A Passion for Disciple-Making

A Passion for Disciple-Making

March 9, 2020 | Gordon Lewis


If the whole world needs Jesus, then we must share the Gospel, God’s good news! Keeping it to ourselves is criminal. If you knew the cure for cancer or Alzheimer’s and didn’t share it, that would be criminal. As followers of Jesus, we have something far greater than a cure for a disease. We know the cure for the sinful human heart and the deepest needs of all humans. Everyone needs a Savior, sins forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in heaven. We cannot hold it back. We have to share it.

Most people know John 3:16, but not many know the next verse, which states an amazing truth: “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17). I want to be like Jesus. I want you to be like Jesus. We need to stop judging the world, being so critical, and thinking about ourselves. Let’s get busy sharing The Gospel Message…one person at a time!

The Lord has given me a burden to reach lost souls for Christ. I didn’t become a follower of Jesus until I was 26, so unfortunately, I learned first-hand the heartache and regrets of chasing after the world’s pleasures and returning void & empty. Since coming to saving faith in Christ, I’ve also experienced, by God’s grace, the abundant life He provides this side of Heaven, and His transforming power at work in my life. As a result, God hasn’t allowed me to forget my former life and has given me desires to obey His Great Commission and to strive to reach those who are lost, empty, and spiraling down a destructive path.

I was fortunate to be discipled during my initial four years of following Christ by one of the pastors at our church. The Lord used Pastor John to inspire me to maintain a “Top Ten Hit List” of family & friends to pray that God will make them receptive to receiving Jesus as their Savior and Lord. God has been faithful through the years, converting several of these folks, and updating my list.

Here is one recent opportunity God gave me to share the Gospel with a gentleman who started attending the Connection Group that my wife Sheryl and I lead about a year ago. One evening when I was with him one-on-one, I shared my personal testimony (my life before Christ, my conversion, and my life after Christ saved me). Then, I asked him two questions which indicated where he was in his spiritual life: 1) Does he know for certain that if he were to die tonight he would go to heaven? 2) If he were to die tonight, and God were to ask him “Why should I let you into My heaven?”, what would he say? Unbeknownst to him, he answered the questions incorrectly, and I proceeded to share with him the greatest news he had ever heard in his life: The Gospel! He then prayed to receive Jesus as his personal Savior and Lord. Since then, I have been meeting with him weekly in order to help him know, love, and obey Jesus. It’s exciting to observe his personal growth in his relationship with Jesus, his encounters in the workplace, and his continued transformation.

Each morning, I wake up with excitement for what God is going to teach me, show me, and where He’s going to guide me. I pray that He will use me in impacting others for Christ. Whatever the encounter, whether it be our neighborhood, at work, with family, with friends, at the YMCA, on the Pickleball courts, or wherever He takes me, I pray that I’d see others with Jesus’ eyes and compassion. I’m often building relationships with the intention of inviting them to church, to our home, and into relationship with Jesus!

Veritas Church, take some time and make a list of people you want to see trust in Christ. Start praying for them and for opportunities to share the Gospel with them. When God provides that opportunity, lovingly and boldly share the good news. Then trust God to do His work!]

I share all this with much hesitation and humility. I was lost but now I am found! God redeemed my life from the pit and transformed my life from one consumed with self to one desiring to exalt Him and point others to Him. Most of all, it’s God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Who softens hearts and makes them receptive to the Gospel. I still have challenges, battles, and struggles. Psalm 37:4 states: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” His desires have become my desires! To God be the glory!


Gordon Lewis