Jesus & We 3

Jesus & We • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

0 ratings

· 9 views

Seven billion people occupy this tiny slie of history. And it's not by accident. God chose our generation to move them into a more dynamic relationshiop with Jesus Christ. That's our mission. We have the opportunity to make a difference - but He doesn't want us to do it alone. Find out how in Jesus and We.

Notes

Transcript

Sermon Tone Analysis

Emotion

Language

Social

View more →

Intro:

I -

Can you imagine not having clean water? I struggle with that thought. I also struggle knowing that we could change an entire population by giving up, making more or living a limited lifestyle to GIVE and make a difference.

I want to make a DYNAMIC difference with a group of people that want to make a DYNAMIC difference at a time that will make a DYNAMIC difference.

Jesus & WE > Jesus & ME

EMPOWERED by Jesus WE must be the church that Transyalvania County would miss if WE weren’t here.

>>> Let’s MOVE

I want to awaken the dream in you. Maybe it has died. Shattered. Or the lie you have believed that WE can’t make a difference.

You know what I’m afraid of? IRRELEVANCE - One of my biggest fears is that what I do every day, what I’ve devoted my life to accomplish, is not really changing lives, or the world. That people will come in and out of our weekend services, in and out of small groups and meeting, but they never change. That they are still stuck and not moving into a more dynamic relationship with Jesus. A’m I, will I make a dynamic difference?

That is a healthy fear. I hope that challenges you personally and as a group.

Ill: I don’t want us to be like the boy who was SENT on a mission by his mom. A nine-year-old boy was sent to the store by his mother to buy a head of lettuce. This was the first time he had ever been on such a mission. His older brother and sister had always been sent before. He had money in his pocket. He knew right where he was going. He went into the supermarket, got it, paid for it, and returned home feeling proud of himself. The only problem was that he brought home a cabbage. Why? It was green, round and had leaves. Was this mission a success? No. He was willing, he had gone, and he had returned triumphant. But no, he had not achieved the intent of the one doing the sending--not to mention that the boy hated coleslaw.

Completing the assignment given by the sender is the critical factor. No social, political, or ethical scorecards should replace the specific mission of Christ which is to seek and save the lost. When sins are forgiven and new life is experienced social, political, and ethical arenas in our culture will change. We proclaim, explain, and deliver that Good News.

We -

Will we as a church be RELEVANT to our community, our country other continents and to the ends of the earth? When you went on that mission trip - to the 3yr old room downstairs or that 3rd world country, that kid laid his head down that night and saw God different because of your obedience.

Acts 1:8 NLT

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

That is why in Jesus & We we are focusing on (Acts 1:8) the person of Jesus, our people, the power and the plan. As we glance into 2018 we have a four fold plan.

Personal Mission:

Personal & Local Missions: We must maintain and move in my dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. We must intentional develop ponds and streams. Let’s give fishing reports. Anchor Ministry Warehouse, Augustine Literacy Project, Light & Hope, Jail Ministry, Job Corps, Rise & Shine, Safe, Sharing House, The Haven, Transylvania Food Coalition, Whitewater Cove, Women’s Center & Young Lives

Because God by nature is a sender, it implies two simple ideas. First, there is One who sends; and second, there are people to whom we are sent. But, it is not that God just sends us anywhere; God sends us somewhere. You are called and sent on mission; the only question is where and among whom. It could be to the Pokot in East Africa or to a cultural mosaic of urban Los Angeles. We are called because we have a sender, but we also have a people to whom we are sent. This is the reason we plant or lead so many diverse churches, because ultimately God is a sender by nature.

National Missions: Around The Corner, Nimrod Outdoors, Eight Days Of Hope, College Campuses, Pittsburgh, Boston, Montana, Appalachian Coalfield Ministry & NAMB

Before we take a look at International Missions I want us to unpack some facts about God and missions. As I’ve studied God’s heart for missions I’ve discovered two interesting facts -

As I’ve studied God’s heart for missions I’ve discovered two interesting facts -

There is a great passage that reveals God as a sending God -

God -

We must maintain and move in my dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. We must intentional develop ponds and streams. Let’s give fishing reports.

1. God By Nature Is A Sending God

Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.

John 17:18 NLT

18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.

As we follow Jesus and get close to Jesus His character rubs off on us. We desire His character. Hope, Love, Power AND Sender. God’s character is that He is a sending and a sent God. Do you desire hope… what about being sent? :-)

Ill - African kids. God is good… it is His nature.

Because God by nature is a sender, it implies two simple ideas. First, there is One who sends; and second, there are people to whom we are sent. It is not a question of IF we are sent. The question is to WHERE and to WHOM are we sent.

John 1:6–15 NLT

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. 15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ ”

2. God Thinks Feet Are Beautiful

Isaiah 52:7 NLT

7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!

