Three Substitutes To Discipleship

This past Sunday, I spoke on two of the most significant Scripture passages that occurred post-resurrection—Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20. 

Matthew 28:18-20

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been give to Me. 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, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you even to the end of the age.”

So, what do we do instead of getting involved with people’s lives? 

1. We substitute “busyness in the building” in place of OBEDIENCE. We go to meetings on discipleship. We go to classes on discipleship. We study the word about discipleship. We discuss our need for discipleship. And all that keeps us busy enough up at the building to keep us from having to engage with lost people. When we have all these classes, studies, meetings, and trainings DETACHED FROM MISSION & RELATIONSHIPS—we do it as a way to justify how we spend our time and how we're not making disciples. It is much, much easier to sit and listen to teaching than listen to people’s deep, complex problems and horrible decision making. 
2. We substitute events/programs in the place of the PROCESS of discipleship. We expect the church to set up events that might lure in the lost—and they might accidentally rub up against salvation and get it on them. Many people believe the paid staff guys job is to create and organize events or provide the newest programs so people can bring their acquaintances to a building/event where somebody else might share the gospel with them—and they don’t have to!
3. We substitute decisions in the place of discipleship. We focus on people “making a decision” or “making converts” instead of making disciples. When people do walk an aisle—pray a prayer—join a church—What happens next? That person should be bombarded with people trying to walk them to deeper growth. Somehow it gets communicated or conveyed that now the new believer must spend all of their time at church events, church attendance, church classes, church committees, and church busyness—NEVER LEARNING TO REACH LOST PEOPLE AROUND THEM AND THEN DISCIPLE THEM—and within two years that person is completely removed from the context of lost people they had when they first followed Christ.

In Matthew 28 (the Great Commission) most of the emphasis is usually put, obviously, on the main command to “make disciples” in verse 19. However, it is easy to look past the two “bookends” that surround verse 19. 

Matt. 28:18 Jesus says, “All authority on heaven and earth has been given to Me.” 

Matt. 28:20 says, “And behold, I am with you even to the end of the age.” 

As we attempt to become disciple-makers, we often look past those two essential elements. Jesus does command His followers to “make disciples, baptizing…and teaching” people to obey all of His commands. But Jesus bases the hope of actually making disciples off of the reality that He is the One who has authority over all things. 

Jesus has authority over all His disciples (past & present) because He is the One who created each person, He is the One who bought salvation for His followers, He is the One who continues to mature and sanctify His bride, and He is the One who will ultimately glorify us for all eternity. Therefore, Jesus rightly has complete authority over all of His followers. 

But Jesus also says He has authority on all of heaven and earth. This authority has been given to Him by the Father. That is significant because as we are clarifying the gospel to lost people around us and as we are discipling people in our lives—we need to remember and trust in that truth. Jesus has the power and authority to soften hearts and bring them to repentance. We do not have that power or authority. 

That is the front bookend to remember as you are intentional with relationships in making disciples. 

On the back end, “Behold, I am with you even to the end of the age.” 

Again, we need to remember that Jesus ascended to heaven after the resurrection because that was the best and wisest plan in the Godhead. The Holy Spirit was promised to be sent to indwell, empower, and enable individual and corporate believers like never before in history. 

When we don’t remember that Jesus has all authority—we become discouraged in the difficulties and circumstances. And when we don’t remember that He is present with us through the Holy Spirit—we are not trusting and relying on His power but our own. 

Let us look carefully at how we spend our resources of time, relationships, and money so that we can live for the glory of God in obedience to making disciples. 

Let us look carefully into whether we are substituting imposters to true disciple making. 

Sankie P. Lynch

www.nbchurch.info

www.nbfamilies.info

sankie@nbchurch.info

Feeling Small

Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea,

the Lord on high is mighty. Psalm 93:4

I like feeling small. Not small like when I’m standing next to Mike in ITK, but small in the sense of seeing life through the lens of proper perspective. Being reminded of the tiny blip that I am in the grand scheme of things is good for my soul. Allow me to try and explain.

Mike Krebs - NBC Family Pastor of MS (left)

Last month while in Charleston for a conference with some of our pastoral staff, we took advantage of our close proximity to the beach. After dinner on our last night in town, we took a short trip over to Sullivan’s Island. We arrived after sunset; in fact, we just barely caught the last few moments of dusk. Nevertheless, the sky gave enough glow for us to see the mighty Atlantic.

It was low tide, so the waves were a good football field away from the beach. If the beach could talk, I'm sure she would've said: “Gosh guys, I wish you woulda told me you were coming over!” Yet even in the darkening hour of low tide, the scene was nothing less than awesome. Though I had been to the ocean before, it had been a while. I honestly had forgotten its power, its enormity, and its beauty.

