Intro:

Secular:

Bible:

Matthew 10:5-10

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

Personal: ** Moving day

4 in the truck, 4 from the truck to the house, 4 in the house

Focused on a specific task!

Bridge: Being a believer is about recognizing the Lordship of Christ in your life and being active and intentional in sharing Jesus.

We need to know the plan, we need to know the message, we need to know the task and we need to stay strong in the faith.

Body

The Plan / Focus:

Active and intentional personal ministry – needs to have a plan… a focus. JESUS HAD A PLAN!

Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

• Contrast: “Do not go…” – Divine command! But wait…

In Matthew 8:5-13 Jesus healed centurion’s servant – a Gentile

1 Tim 4:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men-- the testimony given in its proper time.

• Temporary command?

                        Acts 1:8 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."

• No not temporary… focused * Go rather to…
• Be intentional within the resources God provides…
• Yankees… spend money to make money… success
• Town of 16,000 with 1,000 believers?
• Be effective – Ranger or British Secret forces focused… effective

• Busyness of Church… can be detrimental to effectiveness
• Especially when the burden is focused
• Run out of gas…two cars
• Shotgun approach – versus being intentional
• Invitation into a tornado…

Jesus was focused on Palestine… it shows a commitment to the message… effectiveness

I could paint the interior of the worship centre in an hour…

What is your plan?… personally

What is our plan?… corporately… as a church?

Active and intentional personal ministry – needs to have a plan… a focus.

We have a powerful message… we need to be focused when we deliver it!

The Message:

Active and intentional personal ministry – needs to know the message!  JESUS & THE DISCIPLES KNEW THE MESSAGE!

7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'

• Keep it clear – ** math answer (quadratic formula!)
• Make the point memorable
• Explain – (Christ reigning)
• Entering the kingdom as a new believer
• Living in the kingdom as a maturing believer
• Partaking in the heavenly kingdom – the eschatological kingdom

Active and intentional personal ministry – needs to know the message!

Understand the message yourself first!

• immersed in the Word of God!

The Task:

Active and intentional personal ministry – needs to know the task!

 BECAUSE JESUS EXPLAINED… THE DISCIPLES UNDERSTOOD THE TASK!

8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

-          the KEY… Freely you have received, freely give… not a free ride!

• Share the gifts and talents God has bestowed on you!!
• The Spirit empowers every believer!
• Each us is a building block in the kingdom… various gifts and talents that compliment each other.
• Share your testimony
• Share the Love of God
• Pour out what God has poured in!

Inreach

Outreach

Upreach

Active and intentional personal ministry – needs to know the task.

Be ready to DO for the kingdom of God.

The Faith:

Active and intentional personal ministry – needs to be strong in faith. THE DISCIPLES EXHIBITED FAITH!

9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

• Remember the focus – with focus – guided by the Spirit = impact
• Impact touches lives and new believers share talents and resources and we grow in our mission
• 1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. –Results guaranteed!
• Effective stewards of God’s message and resources need not worry… God faithfully provides.

It is not about us and our needs… it is about stepping out in faith and recognizing we serve the God of the impossible. We limit our potential in ministry when we do not trust in God.

Active and intentional personal ministry – needs to have strong faith! – GOD PROVIDES THE SUCCESS!

Conclusion:

What is my plan…

Feb 24 – Vision planning

What is my message…

Study your Bible.

Pray faithfully.

What is my task….

Give it away – God continually fills us…

How do I live that faith…

Trusting in God.

Live that trust.

THIS IS THE GREAT ADVENTURE

-          KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING – THE PLAN

-          KNOW WHAT WE ARE SAYING – THE MESSAGE

-          KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING – THE TASK

-          KNOW THAT GOD IS WITH US – THE FAITH