Advancement

Advancement - The Blessing of Participation

Genesis 15, 26, 27 / Ephesians 4:12-13 Matthew 9:37-38 / Matthew 28:19-20 // Acts 1:8

- In Matt 28:19-20 we see Jesus commission His disciples.

- Remember that we are His disciples too!

- In Acts 1:8 you see again the desire of Christ is for the Gospel to advance.

- Often times we think along with ushering in the new covenant

that Jesus gives us a new command to go to other people - The reality is that Jesus doesn’t give this new command for

the nations but he re-emphasized His desire along with

God’s desire and plan to reach all nations.

- Since the beginning of creation, God’s plan and desire has

been that His people would advance.

- Genesis 15 - The Abrahamic covenant and in Genesis 22 God

promises not only to bless Abraham but that ALL nations would be blessed through him. - In Revelation 7:9 a multitude are worshipping. ALL NATIONS - God’s favor was on Abraham and his nation but God’s favor

was for ALL nations.

1. Participation in the Kingdom is Biblical

- God’s desire and plan has always been to bless and reach

all nations.

- Read the Old Testament and you will see that God is always providing a way for the outsider to make their way and as well as to provide for those who are in need.

- Jesus gives us the commission and then clarifies the commission, not just for Jerusalem, but Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the Earth

- We are later blessed by Paul’s writings who in Ephesians 4:12-13 gives a picture of how the church is supposed to participate in the advancement of God’s kingdom.

- We see that we are to equip the saints for the work of ministry.

- How do you equip the saints?

- Personal devotion, group engagement, corporate worship. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - We get into God’s word so that it gets

into us and equips us for EVERY GOOD WORK - Being equipped for the work and doing the work are two

different things.

2. Participation in the Kingdom shapes us personally. - One of the primary ways you can be shaped as a Christ

follower is to share Christ.

- Philemon 1:6 - I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ

- James 1:22 - Be a doer not just a hearer. - Seeing someone go from In need of Christ to In Christ through

the power of the Holy Spirit gives you confidence for the work

God is doing in and through you. - God has a work for us to do. God has a work for you to do.

- Family it is to disciple your kids

- Display God’s love to our church, community & the nations. - Here is the question, “How will you participate in the

advancement of the Kingdom of God?”

- We will either be participants or we will be observers.

- There is a wild belief within the American church that there only

certain people can do certain things

- Kingdom work is not a spectator sport.

B. BlessestheBodyCommunally-OurJudea&Samaria

- Partnerships all over but we need workers

3.

- The Nations - All Nations, the ends of the earth. - Why me?..Shane said, Why not you?

- Romans 10:14-15 How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.

- My life has been profoundly impacted by participating in advancement to the nations.

- At 18 I got on a plane and went to Brazil & Kenya

- The Lord used both of these trips to help me understand His

work and HIs invitation for me to participate in it.

- Platt, how has Coke done a better job of advancing their

produce than we have done advancing the Gospel? - The Kingdom of God is going to advance. The question is are

we going to participate in it and in participating in the work see

the blessing of participation. - How can I have a passion to reach them?

- Pray for them...you pray for them your love will grow for them. - Teresa Thompson

- What step can you take today? - To participate in the Gospel, first we must be transformed by it. - He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which

he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot

- -

We have a JV & Varsity mentality Those who are on Varsity and starting are the ones in the game and the people on JV never play. I would argue that once you become a child of God you become a participant in the game. You can either hide on the field or you can help move things forward.

Participation in the Kingdom is empowered through the

Holy Spirit. (Zechariah 4:6)

- - -

C.

Operation 469 // Mansfield Elementary // Ga State Newton Miracle League & Night To Shine / Community Work projects What specific needs do you see in our community that we can meet together?

Blesses the body Globally - The Nations

- You may have incredible gifting, however true power rest in the Holy Spirit...it’s not about personal skill alone.

- The ordinary is invited to participate in the extraordinary.

- Jesus directs the attention of His followers to Himself and to the Holy Spirit within them as their means of strength before he points them to their skill.

- We are inviting you to participate with us in this work. - Local Church, Local Community, The Nations

4. Participation in the Kingdom blesses the Body. A. BlessestheBodyLocally-OurJerusalem

- Not brick and mortar but flesh and blood

- How can you serve?

- Nursery, Children Classes, Tech, Parking Lot, Greeting Team, Coffee team, encouragement team, small group organization.