The Church Beyond the Walls
Dr. Anthony E. Neal
We Are the Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 10 viewsJESUS DOES NOT CALL THE CHURCH SIMPLY TO GATHER IN HIS NAME; HE SENDS THE CHURCH INTO THE WORLD TO CARRY HIS PRESENCE, DEMONSTRATE HIS COMPASSION, AND PROCLAIM HIS KINGDOM.
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1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
THE CHURCH BEYOND THE WALLS
INTRODUCTION
CHURCH, THROUGHOUT THIS SERIES, WE HAVE BEEN DISCOVERING WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO SAY, “WE ARE THE CHURCH.”
WE STARTED IN ACTS CHAPTER 2 AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CHURCH IS MORE THAN A BUILDING.
THEN WE LEARNED THAT WE NEED EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE ARE ONE BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS.
HEBREWS REMINDED US THAT THERE’S POWER IN SHOWING UP, BECAUSE OUR PRESENCE STRENGTHENS ONE ANOTHER.
PAUL TAUGHT US TO PUT ON LOVE, BECAUSE THE CHURCH OUGHT TO LOOK LIKE JESUS IN THE WAY WE TREAT ONE ANOTHER.
AND TWO WEEKS AGO, ACTS CHAPTER 4 SHOWED US WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CHURCH PRAYS.
(PAUSE)
BUT THERE IS A DANGER WE HAVE TO AVOID.
BECAUSE IF WE'RE NOT CAREFUL, WE CAN HEAR ALL OF THAT AND BEGIN TO THINK THAT THE CHURCH EXISTS PRIMARILY FOR US.
WE GATHER.
WE ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.
WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
WE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER.
AND ALL OF THAT IS BIBLICAL.
BUT JESUS NEVER INTENDED FOR THE CHURCH TO BECOME A HOLY HUDDLE
WHERE WE GATHER TOGETHER, ENJOY ONE ANOTHER, TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER, AND FORGET ABOUT EVERYBODY OUTSIDE.
AT SOME POINT...
THE CHURCH HAS TO LEAVE THE BUILDING.
BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO NEED JESUS AREN'T ALL SITTING IN HERE.
SOME OF THEM ARE ACROSS THE STREET.
SOME OF THEM ARE DOWN THE BLOCK.
SOME OF THEM WORK BESIDE US.
SOME OF THEM LIVE NEXT DOOR TO US.
SOME OF THEM ARE RAISING CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SOME OF THEM ARE STRUGGLING QUIETLY.
SOME OF THEM HAVE STOPPED TRUSTING CHURCHES.
SOME OF THEM WILL NEVER WALK THROUGH THESE DOORS UNLESS SOMEBODY FIRST WALKS INTO THEIR WORLD.
AND THAT'S WHERE LUKE CHAPTER 10 MEETS US.
JESUS HAS BEEN TEACHING HIS DISCIPLES.
PREPARING HIS DISCIPLES.
WALKING WITH HIS DISCIPLES.
BUT NOW JESUS DOES SOMETHING IMPORTANT.
HE SENDS THEM.
LUKE 10:1 SAYS:
“AFTER THIS THE LORD APPOINTED SEVENTY-TWO OTHERS AND SENT THEM TWO BY TWO AHEAD OF HIM TO EVERY TOWN AND PLACE WHERE HE WAS ABOUT TO GO.”
DON'T MISS THAT.
JESUS DIDN'T TELL THEM:
“STAY HERE AND WAIT FOR EVERYBODY TO COME TO YOU.”
HE SAID:
“GO.”
AND FRIENDSHIP, IF WE ARE GOING TO BE THE CHURCH GOD HAS CALLED US TO BE, WE CANNOT ONLY BE THE CHURCH INSIDE THESE WALLS.
WE'VE GOT TO BECOME...
THE CHURCH BEYOND THE WALLS.
I. JESUS SENDS US WHERE HE INTENDS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
VERSE 1 SAYS:
“THE LORD APPOINTED SEVENTY-TWO OTHERS AND SENT THEM TWO BY TWO AHEAD OF HIM TO EVERY TOWN AND PLACE WHERE HE WAS ABOUT TO GO.”