Our time in South Carolina was brief, yet busy. I had stayed up late the night before talking with the fellas. We had been in meetings all day long. There was every reason for me to feel exhausted, and prior to hitting the sand, that’s exactly how I felt. However, upon seeing the ocean, hearing the crashing of its waves, I found my strength renewed.

Despite being 34 and probably expected by my colleagues to act more “adult-like” and all, I couldn’t resist. Once we got to the sand, my natural response was to run. I immediately lost my shoes, rolled my pant legs up, and took off on a sprint for the water (which by the way, is very cold in March). With the cold, wet sand between my toes, the ocean at my face, and the open heavens above, I became as joyful and giddy as a child. The breathtaking waters demanded it.

No one sees the ocean and scoffs. Not even Mike can gaze upon the massive body of water and feel big. Folks, I could have stayed there all night. I could have soaked up the sounds until the tide returned home. And in case you’re not yet picking up what I’m jiving at, this is a picture of how it is with the Lord. He reveals the beauty of Himself and we are awestruck. One taste of His irresistible grace and we’re never the same. One glimpse of Him and our souls are stirred; our strength is renewed; and our finite minds are forever captivated by the majesty of His infinite power!

That’s why I say it’s good to feel small. I should feel small because that’s exactly what I am – small, powerless, needy, undeserving of God’s grace and mercy. Friend, we must befittingly sense our frailty so that we might rejoice as the psalmist. For as David considered God’s wonders, as he observed the incredible works of the Almighty, overwhelmed by such goodness, David rightly wondered in awe, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him (Psalm 8:4)?”

Matt Fowler
Associate Pastor of Students & Mission Outreach
matt@nbchurch.info
@fattmowler

Keep Your Virus Protection Updated

My PC got infected with with a virus this week. I got attacked because I forgot to update my virus protection software. I can give you all of the excuses as to why that happened: got too busy, never acted when I kept getting those warning pop ups telling me to "renew your subscription", you have 60 days before it expires, 30 days before it expires, 14 days before it expires, yadda, yadda, yadda and guess what? It expired. I didn't take action when I should have and now my PC is at the shop getting cleaned up because SATAN attacked ME!! And just like Adam in the garden, I have all kinds of excuses as to why it's not my fault. And guess what? Just like Adam, it is MY fault.

I put my PC at risk because I got too busy and didn't take the proper steps to protect it from attack.

This could be an example of our Christian walk. If we have been saved by Jesus Christ, we have a protector. His name is Jesus. He gives us  tools to use that help to protect us, just like anti-virus software. 

He gave us the Word. He gave us Himself, our relationship with Him, to converse with Him in prayer. He gave us the Holy Spirit to help guide us and counsel us. He gave us Christian brothers and sisters in Christ, some who teach us and guide us and others who encourage us and inspire us to stay on course, to "listen" to the warning signs, to take action and stay protected. 

Here is an example of Jesus warning His disciples:

⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41

Jesus told them to "watch and pray, so that you will not fall into temptation." There is your "pop up window". There is your warning sign. 

Here is another one:

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Another "Pop up window", another warning sign. Jesus provides you a way out. But now it's on YOU! Are you going to take "the way out, so that you can endure it"? Or are you going to "fall asleep"? Or just like me, are you too busy to listen to the warning signs and take action. "The flesh is weak, isn't it?

 "I don't really need virus protection." "That won't ever happen to me." "I will get around to it someday." 

After awhile, the warning signs stopped. I was left unprotected. I failed to listen and to take action. I was attacked and SATAN was successful. The flesh is weak. Not only did this failure on my part affect me and my PC, it may have also affected others and that is even more disturbing. My inaction may have caused others pain and suffering.

I'm learning from this PC virus experience. I'm hoping the results of my lack of taking action won't cause me or anyone else any more pain and suffering than it already has. I've been praying that it won't. Oh sure, NOW you start to pray about it. Sad, isn't it? We go running back to our protector and ask Him to help us and forgive us from our mistakes, only when we start suffering from them. That is the beauty and the power of the Cross. We can and He will.

Thank you Jesus, for dying for my sins and for the mercy and grace that you have given me, when I "fall asleep" and don't take action. Help me to stay protected. Help me to take action constantly to stay near you, so I won't allow SATAN to hurt me that would cause others pain as well. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Why Not Just Pray?

Do you pray? 

Do you really pray much?

When was the last time you spent over 20 minutes in prayer? 

When was the last time you spent over 30 minutes in prayer consistently?

When was the last time you were broken over your own sin during prayer?

Are you broken over your own sin consistently in prayer? 

Do you truly cry out to God consistently for your spouse? 

Do you pray consistently for your children’s eternal salvation? 

Do you pray for your children’s future spouse?  

Do you truly cry out to God consistently over lost people who you see each day? 

