Honor God's Plan

Background to passage: In the last half of Deut 28 & 31 God predicts and Moses also states that the Israelites will break the covenant that he has made with them after they go into the land. God also tells them after they enter the land, multiply, and become a great nation, after they rebel, they will be scattered among the nations. Multiple prophets spoke of the exile to Babylon and also predicted the return of the exiles. This is such a passage.

Little background to HOPE Vision and Discipleship Strategy

Jeremiah 29:4–14 ESV

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord. “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Opening illustration: 15 reasons that people don’t make disciples

Main thought: We are taking a thorough look at the first element of our discipleship strategy - the H in HOPE

1) A Faith Foundation

Explanation: Define -

A Faith Foundation understands the gospel, essential church practices, and foundational Bible study skills.

Argumentation:

Illustration:

Application: HOW does this help us accomplish the mission? It’s the first starting place in a young believers life or in an older believer who has never been discipled. It is possible to be in church for decades and never be discipled.

2) Collective Worship

Explanation: Define -

Collective Worship is coming together as a church family to lift our voices in praise and worship. We encourage church members and new believers to commit to regular church attendance, understanding that worshiping together strengthens our relationship with Christ and deepens our relationship with others.

John 4:23–24 ESV

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Acts 2:46 ESV

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

Colossians 3:16 ESV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Illustration: what is regular attendance now? How can we help each other be more consistent?

Application:

Next Steps: Collective Worship

Commit to regular and consistent worship

Come prepared to engage God - daily worship and prayer. Sing.

WHY do we come to worship? How does this accomplish the mission and vision? We exist to worship. Joy, encouragement, peace, growth, perspective shifted, exhortation, motivation, fellowship (to a degree). I know that time is a key to true fellowship, and we are limited in our time on a Sunday morning.

3) Church Commitment

Explanation: Define -

Church Commitment is for those who have progressed past faith foundations, are intentional about collective worship, and are ready to take a deeper step in a relationship with Christ and His church at Western Heights.

This is were the mission of Christ toward each other is fleshed out. We cast our lots in with one purpose, one vision, one mission.

Acts 2:42 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 2:44–45 ESV

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Illustration: old church covenants

Application:

Next Steps: Church Commitments

Attend the Exploring Western Heights class

Church Membership

Doing life together

Closing illustration: The pastor who “turned away would-be disciples.”

Recap