Commissioned
Let The Nations Be Glad • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Campus Pastor Transition
Campus Pastor Transition
It is so good to be with you all today to worship together and seek the Lord in His Word together… I thought I should spend a few moments here to have what Pastor Roger would call a “Family Chat” to acknowledge an exciting transition going on here at Edgewood regarding my role — since I haven’t really talked about it publicly like this yet — as my role is shifting from Worship Pastor to the Waupun Campus Pastor.
My wife and I moved here in February of 2023 very pregnant with our first child, our boy Asher. As you might remember, we were here for two weeks, then headed back down to Indiana where Asher was born, then we headed back here for good! Since then, we’ve had our second boy, Judah, in January of this year. Since being here, we have absolutely loved our time getting to know you and have been so blessed by this special church community called Edgewood Community Church.
I have loved serving in my role here as Worship Pastor. I have been humbled, blessed, and truly privileged to serve in that role here, and I have been joyfully content as Worship Pastor. If you were to ask me “hey, where do you see yourself in 30 years?” I’d say “serving here at the Worship Pastor… doing what I’m doing.” I was cool as a cucumber. Joyfully content.
And, at the same time, I had a few moments last year of God poking me that He was up to something, and I had a very particular moment last October/November-ish of sensing that God was preparing me for something — not knowing what that was exactly. But, all I knew was: my wife and I want to be here for a long time… as long as God will have us — and we certainly hope it’s a long time… and hopefully you do too! :) If not, I’m sorry.
Often times God’s plan is most clear when we look back and see how all the puzzle pieces were put together, and it’s amazing how when I look back, God was paving a path the whole time… just as He is paving a path for each one of us.
I love leading worship and all that goes along with that — we have an amazing team here that I’m so blessed to be part of. And, as Worship Pastor, I’ve always naturally leaned toward the shepherding/pastoral parts of my role, and have been drawn heavily towards that part of it. And, leading worship in and of itself is pastoral.
What I mean by God poking me that He’s up to something is that I’ve been thinking more and more about how cool it would be if God called me to shift more towards those things… the things of pastoring and shepherding people, leading teams, pointing us to Christ. Those things fill me up. I naturally think and operate in the sense of what’s best for this church, beyond the Worship Ministry alone… Considering how can we grow and deepen in our communion with Jesus, with each other, and be on mission for His glory together.
So, as the need for the Campus Pastor role here at the Waupun Campus was becoming more clear, and as I was approached by leadership asking me to pray about this, all the pieces came together for me to see what God has been up to.
To be ultra clear: I'm not leaving, I'm not moving, I'm not stepping away... I'm staying at THIS campus… My role is just shifting from Worship Pastor to Campus Pastor for the Waupun Campus.
Praise the Lord that this is anything but a “good-bye”, but rather — a deepening of commitment to this church and a broadening of my responsibilities. Though my role will look different, I will certainly be very much here and available to you, obviously!
Ministry is people. I love Jesus, and I love people. I have a desire to see people come to know and love Jesus and grow deeper in their walk with Him.
With any transition — it’s change — and that can be bittersweet, of course. I love leading worship. And, of course, by God’s grace, I can lead worship again. Yes, I can lead worship as a Campus Pastor once in a while! As long as it’s helpful. Please let me know if I get rusty and “lose it”.
I’m also excited to be part of the Worship Team… as long as I pass the audition.
I’m truly very excited to see who God brings in as the next Worship Pastor. I am excited to encourage him and support him and see God work in and through him here.
God has provided so faithfully for Edgewood in years past, and we continue to trust that He will provide for the future.
I have three prayer requests for you…
Please pray for my transition into the role of Campus Pastor — for God’s strength, wisdom, and guidance.
Please pray for the search of a new Worship Pastor for the Waupun Campus — that God would stir and prepare his heart, whoever and wherever he is — that the Lord draw him to us and make it clear to us.
Please pray for this interim season during the search for the new Worship Pastor — that God would give grace as I juggle two roles, 50-50-ish, and that this would bring our staff team and church as a whole together in unity.
God is good and He is doing a new thing! — and hey, we’re just trying to figure this thing out.
As 2 Peter 3:18 says … “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
I am excited to keep growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, together, and glorifying Him alongside all of you.
And, speaking of growing, we come to feast on the Word of God — the Bread of Life — seeking nourishment from the Lord, through His Word, by the power of His Spirit, in the Name of Jesus… and, before we jump in, I want to share a brief story with you…
Intro Story / Picture / Illustration
Intro Story / Picture / Illustration
Let me take you back to 1861. You think country is divided today? It certainly needs help, but in 1861 the United States was very much the “Divided States” of America. The country was in a Civil War. The conflict between the North and the South was worsening, division was growing, and in April of 1861, the unthinkable happened: shots fired, and war is declared. Nothing would be the same again.
