Part 01: We are Disciples & Disciple Makers

Written By Rachel Fish

Sermon Summary

This message launched a new series on revival and reformation, calling believers to live with hearts fully surrendered to Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring God's Kingdom into every sphere of society. Pastor Jimmy emphasized that imperfect, repentant people—not perfect ones—are those who change the world. The sermon featured a testimony from Rick Tullis, demonstrating how one person's commitment to living out their faith in business and community leadership has helped transform Waco over the past 30 years.

The core message centered on three sequential biblical callings for every believer: being disciples and disciple makers (Matthew 28), being witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), and serving as ambassadors representing Christ's kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

Pastor Jimmy challenged the congregation to see their vocations not just as natural work but as supernatural assignments where God uses their skills and positions to impact others eternally. 

Key Scriptures

Matthew 16:18 (NIV) "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

Matthew 4:19 (NIV) "'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.'"

Matthew 16:24-26 (NIV) "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?'"

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

Acts 1:8 (NIV) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV) "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV) "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."

Instructions for Groups

Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice.

Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding

  1. The Source of Power: In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." What is the source of this power, and what are believers supposed to do once they receive it?

  2. The Great Commission's Foundation: In Matthew 28:18-20, what specific claim does Jesus make about His authority before giving the disciples their commission? What are the four specific actions Jesus commands His followers to do in verses 19-20, and what promise does He give them at the end?

  3. Ambassadors for Christ: In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul says "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors." What is an ambassador, and according to this verse, what is our role as Christ's ambassadors? What does Paul say God is doing through us?

Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony

  1. Imperfection as Authenticity: The message emphasized that "it is more authentic to mess up and have to repent than it is to act like you're perfect." How have you seen God use your failures or weaknesses to connect with others or bring glory to Him? What does this reveal about how God views our imperfections?

  2. From Natural to Supernatural Work: Jesus told the fishermen He would teach them to "fish for people"—using their natural skills for supernatural purposes. How might God want to use your current job, skills, or life situation not just for natural provision but for eternal impact? What would it look like to see your work as a supernatural assignment?

  3. Identity vs. Assignment: The pastor distinguished between our identity (sons/daughters of God, part of the church) and our assignments (teacher, business owner, neighbor, etc.). How does keeping this distinction clear affect how you approach both success and failure in your work or roles? What happens when we make our assignments our identity?

Prayer

  1. Listening to the Holy Spirit: We're going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let's sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us. [After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?

  2. Prayer Requests from Tonight's Study: What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?

Putting it into Practice

  1. Taking Your Place on the Wall: Like Nehemiah assigning different groups to build and defend sections of Jerusalem's wall, God has given each of us a specific place to "build and defend" in His kingdom. Based on tonight's discussion, where do you sense God calling you to take your place on the wall? What specific step could you take this week to be more intentional about representing Christ in that sphere?

  2. Living as an Ambassador: An ambassador represents the ruler who sent them and must be under that ruler's authority to represent them well. In what area of your life do you most need to come under Christ's rule and reign so you can better represent Him? What would it look like practically to surrender that area to His authority this week?

Rachel Fish