Mission of the Church (2)

Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
0 ratings
· 2 views
Notes
Transcript

Introduction

Its the last service of 2024, next Sunday will be 2025. Which means I will have to remember that when I write the date
One tradition I have always found weird was “New Year’s Resolutions”
Do yall do those?
I get the understanding of it, but its the follow through part
I am going to do this at the beginning of the year . . . How about I am going to do this because . . . . I NEED TO DO THIS?
Also what happens if you don’t . . . there really no consequence (I mean incentive)
Like I said I understand it, because it gives us a purpose, something to shoot for, its our mission for the New Year.
Knowing what the mission is, is extremely important. I

What is the mission of the Church?

Knowing in what direction the church should be going is important
Why is this question important
Because without it the church will:
Have no direction
Will try to direct itself
Another way to put it is, what is God’s will for the the believer?
Have you ever asked God that? What’s His will for my life? What did you mean?
So if I asked you, Cook Springs, what would you say? Do you even know what the mission of the church is?
Not what it says in the bylaws
What does scripture have to say on it?
Lets look at Eph. 1:7-10
Ephesians 1:7–10 ESV
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
To UNITE all things to Him
Two types of people on this earth, ONLY TWO: Lost and Save
How do we unite these two type of people to Christ
LOST: We bring the Lost to Christ
Believers: We bring closer to Christ
That is are mission as a church body and as an individual believer!
There are many ways to do these two things, but at its core any ministry should have these two things at it forefront!
TODAY we will be discussing each of these two things.

First: Bring the Lost to Christ

How do we do that —> We evangelize . . We share the gospel!
Have you ever heard the saying “Share the gospel, & and if you need to use words”
What does that even mean?
You have to use words! The literal translation of Gospel is “GOOD NEWS” —> YOU HAVE TO USE WORDS!
Can you imagine watching the news and all they did was just just pictures or just used their hands?
You would change it or turn it off in heartbeat
So of you would yell at the TV —> WHAT’S THE POINT IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TELL ME ANYTHING! —> EXACTLY!
Even Paul says this in Romans 10:14
Romans 10:14 ESV
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Every believer is a preacher. We are not all pastors, but we are all expected to preach the gospel to those around us!
Why should we share the gospel with others?
The most direct answer is . . . . . we are commanded too!
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
The first step is making a disciple is sharing the gospel, and bring them to faith in Christ
Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””
What does it mean to be called as a “witness”
It means you are called to testify what you have seen and what you know (
If you were on a jury but when a witness is called they take the stand and do nothing, what does it say about that witness?
What does your witness say about your faith? Are you testifying to people about Christ?
Secondly, we should desire that God desires?
Do you believe that? Yes we should desire the same things our father desires.
What does God desire?
1 Timothy 2:3–4 “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
God’s desire is that none should perish, and that all should come to repentance and be saved.
Do you truly desire these things? We should!
The LOST can only do that if they hear the gospel and respond!
Lastly and most GLORIOUS is that IT SAVES!!!!!
Its the only message that can save
Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””
And it can save ANYONE!!!
John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Romans 10:13 “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.””
If this very message saved you . . . . HOW CAN YOU KEEP QUIET! We should tell everyone!
That’s how the Lost come to know Christ . . . . its through the gospel message

Bringing Believers Closer to Christ (Disciplining Believers)

We are also commanded to make disciples
Not just the pastor, but believers (We have a saying . . . disciples make disciples and churches plant churches!
It has never been just a pastors job to disciple people, Bro Quinton is only ONE MAN!
Did you know that Jesus never called His followers Christians?
That name Christian was actually believed to be an insult when it was first used
The word Christian is only used 3 times in the NT where as disciple is used 261 times
Also in the NT believers never referred to themselves as Christians, not saying that the term is wrong now
So what is a disciple
Disciple meant “learner” or “student” and when attached to someone it meant you exercised your will, committed, to follow someone.
Jesus goes even further and says that you can only follow Him alone
Jesus talks about what it means to be His disciple in Luke 24:26-33 (read 26-27;33)
The cost is your Family, your Life, and your possessions
Its says if you are not willing to give it all up and follow Him you CANNOT be His disciples. Does not say maybe or 2 out of 3.
RYR: Goes off sad . . . . . What if Jesus asked of you the same, what would your response be?
So what does it mean to be a disciple of Christ
Put Christ first in EVERYTHING!
He becomes your identity
A life that bears fruit
Love other disciples . . . . . . UNITY OF THE BODY!!!!
Make other disciples
This is what is expected of you if you claim to be a disciple of Christ!
How do we make disciples
Must be intentional about it . . . . . you have to make it a priority
You must invest your time into someone (Time is an Americans biggest commodity, and we dont like to share it)
Show someone how to do those things we just talked by displaying them in your life.
Discipling is all about displaying your faith to someone so they can mature in their faith!
But you can only disciple up to your maturity level!
Why is making disciples important?
It is how the gospel will reach the world
Do you know the Lords Prayer? Say it Matthew 6:9–13 “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
“Your will be done , on earth as in heaven” . . . . You know how that is fulfilled?
By teaching people the blessing and freedom that comes in salvation and obedience to Christ
By making DISCIPLES!!
Multiplication example (if time permits)

Conclusion

This is the mission of the church
Bring the Lost to Christ
Bring Believers closer to Christ
This has been, is, and will be the mission of the church until Christ returns one day.
This is the mission for Cook Springs and this is the mission for our family when we go to Africa
This year why don’t you make a promise to God to help Him fulfill His mission
Share the gospel at every oppurtunity
Disciple fellow believers
Be unified in love with other believers
Now if there is someone here who want to know Christ today we can do that too.
Pray
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more
Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.