Our Great Commission
Understanding Your Assignment:
Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
A.W. Tozer said, "It is my opinion that tens of thousands, if not millions, have been brought into some kind of religious experience by excepting Christ and they have not been saved.
Many great evangelists, men like Billy Graham, don't really get alarmed about an 80% fall-away rate among their converts.
Billy Graham was interviewed on television by David Frost. David Frost asked, "What are you thinking about when all those people are coming forward" Billy Graham replied, "I'm thinking only one in four is genuine." and then he cited the parable of the sower.
What is a Disciple?
A Disciple is a Christian that bears much Fruit
John 15:7-8 (NKJV)
7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:15-17 (NKJV)
15No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you 16You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17These things I command you, that you love one another.
Note: appointed is the Greek word tithemi {tith'-ay-mee} (Strong's 5087) and is defined to set, fix establish; to set forth; to establish, and ordain.
It is also used in 1 Corinthians 12:18 & 28 in describing the Set Member and Set Man Principles. (Please refer to Dr. Byron's teachings on these principles, Coming soon!)
Fruit in Scripture:
Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV)
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Fruit in the life of a believer is produced to feed someone else, not for your own consumption. A fruit tree does not consume its own fruit, although some does fall to the ground and the tree absorbs and recycles the decaying fruit.
Maybe it's time for a spiritual inventory. Be honest with yourself; how many of these fruits are evident in your daily life? Do you have some work to do? I think we all can say there is room for improvement in our lives! Read on.
Other types mentioned in scripture:
The fruits of Repentance: This is the first fruit before any other fruit. This also includes the desire to restore those you have sinned against.
The fruits of Good Works: You can't work your way to heaven, but good works will be fruit in your life if you truly are a Disciple.
The fruits of Thanksgiving: Are you truly a thankful person? How much time do you spent in prayer thanking God vs. asking Him to do things for you?
The fruits of Righteousness: Righteous is an old English word and simply means "right standing with God."
Probably the most important aspect of fruit is reproduction. Inside fruit God placed seeds which are meant for reproduction. If you are truly a Disciple of Jesus Christ, you will be reproducing yourself spiritually! Have you reproduced yourself by leading some one else to the Lord and helping them mature as a believer to the point of fruitfulness? If your answer is no, you may be in need of discipleship training yourself.
For far too long the church has understood the Great Commission as a call to "make converts." It is apparent that this approach just hasn't worked. There is an overwhelming need in the church today for mentorship and discipleship.
This ministries foundation and reason for existence is reflected in our mission statement: "making disciples and equipping those disciples to fulfill God's eternal plan for their lives."
Please go to our "contact us" page of this website to get more information about our Discipleship classes.