NOTICE WHERE JESUS SENDS THEM.
HE SENDS THEM AHEAD OF HIM.
THEY ARE GOING TO PLACES WHERE JESUS INTENDS TO SHOW UP.
IN OTHER WORDS, THEIR ASSIGNMENT IS TO PREPARE PEOPLE TO ENCOUNTER JESUS.
THAT'S STILL OUR ASSIGNMENT.
WHEREVER GOD SENDS US, WE OUGHT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR SOMEBODY TO SEE JESUS.
AT WORK...
REPRESENT JESUS.
AT SCHOOL...
REPRESENT JESUS.
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD...
REPRESENT JESUS.
AT THE GROCERY STORE...
REPRESENT JESUS.
IN THE BARBER SHOP...
REPRESENT JESUS.
AT THE BEAUTY SALON...
REPRESENT JESUS.
AT THE FAMILY REUNION...
REPRESENT JESUS.
WE HAVE REDUCED EVANGELISM TO INVITING PEOPLE TO CHURCH.
AND INVITING PEOPLE TO CHURCH IS GOOD.
KEEP INVITING THEM.
BUT JESUS DIDN'T SAY:
“WAIT FOR THEM TO COME.”
JESUS SAID:
“GO.”
SOMETIMES WE'VE BEEN SAYING:
“COME SEE WHAT WE'RE DOING.”
WHEN JESUS IS SAYING:
“GO SEE WHAT THEY NEED.”
THAT'S A DIFFERENT MINDSET.
THE MISSION FIELD ISN'T SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY.
THE MISSION FIELD BEGINS WHEN WE WALK OUT THE DOOR.
ILLUSTRATION
THINK ABOUT A DELIVERY DRIVER.
THE PACKAGE DOES NO GOOD SITTING IN THE WAREHOUSE.
IT CAN BE PACKAGED BEAUTIFULLY.
IT CAN HAVE THE CORRECT LABEL.
EVERYTHING INSIDE CAN BE VALUABLE.
BUT SOMEBODY HAS TO TAKE IT FROM THE WAREHOUSE TO THE ADDRESS WHERE IT BELONGS.
CHURCH, GOD HAS GIVEN US SOMETHING TOO VALUABLE TO KEEP INSIDE THE BUILDING.
WE HAVE THE GOSPEL.
WE HAVE HOPE.
WE HAVE GRACE.
WE HAVE THE MESSAGE THAT JESUS SAVES.
BUT THE GOSPEL WAS NEVER MEANT TO SIT IN THE WAREHOUSE.
WE'VE GOT TO DELIVER IT.
TRANSITION
BUT WHEN JESUS SENDS THEM OUT, HE IMMEDIATELY TELLS THEM SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DISCOURAGING.
HE TELLS THEM THE NEED IS ENORMOUS...
AND THE WORKERS ARE FEW.
II. JESUS CALLS US TO SEE THE HARVEST, NOT JUST THE PROBLEMS
VERSE 2 SAYS:
2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
“THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL, BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW.”
JESUS LOOKS AT THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DO.
WE LOOK AROUND AND SEE PROBLEMS.
JESUS SEES HARVEST.
WE SEE BROKEN FAMILIES.
JESUS SEES HARVEST.
WE SEE YOUNG PEOPLE STRUGGLING.
JESUS SEES HARVEST.
WE SEE NEIGHBORHOODS FACING POVERTY, VIOLENCE, LONELINESS, ADDICTION, AND HOPELESSNESS.
JESUS SEES HARVEST.
WE SEE PEOPLE WHO DON'T ATTEND CHURCH.
JESUS SEES HARVEST.
WE SEE PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE MESSY.
JESUS SEES PEOPLE WHO NEED GRACE.
THE QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER THERE ARE PEOPLE TO REACH.
JESUS SAYS THE HARVEST IS ALREADY PLENTIFUL.
THE PROBLEM IS:
“THE WORKERS ARE FEW.”
THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO NEED MINISTRY.
THE SHORTAGE IS PEOPLE WILLING TO DO MINISTRY.
AND NOTICE WHAT JESUS TELLS THEM TO DO:
“ASK THE LORD OF THE HARVEST, THEREFORE, TO SEND OUT WORKERS INTO HIS HARVEST FIELD.”
