The Mark of A Disciple

Pastor Andre Butler

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. -John 15:8

What makes a true disciple? When you bear much fruit for Jesus--when you produce for Him--you become a disciple. When you go forth and win souls, consolidate, disciple, and send, you are a true disciple.

In our ministry, we have a revelation that we call J12, which means "Be like Jesus and get your twelve," or, simply, "Make disciples." J12 is more than a motto, a logo, a creed, or a song. J12 is a revelation. Each of us needs to embrace that revelation, because when we do, when it is burning on the inside of us, we will make disciples and win our city.

Sponsor AdYou, as one individual, need to make disciples--plural, meaning more than one disciple. When you get to eternity and stand before the King of kings and God pulls out the Book, He should be able to see that you individually made disciples.

We say, "Get your twelve," and we chose that number for several reasons. First, twelve is the number of government in scripture. Second, Jesus raised up twelve disciples. But the revelation behind it is not just "twelve," it is "disciples." If you get fifteen disciples, great! If you get your twelve tomorrow, you are not done.

People still are dying and going to hell, and you still have work to do. While twelve is a good number to reach toward, the concept is that you need to make disciples.

Proverbs 11:30 - The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

The righteous should be producing fruit for God. Notice that this verse says that he who wins souls--plural, meaning many souls--is wise. Daniel 12, verse 3, talks about end-time prophecies and the rewards believers receive once we are done here on earth:

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Notice that those who are wise shall turn many to righteousness. Those who are wise will shine as the stars in the firmament; they will be as stars forever. God's will is that you turn many to righteousness and make disciples!