Planting Team

“Who Will Go For Us?”

Begin by saying we are here to wait on the Lord, because he is our light and salvation. He is the everlasting God. Sing Psalm 27

Keep music going and read:

Matthew 9:36–38 (ESV)

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

(5 minute shepherding moment, Card for the week)

Tonight we want to consider the heart of Jesus and what it means to join him on mission. In this passage, Jesus’ view of successful ministry is not to have a lot of people filling the seats, but rather to raise up more shepherds to lead the harassed and the helpless that surround us.

Jesus teaches us something profound here, that our world is ready to be loved and listened to, reached and trained, comforted and consoled, and lead by servant leaders to him.

This can be done, right here, right now. You can be on mission as our sending church. But he is raising up others to go from here.

Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

WHO WILL GO FOR US?

This team will need to be able to:

REACH - stretch themselves in an effort to communicate and understand.

TRAIN - make themselves ready through preparation for God’s particular purpose.

MODEL - the gospel using their lives as an example to follow and imitate.

SERVE - on God’s mission of being light in the darkness by helping meet needs for each other and the community.

To be on mission for God does not mean leaving where you are. You can be on mission by praying and sending those that the Holy Spirit has called.

We need sending churches as much as we need missional churches.

So tonight we come together again in expectant prayer, abiding in Christ, and asking him to send his Spirit to do the transformative work in us and through us that only he can do.

GIVE 15 MINUTES TO PRAY THESE PRAYERS IN GROUPS

Lord Jesus, would you encourage and grow our faith to see how you see, and equip those feeling called and committed to stay here on mission to be our sending church?

Would you encourage those feeling called and committed to go on mission from here and from elsewhere to REACH, TRAIN, MODEL, & SERVE as our missional church?

Would you encourage us to continually be a people pointing to Jesus Christ through transformed hearts, transformed households, and transformed communities whether we stay here on mission or go plant a church on mission?

When you say, “who will go for us?” who of us answers “Here I am Lord, send me!”

SING Psalm 23

Some other things you can do: Man shall not live by bread alone…

Fast until sundown one day each week, or as long as you are able. You can fast from food, devices, or your choice! If possible pick a day to do this in community. Spend the time you would normally eat, check your phone or watch tv in intentional prayer.

Find quiet time each day to be with God. This can be as simple as sitting quietly and listening, praying these prayers, or reading his Word.

Enjoy a Sabbath day. Intentionally STOP, REST, DELIGHT, and WORSHIP the Lord your God preferably with community.

Schedule time in prayer. Try the 8-2-8 method of prayer. 8am, 2pm, 8pm…or whatever works best for you. But prioritize these times on your calendar, or you will neglect this call!

SING ABIDE, pray, go in peace