JESUS SAYS:
PRAY.
BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY IN VERSE 3:
“GO!”
ISN'T THAT INTERESTING?
THEY ARE TOLD TO PRAY FOR WORKERS...
AND THEN JESUS SENDS THEM TO WORK.
BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU PRAY:
“LORD, SEND SOMEBODY.”
BECAUSE GOD MAY ANSWER:
“I'M SENDING YOU.”
THAT'S ISAIAH 6.
GOD ASKED:
“WHOM SHALL I SEND? AND WHO WILL GO FOR US?”
ISAIAH RESPONDED:
“HERE AM I. SEND ME!”
THAT'S THE SPIRIT THE CHURCH NEEDS.
NOT:
“SOMEBODY OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING.”
BUT:
“LORD, WHAT CAN I DO?”
NOT:
“THE CHURCH NEEDS TO REACH MORE YOUNG PEOPLE.”
BUT:
“LORD, HOW CAN YOU USE ME TO REACH THEM?”
NOT:
“SOMEBODY NEEDS TO HELP THIS COMMUNITY.”
BUT:
“HERE AM I. SEND ME.”
TRANSITION
NOW, IF WE'RE HONEST, GOING SOUNDS GOOD UNTIL JESUS TELLS US WHAT GOING MIGHT INVOLVE.
BECAUSE JESUS NEVER PROMISED THAT EVERYBODY WE ENCOUNTER WOULD WELCOME US.
HE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT MINISTRY BEYOND THE WALLS REQUIRES COURAGE.
III. JESUS SENDS US OUT DEPENDENT ON HIM
VERSE 3 SAYS:
3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
“GO! I AM SENDING YOU OUT LIKE LAMBS AMONG WOLVES.”
THAT'S NOT EXACTLY THE MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH YOU EXPECT BEFORE A MISSION TRIP!
JESUS DOESN'T HIDE THE DIFFICULTY.
HE SAYS:
THERE WILL BE RESISTANCE.
THERE WILL BE REJECTION.
THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU.
THERE WILL BE PLACES WHERE YOUR MESSAGE ISN'T WELCOMED.
GO ANYWAY.
THEN VERSE 4 SAYS:
4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.
“DO NOT TAKE A PURSE OR BAG OR SANDALS…”
JESUS WAS TEACHING THEM DEPENDENCE.
THEIR CONFIDENCE COULD NOT BE IN HOW MUCH THEY CARRIED.
THEIR CONFIDENCE HAD TO BE IN WHO SENT THEM.
AND THAT'S STILL TRUE.
SOMETIMES WE CONVINCE OURSELVES WE CAN'T DO MINISTRY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.
ENOUGH PEOPLE.
ENOUGH RESOURCES.
ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS.
ENOUGH EXPERIENCE.
BUT GOD HAS NEVER REQUIRED US TO HAVE EVERYTHING BEFORE WE OBEY.
HE REQUIRES US TO TRUST HIM WITH WHAT WE HAVE.
MOSES HAD A STAFF.
DAVID HAD A SLING.
A LITTLE BOY HAD TWO FISH AND FIVE LOAVES.
AND WHEN WHAT THEY HAD WAS SURRENDERED TO GOD...
GOD MADE IT ENOUGH.
CHURCH, OUR POWER DOES NOT COME FROM HAVING EVERYTHING WE WANT.
OUR POWER COMES FROM TRUSTING THE ONE WHO SENT US.
WE PLAN.
WE PREPARE.
WE USE WISDOM.
BUT ULTIMATELY WE RECOGNIZE:
IF GOD DOESN'T GO WITH US, NONE OF IT MATTERS.
TRANSITION
AND THEN JESUS TELLS THEM WHAT MINISTRY SHOULD ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY ARRIVE.
AND WHAT HE DESCRIBES IS REMARKABLY SIMPLE.
THEY ARE TO ENTER PEOPLE'S LIVES.
BRING PEACE.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.
MEET NEEDS.
AND TELL THEM ABOUT THE KINGDOM.
