Making disciples.
Rev. Peter Tuchyna
I have had the privilege to be born into a family of a Pentecostal minister. During the course of my life I have observed that almost in every service in various churches, there is a reference to the necessity to be a witness and to actively participate in making disciples.
The Lord Jesus said to his disciples that they shall receive the power, after the Holy Ghost will come upon them and they shall be witnesses unto him in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the world Acts 1:8 .
In the parable recorded in Luke 14:23 , the Lord said to his servant to go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
It is amazing to observe the main stream of believers and the response to the commission of Jesus.
Although these words were spoken directly to the eyewitnesses of Jesus (his twelve disciples), they were not very prompt to go out.
The book of Acts 8 bears record that it was Philip, one of the seven deacons, who went down to Samaria.
God was ready, Samaria was ready, and Philip was ready, yet the main streams of witnesses were not “ready”.
In 1 Corinthians 15:10 apostle Paul declared that by the grace of God, he labored more abundantly than they all…
He worked tirelessly in witnessing and making disciples throughout the entire region of Asia
Acts 19:10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
His opposition testified in Acts 19:26, Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
In 2 Corinthians 1:8, he shared the experience in Asia. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
Yet observing the lifestyle of majority “believers” he declared with sadness in his heart in Philippians 2:20, for I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for your state.
By reading his letter to 2 Timothy 1:15: This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes, we would wonder what was the reason for it?
I have in my possession a photocopy of photos taken in 1974 from the cities of Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Gladstone with a large gathering of people. Some portion of Australian “Asia” heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached by the apostle a while ago.
Why did it take 26 years to find someone “like minded who would take care of their state”?
Why had already 31 years past since that time, and we are still looking for like minded to take care of Hervey Bay and Gladstone and other “target cities”?
In those past thirty years children have become adults, some became engineers, teachers, nurses, doctors, layers, computer specialists, financial advisers, technicians, builders, tradesmen and so on. Some acquired a high status in this society, and have become leaders and experts in the secular world, obtaining PhD status and MBA (Master of business administration) qualifications, experience and expertise.
Some have become very wealthy and have already “retired” after the years of hard work and wise financial investments, yet God is still looking for like minded people who would take care of the spiritual state of others.
What is the reason that some in the “spiritual Asia” are turning away? Could it be that after the hearing and receiving the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there is none like minded who would take care of their state?
What does it take to make?
We are making bread, cars, white goods and other innumerable quantity of useful things for mankind.
We learned that consistency, effort, personal sacrifice and finances are an essential part of “making”.
Skill and qualification is sought. The equipment is acquired, appropriate premises hired or purchased including material and ingredients before any monies are made. Loans are taken, believing that it is a good investment.
Daily routine, including creativity and willingness to succeed in a competitive world is part of the lifestyle. Personal comfort is forfeited; often marriages, families and children are neglected. Many are stretching their working hours from morning darkness to night darkness. All of this and much more is sacrificed just for temporary and often illusive goals.
When we are so determined and consistent in physical matters, what causes us to be so casual, unrealistic or even careless, when it comes to the disciple making business?
To be a witnesses unto Jesus is not a casual activity. To be witnesses is a lifestyle!
There is a price tag attached. You can’t serve both, God and mammon. You can’t have both, the lifestyle and wealth of this world with its prestige and competitiveness in every part and also the anointing, power of the Holy Ghost, which comes only in the presence of Jesus as you sit at His feet. Mary recognized it and Jesus said that this part shall not be taken away from her.
No individual, unwilling to depend and to rely for his entire provision, both spiritual and physical upon the hand of God, will ever experience the fullness of power and anointing of God.
Your idea of “securing” your future and then serving the Lord, because you do not want to put a burden upon the church, is no less than either pride or unwillingness to pay the price of discipleship in dependence upon God and in loosing the lifestyle of this world.
By doing so you are robbing not only yourself of the blessing and privilege to be co-laborer with God, but you are robbing also the lost souls of the opportunity to hear the message of salvation.
How much more then, should we have the courage, creativity and willingness to sacrifice and to invest all of our effort, energy, talents, abilities, time, and material possession into the ministry and call of God?
You need to prepare yourself. Study the Word of God; show yourself approved unto God and unto men. Get close to your Pastor who is your spiritual leader. Spend as much time with him as possible. Do not be a spectator, a regular visitor in your church. Observe, learn and adopt his lifestyle. Learn how to have the mind of Christ by observing your Pastor making decisions based upon love, compassion and the understanding that the Lord gave us a ministry of reconciliation.
Brother Jonathon Downs wrote the article about the preparation for music ministry, which is such an essential part of our worship. Do you prepare yourself and your children with every effort of time and finances or will you continue to make remarks for the next decades, why are we dependent on “others and their music?”
As we lift our heads around we truly see, that the harvest is bountiful, but laborers are just a few.
In every assembly there are those who use their mouth more than their hands and feet.
Whom shall we send and who shall go? is still echoing from the throne of God.
Can you see and can you hear, what the Lord Jesus is saying or are you too busy to secure your future and your retirement first and then…?
