Kingdom Discipleship
(This Weekly Prayer Summary was written by Esmi Lukman, from the CBC English Prayer Ministry Core Team, and edited by Brigitta Tedja)
Watch full sermon here
Prior to the sermon, James Sudarsono moved in the gifting of the Holy Spirit and prophesied over an individual and a couple. He then opened his sermon by reading a powerful excerpt from Ephesians 1:17-21: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is within us. A powerful word that we can only receive from the Spirit of revelation. A true man and woman of the Word of God and with the Spirit of God know how to get out of the way and let God speak directly to them. This is a piece of truth that can only be revealed by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. We need to receive that from the Spirit of God so it will not only be head knowledge, but the truth. There is a difference between knowledge and truth. Knowledge puffs up but truth builds up.
Citizens of the Kingdom
“Be the Church” is our theme for this month. We have been talking about the Seven Mountains, the spheres of influence in our society. The Seven Mountains of Influence include business, family, church/religion, arts & entertainment, media, government, and education. “No Benchwarmers in the Kingdom of God” from the previous sermon by Gerrit Hermanus was highlighted in the sermon. As James’ sermon would be the last series of this month's theme, he would like to ensure that we understood the idea of who we are called to be as the Church of God, the Ekklesia.
Matthew 4:17 NKJV
“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Mark 1:15 NKJV
“And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus began His ministry and preached one focused message which was the Kingdom of God.
We need to understand that the Kingdom of Heaven is not merely the gospel of salvation, the gospel of healing, blessing, healing, prosperity, but it is the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven which encompasses all of these. The entire mandate of who the Church, the Ekklesia, is called to be, hinges on this concept of the Kingdom of God.
What is a Kingdom?
The domain or dominion of the king
The place in which a king rules; the territory in which his rulership extends to, where the king has jurisdiction
What the king says, goes. No elections or parties or debates
John 18:36-37 NKJV
“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate, therefore, said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause, I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’”
Jesus was not just talking about some foreign kingdom. He spoke about His Kingdom. Jesus was introducing the Kingdom of God back into the earth upon His arrival. He announced it in the beginning of His ministry, reclaiming what Adam and Eve forfeited to sin (Gen. 1), and concluded at the end of His ministry.
Ephesians 2:19 NKJV
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
What is the significance of citizenship? As Myles Munroe stated in his book “Rediscovering the Kingdom”: “Citizenship is always considered a privilege in all kingdoms and nations and is usually reserved for those born into that nation or kingdom.”
When one is born, that individual instantaneously becomes a citizen of the nation he or she was born in. When we become born again, we immediately become full-fledged citizens who holds the rights and privileges of the Kingdom of God. We did not immigrate. The citizens of the Kingdom of God are called the Ekklesia, the called-out ones. Jesus used Ekklesia as a political term to define the Church. Ekklesia derived from an assembly of Greek citizens who were responsible for declaring war, had the final say in the proposed legislation, and was responsible for appointing magistrates and other officials in the government.
Jesus did not die only for us to be members of a religious organization. He died and rose again and brought us into the family of God and the Kingdom of Heaven as full citizens, as sons and daughters, so that we could be the Church—the Ekklesia--the called-out ones. The Ekklesia, with a kingdom mandate, is meant to govern and influence the whole of society.
The Call to Disciple
Jesus called us to be disciples who make disciples. Discipleship is a kingdom mandate as we understand our role, purpose, and what we are meant to do in the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We were called to disciple the nations. Jesus commanded us to make disciples because He is the King in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever the King says, it goes, so we must go out and do it. When the King makes a statement, it is decreed into law. Whatever mountain, whatever industry, or field we are in, the decree from your King stands and that is to make disciples of all the nations. When the King commands it, we do it.
Discipleship is not a program. It is the lifeblood of following Jesus. Discipleship is the model that Jesus gave the Kingdom of God to impact the nations. It was modeled first by Jesus. When Jesus began His ministry, the very first thing He did was to declare the Kingdom of God. The next thing Jesus did was to call out His disciples. Jesus modeled it. Then He commanded it. We do it because our King commands it.
Matthew 4:17 NKJV
“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:18-20 NKJV
“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”
What did Jesus do with His disciples? He ate with them, shared with them, equipped, taught, corrected them, and most importantly Jesus demonstrated the Gospel for them by performing miracles, healing, extending compassion, and love. We are called to do greater things than what Jesus did. People see you and the way you walk through life when you pray, as you work, as you face challenges, and these people will catch what you do and do the same. Who are you discipling and who is discipling you? Who are you doing life with? If there is nobody that you can think of, let this be a wake-up call.
What Does Kingdom Discipleship Look Like?
Identity (calling & purpose)
Love (give/receive the love of God through people)
Followership (imitate me as I imitate Christ, 1 Cor. 11:1—goal of discipleship is Christlikeness)
Openness (correction)
Accountability (goes both ways)
Practical Things We Can Implement:
Pray about WHO. Ask the Holy Spirit who you need to disciple or who can disciple you, then go and ask.
Make time to intentionally meet
Share a meal together
Pray together, read the word together
Share about areas of life outside of spiritual things
Discipleship was Jesus’ final instruction. It is a kingdom mandate that we need to carry out. As citizens of the Kingdom of God, your King commands it. Make disciples of all nations. Disciple the nations, but it should start in your own backyard.
Prayers Points:
Pray for wisdom and revelation from the Holy Spirit to understand the powerful truth of the Word of God
Pray for the revelation of becoming a citizen of the Kingdom of God, that we are called to make disciples of all nations
Pray for who we need to disciple or who can disciple us, and commit to taking action, for King Jesus commands it
Pray for wisdom for time management as you commit to disciple or to be discipled