In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we ask a timely question as Christmas approaches—not what do we want, but what does Jesus want? Scripture gives us a clear answer in Matthew 28:18–20: Jesus wants disciples. The Great Commission isn’t a suggestion or an optional ministry program—it is the mission statement Jesus Himself gave to His Church. As the Head of the Church, He assigns the mission; we don’t get to rewrite it.

We explore what it truly means to be a disciple. Jesus defines discipleship with two inseparable components: helping people come to faith (baptism) and then teaching them to obey everything He commanded. Through passages like John 14:21 and 23, we see that love for Jesus is expressed through obedience. We reflect on the first disciples—ordinary men and women who responded to the simple yet radical call, “Follow Me.” In a culture where rabbis trained disciples to become teachers themselves, Jesus made it clear that He alone is Lord and Teacher (Matthew 23:8–10).

But if this is Jesus’ mission for His Church, why isn’t the whole Church doing it? Many focus only on “getting people saved,” while others reduce Christianity to kindness or church membership. Yet discipling others requires first becoming a disciple ourselves—learning to obey all that Jesus commanded, even when it requires leaving old traditions, surrendering personal ambitions, and swimming against cultural currents. Examples from Pastor Tom’s travels, including witnessing hundreds of young disciples in India, remind us that the call is the same for every generation.

So how do we reverse the decline of Christianity in America and around the world? Jesus gives us the path: become disciples who make disciples. Paul described his life’s purpose as bringing about “the obedience of faith,” a call to trust and obey the God whose character and power leave no reason to resist Him. Jesus also tells us we must worship and follow Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23–24)—bowing in reverent submission, trusting the Holy Spirit within us, and embracing the truth Jesus teaches and commands. With God’s power in us, we can live out the hard but beautiful life of discipleship: loving our enemies, practicing humility, serving others, and obeying Jesus in everything.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available online. To learn more, visit https://friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the last eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.