Are we guilty of shirking discipleship?
By: Rev. Steven B. Smethers DD

First lets define what a disciple is:
(Disciple: 1. Someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another)
In our Christian understanding this would mean evangelism,
(Evangelism: 1. Conversion resulting from the zeal of crusading advocacy of the gospel).

Matthew 28:18-20,
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. "

By this scripture we see that Jesus told us that we (as Christians) are to be His disciples. In the world today we can observe "good Christians" telling people that they need to get to a Christian Church?! That if they will go to a church they will be saved through Christ. Although this may certainly be true, it is not what Jesus commanded us to do. Jesus said "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" not "send all nations to church so someone else can teach them about Christ"!

Acts 10:42-43,
"And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. "

We are the ones that are supposed to do the teaching to the unsaved of the world. God provides us opportunities to "preach the gospel" to the unsaved. We shirk our responsibility to Christ if we side step this opportunity by saying "You need to go to a Christian Church."

1 Corinthians 9:16
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

You may say that you are not qualified to teach the unsaved about Christianity. Lets look at some more scripture about being unsure. Moses was doubtful as well. Here is what the Lord told him.

Exodus 4:10-12,
"And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."

God will place the Holy Spirit within you. The Holy Spirit will speak through you. You do not need to have a prepared sermon to preach. Preach the gospel with all confidence. Speak of your own experience with Christ. Personal evangelism is a very effective method of reaching people.

Deuteronomy 30:14
But the word [is] very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Ephesians 6:19-20,
"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. "

You may say that all this is well and good, however, I do not have any special talents in this area. I am lacking the skills needed to teach others about Christianity. I would like to be helpful in ministry but I simply do not have the talent. Here is what the Bible says:

Ephesians 4:11-12,
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: "

We have all received "Gifts" to aid in the ministry of Christ. We are all given special abilities whether we are aware of them or not. Our talents are there to help us to bring all people into the Body of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Excuses are easy to give but they do not change the fact that as a Christian you have the obligation to minister the Word of God to all those who seek answers. Only God knows the true condition of your heart. Only God will sit in the final seat of judgment over your life. Do you think it wise to excuse yourself of following one of His commandments?

2 Timothy 4:2,5
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Are you shirking your responsibility as a Christian? Do you simply tell people that they need to go to a Christian church? God will know the condition of your heart and will see all of your actions. Will you promote the ministry of Christ as a true Disciple or simply make excuses? Satan provides us with the easy and wide road in life. Excuses lead us down satan's road. The road into heaven is much narrower to follow but holds the greatest rewards. The Holy Bible is very clear about this subject. Shouldn't it be just as clear to Christians? You are a Disciple of Christ. Take the responsibility of a Disciple and spread the gospel to the world.


======================================
Written by: Rev. Steven B. Smethers DD
Senior Pastor / Administrator - UCMI