has given their life over to Christ by faith has the light!

#2:  CHRISTIANS ARE TO SHINE THE LIGHT IN THE WORLD - NOT CHURCH BUILDINGS!

"You are the light of the world ..."

To much of what we do to shine the Light of Christ happens in building tucked away from the real world.  The people who need to see the Light of Christ are not coming into our church buildings. Christ told us to go shine His light in the world.  

#3:  CHRISTIANS ARE TO DISPLAY THE LIGHT - NOT HIDE IT!

"A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."

We are not to hide the light away so nobody knows that you follow Christ. Instead, we are to shine His light in a way that lots of people can see it and benefit from it.

#4:  GOOD DEEDS IS THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LIGHT - NOT JUST WORDS!

"let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds"

Doing good deeds or loving actions is a way to illuminate people's lives so they can see Christ and God's love.

#5:  THE GOAL IS TO GLORIFY GOD - NOT OUSELVES!

"glorify your Father in heaven"

The goal of shining the Light of Christ is for people to glorify God the Father.  It should never be our aim to get the glory for ourselves. The glory always belongs to God and God alone!

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Missional Living Is Kind

Jesus said that the world would know that we are His disciples by our love for one another and the Apostle Paul said that love in kind, so one of the ways the world will know about Jesus is through our kindness. Watch this video to learn more and then take some time to evaluate your own missional living to see if kindness is part of it.

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5 Things To Be Clear About For Powerful Missional Living

When it comes to living a powerful missional life that brightly shines the Light of Christ there are some things one needs to be absolutely clear about! Today we are going to look at 5 of them.  We will be looking at Joshua 1:1-9 with the call of Joshua to join God on His mission and the 5 things God made perfectly clear for him so that he would be able to accomplish the task he was being assigned.

I. You Need A Clear Word From God! (v. 1-2)

"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 'Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites."

Here we see God coming to Joshua explaining to him the situation about the death of Moses, about how He was appointing Joshua to become the new leader and commanding him to get the people ready to cross over into the Promised Land! Basically God is telling Joshua to GET READY - GET THE PEOPLE READY - YOU'RE HEADING OUT!

In this passage there is no indication that Joshua was confused about who it was that was talking to him.  Joshua knew it was God!

There is also know indication that Joshua was confused about what God was telling him to do.  Joshua knew exactly what God was telling him to do!

To be effective in missional living we need to tune our heart, mind and spirit to be able to recognize when God is speaking to us and to understand what God is telling us to do. There can't be any confusion on either point.  We are following Jesus on His mission and as such we need to be able to understand when God is shifting gears or making course correction.  WE NEED TO HAVE A CLEAR WORD FROM GOD!

II.  You Need To Claim God's Clear Promises! (v. 3)

"I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses."

Did you catch the fact that God was giving Joshua a "Clear Promise"!  God used the phrase, "I will"!  It didn't say, "I might" or "It's more than likely" but it was a very definite, " I will".  He gave the same promise to Joshua that He gave to Moses.

The Bible tells us in 2 Cor 1:20 that all the promises of God are "Yes" for those that are in Christ.  When we know and by faith hold onto God and His promises we can claim those promises for living a powerful missional life. Knowing God's promises and knowing that God has said "yes" to those promises for us who are in Christ is powerful when shining the Light of Christ. 

III.  You Need To Receive A Clear Vision From God! (v. 4)

"Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west."

Did you notice how clear and specific God's explanation of what the Promised Land consists of?  God gave Joshua the exact boundaries that the Promised Land would reside in.  

When God assigns a mission He imparts a vision that is very specific!  When God told Noah to build an ark, God was specific in the exact way he wanted it to be built. God's vision is always clear and specific.

What has God clearly called you to do? What does it look like? What things need to happen and take place for it to be done?

IV.  You Need To Rest On God's Clear Assurances (v. 5)

"No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."

In this passage God give two assurances that Joshua could hold on to:

1. No one will able to stand against you all the days of your life;

2. God presence would never leave him.

In Matthew 28:18-20 we have what has come to be known as Christ's Great Commission.  In it Jesus gives us, who are on mission with Him, 2 assurances.  These two assurances are:

1. That Jesus has the authority to assign us this mission.  We are on a mission under the authority of God himself.

2. And that His presence would be with us always!

Once you clearly internalize the reality that you are on a mission under the authority of Christ himself, who has all authority in both Heaven and earth, and that Christ himself, through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit goes with us that's the makings of a powerful missional life!

V.  You Need To Hold On To God's Clear Guarantee For Success (v. 6-9)

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

3 different times we hear God telling Joshua to be strong and courageous. These 3 reminders was to emphasize God's guaranteed success!

Verse 6: tells Joshua to be strong and courageous because "He will lead them to inherit the land". There's no if's, and's or but's - Joshua would accomplish this mission.

Verses 7-8: tells Joshua to be strong and very courageous because obedience to the Law of Moses guarantees success.

