JESUS TOLD US TO GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES, THIS IS HOW WE OBEY THAT COMMAND.

 How do we go about making disciples?

I remember years ago sitting on my back porch talking to Jesus about making disciples.

He led me to the parable of the sower of the seeds.

Matthew 13:18-23

"Therefore hear the parable of the sower:

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

But he who received seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;  yet has has no root in himself, but endures only for a while.  For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

Now he who receives seed among thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

But he who receives on the good ground is he who hears and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces; some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Beloved, can you see the different stages of spiritual growth, that disciples go through?

I fully understood what the Holy Spirit was imparting to me.

I was to stick with the new believers, and older ones who had grown lukewarm and teach them, pray for them, until they finally get to good ground.

I was to stick with them until they get to good ground, where the seed of the word will go down deep and produce fruit. This also takes time.

If we are honest, we all go through those stages in our spiritual journey.  

Or else why would Jesus teach it to the disciples.

Jesus spent 3 years teaching his disciples, and yet there still was much growing to do when the Holy Spirit came to indwell them. (Acts 2:1-28)

The disciples went from fearful to faithful and full of God's power and boldness.

Remember that not just Peter denied Jesus, but all of the disciples ran and hid behind closed doors for fear of their life.

Making disciples can take time.  

We have to persevere, and be patient and pray, pray pray.

To disciple you must apply extra grace.

Be patient and pour in God's word.  It is the work of the Holy Spirit to change people. 

 We cannot change anyone, but we can make them hungry for the things of the Lord. 

We can love them in their mess, show compassion and mercy. 

We can however, pray and be consistent in our calling, to make disciples.

Like feeding a baby, you put the food in their mouth, they taste it then spit in out.  You just keep putting the food in, until they get the idea that they are to swallow it.

We repeat the process of teaching God's word and eventually they will get the idea, that this is good for me, and they will swallow it.

Years ago I had one of my disciple call me, she was very upset.  

Since she had been a prostitute to business men, before I prayed with her to receive Jesus, I was concerned.

There was much for her to be delivered from. The Lord did the work. Through love and His word.

My immediate reaction was. Oh no! she has backslide. (Natural thinking) Wrong!

Then she told me why she was upset with herself, because she had told the Lord that she would get up early and pray and she kept falling asleep.

Wow! my heart leaped for joy.  

That was all it was. She had been delivered from much, and the Holy Spirit had filled her to overflowing. She was maturing.

Beloved, God led me to John 21:15-17 on my back porch years ago.  

I had no idea that we would move us across the country over 30 times.

Jesus said, to feed the lambs, babes in Christ.

Then He said tend my sheep. A more mature group. Then He said feed my sheep. 

That's the calling to be a mentor to the full grown sheep. 

Teach them more excellently the way of the Lord.

Stand with them through thick and thin. Hell and high water.

For me, it was clear what my calling was from the Lord. 

Over 50 years, and most of my disciples are in ministry of some kind, to the Praise of the Lord.

That is the calling for believers to make disciples. To advance the kingdom of God.

We must be patient, persevere, and be full of God's grace and mercy. 

Teaching forgiveness in every area of their life. Until they get to the good ground.

We must be full of the word of God in order to teach God's truths.  Making sure that our spiritual tank is full.

What a joy just sitting and reading God's word. Having fellowship with the Holy Spirit our teacher.  

He loves to unfold God's word and teach us new things that we have missed when reading.

Because of the different stages we go through, some things that are in the word of God, we were not ready to receive yet.

1Corinthians 3:2

I fed you with milk and not solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are not able; for you are still carnal.  

For where there is envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Beloved, when we are ready, the Holy Spirit will teach us the deep things of God, so we can share those truths with others, as we make disciples.

 That they may walk in the peace and joy in the Lord that we are walking in.

Go and do what Jesus told you to do.  Make disciple. He never said to make converts, Although converting does take place.

When you make something, it will take time and effort. Knowing our objective. 

Being prepared at all times. Having the right materials.

For us, that is the word of God.

These are souls that Jesus loves and died for.

So be patient, and understanding remembering what God has brought you through and is still working on you.

He will until we go to be with him.

God bless your day

Jesus loves you

Love in Jesus

Joy