Worthy of the Gospel of the Kingdom
So there was that time you spent too much time with someone who was not really wanting to serve the Lord. Maybe he said yes to the home Bible study because he was bored and needed a friend, not because he was actually interested in Jesus. Or maybe she let you pick her up and bring her to church just because she needed a ride to Dollar General after service.
We are looking for “whosoever will” but many times we get distracted spending time on “whosoever won’t”! Just because a person is lonely or needy doesn’t mean they are hungry for the Lord. Fortunately, Jesus told us what to look for.
Find those worthy of discipleship
Now, before someone gets upset at me (again) for saying some people are worthy of your time in making them into a disciple and some people aren’t, please note that Jesus said that:
“And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.” (Matthew 10:11-13)
Now, this “worthy” does not mean some people deserve God’s grace more than others, it is just that some people are more receptive at this point in their life than others. If people are not receptive of the Gospel, Jesus doesn’t want you spending your time on them—move on to someone who will receive you. This does not mean stop witnessing to the hardhearted, but simply do not throw your pearls before pigs—they may destroy you in the process. I love debates, but Jesus did not send me to champion arguments. He sent me to find the open hearted and instill truth into them.
In His sermon in Matthew 5, Jesus gave an outline of what a gospel-ready person looks like. I have heard this quoted and preached many times throughout my life, but just recently the Lord opened my eyes that this is a gospel-readiness outline.
What a disiciple-able person looks like
- To whom belongs the Kingdom? The poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). When you find someone not obsessed with stuff or driven by greed, you may have someone ready for the gospel.
- What about someone going through a time of mourning? The gospel will bring them comfort (5:4). You have noticed that many people come to the Lord in a time of crisis. Divorce, death of a loved one, bankruptcy, job loss, relocation, and many other events that put one in an upheaval can set the stage for them to turn to the Lord. Show them more than Dave Ramsey or the local employment agency. Show them Jesus—tell them what He has done in you!
- Jesus also promised happiness to the meek (5:5). These are those gentle, unassuming people. They have a soft heart that is ready to be molded by the Lord. They are not jaded and bitter against everything in life. Work with them—they are likely to be gospel-ready.
- Want to see someone filled with the Spirit? The Kingdom of God is opens to those who crave it (5:6). Don’t get hung up on someone’s religious label, there are hungry Catholics, Baptists, Atheists, and Muslims. Help those you meet get all of Jesus that they can feast on from your life. Help them fill that gnawing emptiness in their lives.
- The church doesn’t need another judgmental, hateful member, but it will quickly absorb those who are merciful (5:7). Those who show mercy are quick to accept the Lord’s mercy, too. Those who are gracious and grateful receive His grace quickly!
- Have you found someone that loves purity and clean living? They will see God (5:8). Show them what you know about Him. If shown in the right context, they will quickly receive what they already value—a God-given desire for morality and holiness.
- While a person who loves to start fights is going to be a tough one to reach, those who make peace will be born into the Kingdom easily (5:9). The Lord brings peace and those with the gift of turning sticky situations into peaceful ones will be drawn to Him and His Gospel of Peace. Why spend your weekends arguing with your angry brother-in-law when you could be reaching people like this?
- The Kingdom is also open to those who are willing to suffer for doing the right thing (5:10). Jesus said that those who would not suffer with Him are not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37). When you find someone willing to stand up for what is right in the face of rejection, you have found a great disciple candidate!
Scan through the list of people you have been praying for. Take a second look at your workmates, relatives, classmates, and/or neighbors. The Lord has put disciple-able people in your circle. Now tell them (again) what Jesus has done in your life and let them taste the hope and joy of the Good News!