What is missing in churches today? Where is the unseen hole? Simply put, we are missing true gospel centered discipleship. Without discipleship the church can still have an outward attraction and all the looks of activity but they will be empty and meaningless because in the end it will not take you to any meaningful place spiritually. Discipleship is the engine of the church and if we want our churches to grow in a meaningful gospel centered way then we must focus our attention on this core aspect of church life.

https://youtu.be/ah7REotuKBo
Sermon notes:
If the contemporary church were a ship it would no doubt be a modern cruise ship with the finest restaurants and entertainment. I would boast many decks filled with fun activities for her guests, luxurious staterooms, and guest services that meet your every whim. Yes, it would be a magnificent sight that would attract many. 

It would be tall and long with a wide berth and yet there would be something missing. It would have no engine, or at least if it did have an engine it would be far underpowered and equipped to safely propell the massive ship. 

The truth is that people don’t go on cruises because they have researched the sea worthiness of the vessel and know that the engine is quite powerful enough to get them through any storm, and that it is regularly maintained and fully functioning. No, people go on cruises because of the promise of free food, fun activities, and a chance to indulge themselves with few limitations. 

Sadly many churches have begun to take on a cruise ship esque spirit about themselves. Too many churches today are driving not by the engine of the gospel of Jesus Christ but by anything and everything else. All that can be seen is invested in heavily, and all that is unseen is abandoned because it would help you to get more feet across your gangplank. 

In order to find out practically what discipleship looks like I want to turn your attention to the example of the Apostle Paul in the church in Ephesus. In our text today we see one of the clearest descriptions of a discipleship ministry. So let's let God's Word inform us and instruct us about how we should disciple. 

In this text we read about Paul's second visit to Ephesus. Not long before, in chapter 19, we read how he lived with them for 3 years. During these 3 years, he diligently served them through the teaching of the Word and the preaching of the Gospel. Then he went on to Greece, where he spent several months. Finally he decided to return to Jerusalem and on the way he wanted to stop by Ephesus to meet their elders one last time before going to Jerusalem.  
[Act 20:17-38 NIV] 

17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. 25 "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.