Taking Ownership

Introduction

Introduce myself, share brief story and what my role is

We are all on a journey.

Use an illustration about taking ownership (My lawn)

When I became a homeowner I naturally got the itch to have a lawn that looked like a golf-course… and I wanted to be responsible for it.

YouTube Videos

First few treatments and mows

Discouragement

Growing confidence and vision

Look at me now

Transition

There is something powerful that takes place when we begin to take ownership over things, especially important things like our actions and character, our family and parenting, and most importantly our faith in Jesus and his commands for us.

I want to present a big lofty question and then I want to take us on a bit of a journey through the Gospels.

“Do I own the Great Commission as a personal command for my life?”

The Disciple’s Journey with Jesus

When Jesus began calling his disciples to follow him, whether they realized it or not, the next three years of their life would be a journey that would shape the rest of their life.

As you walk through the Gospel accounts, there are some pretty fascinating turning points that unfold for the disciples. There is a training from Ken Blanchard that speaks to leadership and coaching but I want to revamp it a bit for us to see the Disciple’s Journey with Jesus.

Build the framework

Let’s think about this in four quadrants, two axis

Compentency Axis and a Commitment Axis

First Quadrant we can title it this way, “I do you watch”

I do, You Watch

If you’ve got your Bible, we are going to briefly look at four areas of the gospels

John 1:35–39 ESV

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

The beginning stages of the disciples journey was to be an observer of Jesus. Who was this man? The disciples would get to watch him heal, engage with the marginalized and healing, and stand up to the pharisees and sadducees.

There’s a high commitment and zeal but a great lack in any kind of competence

I do, You Help

Flip over to Luke 8:22-25

Luke 8:22–25 ESV

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

This is a common passage… but notice what Jesus does with the disciples… Jesus was still running the show but allowed this to be a great teaching point that he have a part to play in this ministry experience.

The disciples are no longer just observers, but participants.

They are seeing that they have a role to play in the ministry…

What also comes during this season is lots of doubt.. we see the disciples in this season of their journey struggle… they ask the wrong kind of questions, they focus on the wrong things, they fail to see the truth that Jesus is teaching about

Discouragement, sacrifice, trials

A powerful time where God can meet us with grace, vision, and power

You Do, I Help

Now find your way to Luke 9:1-6

Luke 9:1–6 ESV

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

The disciples at this point are

Players in the game

Growing and learning

Have some skin in the game

Commitment is increasing, competency is developing

You Do, I Cheer

Which leads us to the one and only Great Commission

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It’s at this point the Disciples have grown in competency, and have given their lives to the Gospel mission and Kingdom of God.

The Disciples heard these words of Jesus just before he ascends to heaven and they didn’t receive it and say oh that’s a great tshirt idea, or oh man these other guys will be great at that, but they recieved it personally and say, I have a personally calling to own this comission for my life personally.

Empowered Leaders

Vision and Multiplication

Where are you on the journey?

When I look at this room, I see an overwhelming environment of potential kingdom impact. Some of you are living out the great commission with great faithfulness and God is using you powerfully. There are others of you and if you’re honest, you haven’t owned those words of Jesus yet. That’s still a “That’s the Church’s job” but not yours.

I want to present 3 opportunities for next steps and then I’m going to turn things over to your table for a few questions.

If you’re looking to become a D3 or D4 Disciple, I want to challenge you to consider three opportunities:

Next Steps

Take on a Leadership Role at the church (Leader and Coaching Roles)

Start a Discipleship Group

Begin Mentoring someone

Let me pray for us and I’ll turn it over to your tables to talk through those three questions.