Abraham Lincoln is President and he needs a General who can command the North’s Union Army. He selects George McClellan to be General-In-Chief. No one was surprised by this because General McClellan was the obvious choice…
He was the brightest military mind of his day,
He was a strategic-genius (was probably good at chess),
He was youngest to ever be accepted into the U.S. Military Academy (at 15 years old), and he graduated at the top of his class. A nickname of his was “Young Napoleon”.
He was an amazing leader — people wanted to serve under him…
Volunteers for the army rose 300% in a matter of 4 months under his leadership,
And because of this, his Union Army grew to more than twice the size of the Confederate Army.
Despite all of this, he had one major problem. One major flaw.
He would not fight. He would not engage in the mission.
You know the series of movies Mission Impossible? They say “your mission, should you choose to accept…” well, he didn’t accept the mission.
General McClellan was equipped with everything he needed, but he refused to put it to use.
He refused to do what he was equipped and empowered to do…
So, it’s no surprise then that President Lincoln replaced him with a General who would fight… General Ulysses S. Grant.
Well, as a follower of Jesus, you are equipped with exactly what you need to engage in the mission… Many of us are engaged in the mission… but, so many of us are not… There are others of us that might be, but a shift in perspective.
So… Are you engaged in the mission of God?
Why not? What is keeping you from engaging in the mission? What does it look like to engage in the mission? What do you need? What are you supposed to do? Wait… what is the mission?
Hold on to those questions…
If you have your Bible with you today (yes, you may use the Bible app on your phone but don't get distracted!), please turn with me to Matthew chapter 28. It is the first book in the New Testament, and is known as the Gospel of Matthew. It is the first of four books in the Bible called the "Gospels", and these four books give account of the life of Jesus.
Let me give you some context before we read our passage for today. This is really important. Chapter 28 is the last chapter in the Gospel of Matthew, it begins with the resurrection of Jesus — the absolute most incredible, life changing moment in history… then, we see Satan working to deceive people with his evil schemes, using the love of money as a motivator to turn people away from believing in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead… and then we're brought to the passage we will look at today… one that you may have heard of before. It's known as The Great Commission.
Look at this with me from a broad view… Look at what's happening in Matthew chapter 28 as a whole…
There are three main movements in the chapter…
The Resurrection
The Report of the Guard
The Great Commission
In the section about the resurrection of Jesus, the women who saw the empty tomb were told by an angel in verse 6…
6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
In summary, the Lord says “Go and tell that Jesus has is alive.”
Ok, now, look at the next section…
11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
So, Jesus has just won the war, and now Satan is trying to retaliate after his defeat.
In summary, Satan’s response here is a scheme to “Go spread a lie that Jesus’ body is stolen — that’s why His body is missing — it’s not because Jesus rose from the dead, but it’s because His body was stolen… there’s nothing to see here.” — oh, and Satan is using the love of money to motivate his evil plan, just as he used money to motivate Judas to betray Jesus in Matthew 26…
Ephesians 6:12 says that we do not battle against flesh and blood, but we battle against the evil, dark, spiritual forces of Satan.
Satan wants nothing more than for rumors to spread that Jesus’ resurrection is false and to see this whole “Jesus movement” fail.
So after the resurrection, the women “go and tell” that Jesus is alive.
Then, Satan’s response is to deceive people to “go and tell” that Jesus isn’t alive — His body is just “stolen”.
What’s comes next?
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
So, key-in here… important things happen on mountains, people… you know… the “Sermon on the Mount”, the “Mount of Transfiguration”, the “Mount of Olives”… hey, big things happen on mountains.
17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
Jesus’ very presence demands worship… it’s the only proper response…
And… Here, maybe you can relate to those who doubted… you struggle to believe, struggle to take the next step in faith… Jesus has a word for you today.
So, key-in, what does Jesus say?
What is Jesus’ “counter-move” to Satan’s evil scheme of deceiving people into thinking the resurrection is false?
What Jesus says in the next three verses are what we’re going to study in depth today, and I want to invite you to pray with me as we seek to learn from the very words of the Lord Jesus Christ…
Pray
Pray
Jesus, we need You. We bring You our worship because You’re worthy. And, for some of us, we bring our doubts and our questions… we bring our fears, our insecurities, our anxieties, our worries, our stress, and our struggles… You know what is on each of our hearts, and I ask, Lord, that You would minister to us now through Your very Word… quiet our minds, slow us down, soften our hearts… Lord, we’re here to learn from You… I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Passage
Passage
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
So, let me lay out where we’re going…
So, let me lay out where we’re going…
If you’re taking notes using the bulletin, there’s an outline you can fill in… and here it is…
As followers of Jesus, we have an authority to submit to, a command to obey, and a presence to embrace.
