Restoration and Discipleship: A Call to Action
Summary
The heart of today’s gathering is the call to restoration—restoring not just our own lives, but the very pattern of discipleship that Jesus set in motion. We began by remembering the deep love of God, who seeks out the lost with relentless compassion, as seen in the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son. These stories remind us that God’s joy is greatest when the lost are found, and that each of us, at some point, has been that lost one, desperately in need of grace and restoration.
Personal stories of loss, like the anxiety of a missing child, bring home the reality of our own spiritual lostness and the overwhelming relief and gratitude when we are found. Just as we would stop at nothing to recover what is precious to us, God’s pursuit of us is even more determined, culminating in the sacrifice of Jesus. His body was broken, His blood shed, so that we might be restored to God, forgiven, and made new.
This restoration is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. We are called not just to be “Christians” in name, but true disciples—followers who are being changed by Jesus and who are committed to His mission. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is not a suggestion but a mandate: to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. This is not about building up church attendance or programs, but about multiplying the life of Christ in others, just as the early church did.
Discipleship is more than attending services or claiming a label. It is a lifestyle of learning from Jesus, imitating Him, and being transformed daily. It means being bold in sharing the gospel, even when it’s uncomfortable or countercultural. The church is not called to be a safe haven for spectators, but a movement of people who are actively seeking and saving the lost, just as Jesus did.
We must restore the biblical pattern of discipleship—being followers of Jesus, being changed by Him, and being committed to His mission. This is serious work, requiring deep commitment, grace-driven relationships, and a willingness to serve all people. When we do this, God will bring the growth, and the numbers will take care of themselves. The invitation is open: step deeper into discipleship, or begin that journey today. Let us be a church known for making disciples who make disciples, for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Relentless Pursuit of the Lost
God’s heart is revealed in the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son—He rejoices over every person who is found and restored. Our own experiences of loss and recovery mirror the spiritual reality that we are all precious to God, and He will go to great lengths to bring us home. This relentless pursuit is not just a comfort, but a call to value every soul as God does, never giving up on anyone, including ourselves. [21:53]
- Restoration Is a Daily Process, Not a One-Time Event
Restoration in Christ is ongoing; it is not about returning to a golden era of the church, but about being renewed daily into the image God intended from the beginning. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are continually cleansed and made new, not because of our perfection, but because of His grace. This process requires humility, repentance, and a willingness to let God reshape us again and again. [51:11]
- Discipleship Is a Lifestyle, Not a Label
There is a crucial difference between being a “Christian” in name and being a disciple in practice. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus closely, learns from Him, imitates His life, and is transformed by His presence. This lifestyle is marked by intentional growth, grace-driven relationships, and a commitment to live out the teachings of Jesus in every area of life. [48:31]
- The Great Commission Is a Mandate for Every Believer
Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples” is not reserved for a select few, but is the marching order for all who follow Him. This means stepping out of comfort zones, sharing the gospel boldly, and teaching others to obey all that Jesus commanded. The mission is not about building institutions, but about multiplying the life of Christ in others, trusting that God desires all to be saved. [55:40]
- Multiplication, Not Maintenance, Is the Pattern of the Kingdom
The early church grew not by focusing on numbers for their own sake, but by being deeply committed disciples who made other disciples. True growth comes when we restore the biblical pattern—following Jesus, being changed by Him, and joining His mission. When we take discipleship seriously, God does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, and the impact ripples through generations. [01:06:06]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[04:33] - Opening Worship & Songs of Grace
[09:13] - The Lord’s Prayer and Invocation
[10:35] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness Through Generations
[12:03] - God of Wonders: Praising the Creator
[14:53] - Fellowship and Greetings
[17:19] - Thanksgiving for Christ’s Sacrifice
[21:17] - Stories of Loss and the Parables of the Lost
[25:23] - Personal Story: Lost and Found at the Beach
[30:07] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Body and Blood
[37:48] - Offering and Prayers for the Needy
[43:26] - Celebrating New Life and Baptisms
[44:42] - Generational Discipleship and Mission
[47:13] - Introducing the Frame of Discipleship Series
[49:11] - The Great Commission: Matthew 28
[51:11] - Restoration and the Call to True Discipleship
[55:40] - The Authority and Mandate of Jesus
[58:53] - Imitating Christ: Beyond Church Attendance
[01:01:29] - Boldness in Evangelism and the Cost of Discipleship
[01:07:17] - The Three Marks of a Disciple
[01:13:41] - A Call to Serious Discipleship
[01:14:21] - Acts 2: The Power of Repentance and Baptism
[01:16:18] - Invitation to Deeper Commitment
[01:20:38] - Prayers for Missions and the Hurting
[01:25:01] - Ministry Offering: Counseling Center Highlight
[01:30:10] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[01:32:41] - Closing Blessing and Sending Forth
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Restoring the Pattern of Discipleship
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### Bible Reading
Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)
> Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 28:18-20, what specific actions does Jesus command his followers to take?
2. According to the sermon, what is the difference between being a “Christian” in name and being a disciple in practice? [[48:31]]
3. What are some of the parables Jesus used to show God’s heart for the lost, as mentioned in the sermon? [[21:53]]
4. How did the early church grow, according to the examples given in the sermon? [[01:06:06]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes “making disciples” rather than just “making converts” or “church members”? [[49:11]]
2. The sermon says restoration is a daily process, not a one-time event. What does this mean for someone who has already become a Christian? [[51:11]]
3. The Great Commission is described as a mandate for every believer, not just church leaders. What are some reasons people might hesitate to take this seriously? [[55:40]]
4. The sermon talks about multiplication, not maintenance, as the pattern of the Kingdom. What are some dangers of focusing only on maintaining what we have instead of multiplying disciples? [[01:06:06]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon shared personal stories of loss to help us understand God’s heart for the lost. Can you remember a time when you felt lost—spiritually or otherwise? How did it feel to be “found” or restored? [[25:23]]
2. Jesus calls us to “go and make disciples.” Who is one person in your life right now who might be spiritually lost or searching? What is one step you could take this week to reach out to them? [[49:11]]
3. The sermon says restoration is ongoing and requires humility and repentance. Is there an area in your life where you need God’s restoring grace right now? What would it look like to invite Him into that area this week? [[51:11]]
4. The difference between a “Christian” and a “disciple” was highlighted. In what ways does your daily life reflect being a disciple—someone who is learning from, imitating, and being changed by Jesus? Where do you see room for growth? [[48:31]]
5. The early church grew by multiplying disciples, not just maintaining programs. What is one practical way our group (or you personally) could focus more on making disciples rather than just “doing church”? [[01:06:06]]
6. The sermon challenged us to be bold in sharing the gospel, even when it’s uncomfortable. What is one situation where you have felt hesitant to talk about Jesus? What might help you be more courageous next time? [[01:01:29]]
7. The invitation was given to step deeper into discipleship or begin that journey. What is one commitment you want to make this week to grow as a disciple of Jesus? [[01:16:18]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to give each person in the group a heart like His for the lost, courage to step out in faith, and a renewed commitment to being true disciples who make disciples.
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