Now Go!
Vision & Mission • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Wear Shirt: Saved us to Send us.
Communion:
Vision Statement: Church on the Hill’s vision is to be a church where people are found in Christ, changed by His grace, known in an authentic community, and sent on mission to share the gospel and love of Jesus with the world.
Mission Statement: Be Found. Be Changed. Be Known. Now Go!
This week look at the Now Go! part of our vison and mission.
A lot of well meaning churches fall into a comfortable trap.
The Unstuck Group identifies one trap they call the "Maintenance Phase": When a church focuses more on keeping its current members happy (programs, preferences, traditions) rather than reaching those outside the faith, then stagnation begins. Which leads later to life support and eventual closer.
We have been moving our church from maintenance to back on Mission!
What is the mission? It’s called the Great Commission.
Barna research reveals a "Great Commission Gap": Only 17% of churchgoers are familiar with the term "The Great Commission" and its meaning. If the congregation doesn't know the mission, they cannot execute the vision.
Core Verse:
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We’ve turned the Great Commission into a Great Suggestion.
What is a disciple?
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
The term “disciples” was the most popular name for the early believers. Being a disciple meant more than being a convert or a church member.
Apprentice might be an equivalent term. A disciple attached himself to a teacher, identified with him, learned from him, and lived with him. He learned, not simply by listening, but also by doing.
Make disciples: When a rabbi asked you to come follow me, it meant learn my ways of walking with God.
In most churches, the congregation pays the pastor to preach, win the lost, and build up the saved—while the church members function as cheerleaders (if they are enthusiastic) or spectators.
Ever heard of the “priesthood of all believers”? It’s the idea that all believers in Christ are priests in their own right.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
When we look at 1 Peter 2:9, Peter uses this incredible language—chosen people, royal priesthood. He’s giving us a new identity to fuel a specific mission.
The reason so many Christians feel burnt out or bored is that they’ve forgotten their job description.
This verse tells us that we aren't just spectators; we are a “royal priesthood”. The shift from “member to minister” is where the life is!
When every believer views themselves as a priest, the Great Commission stops being a task for the “professionals” and starts being the natural overflow of our lives.
We’ve gained a relationship with the Father that changes everything, and the best way to honor that gift is to move the mission forward by helping others take their next step toward Him." - Be Found
When we make disciples we help people Be Found in Christ.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
I think we’ve lost the awe of what it means to be “God’s special possession”!
We are “God’s special possession,” because He purchased us with the blood of His own Son.
Purchased you out of darkness and into his wonderful light. Don’t lose that awe!
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Think about what you’ve gained in Jesus: you’ve moved from “not a people” to "the people of God”. That’s a massive upgrade!
When you embrace your role as a priest in your school, workplace, your gym, and your neighborhood, you stop asking “What can the church do for me?” and start asking “Who can I lead to Christ?'”
The mission is too far to big for a few people on a stage—it requires an entire church full of the priesthood of believers activated for the sake of the world.
The why behind making disciples is actually quite simple:
Jesus didn't just save you from something; He saved you for something.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
The Greek verb translated go is actually not a command.
The only command in the entire Great Commission is “make disciples”.
Jesus said, Therefore go means “While you are going, make disciples.” No matter where we are, we should be witnesses for Jesus Christ and seek to win others to Him.
God’s plan has always been for you to move from 'saved' to 'sent.'
Shirt: Saved us to Send us.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Remember the heart of 1 Peter 2:9. You are part of a royal priesthood! At the end of the day, we make disciples because it’s how we fulfill our God-given purpose.
There is no greater joy than helping someone move from the darkness of their past into the 'marvelous light' of a relationship with Jesus.
Now, God wants to use your story to change their eternity. When we 'go and make disciples,' we are simply fulfilling our design.
You were made to make a difference, and you do that by stepping into your role as a priest and leading people to the Life-Giver.
Where do we start?
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
All Nations: this can seem overwhelming
Population size of:
World: 8.025 billion / 2.4 billion declare they are Christians
North America: 386.61 million
America: 334.9 million
California: 38.9 million
Riverside County: 2.4 million
Riverside: 318,858 / 55% or 175,371 designated as “None” - no religious affiliation
Do you think 175,371 ppl burden God’s heart?
“Aiming for everyone gets you no one.” - Tom Mercer
Church on The Hill’s mission and focus: Be Found / Just One
What is Oikos?
What is the one? The one person that God has placed or will place in your life for you to lead to the saving grace and a relationship with Jesus.
How are we going to reach the Be Found? Just ONE.
Identify your 8-15 (Oikos Cards)
Pray for them daily (Prayer White Ball)
Do ONE good deed a month for ONE of your oikos (Good Deed Orange Ball)
Invite ONE of your oikos to: A meal, Event, or Church (Invite Green Ball)
See ONE life changed forever (Red Ball)
Oikos Card: What is Oikos
Because we are so consumed by the 'marvelous light' of Christ that we can’t imagine staying silent.
If you truly grasp what you’ve gained in Jesus—salvation, adoption, and the literal Spirit of God—how could you not want to lead someone else to that same King?
Stop waiting for a stage and start being the priest God already declared you to be.