There is a mission to engage in and we have been equipped and commissioned to participate. We have been given the tools and the power necessary to engage in the mission of Christ.
Because Jesus' authority demands worshipers and commands His followers to make disciples to worship Him, we must make disciples who make disciples so that all nations will worship Him.
Jesus has won the war against Satan, and people need to know.
John Piper is known for a great quote “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”
This weekend and next weekend we will dive into God’s call on our lives as Christ-followers to engage in the mission He has commanded to each one of us…
Missions is not just something we throw money at for other people to do… Missions is something all Christ-followers are commanded by Jesus to participate in.
Today we’ll see God’s call for disciple-making and how that starts locally. Next weekend we’ll see more particularly God’s call for reaching the nations.
We’re calling this two-week series Let The Nations Be Glad! I’m told Pastor Roger might add a third weekend to the series, so we’ll see.
Today’s passage is known as The Great Commission, and we will spend the rest of our time today digging into it deeper for what this means for you and me as Christ-followers today… It’s significant… not because of something I thought of, but because of what God’s Word reveals.
We have an authority to submit to…
We have an authority to submit to…
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Jesus has full and complete authority over Satan.
Colossians 2:15 “He disarmed the rulers and authorities [of Satan] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them…”
Because of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection to new life, it’s done. It’s over. He is victor.
Jesus has full and complete authority over the world.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
This authority of Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy…
13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
The authority of Jesus demands worship. Worship is the only proper response to the supreme authority of Jesus.
And, He is rightfully owed that “all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him”!
See the picture in Revelation 7:9…
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes [that means cleansed — like Naaman from his leprosy that Pastor Roger talked about last week from 2 Kings 5], with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Jesus’ authority demands worship.
Jesus’ authority demands our submission…
He deserves our life, He deserves our everything. He deserves that people would worship Him.
Remember what John Piper said “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” — Consider the reality that worship doesn’t exist from all nations, tribes, languages, tongues, and people groups… doesn’t that break your heart?! There is an unfathomable number of people who have lived and died having not ever heard the Gospel… people who would have no clue who you’re talking about if you were to ask them about Jesus…
Lord, break our hearts for what breaks Yours!…
Missions exists because people are not worshiping God. They’re worshiping themselves, or other false gods.
Consider for your own life… What are you doing with the life that you have? With the grace you’ve been given?
Are you worshiping God with your life?
I plead with the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-2 in the New Living Translation…
New Living Translation Chapter 12
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Does the desire of your heart match the desire of God’s heart?
A ministry called Engage Global has a tagline “Enjoy His grace. Extend His glory.” — that’s the message of the Bible.
How many of us are too busy managing our blessings that we’ve neglected extending His glory?
Sports teams for your kids is taking up all of your “disposable income, time, and energy”.
You get more sucked into Fantasy Football than you do teaching your kids about Jesus… or worshiping as a family at home… you keep your “God time” to the neat little box called “an hour and a half at church” each week.
How we spend our life reflects what we treasure… what we value…
How do you spend your time, energy, and money? What is taking the majority of your attention? What is getting our best attention? It’s often revealed by what we get upset about… what our hearts break over…
Reflect on that today and this week…
Ask yourself…
“What do I value over living my life for God?”
“What do I idolize? — Comfort? Financial and situational stability? Reputation?”
“How have I grown apathetic or ignorant to God’s authority in my life?”
You’re not the king of your own life… You don’t call the shots… If you’re in Christ you submit to the King, the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ authority demands our obedience… which sets us up to receive the commission He has given to us…
We have a command to obey…
We have a command to obey…
The command is Matthew 28:19–20a “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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…”
Notice the word “therefore”… when you see that word, you should ask yourself “what is the “therefore” there for?”
Look what’s before that… Jesus declares His authority.
So, in light of His authority, we are to “go and make disciples”…
In the original Greek there is actually only one “imperative verb” in this passage and it might be surprising to you.
What is an “imperative verb” you ask? — it is a “command verb”… So, when my wife gives me a command, I do it… or, at least I should to do it… :)
The imperative here is “make disciples”… so the command is to “make disciples”. — that is the core message.
Let’s break down the command into three parts…
The what: make disciples…
The how: go… baptizing them and teaching them…
The where: all nations…
So, what does it mean to “make a disciple”? It might not be as intimidating as you think. I hope all of you are already doing this. Actually, the expectation is that everyone who follows Jesus is doing this…
Mark Dever defines “discipling” as “Helping others follow Jesus”.
