Learning to Lean
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
What is the main business of the church? Some would say that it is to care of its members. The church is here to visit the sick and pray with them, to take care of people at important transitions in life, such as marriage, childbirth, and death. Some would say it is here to provide guidance and comfort for people at important times. No doubt, these are all functions of the church. However, I would argue that these functions are not the main business of the church.
We are always in danger of slipping into a maintenance mentality in the church, where we focus on maintaining what we have, and we forget about the lost.
We oftentimes think that the Church is here for us; we forget that we are the Church, and we’re here for the lost world.
Several years ago the city of Pittsburgh constructed a large, new post office at the cost of several million dollars. On the day of it’s opening, the Governor made a speech, the bands played and the people cheered. It was quite a celebration.
However, when the first man entered to mail a letter, to the embarrassment of the engineers, it was discovered that in the rush to meet the deadline, they had omitted the usual letter drop. Here was a costly new post office, but no place to mail a letter! It was a slight omission, but it negated the very reason for its existence.
Rick warren once said “the measure of a church is not it's seating capacity but it's sending capacity.” ... it has been a sending church.
Missions -Core Value
We believe God has commanded us to evangelize the world. We believe it’s the heartbeat of Christ. Every believer should give, pray, and participate in missions locally and across the world.
Roman crucifixion crosses were set in the ground at a slight angle, preventing those hung upon them from resting against them. This means the cross leaned toward those gathered there, those sinners…both those who crucified him and those who watched…those who kept their distance and those close by…those close to Him kneeling beneath that cross were likely spattered w/ blood drops which spattered, and soldiers which walked around that cross and brutalized Him
Henry Van Dyke’s said, “The missionary enterprise is not the church’s afterthought; it is Christ’s forethought.” My prayer is that missions does not become just an afterthought in our church program.
Oswald Chambers said, “When the Spirit of God comes into a man, He gives Him a world-wide view.” John Wesley said, “All the world is my parish.” Brethren, all the world is OUR field of service and we too must have a world-wide view
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
I want to start at the beginning of missions. The strongest of all the statements that are mentioned in the Bible.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This was a statement about his mission. That God not only loved Isreal and the Jews but he also loved the gentiles. Not only Americans, not only those in this neighborhood but he loved all the world. This should challenge us personally. Or maybe the better word is convict our hearts. Our mission is beyond these walls. So lets talk about missions
Leaning requires me to love the world
Leaning requires me to love the world
His mission, His Purpose, His desire was to reach the world
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Leaning requires me to see the need
Leaning requires me to see the need
Leaning requires me to send a shepherd
Leaning requires me to send a shepherd
Without a shepherd they don't realize the danger Without a shepherd they will continue to die. Without a shepherd they will run aimlessly looking for fresh pastures
Without a shepherd they don't realize the danger Without a shepherd they will continue to die. Without a shepherd they will run aimlessly looking for fresh pastures
Isaiah 53:6 “6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
That, beloved, is the condition of YOUR LOVED
ONES who do not know Christ.
That, beloved, is the condition of YOUR LOVED
ONES who do not know Christ.
That’s the condition of YOUR CO-WORKERS who are
without God’s forgiveness.
That’s the condition of YOUR CO-WORKERS who are
without God’s forgiveness.
That’s the condition of every man, woman and
child throughout the earth who has not been saved by God’s grace.
That’s the condition of every man, woman and
child throughout the earth who has not been saved by God’s grace.
They’ve gone astray; they have no shepherd; they
have no one to lead them and show them the way; they have no protector to protect them from that predator, Satan whose purpose is to destroy and to kill
them
They’ve gone astray; they have no shepherd; they
have no one to lead them and show them the way; they have no protector to protect them from that predator, Satan whose purpose is to destroy and to kill
them
Leaning requires us to pray
Leaning requires us to pray
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
We must pray.
Leaning requires us to give
Leaning requires us to give
15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus
Share how our church makes it a priority that missions is paid first
Share how our church makes it a priority that missions is paid first
