Revive

(S1) — New Name

More than a name…

REVIVE (anazáō)—‘to bring to life, renew, recover, flourish, with new vitality, new energy’

Biblically it means reviving the human spirit, and the church for God’s purpose in the world.

This new year focus—a reNEWed priority of the presence of Jesus in our lives and the church.

Revelation 21:5 “Look, I am making everything new!”

Jesus is and has been making all things new ever since he conquered the grave...

What does this new mean for us here at Revive Church? What’s our purpose as a church and as followers of Jesus?

We can’t focus on the what it means to be REVIVE, until we know WHY we exist as a church and why you are here? It’s not just to warm a seat…You have a greater purpose in God’s plan of redemption.

(S2) — New MISSION

One key reason why churches are in decline is a lack of clarity in their mission—If we were no longer here, would we be missed in the community? Do you know our mission? Have you commited to living into it?

Three important aspects of living into the mission of God in the world is knowing the WHAT, HOW, and WHY we exist as a church…The problem is most churches start with the what and how, instead of knowing the WHY?

today we are looking at this through the lens of Jesus’ Great Commission to the disciples…he is very clear to them of the what and how of following him, but it is the WHY that would inspire and motivate the disciples to take the good news of Jesus to all world.

(S3)

When Wesley sent Thomas Coke and Richard Whatcoat as Methodist Bishops to America, he clarified the mission by saying, “offer them Christ!” Something he never wavered from and we shouldn't either!

The apostle Paul challenged the early church as well…

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

The question is what holds us back from fully living into the mission of offering Christ? Not knowing the why!

Last weeks prayer—Lord, won’t you revive us gain?

Lord, REVIVE our passion for the WHY!

Pray

Start With Why…by, Simon Sinek about how discovering the WHY in leadership, restored his passion for his work.

“By why he means what is your purpose, cause or belief? Most companies and people know HOW they do WHAT they do, but few know and focus on the WHY...”

He uses the example of Apple company’s mission as a way to inspire others to focus on the why...

(S4)

A marketing message focused on what and how

“We make great computers. They’re beautifully designed, simple to use and user friendly.”

Does this inspire you to buy a computer?

(S5)

Starting with why...

“Everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo, and in thinking differently. The way we challenge the status quo is by making our products beautifully designed, simple to use and user-friendly. And we happen to make great computers. Wanna buy one?

They figured out that people wanted more features with less buttons.

Think of it another way in buying a new car…we have a lot full..many colors and models to choose from, leather seat, great gas mileage, and financing to boot! Does this inspire you to buy a car?

“What’s are easy to identify” “Hows a little harder but still..but the why we most often overlook

First we will look at the WHAT and HOW of Jesus’ great commission, then the why, which is what inspires them to go and share the good news of Jesus.

(S6) — Context

Matthew 28:16 (NLT)

16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

Eleven…mountain…had told them

26:32, 28:7, 10

Then we are told what they did when they saw the risen Jesus

(S7)

Matthew 28:17 (NLT)

17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

The group was mixed in their understanding of who was before them

— Some worshiped...understood Jesus as the risen messiah

— Some doubted—Some wavered in their belief

Mark gives us a clear picture of those who doubted

16:9-11, 12-13, 14

“To have doubt here actually has positive meaning in its negative expression, for the fact that some doubted makes the account much more believable. The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 24: Matthew

Jesus calls even those who are not sure yet. Doubting can lead to believing…Thomas’ doubt led to his belief……

Hot stove (doubt)—Burned (belief)

(S8)

Matthew 28:18 (NLT)

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

He goes on to tells hem, “I have been given all authority…recall in his temptation, Jesus was offered authority over the world...

Matthew 4:8–10 “The devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

Jesus is clear as to where his words of sending originate from. His authority given by God.

Peter would latter claim not his own authority to heal, but by the power of Jesus

Acts 3:6 “Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Our mission sends out to OFFER HOPE…only by the power of Christ—In Jesus’ name do we go

(S9)

Then Jesus give them the WHAT and HOW of his sending—Three methods of making new followers

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.

DISCIPLE—BAPTIZE—TEACH

WHAT of Jesus’ sending…go and make disciples. We do this by...

(S10)

I. INVITING others to follow Jesus

The what is doing what Jesus did. He invited people into a relationaship with him.

— Simon/Peter…I will make you fishers of men

— Matthew the tax collector…follow me

— to another…“Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.”

His what was always an invitation for others to follow...

For the disciples it was a “transition from their preaching “of” Jesus to their new message of preaching as an invitaion to follow Jesus.”

Is inviting others to follow Jesus part of our mission? Yes!

(S11)

HOW… of Jesus’ sending is through baptizing and teaching. We do this first by

II. Bringing people to FAITH in Jesus

…through Baptism. Its a statement of belief leading to a deeper faith. Its an acknowledgment of being a part of God family and God’s purpose here on earth as it is in heaven.

The disciples brought others to faith as they has seen Jesus do.

John 4:1 “Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John”

We also do this by helping others make a commitment to Jesus…

(S12)

III. Leading others to become STUDENTS of Jesus

The disciples were first students of Jesus...and latter became apostles...

— Leading others by our example in how they can learn and grow as students of Jesus.

The command to follow Jesus is to not just following Jesus ourselves, going deeper in our faith and our becoming students of Jesus…certainly those are all necessary for our own discipleship,

Jesus’ words of mission are our sending

(S13)

Mark 16:15 (NLT)

15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

Go…where…do what…to whom…? Is Jesus really sending me?

Lets be honest, we won’t do the how and the what without the WHY!

Why do we invite, bring others to faith and help them become students of Jesus? Why do you read, study the Bible, and come to church…? Why should anyone outside the church care?”

Why do we exist? To offer hope, serve our community and connect people to Jesus

Sad truth, is that many church members don’t know the why of Jesus’ mission and ours..

(S14)

Mark’s gospel gives us the why

16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.

In Jesus sending…the disciples were saving lives! When you offer hope, serve community and connect people to Jesus, you are saving lives.

Romans 8:1 “1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

We have a better chance of inspiring others to follow Jesus when we put the why first. People listen better as well.

How would you like to have an abundant life both here and forever?

I belong to this place where we offer hope, serve our community and connect people to Jesus

What does to take believe in the why?

(S15)

I. OBEDIENCE to Christ!

Jesus words were not suggestions—GO and....

II. BELIEF in the mission!

III. Knowing the reason people NEED to Jesus

Jesus is making all things new…not only by commissioning his disciples to go…but to all followers of Jesus, past, present and future.

In our Army and Navy there are many who wear the title of “non-commissioned officer.” They have an office but no commission. There are none such in the army of the Lord. Here every officer is a commissioned one: “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel” Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII (The Great Commission > Illustrations > Series II)

Jesus’ commission is our command…and its clear…that when we are obedient to Christ, beleif in the mission and know the reason people need jesus…the why falls into place

(S16)

We exist to OFFER HOPE

—Invite people a life-giving relationship with Jesus

1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Serving Our Community—

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Connecting People to Jesus—

Wesleys 12 rules for preacher

“You have nothing to do but save souls” J.W.

I am a part of Revive church, where we offer hope, serve our community and connect people to Jesus.