Another way he puts it is: “Discipling is deliberately doing spiritual good to someone so that he or she will be more like Christ.”
Sounds great. So how do we “make disciples”?
Consider two aspects of making disciple-making…
Evangelism
Mentorship
First, in evangelism, we are to…
Emit the “Aroma of Christ”.
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,
Let the love of Jesus emit from your pores. Show the love of Jesus in your actions, your words, the way you carry yourself… be humble, not prideful… be teachable, not stubborn… be a hard worker, not lazy… mind your own business, not a gossiper…
Consider “more is caught than taught”. People are always watching. Is what they hear from you consistent with what they see in you?
The second part of evangelism is…
2. Share the Gospel
Don’t let just “being a good example” be a cop-out to actually sharing the Gospel…
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Also consider…
14 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? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? … 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
They must hear the Gospel. They don’t just pick it up because you’re being a good person, and then they know how to be saved.
Once they are saved, then they are baptized…
Jesus’ command is to “make disciples…baptizing them…”
We baptize people who have committed their life to Jesus… those who have been CONVERTED… We don’t baptize people who are not following Jesus… That wouldn’t make any sense…
12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
We are raised to new life through faith… Faith in Jesus is required.
Baptism represents the cleansing power of Jesus by dying to our sin as we are immersed into the water, and we are resurrected with Christ as we come up out of the water, rising to new life in Him.
Baptism represents the power of the resurrection.
It’s the “outward expression of the inward transformation”.
Now, for the new disciple who committed their life to Jesus, acted in joyful obedience by being baptized, they now need to be taught. They need to be discipled…
The next part in Jesus’ command is “…teaching them to observe all that [Jesus] has commanded…”
How can you teach them without having a relationship with them?
What does a family do when they adopt a child? Do they just adopt the child and say well, that was great, glad we saved them! — then just let the child raise themselves? Set them outside to figure things out? No! A family who adopts a child takes the child into their home, raises them, nurtures them, teaches them, and loves them…
A way that Satan wants to tempt Christ-followers is by only thinking evangelism and neglecting discipleship… To think that mere street preaching is enough, or just “getting more numbers” is the goal… we had 200 more conversions this year!
Praise God for evangelism! We evangelism! AND we need discipleship!
Evangelism without discipling them is adopting a child but not raising them…
Disciple-making in it’s essence requires relationship.
So, practically, what does that look like? Let’s cut to the chase.
Parents: love your children. Teach them the Word of God. Be patient with them. Don’t discourage them. You are engaging in crucially important mission work of discipling.
I was actually just driving through the Guth’s Coffee drive-thru on Friday morning and saw one of our very own Edgewood members reading to their kiddo. It was so sweet to see.
Parents, mentor your children… Don’t think that just sending them to Christian school is enough. You’re not just paying someone to disciple your children for you… They need to be taught by you… Be humble, and demonstrate an authentic walk with Christ before them… They should see you spending time in your Bible, praying, and leaning on God.
Children: submit to your parents. Learn from them as they follow Jesus. Don’t frustrate them. Don’t make their job harder than it needs to be.
Children’s Ministry is an amazing way to pour into the lives of the upcoming generation. If you want to see the future, look at the children being raised.
4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
Older generation: Don’t just complain about the younger generation… Disciple them. It’s literally your responsibility to disciple the younger generation. But also, don’t look down on them. Don’t underestimate them. Don’t be turned off to learning from them. They have a lot to offer.
Younger generation: Don’t write-off the older generation. Give them a chance. Be open to the wisdom that they have to offer.
For all of us...
Seek out someone to disciple you, and seek out someone to disciple.
Take seriously The Great Commission…
Share the Gospel with your neighbor, with your co-worker, with your lost family member, with a friend who needs Jesus…
Be the light of Christ in your school this year.
Parents and grandparents — pray for your children. Be faithful prayer warriors. That’s a POWERFUL way to engage in the mission! Pray like You believe God can and will do what you’re asking of Him… in FAITH!
Don’t keep this to yourself. If you really believe that the Gospel is the only way to salvation (and it is), then there are some serious questions to ask about your heart if you’re keeping that Truth to yourself and refusing to share it with others.
When someone comes to faith, personally walk with them in their journey… show them how to pray, invite them into your prayer life, your devotional life… model to them a walk with Christ…
For the new follower of Jesus… Join a Life Group… Invite others to join your Life Group. Don’t be a closed off group.
