Stronger Disciples

July 14

(Acts 14:21-22a NIV) “Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, {22} strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” 

(Matthew 28:18-20 NIV) ““Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {19} 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, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

(Revelation 3:1-3 NIV) “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. {2} Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. {3} Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”

Paul and Barnabas knew it was important to disciple those that they had evangelized. They went back to the cities where they had preached the gospel, and taught them Christian basics. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples.”, and so Paul and Barnabas discipled. Being a Christian is about more than just being saved -- it’s about becoming more like Jesus every day, and growing progressively stronger in the faith. Any Christian who is not growing and strengthening their spiritual “legs” on a continual basis is not following the biblical pattern. Too many believers today think they have arrived. They think they’ve learned everything they need to know, but no one can ever reach that state on this side of heaven. Get back to learning in some way. Take a class. Read a book. Watch a good video series. Stretch, grow, and be strengthened. Become a genuine disciple. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day