IV. JESUS SENDS US TO CARE FOR PEOPLE BEFORE WE EXPECT THEM TO CARE ABOUT OUR MESSAGE
IN VERSES 5 THROUGH 8, JESUS TELLS HIS DISCIPLES TO ENTER HOMES, OFFER PEACE, STAY WITH PEOPLE, EAT WHAT IS PROVIDED, AND RECEIVE HOSPITALITY.
THEN VERSE 9 SAYS:
“HEAL THE SICK WHO ARE THERE AND TELL THEM, ‘THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME NEAR TO YOU.’”
NOTICE THE ORDER.
HEAL THE SICK.
THEN TELL THEM:
“THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME NEAR.”
THEY DIDN'T JUST PREACH AT PEOPLE.
THEY CARED FOR PEOPLE.
THEY ENTERED PEOPLE'S WORLD.
THEY SAT AT PEOPLE'S TABLES.
THEY LISTENED.
THEY BUILT RELATIONSHIPS.
THEY ADDRESSED REAL NEEDS.
AND THROUGH THEIR ACTIONS, PEOPLE EXPERIENCED EVIDENCE THAT GOD'S KINGDOM HAD COME NEAR.
CHURCH, SOMETIMES PEOPLE NEED TO SEE THE GOSPEL BEFORE THEY'RE READY TO HEAR THE GOSPEL.
IF SOMEBODY IS HUNGRY...
FEED THEM.
IF SOMEBODY IS HURTING...
CARE FOR THEM.
IF SOMEBODY IS LONELY...
SPEND TIME WITH THEM.
IF SOMEBODY IS GRIEVING...
SIT WITH THEM.
IF CHILDREN NEED GUIDANCE...
MENTOR THEM.
IF FAMILIES NEED SUPPORT...
HELP THEM.
AND WHILE WE'RE SERVING, WE MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHY WE'RE SERVING.
BECAUSE JESUS LOVES THEM.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT DOING GOOD DEEDS SIMPLY SO PEOPLE WILL THINK FRIENDSHIP IS A GOOD CHURCH.
WE SERVE BECAUSE WE WANT PEOPLE TO ENCOUNTER A GOOD GOD.
JESUS SAYS:
“THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME NEAR TO YOU.”
WHAT IF PEOPLE COULD SAY THAT BECAUSE FRIENDSHIP SHOWED UP?
WHEN FRIENDSHIP CAME INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD...
HOPE CAME NEAR.
WHEN FRIENDSHIP HELPED A FAMILY...
COMPASSION CAME NEAR.
WHEN FRIENDSHIP INVESTED IN A CHILD...
LOVE CAME NEAR.
WHEN FRIENDSHIP PRAYED WITH SOMEBODY...
FAITH CAME NEAR.
AND WHEN WE FAITHFULLY REPRESENT JESUS...
THE KINGDOM COMES NEAR.
TRANSITION
AND THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT THIS PASSAGE IS ABOUT.
JESUS SENDS ORDINARY DISCIPLES INTO ORDINARY PLACES SO THAT EXTRAORDINARY ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD CAN HAPPEN.
THE CHURCH GATHERS...
BUT THEN THE CHURCH MUST GO.
CONCLUSION
FRIENDSHIP, WE CANNOT MEASURE THE STRENGTH OF THIS CHURCH ONLY BY HOW MANY PEOPLE COME INSIDE THESE WALLS.
WE ALSO HAVE TO ASK:
WHAT DIFFERENCE ARE WE MAKING BEYOND THEM?
BECAUSE JESUS DID NOT SAY:
“STAY.”
HE SAID:
“GO.”
GO WHERE PEOPLE ARE HURTING.
GO WHERE FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING.
GO WHERE CHILDREN NEED HOPE.
GO WHERE SENIORS FEEL FORGOTTEN.
GO WHERE PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN UP ON CHURCH.
GO WHERE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON THEM.
THE CHURCH GATHERS TO BE STRENGTHENED...
SO THE CHURCH CAN SCATTER TO SERVE.
WE COME IN HERE TO WORSHIP...
SO WE CAN GO OUT THERE AND WITNESS.
WE COME IN HERE TO BE FILLED...
SO WE CAN GO OUT THERE AND POUR.
