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Discipleship

Oct 23, 2025
4 min read

In our earlier blogs we looked at success, purpose and discipline. These are very important foundations to build upon when we talk about discipleship. Jesus never commanded his disciples to build his church. He said I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. The word translated church her is the Greek word, Ecclesia. It was not a religious term. Actually, it was a political term. The Ecclesia was the governing body, of the Roman Empire, much like our Senate in the United States. Their job was to carry out the laws and the wishes of the king. The Roman Empire had its Ecclesia so Jesus said I will build my Ecclesia, or ruling body that will carry out my wishes and my laws.


Wide angle view of the cascading waters of Goshen Falls

After the resurrection and before Jesus ascended he told his disciples this, in Matthew 28 verses 19&20. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the earth. This is what has been called the “Great Commission.” Co, mission, that means God expected us to work with the Holy Spirit to get the Job done of teaching all nations what Jesus had taught his disciples.

     Jesus taught his disciples about the kingdom. His words were ‘Repent’ for the kingdom of Heaven has arrived. The word repent here means to change the way you think. He was saying change the way you think there is a better way than what you have been taught and how you are living. He went on in Matthew chapter 5 teaching what we call the beatitude’s, the kingdom principles. When Jesus sent his disciples out, he told them what to teach. He said when you go preach this same message. Repent for the kingdom of heaven has arrived.

     In Matthew chapter 6 verses 9&10 when Jesus disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, he said: After this manner therefore pray ye: our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. In Matthew chapter 6 verse 33 Jesus taught his disciples: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. What things? All the things that we have need of like food clothing and shelter.


     Jesus’ message was all about the kingdom that was his only message. He demonstrated healings and casting out devils and other miracles but he never taught his disciples to teach these things. These miracles were simply demonstrating what the kingdom of God was to look like. In Gods kingdom there is no sickness no possession and no lack. We have been busy doing everything except what Jesus told us to do. Make disciples. The definition of a disciple is a disciplined learner. We have made a lot of church goers but very few disciples.


     Our vision for the retreat at Goshen Falls is to allow people to come and enjoy the beauty of nature and to rest be refreshed, revived and restored. Our goal is making relationships and have community with people. In hopes that we will have the opportunity to reach out to those desiring to be discipled. I have learned that not everyone wants to be discipled. It is much easier to make church goers but you can’t really fulfill God’s original idea with church goers, it takes disciples. Church goers actually hurt the cause of Christ. What was God’s original idea? For his children to have dominion, mastery and control. To be fruitful and to multiply. That means more than just having babies. It means to find your gift to master it to dominate that field and produce something of value to share with everyone. His intention was for his children, ‘The Ecclesia” to represent him on earth, to carry out his wishes and his laws. To be his representatives on earth to make earth look and operate like

heaven.


     Has the church failed in the mission Jesus sent his disciples out to accomplish. I believe so because they didn’t really understand the mission. Has the church done a lot of good things, yes. But what is more important doing a lot of good things or obeying God’s original idea and Jesus’ command? The key to success, purpose and discipline is seeking first the kingdom. What does it mean to seek first the kingdom? First you have to know what a kingdom is and we have no clue as Westerners because we were brought up in a Democratic Republic. In order to be more than a church goer and to become a disciple you have to understand the kingdom concept. You can learn more about it in my book “The Shift in Time the Reformation Awakens.” Check the heading on the home page “books.”

 
 
 

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The bible says that Satan is a liar and the father of lies because there is no truth in him. He is called the deceiver and he perverts the truth. He is a counterfeit. He comes as an angel of light. The bible tells us not to be ignorant of his devices. It is our duty as a disciple to know his method and that he always tempts us in the same three areas he tempted Eve. If you read Matthew chapter 4 you will see that he tempted Jesus with the same method in the same three areas. The good news is Jesus was tempted in all points as we yet without sin. He defeated Satan that day in the desert which made the way for us to have victory over sin the same way Jesus did. Jesus spoke the word to him and told him it is written man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God. The whole idea of the resurrection of Jesus was to send the Holy Spirit back to live in us to give us the power and the authority that we need to overcome Satan and his deception. Jesus came to undo what Adam and Eve did. They rebelled against the word and authority of God and lost their relationship with him. Jesus came to restore us back in right relationship with the father so that we can walk with him in the garden. The garden was the atmosphere created by the presence of God. When you have the Holy Spirit residing in you his presence creates that same atmosphere that was in the garden. Jesus warned that false Christs and false prophets would arise and show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light and his ministers transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. There is so much of this going on today that it is scary. Social media has made it possible for so many people to be so called ministers and prophets speaking everything but the truth. You really have to be careful who you listen to. I try to keep up with most everything that is going on and sometimes something sounds so close to the truth that it even makes me question for a minute. Thank God I have a strong foundation and am not moved by every wind and doctrine that comes along. Most people today don’t have a relationship with their pastor. The Mega churches have made it impossible to really get to know and spend any time with the pastor. In like manor the people that you listen to on social media are not approachable either to have a real relationship with them. Jesus set the perfect example for us to follow. He walked with his disciples almost daily and they could see that he was genuine. The things that he said matched up with the things that he did. What we do today and call it church is far from what Jesus intended. He intended for us to live in community as believers and share our lives with one another the ups and the downs. It was never intended for us to go to church but rather for us to be the church. We have made the concept of church all about the meetings. Today most of the meetings are entertaining the saints instead of discipling them. Jeus said I will build my Ecclesia(church) and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Rome had its Ecclesia so Jesus said I will build my Ecclesia. The word Ecclesia is not a religious term but rather a political term. It was the governing body of Rome similar to our senate. The Ecclesia(church) is supposed to be Jesus governing body on earth teaching people how his kingdom works. The goal here at Goshen Falls is to teach kingdom principle both by demonstrating them and teaching them at the retreats. We will be announcing some events coming soon so come and be a part of Gods kingdom demonstrated here at Goshen Falls. Check out my book “The Shift in Time the Reformation Awakens” for more about the how literal kingdoms work and what Jesus was talking about when he talked about his kingdom.

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