Verse 9: Reminds Joshua to be strong and courageous - don't tremble or be dismayed because God is with him wherever he goes and because of God's presence success is guaranteed.  

We too can be confident of our success to the mission that Christ has called us to because Christ is the Sovereign Lord of all creation.  HIs will must be done!

How Patient Are You In Your Missional Life?

Jesus told His disciples that the world would know that they are His disciples by their love for others. Love for others is the proof of a sincere relationship with Christ.  Love is the Light of Christ that shines from us to others who still need to know Christ. 

The Apostle Paul in I Corn. 13 says that "Love is patient" - therefore I like to say that "Missional Living is Patient".  Watch this video and then evaluate yourself and ask how loving or patient are you with those who still need to know Christ.

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3 Kinds Of People Encountered In Missional Living!

When you chose to join God on His mission you'll encounter three different kinds or groups of people.  Each person will be distinctly different from the others and will require you to share with them a different message.

In this video I will identify each of the 3 different kinds of people, describe what they are like and to share with them in order to be joining Christ on His mission.  As you are having a conversations with people think about what group they fall into and then what kind of message they need to hear.  THEN STEP OUT ON FAITH AND SHARE IT!

Now that you've heard what I had to say I'd love to hear your thoughts! Share with us about what you think below as a comment and let's get a great discussion going about how we can shine the Light of Christ even brighter and more intentional!

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3 Daily Activities For Powerful Missional Living

Here are three things you can do every single day to help you join God on His mission and live a powerful missional life.  

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6 Fears That Keep People From Sharing Jesus With Others

Recently I ask is question to my Facebook Friends:  What's the #1 FEAR you have about telling others about Jesus and how to have their sins forgiven?

 Here are the some of the top 6 responses!

 #1:  Fear That People Belittling You For Your Faith

 This is a fear that people will make fun of you thinking that you are a simple minded person needing to believe in a fairy tale of a God as if belief in God is simple unreasonable. 

 #2:  Fear That You Might Say Something Wrong

 Some people fear that they might not have the right answers and actually give out misinformation. 

 #3: Fear Of Being Called A Bible Pusher

 In my day this was called being afraid of being called a “Jesus Freak”. No matter what you call it: Bible Pusher, Jesus Freak or little good Christian boy the intent is to make fun of you.

 #4:  Fear That Someone Might Cuss You Out.

 When you share Jesus with people you really don’t have any control how they will respond or react.  Some people are afraid that they will get cussed out and cursed at for sharing Jesus with people. 

 #5:  Fear Of Being Rejected For Your Faith

 This is a fear that you might not be accepted in a group or family because you share and believe in Jesus.  It’s a fear that people no longer want to have anything to do with you because of your faith in Christ.

 #6:  Fear Of Not Being Able To Defend Your Faith.

 This is a fear that you won’t be able to answer questions that people have about Christ or even worst if people challenge you with intellectual arguments you won’t know how to answer them.

 The reality is that all of these fear could be actualized by you regularly and intentionally sharing your faith in Jesus Christ.  But should that stop us?  Should we allow our fears control us or should we allow our faith in Christ control us? 

 Listen to this wonderful promise that God has given each of us in 2 Timothy 1:7 (HCSB)

 “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”

How Can Prayer Walking Lead People To Faith In Christ?

Members from Enchanted Hills Baptist Church after going out on a Door To Door Prayer Walk!

The people above received the T4T Reproducing Disciple Making Basic Training and then went out to do a Door To Door Prayer Walk to find where God was at work.  Watch to the video below to hear the results of their time joining God on His mission.  You just might be encouraged and empowered to do the same!

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HOW TO TRANSITION ANY CONVERSATION INTO A CONVERSATION ABOUT JESUS!

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The Chocolate Chip Cookie/Prayer Outreach Strategy

Jesus said on the Sermon On The Mount,

"Let your light so shine before men in such a way that they see your good deeds and glorify our Father in Heaven."  Matthew 5:16

In other words we are to do good things for other people in a way that God gets the credit for it and that includes outreach.  The Chocolate Chip Cookie/Prayer Outreach Strategy is one powerful way to do something nice for people and do it in a way that God gets the glory and so a "Door of Opportunity" might open to share the Gospel.  

This is a simple strategy that anyone can do. It would be a great activity for an Ordinary Christian to do in their own neighborhood.  It can be used to reach out into other neighborhoods to see which homes God is at work in.  

The first video explains how it works and the other three video are short testimonies of people who taught to do it and went out that same day and did. They will share their experiences in doing it with you.  

So what do you think?  

• Can you bake up some chocolate chip cookies, take them over to some neighbors house, share with them that God loves them and you care about them, ask if there's anything going on in their lives that you can pray for them about, and then pray for them?  
• Can you do that?  SURE YOU CAN! SO GO SHINE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST AND LET GOD GET THE GLORY!