How New Disciples Are Made #2 (Romans 10:1)

“How New Disciples Are Made” #2 Message Notes (Romans 10:1); Pastor Curt Audet 9/21/25

5th in the 13 Message Series: The Master’s Plan For Making Disciples

BI: God transforms people as transformed people reach out to make disciples.

Hear the passion the Apostle Paul has for his family and his people. May we share his passion for those in our lives!

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1)

The bright morning sun had little effect on Jack as he sat sipping his early coffee. He had slept badly; he tossed and turned most of the night. ‘What’s wrong, sweetheart?’ asked Diane, his wife. ‘I just can’t do it!’ ‘Can’t do what?’ ‘I just don’t think I can share my faith. I know I should! I laid awake most of the night thinking about it.’ ‘But Jack, why do you feel like that?’ ‘Well, that’s what I’ve been wrestling with.’ ‘I think it’s because I feel inadequate. I mean, who am I to explain the Gospel to people? I’ve never even been to seminary!’ ‘But none of the apostles ever went to seminary. And they did pretty well in sharing their faith!’ ‘Yeah, but they were ‘apostles’. Besides, I’m not good enough. You know I’m not, Diane.’ ‘Jack, stop putting yourself down. Did you ever think what would have happened if the first Christians had waited until they were perfect before sharing their faith? The Church would have died right in the year.’

Jack nodded. ‘I never thought of that. But Diane, who would be interested in my witness?’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well, you know how people are today. They’re only interested in money and things and having a good time. No one’s interested in the Church. Or my faith.’

Diane placed her hand over his. ‘Jack. Do you believe that your relationship to Jesus Christ makes a difference in in your life?’ ‘Well, sure, I wouldn’t be a Christian if I didn’t, Diane. That’s what bothers me the most. I would like to share my faith if I could!’ (p.56; The Master’s Plan For Making Disciples by Win Arn)

This is a fairly normal exchange between two Christians. Know this: God alone transforms a person. But He calls us to do the part of witnessing the Gospel message to every person. Now, consider these questions and the implications:

So, how much does God love the world anyway? God loves the world. This is not idea, or novelty. This is God’s Word on the matter. How much does He love the world? And, in what manner does He love this world? And what ways does He act out of is this love?

Let me walk you through Jesus’ familiar promise in John 3:

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

He ‘so’ loves us. Jesus, God the Son’s mission is bound up in the supreme love of God for the evil, sin-filled world of humanity that is in overt rebellion against Him. The word “so” in verse 16 emphasizes the intensity or greatness of His love. The Heavenly Father gave His unique and beloved Son to die on behalf of sinful men.

God the Father gave God the Son. Remember Daniel Geddam shared with us on September 7 the different forms of ‘love’? Agape love is the highest love; agape love manifests itself in sacrificial giving. God was so moved by His love that He sacrificially gave His own Son to be our substitutionary sacrifice. To bear upon Himself the weight and consequence of our sin. To forge a phenomenal forgiveness.

Jesus did not come to condemn us.  Jesus’ mission was to seek and save every rebellious sinner who would turn from their sin and believe in Him. The world left to its own is already condemned by our sinful rebellion.

Everyone who believes in Jesus as LORD and SAVIOR will no longer be condemned. This right here drives me to share the Gospel. This drives me to make disciples. There is not a rebellious sinner on earth that does not deserve condemnation for eternity. BUT there is not one rebellious sinner on earth that is not invited to believe in Jesus. This means to know that Jesus died on our behalf, was buried for us, and was resurrected for us. This means we turn from our sin. This means we place our whole life and trust into Jesus as our Master, our Lord.

This is not a dead invitation laying on pretty card lost under layers of dust. This is the vibrant and resilient invitation carried by every person who received this invitation and became a born-again disciple of Jesus Christ. This invitation remains active in the hands and hearts of we who were dead in our sins, and yet made alive! One disciple of Jesus Christ is one transformed man or woman. In you and me, then, God transforms people—those who are still spiritually dead—when transformed people—who were once dead—reach out to make disciples. In love, God calls His disciples to make more disciples!

Matthew quotes Jesus’ concise and clear command: ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations’. (Mt 28:19)

Mark quotes Jesus’ echoing John’s writing: ‘Go into all the world and proclaim [this] Gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mk 16:15-16)

Paul emphatically calls the religious lost: ‘The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by [Jesus] whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising [Jesus] from the dead.’ (Acts 17:30-31)

God’s unswerving purpose is the discipling of mankind. He calls each of His disciples to an intentional and deliberate commitment to make-disciples. As we are seeing in our current study on discipleship, this is the priority of Christ and the command to His Church.

Most Christians believe this. I imagine you believe this. The problem comes as we translate this ‘call to arms’ into specific marching orders. What can we as a church or as individuals really do that’s significant? And How do we do it? Go and make disciples? Fine, but how? This is what Jack and Diane were struggling with.