WE COME IN HERE TO HEAR THE WORD...
SO WE CAN GO OUT THERE AND LIVE THE WORD.
SUNDAY MORNING IS NOT THE FINISH LINE.
SUNDAY MORNING IS THE FILLING STATION.
BECAUSE AFTER THE BENEDICTION...
THE MINISTRY CONTINUES.
FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH...
WE ARE THE CHURCH.
AND IT'S TIME FOR THE CHURCH...
TO GO BEYOND THE WALLS.
CELEBRATION
AND AREN'T YOU GLAD THAT JESUS PRACTICED WHAT HE PREACHED?
BECAUSE WHEN HUMANITY NEEDED SAVING...
JESUS WENT BEYOND THE WALLS!
HE LEFT THE GLORY OF HEAVEN...
AND CAME DOWN INTO OUR WORLD!
HE WENT WHERE THE SICK WERE!
HE WENT WHERE THE SINNERS WERE!
HE WENT WHERE THE HURTING WERE!
HE TOUCHED LEPERS NOBODY ELSE WANTED TO TOUCH!
HE TALKED TO PEOPLE NOBODY ELSE WANTED TO TALK TO!
HE ATE WITH PEOPLE RELIGIOUS FOLKS HAD WRITTEN OFF!
HE FOUND BLIND BARTIMAEUS BESIDE THE ROAD!
HE FOUND ZACCHAEUS UP A TREE!
HE FOUND A SAMARITAN WOMAN AT A WELL!
HE FOUND A MAN AMONG THE TOMBS!
AND I'M GLAD...
ONE DAY HE FOUND ME!
BUT HE DIDN'T STOP THERE.
ONE FRIDAY...
JESUS WENT OUTSIDE THE CITY WALLS...
UP A HILL CALLED CALVARY!
THEY PUT A CROSS ON HIS SHOULDERS!
NAILS IN HIS HANDS!
NAILS IN HIS FEET!
A CROWN OF THORNS ON HIS HEAD!
AND HE DIED...
FOR PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T SAVE THEMSELVES!
THEY TOOK HIM DOWN...
PUT HIM IN A BORROWED TOMB...
AND ALL NIGHT FRIDAY...
HE STAYED THERE!
ALL DAY SATURDAY...
HE STAYED THERE!
BUT EARLY...
SUNDAY MORNING...
HE GOT UP!
WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HANDS!
AND BEFORE HE WENT BACK TO HEAVEN, HE LOOKED AT HIS DISCIPLES AND SAID:
“GO!”
GO MAKE DISCIPLES!
GO TELL THE WORLD!
GO PREACH THE GOSPEL!
GO BE MY WITNESSES!
AND MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND YEARS LATER...
THE ASSIGNMENT HASN'T CHANGED!
GO!
GO TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
GO TO YOUR WORKPLACE!
GO TO YOUR FAMILY!
GO INTO THIS COMMUNITY!
GO WHEREVER GOD OPENS THE DOOR!
AND TELL SOMEBODY:
JESUS SAVES!
JESUS HEALS!
JESUS DELIVERS!
JESUS RESTORES!
JESUS STILL CHANGES LIVES!
FRIENDSHIP...
WE CANNOT KEEP THIS GOOD NEWS TO OURSELVES!
WE'VE GOT TO TAKE THE CHURCH BEYOND THE WALLS!
IF YOU'RE READY TO SAY, “HERE AM I, LORD—SEND ME!”
GIVE GOD YOUR BEST PRAISE!
**************************************************************************************
ALTAR CALL
THERE MAY BE SOMEBODY HERE TODAY WHO REALIZES THAT JESUS HAS BEEN REACHING FOR YOU.
MAYBE SOMEBODY INVITED YOU.
MAYBE SOMEBODY PRAYED FOR YOU.
MAYBE SOMEBODY SHOWED YOU KINDNESS.
MAYBE SOMEBODY CARED ENOUGH TO TELL YOU ABOUT JESUS.
THAT WASN'T AN ACCIDENT.
GOD WAS BRINGING HIS KINGDOM NEAR TO YOU.
AND TODAY JESUS IS INVITING YOU INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
HE DIED FOR YOUR SINS.
