By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Lakepointe Church.

Imagine being part of a community where thousands of people are taking a bold step of faith, committing to follow Jesus and embark on a journey of discipleship. This is exactly what happened at Lakepointe Church, where Pastor Josh Howerton has been teaching on the importance of following Jesus and living a life of obedience. As he emphasized, discipleship is not just about attending church or being part of a crowd, but about following Jesus and taking steps to live out one’s faith.

The Call to Discipleship

According to Pastor Josh Howerton, ‘disciples follow somebody and you can’t follow somebody without taking steps. It is impossible to stand still and follow somebody at the same time.’ This call to discipleship is not just a suggestion, but a command from Jesus to his followers. As Pastor Howerton explained, Jesus did not say ‘go into all the world and draw big crowds,’ but rather ‘go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.’ This distinction is crucial, as it highlights the importance of not just gathering a large crowd, but of making disciples who are committed to following Jesus.

The Story of Timothy

One example of discipleship in action is the story of Timothy, a young man who was discipled by the apostle Paul. As Pastor Howerton shared, Timothy was likely around 15 years old when he first met Paul, and he would have seen Paul get stoned and left for dead. However, Paul’s fearlessness and boldness had a profound impact on Timothy, who would eventually become a pastor and leader in the early church. As Pastor Howerton noted, ‘God can use anybody,’ and Timothy’s story is a testament to the power of discipleship and the impact that one person can have on another.

Taking the Next Step

So what’s the next step for those who have made a decision to follow Jesus? According to Pastor Howerton, it’s to be baptized in water and to go public with their faith. This is not just a symbolic act, but a public declaration of one’s commitment to follow Jesus. As Pastor Howerton encouraged, ‘if you’re one of those who raised your hand during the last four weeks, I just want you to know that that was the starting line. It was not the finish line.’ The journey of discipleship is just beginning, and it requires taking steps of obedience and faith.

In the words of Pastor Howerton, ‘you’re asking, what Jesus, what is the one step you’re asking me and my family to take with our lives to follow you?’ This question is at the heart of discipleship, and it’s one that requires a thoughtful and intentional response. As the church continues to focus on discipleship and helping new believers take the next step in their faith journey, it’s clear that this is a journey that requires commitment, obedience, and a willingness to follow Jesus wherever he leads.

The full episode of Lakepointe Church is available on OBBM Network TV.