Last week—in part 1 of this message, ‘How New Disciples Are Made’— God reaches new disciples by ever expanding His family through our close personal relationships.

Next week—in part 3 of this message—we will see the essence of disciple-making. People transform into disciples as they belong, believe and become.

For this week, I want to spring from the intense giving and sending love of God in inviting rebellious sinner to salvation and new life we see in John 3 to come principles to practically take the GREAT TRUTH and by the power of the Holy Spirit bring it to TRANSFORMING TRUTH in you as a disciple of Christ, and even more importantly, through you as a disciple-making disciple of Christ.

9 Principles Of Effective Disciple-Making –

Disciple-Making Is most effective . . .

1. When it’s an intentional response of the local church.
   Brothers and sisters, while we may be surprised by God’s deep and abiding love for us personally, it’s a matter of obedience when we as a church take Jesus our Lord’s Great Commission seriously. Making-disciples must never be a accidental thing. God has intention. So should we. Who are you making into a disciple today? Start to ask this question of yourself. You should be able to answer with a real name. A person, not from the distant past. But a dear soul living today, right now. If you cannot identify someone of whom you are helping to come to know Christ, and to grow in Christ, then this is neglectful disobedience. Say the name softly under your breath of that man or woman or child YOU are intentionally discipling. Someone whom you are praying for, and at some stage of ongoing sharing the gospel and leading into deeper maturity in Christ.
2. When we focus on the oikos (natural networks) of existing Christians.
   We saw the power of the natural family, community and life relationships God designs for us to be a part of. God placed us into families, neighborhoods and workplaces to shine the light of Christ into the darkest of areas. Turn your light one. Be the light of Christ to your natural relationship network.
3. When it is based on and permeated with genuine love and care.
   The Bible tells us to do everything that we do in love. Genuine, giving, sending, sacrificing love toward the people God has sovereignly designed to be in our lives. Love is not a technique. It is Christ-character. Surrender selfishness to genuine love in your interaction with every person you come in contact with. And, like Jesus love them SO much that you give them a warm and gracious explanation of the Gospel hope that is within you.
4. When each Christian has a part in responding to the Great Commission.
   The ‘Church’ is also known as the ‘Body of Christ’. The gathering of Christ-followers is diverse in age, appearance, experience and capacity. You are not called to be like another Christ follower. You are called to engage in the GREAT COMMISSION with your giftedness. You are called by the authority of Jesus your Lord to ‘Go and make disciples, to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and to teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded you. Church, it is time we are no longer operating as disjointed parts, but as the Body of Christ in all its diversity to make disciples for His glory. What part are you gifted to serve in? Next week in the 2 day new members’ class, we’ll look at the giftedness God gives each one of us, and how we serve His mission.
5. When it is a team effort.
   The ‘Church’ is a team, or it is nothing. As the Body of Christ, the Hand needs the Eye, the Foot needs the Blood, the Ear needs the Nervous system. When one team member of the body is injured or willfully disengaged, the whole Body operates in some level of disfunction.
6. When it is church community centered and based).
   Jesus designed the ‘local Church’ when He called us to make disciples of ‘all nations’. We need to localize to be able to actually wrap our hands and heads around the Great Commission. Jesus is building His Church (huge, and universal) with countless numbers if local churches with specific addresses and communities. Making disciples is our part in Jesus’ overall activity of build His Church of which the gates of hell will never defeat.
7. Unique needs and individual differences are recognized and celebrated.
   The Body of Christ is made up of each of its members and parts. If you’ve ever experience a traumatic accident, you may have made something of a roll call. Hand? Are you with us? Leg? Are you there? Tooth? You ready? Each member of the Body of Christ is marvelously fashioned to serve its purpose for the glory of God. You are not like the person beside you. You are beautiful; you are loved and you are needed for the person God made you! Live, be and serve as God designed you are part of the Body of Christ.
8. Biblical insights and life-wisdom are integrated.
   God made you the way He intended. And since you came to Christ, you began to grow in wisdom and knowledge. God’s Word continuously shaping you. Life experience and application of God’s Word by trial, error and counsel. Right now in your time and life, today is the day God can use you to serve Him to make disciples.
9. Disciple-making is most effective as a natural and continuing process.
   Brothers and sisters, start a conversation today centered around God’s mercy and love that has transformed you at the cross. Cultivate that conversation with all the available people in you oikos. God changes hearts and lives. But He does this in large part by you ‘making disciples’ among the natural relationships of family, neighborhood, friendships and work.

Live up! (Surrender to the fruit of the Spirit in your life)
Pray up! (Pray every day for your people.)
Speak up! (Break the Gospel conversation wall.)
Open up! (Invite your people to Jesus, to Church and to other events)

God transforms people as transformed people reach out to make disciples.

Closing Prayer