The lost

The speaker argues that a balanced understanding of the Great Commission requires recognizing both sides: preaching the gospel to all creation (Frontier evangelism) and making disciples. He emphasizes that after bringing people to Christ, the focus must shift to teaching and following Christ's way, as Paul did by building up new converts. True ministry requires this balance between evangelism and discipleship.

The sermon emphasizes that the church's calling is to fulfill the ministry Jesus performed on Earth, which involves showing people how God wants them to live. A critical component of this ministry, beyond evangelism, is making disciples—teaching them to obey everything Jesus taught. The speaker urges listeners to diligently study Scripture to ensure that all necessary teachings, which form a complete picture of Christ, are being preached, warning that missing doctrines leave the church 'out of tune.'

The speaker argues that many Christians have neglected the full scope of salvation, which involves more than just believing and being baptized. True discipleship requires following Jesus' teachings, which includes being taught to obey everything He commanded, such as loving enemies and practicing piety in secret. He emphasizes that the Great Commission has two parts: evangelism and making disciples, and that the promise of Christ's constant presence is conditional upon fulfilling the teaching and discipleship aspect.

The sermon discusses the times of preparation for the return of Christ, contrasting the secret faith of those who fear persecution with the boldness required of true disciples. Drawing parallels from Malachi and Elijah, the speaker emphasizes that the Church must be a visible witness in its community, not just a private devotion. True evangelism involves being ready to share the hope in Christ in every season and setting.

The speaker emphasizes that the Great Commission requires two parts: preaching the gospel (Mark 16:15) and making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). True discipleship involves more than just accepting Christ; it requires loving Jesus above all else, denying oneself daily, and prioritizing Christ over possessions. Furthermore, disciples must be taught to live by every command of Christ, including loving enemies and practicing radical obedience, rather than just hearing about salvation.

The speaker draws lessons from Paul's warning to the elders in Ephesus, emphasizing that true ministry requires declaring the 'whole purpose of God,' not just parts of it. He critiques modern evangelism for being shallow and overly reliant on human logic or psychology, arguing that genuine spiritual understanding comes from deep study of scripture and submission to the Holy Spirit's guidance, rather than clever reasoning. The core message is the necessity of comprehensive teaching to reflect the full glory of God.

The speaker discusses the two parts of the Great Commission: preaching the gospel to all creation and the subsequent discipleship. He emphasizes that in unreached areas, preaching the gospel requires supernatural manifestations of God's power to convince people of Jesus's resurrection and divinity. Furthermore, he stresses the necessity of publicly reading scripture to teach people who have never encountered the Bible in their language.

The message encourages the congregation to hear the Lord's call to walk with Him in a deeper, closer manner, referencing John's vision on Patmos. It emphasizes that while not everyone is called to preach or evangelize, all Christians are called to be witnesses of what the Lord has done in them, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The speaker discusses the two essential parts of the Great Commission: preaching the gospel to all creation and ensuring that those who hear it are saved. He emphasizes that when evangelizing to unreached areas, supernatural manifestations of God's power are necessary because people have no prior context for the gospel. The second part involves teaching scripture publicly, as the initial conversion is only the first step toward discipleship.

The speaker emphasizes that true church membership is defined by discipleship, referencing Matthew 28:19. He warns against the danger of complacency within established religious groups, arguing that merely attending services or professing belief is insufficient. The core message is a call to move beyond simply being 'in' a church building and instead actively commit to the demanding work of making disciples.

The speaker continues studying Jesus' teachings, focusing on Matthew 18. He emphasizes that Jesus came to seek and save the lost, using the parable of the lost sheep to illustrate God's deep care for every individual. The discussion then moves to church discipline, outlining a three-stage process: private confrontation, involving two or three witnesses, and finally, bringing the matter before the church if the individual remains defiant. The speaker concludes by noting the authority given to the local church to bind and loose.

The speaker discusses various ministries within the church, distinguishing between prophetic ministry, evangelism, and teaching. He emphasizes that these ministries are for equipping the saints, who are ultimately responsible for building the church. The talk also touches on salvation being by grace through faith, and concludes by encouraging listeners not to dwell on past failures because God deals with people based on who they are in the present moment, reflecting His nature as 'I Am.'