Also — don’t just invite people to church and then let the invitation be denied and move on… Follow-up with them, let them know you missed them, continue a relationship with them…
Pray for them!
What about the nations part of The Great Commission? The Great Commission can be summarized in this: “Disciple the nations”!
The idea of “the nations” is not new to God’s plan… Look at Matthew 24:14, Mark 11:17, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, Romans 1:5… just to name a FEW!
The word “nations” comes from the Greek word “ethne” and is, in its basic sense, referring to “tribes”, “nations”, or “peoples”… meaning “all peoples without distinction”. It’s referring to “people groups” — not just “countries” as a whole but people groups within those countries.
If all the nations need to know Christ, and we are commanded to participate in the mission to accomplish this, and disciple-making requires relationship… how in the world do we do that?!
If evangelism means “addition” — then disciple-making means “multiplication”.
How do we reach the nations? Disciples who make disciples.
For example…
If you led one person to Christ every day for one year, which would be absolutely remarkable, you’d come out to 365 new Believers in a year. Do that for 30 years and almost the entire population of Waupun now follows Jesus.
But, if you were to lead one person to Christ every year, rather than one every day, and you discipled them by pouring into them, walking through Scripture with them, praying, teaching them how to pray, and ultimately, raising them to make disciples too… in the same timeframe of 30 years, instead of 11,000 people coming to Christ, over 1 billion new followers of Jesus will have been made.
Do the math yourself and see…
A disciple who makes a disciple who makes a disciple is God’s plan to reach the nations.
According to the Joshua Project, there are 7,250 unreached people groups in existence today. The amount of people that represents is 3.4 billion people.
There are 3.4 billion people today who do not know who Jesus is. There are more than 3.4 billion people in the world not worshiping Jesus.
What is an “unreached people group”? — According to the Joshua Project: “An unreached or least-reached people is a people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group without outside assistance.”
Your unbelieving neighbor is not considered “unreached”. Why? — Because you’re their neighbor. You can reach them. So, do it. Reach them. Disciple them.
We’ll learn more about God’s global plan next week, but that’s God’s desire… to reach the nations.
This all may seem intimidating, and remember the excuses you have? — fear, doubt, worry, insecurity… Jesus knows that, and He has a message for you today…
We have a presence to embrace…
We have a presence to embrace…
God knows what we need. He knows our fears, our worries, our doubts… trust me, He knows we are weak in and of ourselves… but in Christ we are made strong and we have all we need. God’s comforting presence has always been His message.
Whether you’re walking through heartbreak…
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Or whether you’re stepping into the unknown, in obedience to God’s command…
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God’s presence is near.
Yes, when we’re in heaven for all of eternity we will experience the most incredible glory of God’s presence, but also consider… Only in this life do we have the opportunity to experience the power of His comforting and empowering presence with us… There is a particular presence of God that we have when we face gut-wrenching pain in this world.
And, that is why we need to disciple… because people need to know God. When unexpected pain and unimaginable trials come your way, you need to know where to turn and Who to look to… People need to know God… For God’s glory and for their good.
Missions exists because worship doesn’t…
An unfathomable number of people have lived and died in this world having never known the love of Jesus.
If following Jesus is worth dying for… and it is… then following Jesus is worth living for.
Live for Jesus today.
Carry out The Great Commission He has commanded us to…
Engage in the mission of God. He has equipped you and empowered you for it.
The book of Matthew ends the same way it began…
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
20 …behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
As a follower of Jesus, what step are you going to take to engage in God’s mission of making disciples?
You have the power of Jesus with you. You have been equipped. And, you have been commissioned.
Will you accept this mission and engage? — only by His grace…
Pray…
Pray…
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for your grace on us… Thank You for Your salvation of us from death into life. You have given us new life. What a glorious reality… You are worthy of worship, and You rightfully deserve that all nations would worship You… what an amazing privilege that You have chosen to use us to be part of fulfilling Your plan to draw all nations to Yourself… Lord, give us the strength and the weakness to submit to Your authority over our lives… by the power of Your Spirit lead us to obey Your command of making disciples… and in embracing Your presence with us be Jehovah Jireh — provider of all we need… For Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Closing
Closing
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
This is the glorious call on our life as followers of Jesus, and we can only do so by His grace… Praise the Lord.
We all need discipling… a great way to step into that is through Life Groups… enjoy the tailgate party in the lobby and get plugged into a group.
If you’re committing your life to Jesus, please come find me after the service. I’d love to pray with you…
If you’re taking in your next step in your faith journey, want to get plugged into serving somehow, or have a prayer request, please utilize the Connection Card, fill that out, and drop it in a basket on your way out.
We’ll end the way we began…
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
You are loved.
