The authors of our current Bible Study textbook stated that the Church in America is in decline. They went further to say that good Christian people are lost as to what to do about this problem.
The Latest Pew Research conducted in the year 2010, by Gregory Smith, Todd Wilson, and Ron Edmondson confirmed the author’s statement above. According to the Pew Research, Church attendance is down by 10%, only 49% of Millennials identify themselves as Christians; the number of Americans who classify themselves as “religious nones” has grown by 30% in the past decade; only 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christians, down by 12% over the past decade. The article concluded by asking whether these numbers concern you and if so, where do we go from here?
Jesus said in the book of Matthew 16: 18 – “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hades will not overcome it.” (NIV)
We Christians know that the Word of God is true and permanent. But how does Jesus plan to accomplish the task of building His Church when He is no longer here in person to do so?
Well, we all know full well that Jesus is the Master Orchestrator and as such He never did anything without extensive planning. In order to accomplish His goal of building His Church, He established the higher institution of learning otherwise known as Discipleship University. The Bible recalls that He trained His twelve disciples at this institution for three years. His plan, as we now know it today, is that each of His disciples upon graduation would engage in discipling other people, one person at a time. Apparently, you and I and every Christian today is a disciple of Jesus Christ and as such, He desires our unflinching commitment of discipling other people one person at a time. This is the only way the Lord can multiply His disciples in our time.
Jesus said in the book of John 17: 4 – “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (NIV). Jesus is saying in this passage of the Bible that He completed the project of discipling His disciples and He is handing over the baton to them (to us) to go out and disciple other people in the world.
Jesus commanded us in the book of Matthew 28: 19-20 by saying “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
It is obvious from the above Bible passage that the business of discipling other people is a command, therefore it is not an option. It is also clear that the work of discipling others is not set aside for Pastors and Ministers only but for every Christian! And that is why, I believe that Christ International Community Church is ready and committed more than ever before to make disciples of other people in our world, one person at a time.
God Almighty said in the book of 1st Samuel that “But Samuel replied: “does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as obeying the voice of the Lord. To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” There is a dead sacrifice and there is a living sacrifice!
What are you and I going to do about the Lord’s command in Matthew 28? Are we going to join the winning team by discipling others for God or are we going to sit on the fence and watch others engage in the business of soul-winning? I pray we will not lose our position in Him.
May the Lord of Hosts quicken our hearts and enlarge our coasts to be a committed living sacrifice.
Blessings!
January 23, 2022 – Pastor Samson Adedapo
