I Believe in God, but I Don't Make Disciples.

Christian Atheist Series

Week 5

Tim Bycroft, Lead Pastor  

THE POINT EXISTS TO WELCOME THE UNCHURCHED TO BECOME FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF JESUS. 

POINTING PEOPLE TO GOD  

POINTING PEOPLE TO JESUS  

POINTING PEOPLE TO COMMUNITY 

A CHURCH CHARACTERIZED BY LOVE, ACCEPTANCE, AND FORGIVENESS.

I believe in God… but I don’t make disciples.

DISCIPLE: A disciple is someone who FOLLOWS JESUS, is being TRANSFORMED BY JESUS, and JOINS JESUS’ MISSION by HELPING OTHERS FOLLOW HIM.

IF FOLLOWERS OF JESUS (DISCIPLES OF JESUS) ARE NOT ENGAGED IN MAKING OTHER DISCIPLES…THEN THE REALITY IS, WE ARE NOT ACTUALLY FOLLOWING JESUS.

DISCIPLE MAKER: A disciple maker is someone who INTENTIONALLY INVESTS IN OTHERS so they learn to FOLLOW JESUS, GROW IN HIS LIKENESS, and BECOME DISCIPLE MAKERS themselves.

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you… Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.

I BELIEVE IN GOD THEREFORE GOD USE ME TO BE A DISCIPLE-MAKER EVERY DAY.

Acts 4:10, "he (lame man) was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead."

WE SPEAK BOLDLY ABOUT WHAT WE BELIEVE DEEPLY

Acts 4:12-13, "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. 

HOW DO WE BECOME BOLD IN OUR FAITH AND DISCIPLE-MAKING? 

SPEND MORE TIME WITH JESUS. 

Acts 4:13, “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” 

ASK GOD TO MAKE YOU BOLD

Acts 4:29, “And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.”