Do you spend time in prayer over your small group members?

How much time do you pray for the person you’re meeting with in discipleship?

Do you ask for other’s advise for that disciple’s problems or do you pray for wisdom? 

Do you consistently confess your sins in prayer to God?

Have you prayed for any unreached people groups lately? Any missionaries by name?

Take a breath. 

Do you feel beat down? The intent is not to discourage. But these questions do beg the next question: Why not? 

If we really believed that God hears all our prayers and is moving and transforming and interacting in people’s minds and hearts—would we pray more? What keeps you from more earnest prayer? 

So, what does our lack of prayer really reveal about what we think about God? 

“He really doesn’t care.” “He’s too busy.” 

“It seems like He never answers my prayers anyway.” “It seems like He never answers the way I wanted Him to answer.” 

“I’m too busy.” “No one has time for prayer like they did in former times." 

“God is sovereign so it doesn’t matter if we pray or not…He's going to do His will anyway.” 

“I never feel anything when I pray.” 

“I see signs and miracles in the Bible when people prayed, but nothing happens when I pray.” 

What do these type of thoughts reveal at a deeper heart level about our view of God? 

When I think about prayer, it can be both convicting and encouraging. I know everyone says that any talk of more prayer is always convicting. But the season of life we’ve just went through and the events of 2014 for our family have been some of the most difficult in all aspects of life. Yet, even through these events, I wasn’t pressed to prayer as I should have. I was pressed to feel sorry for myself. I was pressed to complain. I was pressed to anger. I was pressed to frustration. I was pressed to doubt. But I didn’t respond with prayer near as much as I should have. Therefore, it is particularly convicting, not merely generally convicting. But at the same time it is encouraging to know that God isn’t mad at me or that I’ve missed the boat on what God wants to do. With prayer, I believe all of us simply need to stop and pray. I have been trying to do that more in the last couple of months. 

We must remember that the changes that we desire for our own hearts as well as those around us must be a sovereign work of God at the heart level among them. I cannot change anyone at the core heart level. I cannot bring heart change. I cannot get us to perform tasks enough or serve enough or read enough or teach enough or add nights of ministry that will bring about the change we desire. God, will change hearts through prayer. We need an emphasis on John 15:5, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” Our own minds and our present culture are so busy that it seems counter-productive to slow down and spend many minutes each day—much less an hour or two each day in prayer and meditation. 

Our problem in not seeing more people come to Christ is not because of a lack of programs or staff positions, but instead it is a lack of love.1 We think we love people. But we don’t. We’re selfish with our time. Too selfish to pray and believe and then clarify the gospel with them. Too selfish to pray and weep over their souls. That is not love. We like to think we’re loving, but we’re not. The type of love we need—we can’t come up with by a decision on our part. We need a miracle at the heart level to change us to where we truly have heavy hearts for the lost around us and around the world. God can give us this type of heart. God is the supplier. But He does this type of thing in answer to prayer. 

So what if we as followers of Christ did just the opposite? Instead of more time planning, strategizing, organizing, scheduling, preparing—what if we spent more time praying that small amounts of those areas would suffice the spiritual awakening that God might bring about around us? Prayer is the medium of communication God has designed for repentance. Why not that? 

Sankie P. Lynch 

Assoc. Pastor of Discipleship and Young Families

www.nbchurch.info

www.nbfamilies.info

sankie@nbchurch.info

John Piper Brothers, We Are Not Professionals 'Brothers, Let Us Pray'

Where the comparison ends

Easter is often referred to as the "Super Bowl of Sundays," which I personally have no problem with. I mean, it does make sense. Obviously, the commercials and advertisements are a little different (hopefully) and the Easter outcome has already been decided (Jesus conquered death), but there are many similarities. The Super Bowl is the most widely watched game of the season and Easter is the most highly attended day of worship in the calendar year. There are pre-game egg-hunt festivities, brunches, lunches, choirs and cantatas, well-polished sermons and heartfelt dramas. This is no regular game day! There's excitement in the air and lots of anxious onlookers in the pews. Easter is a day that we pause to remember our Savior's empty grave and celebrate that He has risen indeed. It is a big deal, and rightfully so.

So again, I have no issue with Easter being considered the "Super Bowl of Christianity." In many ways it fits. Yet there is something that can become quite problematic. What if we carry this comparison a step further, and our post-Easter Christianity becomes similar to post-Super Bowl football fandom? When we as believers begin to treat the Monday following Easter, and the next few months, in the same way that football fans approach the days that follow the Super Bowl, it can become quite detrimental to both our joy and growth.

Sure, the fans of the Super Bowl winning team are still going bananas; they're busy ordering their championship shirts and memorabilia. Certainly there are some folks anticipating the draft and training camps leading up to next season, but in the immediate days that follow, there's not much going on. Many people move on to another sport that's in season; maybe they pick up another hobby. Nevertheless, football eventually slips the conscience of even the most avid fan following the Super Bowl. This must not be the same for Christians post-Easter.

