Find Empty Vessels and Make Disciples
From The HeartPublish date: 02/21/2016
Foundation Scripture:
Mark 3:14-15 (Amplified): 14 And He appointed twelve [disciples],so that they would be with Him [for instruction] and so that He could send them out to preach [the gospel as apostles—that is, as His special messengers, personally chosen representatives], 15 and to have authority and power to cast out demons.
1. Establish Godly Relationships
a. Jesus demonstrated the need for discipleship - building Godlyrelationships.
b. The 12 disciples lives were powerfully impacted, spendingtime with Jesus.
c. Every believer needs to establish a relationship with Godlyleaders whom God sets in authority.
• Jesus and His disciples
• Moses and Joshua
• Elijah and Elisha
• Paul and Timothy
Ephesians 4:11-12 (Amplified): 11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], 12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church].
d. Godly relationships bring increase and multiplication.
Acts 6:1-7 (Amplified): 6 Now about this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, a complaint was made by the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the Twelve called the disciples together and said, “It is not appropriate for us to neglect [teaching] the word of God in order to serve tables and manage the distribution of food. 3 Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will [continue to] devote ourselves [steadfastly] to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The suggestion pleased the whole congregation; and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith [in Christ Jesus], and [filled with and led by] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Nikolaos), a proselyte (Gentile convert) from Antioch. 6 They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service]. 7 And the message of God kept on growing and spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith [accepting Jesus as Messiah and acknowledging Him as the Source of eternal salvation].
Also, see John 15:1-7 (Amplified).
2. Jesus trained His disciples to train others….
a. Matthew 28:19-20 (Amplified): 19 Go therefore and makedisciples of all the nations [help the people to learn ofMe, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing themin the name of the Father and of the Son and of the HolySpirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
Each one reach one.
Each one teach one.
Make disciples.
Multiply.
Win the lost at any cost.
b. We are preparing people for eternity.
Proverbs 11:30 (Amplified): 30 The fruit of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives [for God, as a fisher of men—he gathers and receives them for eternity].
c. Each one reach one; go after the one.
Luke 15:4 (Amplified): 4 What man of you, if he has a hundred sheep and should lose one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness (desert) and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?
Also, see John 1:40-45 (Amplified).
d. Each one teach one; make disciples.
Matthew 28:19-20 (Amplified): 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
e. Multiply.
Acts 6:7 (Amplified): 7 And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.
f. Win the lost at any cost.
Acts 5:14 (Amplified): 14 More and more there were being added to the Lord those who believed [those who acknowledged Jesus as their Savior and devoted themselves to Him joined and gathered with them], crowds both of men and of women.
3. The miracle of multiplication, making disciples, lies in findingthe empty vessels.
2 Kings 4:3-6 (NIV): 3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” 5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”