09. A Culture of Consumerism Needs Obedient Disciples
Twelve Compelling Reasons We Must Make Disciples · Part 09
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Consumerism has discipled us more deeply than many of us realize.
We are trained to ask: What do I get? What is in it for me? Does this meet my needs? Do I like the music? Do I like the preaching? Are there enough programs for my family? Does this church make me comfortable?
And without realizing it, we can bring that same mindset into our relationship with Jesus. We begin treating church like a product, Jesus like a provider, and discipleship like something designed primarily for our personal benefit.
But Jesus never called consumers. He called disciples.
Consumer Christianity Asks, “What Can I Receive?”
An obedient disciple asks: “What has Jesus commanded me to do?”
Consumer Christianity asks: “Who will feed me?” A disciple asks: “Who can I feed?”
Consumer Christianity asks: “Who will encourage me?” A disciple asks: “Who can I encourage?”
Consumer Christianity asks: “Who will disciple me?” A multiplying disciple eventually asks: “Who will I disciple?”
That is a radically different kind of Christianity.
Jesus Did Not Say, “Come Be Comfortable”
He said: “Follow me.”
Following Jesus required surrender, obedience, and sacrifice. It required leaving nets, boats, businesses, ambitions, security, and sometimes even family expectations behind.
Jesus never hid the cost. He told His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, love their enemies, forgive those who hurt them, care for the poor, make disciples, go to the nations, and obey everything He commanded.
That is not consumer Christianity. That is surrendered Christianity.
We Can Know Much and Obey Little
One of the great dangers facing the Church is that we can consume enormous amounts of Christian content while obeying very little of it. We listen to sermons, read books, attend conferences, watch Christian videos, join Bible studies, download podcasts, and take classes, and still avoid the simplest question: “What am I going to do about what Jesus just taught me?”
Knowledge without obedience can become spiritual self-deception. We begin mistaking learning for following.
But Jesus did not say: “Teach them to know everything I commanded.” He said to teach them to obey. The goal of discipleship is not merely informed Christians. It is obedient disciples.
Obedience Changes the Question
Imagine what would happen if every believer left church asking not “Did I enjoy the service?” but “What did Jesus ask me to obey?” Not “Was I spiritually fed?” but “Who will I feed with what I received?” Not “What programs does the church have for me?” but “Where can I serve?” Not “Who is going to disciple my children?” but “How am I discipling them?” Not “Why isn’t the church reaching more people?” but “Who am I reaching?”
That shift could transform the Church. Because movements do not begin with better consumers. They begin with obedient disciples.
What You Receive Was Never Meant to Stop With You
Someone shared the gospel with you. Someone taught you Scripture. Someone prayed for you. Someone invested in you. Someone encouraged you. Someone helped you grow.
What if everything you have received was never intended to terminate with you?
Jesus gives so that we can give. He teaches us so that we can teach others. He forgives us so that we can extend forgiveness. He loves us so that we can love. He disciples us so that we can disciple.
The blessing becomes multiplication when it passes through us.
Consumers Fill Seats. Disciples Carry the Mission.
A consumer can attend for decades without reproducing. A disciple cannot follow Jesus for long without eventually being sent toward others. Because the closer we follow Jesus, the more His priorities become ours.
So perhaps the question is not: “Am I receiving enough from my church?”
Perhaps the question is: “What am I doing with everything I have already received?”
Who are you serving? Who are you discipling? What command of Jesus are you obeying right now? What has God placed in your hands that you are supposed to multiply?
The world does not need a larger audience of Christian consumers. It needs an army of surrendered men and women who will say:
“Jesus, whatever You command, I will obey.”
“Whoever You send me to, I will go.”
“Whatever You have entrusted to me, I will multiply.”
That is discipleship. That is obedience. And that is how movements begin.
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