And this is really where the comparison really wears out. Our hope, the foundation of our faith, is worth celebrating daily. Yes, there is a holiday set-aside annually for us to officially observe this day, but can our gratitude and excitement truly be contained to just one Sunday in March or April? Of course not!! 

So then, what can we do to avoid this kind of post-Easter decline (not in nominal attendance, but in spiritual pursuit)? Well, we remember the empty tomb and the newness of life that is now extended to us because of it. We marvel at that wonderful cross where our Savior died, and remind one another that the wrath of God was poured out upon Jesus, the one who knew no sin and yet became sin on our behalf, to cover our multitude of sins. We reflect on the life of Jesus, how He perfectly and wholly submitted Himself unto the Father, for had He not done so, the cross would have been insufficient and the empty tomb irrelevant.

Plainly and simply, this morning we want to reflect on the gospel. As we give thanks for our lunch, let's recall His faithful provision for each day. And this evening before we lay down for what will surely be too short of a night of sleep, let's remember that we find our only real rest in Christ alone. In the victory of Monday morning and the blessed hope of tomorrow, this is where the Super Bowl comparison ends; and it is here that the deeper joy and spiritual growth of the saint begins. Pursue those things, which stir your affections for Christ, and enjoy a very happy day after Easter!

Matt Fowler
NBC Family Pastor of HS
@fattmowler

Today is Good Friday.

Today is Good Friday. Good Friday is one of the most significant days of the year because it recognizes what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Good Friday is the day that Christians all over the world recognize the ultimate price that Jesus paid to atone for sins.

Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to experience the joy of Jesus’ resurrection. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. The greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in God’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from the bondage of sin and death.

• That Friday was the day that death died (2 Timothy 1:10).
• That Friday was the day Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for my sins (1 Corinthians 15:3)
• That Friday was the day Jesus proved His love for me (Hebrews 12:2)
• That Friday was the day the payment for my sin was finished (John 19:30)
• That Friday was the day Jesus brought me to God (1 Peter 3:18)

750 yeyars before Jesus was born, the Prophet Isaiah explain God's plan that would happen on that Friday.

Isaiah 53:3-12

He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.
He was like someone people turned away from;
He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.
4
Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses,
and He carried our pains;
but we in turn regarded Him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
5
But He was pierced because of our transgressions,
crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on Him,
and we are healed by His wounds.
6
We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished Him
for the iniquity of us all.
7
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet He did not open His mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughter
and like a sheep silent before her shearers,
He did not open His mouth.
8
He was taken away because of oppression and judgment;
and who considered His fate?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
He was struck because of my people’s rebellion.
9
They made His grave with the wicked
and with a rich man at His death,
although He had done no violence
and had not spoken deceitfully.
10
Yet the Lord was pleased to crush Him severely.
When You make Him a restitution offering,
He will see His seed, He will prolong His days,
and by His hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.
11
He will see it out of His anguish,
and He will be satisfied with His knowledge.
My righteous Servant will justify many,
and He will carry their iniquities.
12
Therefore I will give Him[i] the many as a portion,
and He will receive[j] the mighty as spoil,
because He submitted Himself to death,
and was counted among the rebels;
yet He bore the sin of many
and interceded for the rebels.

I have always love Kari Jobe’s voice. This song moves me to tears. May we understand the depth of Jesus love for us this Good Friday.

Dr. Phil Sallee, Pastor
twitter.com/philsallee
facebook.com/phil.sallee
philsallee.info
nbchurch.info
nbfamilies.info

Have you gotten over Grace?

In our Tuesday morning Men's group, we have been reading through the book "How God Makes Men" by Patrick Morely. The last chapter in the book is on the Principal of a Surrendered Life. Paul, was the author's example of a person who lived a surrendered life. "Here's how Paul, as a gray-haired man in his sixties with three decades of Christian experience behind him, explained it to his protege' Timothy:

¹² I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— ¹³ one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:12-16)

Morely goes on to say this: "Simply put, Paul never got over grace. Grace means getting the mercy we don't  deserve and not getting the justice we do deserve. Fortunately, just like Paul, we don't get what we deserve either. We also are offered grace. Is there any man among us so dull that at the end of any given day he would actually want what he deserved?"

"Christianity only makes sense once you see yourself as a sinner who also needs grace. Lord, don't give us what we deserve; give us grace!"  (From the book "How God Makes Men" by Patrick Morely)


Tomorrow is Good Friday. On Sunday, we will celebrate Easter. Have you gotten over Grace? I pray that this Sunday reminds all of us, to never, get over grace. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.