This past month we have begun a series on Discipleship. What does it really mean to be a disciple or a follower of Jesus. Certainly we can see from the example in scripture that it meant more than just being a Sunday Christian. Sitting in a garage does not make you a car, in the same way sitting in a “church” does not make us disciples. Our desire to truly follow Jesus example no matter the cost is what qualifies us to be called disciples.

The wonder of grace is that Jesus saved us while we were in sin, he accepted us, forgave us and cleansed us, we have been adopted into his family and made co-equal heirs with Jesus. There is absolutely nothing we need to do to earn God’s love, favour or blessing. But grace doesn’t mean we now live a selfish life. Being a Christian is to be a “little Christ.” we have been anointed with the Holy Spirit to act, speak and live just like Jesus, in fact to do the very same things that he did. That is a wonderfully exciting future that we are all called to step into.

The Christian life should be an adventure, there are always opportunities before us if we learn to discern them where we can share the love and release the power of God. This lost world will not be convinced by rhetoric, it will only be changed by the active demonstration of the supernatural power of God. The authority to use that power has been given to us. Jesus said in Matthew 28:18 “all authority is now given to me, therefore go and make disciples”

Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 1:18-23 when he says that “God placed all things under his (Jesus) feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” We are to be the fullness of Jesus in the earth, everything is now under our feet. What a privilege it is to know that God has chosen to see His glorious kingdom released on the earth through us. That can only happen as we rise up in faith, with an understanding of the power of God through the Holy Spirit who now lives within us. We have been given “everything we need for life and godliness”. We have been given “every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus” we are now “one with Him in spirit” The same power that was in Jesus is now in us.

Jesus said that we both become and make disciples as we obey what he commanded us to do. What did he command ? He simply said GO – TEACH – BAPTIZE. Elsewhere Jesus tells us to LOVE. We are to love God, love others and learn to love ourselves. We demonstrate that love through what we do with our time, our resources, our talents, gifts and abilities and by how we speak to and treat others. That age old saying “actions speak louder than words” is so true. May we all continue to grow as true disciples, not by mere words, but by an active demonstration as a kingdom people.