John 1:27 NLT

27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”

Romans 10:15 NLT

15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

John 1:6-

Ex: Background/Context (Highlight FEET)

Feet? Seriously? God thinks feet are beautiful. What!?!

I don’t mean to be offensive, but I have never seen feet that I thought were beautiful. Feet are functional, but I wouldn’t call them beautiful. If you study feet, you will be amazed how important they are to your very existence. During your life time your feet will carry you five times around the earth.

Ill: Marriage conference. Wives had to identify their husband’s feet.

Feet are beautiful because they are a reminder (three) -

Our Feet Remind Us We Have A Message To Share

John 1:

I. Our Feet Remind Us We Have A Message To Share

The feet that are described as being “beautiful” in these verse are the feet of one that “brings good news, peace, good news of happiness and salvation.” What I just described for you is the missionary message–the gospel is “good news.” “Peace” is the result of hearing this good news because salvation brings peace with God and a peace of God. “Good news of happiness” refers to the goodness of God that provides this salvation and “salvation” is the core of our message.

Think about this. Who needs “good news,” “peace,” and “salvation”–the answer is easy–everybody everywhere!

Neither geographical distance, nor language barriers, nor cultural differences should stop our feet from carrying the gospel to those who need to hear it. Every person on earth, regardless of their race, wealth, education, position or influence needs to hear the good news about the love of God and the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ.

John 1:1–18 NLT

1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. 6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. 15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ ” 16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

John 6:14-

Our Feet Remind Us We Have A Mission To Fulfill

Isaiah and Paul do not speak here of the beauty of the eyes or the lips or the hands. He speaks of the beauty of the feet. It is one thing to see the need of a world that is without Christ. It is another thing to know that the Word of God is the answer. It is important to serve God where we are, but none of these things matter if we do not go to where people need to hear the gospel and then take the gospel to those very people.

Obviously the reason why the emphasis is put on feet is because in biblical times the primary mode of travel was walking. Today we can fly, we can drive, we can sail, but the urgency is still the same. Doors are open, but they shut so quickly. Opportunities are many, but they end so soon. Our feet need to take us where we can go while we can go.

Our Feet Remind Us We Have A Method To Use

Notice one more time that these are “feet” that bring good news, that proclaim peace, and that announce salvation. When you really get right down to it, God only has one method for what we call “missions” and that is feet. I believe we ought to use every available method we can to reach anyone we can for the gospel of Christ.

We ought to use every technological invention known to man–television, radio, the Internet, tracts, books, CDs, DVDs and pod casts. However, I want to remind you the number one method will always be feet. God still uses people to reach people.

As you look at your feet remember there are still many miles to walk, many places to go, many people to tell, many sermons to preach, many stories to share and we still need every foot available to go across the street as well as around the world to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Where will our feet take us INTERNATIONALLY? Here are some possibilities...

Honduras, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Thailand, Uganda - These are countries we can talk about publically.

Let’s MOVE!

Conc:

I honestly believe that the local church living and teaching the truths of Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. Jesus wants to connect YOU to We & Jesus to reaching our countries for Him.

So let’s live SENT and let our feet be reminders to us that we have a MESSAGE to share, a MISSION to fulfill and a METHOD to use.

Ill: My dream is that this cartoon would be true of BCC.

(Doctor holding Fred Flintstones foot - “I’m afraid you need a brake specialist.”)

EMPOWERED by Jesus WE must be the church that COUNTRIES would miss if WE weren’t here.

I want to make a DYNAMIC difference with a group of people that want to make a DYNAMIC difference at a time that will make a DYNAMIC difference.

Jesus & WE > Jesus & ME

>>> Let’s MOVEFirst Move: Accept Jesus as the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.Next Moves:Jesus & WE will partner in world GOINGJesus & WE will progress in GIVING

First Move: Accept Jesus as the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.

>>> Let’s MOVEFirst Move: Accept Jesus as the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.Next Moves:Jesus & WE will partner in world GOINGJesus & WE will progress in GIVING

Next Moves:

Jesus & WE will partner in world GOING

Jesus & WE will progress in GIVING

John 1:

The story of the little boy gives insight concerning the tension created through the missio Dei movement. Completing the assignment given by the sender is the critical factor. In a post-resurrection appearance to the disciples, Jesus said to them, "'Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.' After saying this, He breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained'" ( HCSB). Jesus sends His disciples to proclaim delivery through the forgiveness of sins. That is clearly an essential part of the mission and shapes how we view being missional. No social, political, or ethical scorecards should replace the specific mission of Christ. When sins are forgiven and new life is experienced social, political, and ethical arenas in our culture will change. Churches and individuals are right when they live for the good of their world in these areas. God is glorified when there is more peace and justice in His world. But these arenas are not the ultimate focus of God's mission and why He sends us. Christ died to save sinners. We proclaim, explain, and deliver that Good News.

Related Media

Related Sermons