The central message is that the church's primary witness to the world is not merely through speaking the word, but through living a life that reflects God's goodness. Drawing from Acts 14 and John 20, the speaker emphasizes that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses through their very lives. A true church, marked by the presence of Jesus, should exhibit a life that testifies to God's reality, lest it become merely an imitation lacking the essential 'fire' of the Spirit.

Based on the title, this message by Zac Poonen contrasts discipleship with mere scholarly knowledge of Scripture, calling believers to move beyond intellectual study to practical obedience and transformation through following Jesus. The sermon emphasizes the difference between knowing about God and truly following Him as His disciples.

The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship involves embracing persecution and misunderstanding, as Jesus taught that those who are hated for following Him are truly blessed. It stresses radical love, urging believers to love their enemies, pray for those who mistreat them, and act mercifully, mirroring God's forgiveness. The core message is to live by the principle of reciprocity—treat others as you wish to be treated—and to cultivate a heart of mercy.

The speaker discusses the importance of following Jesus Christ, noting that while Jesus was the first to say "follow me," the Apostle Paul also exemplified this by following Christ. He then quotes Paul's declaration of being "innocent of the blood of all men," clarifying that Paul meant he was free from the blood of those who would not hear the whole purpose of God, not merely those who were preached to.

The speaker emphasizes that the gospel message must be lived out, not just preached. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, he argues that the Thessalonians became followers of the apostles *because* they observed that the apostles' lives matched the powerful words they preached about Jesus. True discipleship requires that our daily lives demonstrate the truth of our faith, moving beyond mere theory or words alone.

The sermon emphasizes that fulfilling the Great Commission requires equal attention to both evangelism (reaching the lost) and discipleship (teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded). The speaker argues that while evangelism is exciting and measurable, discipleship—the process of making converts into functioning members of the body of Christ—is arguably more faithful and vital. He uses the analogy of food digestion to illustrate that initial conversion is insufficient; true transformation requires ongoing teaching and spiritual development.

The sermon uses the calling of Matthew to illustrate the Christian's inherent burden to share the gospel with sinners. The speaker emphasizes that every believer, not just professional evangelists, must feel this passion to reach the lost, comparing it to a personal cure that must be shared. This burden is fueled by the Holy Spirit, which compels believers to witness beyond their immediate circles.

Discipleship requires willingly following Jesus even when it is inconvenient or difficult, mirroring His example. The speaker shares personal experiences of grief and trial, realizing that true discipleship means serving others and focusing on the needs of others, even when personally struggling. Ultimately, following Christ means yielding to His will rather than relying on one's own strength.

The speaker contrasts two parts of the Great Commission: evangelism (Mark 16:15) and making disciples (Matthew 28:19). He argues that most Christians focus only on evangelism, neglecting the deeper call to discipleship. True discipleship requires two things: a supreme love for Christ that surpasses all earthly relationships, and the daily willingness to deny oneself and carry one's own cross, which means crucifying one's own self-will daily.

The sermon argues that fulfilling the Great Commission requires equal emphasis on both evangelism (reaching the lost) and discipleship (teaching them to do all Jesus commanded). The speaker uses the analogy of food digestion to illustrate that evangelism is merely putting food in the mouth, while discipleship—the work of teaching and nurturing—is the necessary process of digestion that transforms a convert into a functioning member of the body of Christ. Therefore, all ministries are equally vital, as no single part of the body can function without the others.

The sermon explores Luke 15's parables (lost sheep, lost coin, prodigal son) to emphasize Jesus' focus on reaching sinners to repentance. The speaker advises believers to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading when ministering to specific lost individuals. Furthermore, he argues that a true New Testament church should be characterized by its members needing no repentance, achieved through daily confession and genuine repentance, which involves turning away from sin and adopting Christ's attitude.

The speaker emphasizes that salvation involves more than just forgiveness of sins; it requires being saved *from* sin, which is linked to being immersed in the Holy Spirit and fire. He draws parallels from scripture, noting that Paul questioned the disciples about their filling with the Holy Spirit, suggesting that true belief must manifest as an experience of the Spirit's power. Ultimately, the message is a call to seek this empowering presence from the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses for Christ.