From 2016 Series: Here & Now-part3: A New Mission

From 2016 Series: Here & Now-part3: A New Mission]

Can You See It?_pt4: Why We’re Here

[LAST WEEK] - Between Here and There

[THIS WEEK] - Why We’re Here

YOUR life has a mission and a purpose

THIS church has a mission and a purpose - and YOU are part of it

We are here for a reason

We have a mission to complete

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

[PAYOFF] - I want to propose to you that the “new” for YOU is this mission.

Your life has been changed by this mission (to you) and now by this mission (through you) - all in Christ.

Paul’s words are the perfect continuation of Isaiah 43:19...

Colossians 1:28 NIV

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

[PAUL] “To the end, I strenuously contend!”

This was Paul’s life mission!

And he appealed to the church to join in harmony of this mission…

Why we’re here

[STORY] - Did you ever find yourself in a place where purpose was non-existent?

I recall my 9th grade geometry class.

Coach was the geometry teacher, and coach did not know geometry.

Our class instruction became cleaning the weight room - I kid you not!

You would think that a 9th grader would love this scenario, however after a few weeks I learned quickly that standing around and doing nothing was a horrible place to be.

[PAYOFF] - We seek meaning and purpose. We want to know that what we do matters.

What we do at Connect Church matters!

[TODAY] let’s unite on what we do.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

It’s the vision of Connect Church that we accomplish this mission (Col 1:28) – in EVERYONE’S life!

We’ve organized ourselves around this mission.

We’ll simplify EVERYTHING down to this mission.

We’ll cut the fat and fluff, leaving ONLY the mission.

[PAYOFF] - This mission is simple…

Reach

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We are empowered to speak for Jesus.

We are the light, we have new life on the inside of us!

[BUT] there is another step!

We can hurt the church when we don’t help people take the next step.

Along with “be my witnesses” he said, “Go, and make disciples”

That takes more than proclaiming (Reach).

People need a track, a course – a path designed by God.

This is actually what all Christians seek…

This is why you are faithful to this church…

This is why you are here this morning…

[SIDENOTE] (Connect Group Leaders) “Him we preach”

Him – it’s all about Jesus

We – we do it together

Preach – a prophetic message, supernatural

Connect

1 Corinthians 9:22 NIV

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

This is what belonging to a church is all about…

Connect to God

Connect to each other

Connect to your purpose

[PAYOFF] - This is what makes it REAL!

Paul said “…admonishing…” (1:28).

It’s our mission to connect our community!

[TRANSITION] - There is yet another step.

This step can be the challenging one.

[STORY] - My neighborhood small group – one man complained he “wants to be challenged in church.”

This is a natural feeling – a part of God’s progression in our walk!

Now that Christ has saved us, He wants to redeem us!

That means, he has a place for us!

This is a place we “grow” to…

Grow

Hebrews 6:1 ESV

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Elementary doctrine of Christ? What does that mean?

Tabernacle - Sacrifice and washing (outer court)

We are meant to live Holy lives - the Holy Place

Holy Spirit

Word of God

Worship

1 Corinthians 3:1–2 NIV

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.

There is growing to do!

[REMEMBER] - We’re on a mission here

Part of our mission is to help others grow in Christ!

Paul said “…teaching…” (1:28).

[PAYOFF] - What could you do in this area?

Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers…

Take Away

Romans 10:13–15 NIV

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

There is growing to do!

[REMEMBER] - We’re on a mission here

Part of our mission is to help others grow in Christ!

This morning, Church, my message to you is…

Ro

Paul said “…teaching…” (1:28).

[PAYOFF] - What could you do in this area?

Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers…

Go

Isaiah 6:8–9 NIV

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” He said, “Go and tell this people: “ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’

Paul said “…fully mature…” (1:28).

Like a tree bearing fruit, when it is mature it serves it’s purpose!

There is fruit and gifts growing in you – USE THEM!

[PAYOFF] - How do I get started?

Join a team – make a difference in someone else’s life!

Join a group – do life with others!