HE ROSE FROM THE GRAVE.
AND HE OFFERS FORGIVENESS, SALVATION, AND NEW LIFE.
IF YOU'VE NEVER ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR, COME.
PERHAPS YOU'RE ALREADY SAVED, BUT GOD IS CHALLENGING YOU TO STOP SITTING ON YOUR GIFT.
YOU KNOW HE'S CALLING YOU TO SERVE.
TO WITNESS.
TO GET INVOLVED.
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
TODAY YOUR RESPONSE CAN SIMPLY BE:
“HERE AM I. SEND ME.”
OR PERHAPS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CHURCH FAMILY WHERE YOU CAN GROW AND SERVE.
THE DOORS OF THE CHURCH ARE OPEN.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY...
THE ARMS OF JESUS ARE OPEN.
COME.
TRANSITION TO PASTORAL PRAYER
CHURCH FAMILY, AS WE PREPARE TO PRAY, I WANT US TO PRAY DIFFERENTLY TODAY.
WE'VE SPENT PLENTY OF TIME ASKING GOD TO BLESS US.
TODAY, LET'S ASK GOD TO USE US.
“LORD, SHOW ME WHO NEEDS ME.”
“SHOW ME WHERE YOU ARE SENDING ME.”
“SHOW FRIENDSHIP WHERE THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS US.”
AND WHEN GOD SHOWS US...
GIVE US THE COURAGE TO SAY:
“HERE AM I. SEND ME.”
LET US PRAY.
PASTORAL PRAYER
GRACIOUS AND ETERNAL GOD,
THANK YOU FOR CALLING US OUT OF DARKNESS AND INTO YOUR MARVELOUS LIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR SAVING US, GATHERING US, GROWING US, LOVING US, AND GIVING US A PLACE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.
BUT LORD, DON'T ALLOW US TO BECOME COMFORTABLE INSIDE THESE WALLS WHILE PEOPLE OUTSIDE THESE WALLS ARE HURTING.
GIVE US EYES TO SEE THE HARVEST THE WAY JESUS SEES IT.
WHERE WE SEE PROBLEMS, HELP US SEE POSSIBILITIES.
WHERE WE SEE BROKENNESS, HELP US SEE PEOPLE WHO NEED YOUR GRACE.
WHERE WE SEE NEED, SHOW US OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE.
AND LORD, SEND WORKERS INTO YOUR HARVEST.
BUT BEFORE WE POINT AT SOMEBODY ELSE...
START WITH US.
HERE WE ARE, LORD. SEND US.
SEND US INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
SEND US INTO OUR WORKPLACES.
SEND US TO OUR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
SEND US TO FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING.
SEND US TO THE LONELY.
SEND US TO THE FORGOTTEN.
SEND US TO THOSE WHO HAVE LOST HOPE.
AND WHEREVER YOU SEND US, HELP US CARRY THE LOVE OF JESUS.
GIVE US COURAGE WHEN WE FACE RESISTANCE.
GIVE US WISDOM WHEN WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
GIVE US COMPASSION TO MEET REAL NEEDS.
AND GIVE US BOLDNESS TO PROCLAIM THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME NEAR THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
LORD, MAKE FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH A CHURCH THIS COMMUNITY CAN FEEL.
LET OUR PRESENCE MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
LET OUR SERVICE MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
LET OUR PRAYERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
LET OUR WITNESS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
AND LET EVERYTHING WE DO POINT PEOPLE TO JESUS.
WE THANK YOU THAT JESUS CAME INTO OUR WORLD, WENT TO CALVARY FOR OUR SINS, ROSE FROM THE GRAVE WITH ALL POWER, AND COMMISSIONED HIS CHURCH TO GO.
NOW SEND US FROM THIS SANCTUARY INTO THE MISSION FIELD YOU HAVE PLACED AROUND US.
AND WHEN WE LEAVE THIS BUILDING, REMIND US:
THE CHURCH HAS NOT CLOSED.
THE CHURCH HAS JUST GONE INTO THE WORLD.
IN THE MIGHTY, MARVELOUS, MATCHLESS NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WE PRAY.
AND ALL GOD'S PEOPLE SAID,
AMEN.
