God's Vision for the Church

gOD’S vISION FOR THE cHURCH

UWhat does a mature disciple of Christ look like?

o    They love God & love others like Christ did.  Matthew 22:36-40

o    They make disciples like Christ did.              Matthew 28:18-20

UWhat is the role of the Church in the Christian’s life?

o    The Church must remember God’s mission is to rescue people from sin & transform their lives into the likeness of Jesus.

§   Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18; Titus 2:11-13

o    The Church must understand how God brings this transformation.  Spiritual growth is a process.          Acts 2:1-47

o    The Church must partner with God to move people into the pathway of His transforming power.                   Exodus 34:29-35

o    People who move through this simple process will find God making them more and more like Christ in character & ministry.

UHow will our church make mature Disciples of Christ?

o    Through Worship – Glorifying the one true God

§  Worship service                      

§  Psalm 122:1; Micah 4:2; Matthew 4:10; John 17:3; Philippians 3:10

o    Through Discipleship – Growing in Godliness

§  Daily devotions, Sunday School, Shepherd Groups

§  Colossians 1:28; Ephesians 4:12-13; 2 Peter 1:3-11; 3:18

o    Through Serving – Showing God’s love through Good Works

§  Ministry opportunities in the Church and community

§  Ephesians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:18; Titus 3:8, 14; Hebrews 10:24-25; James 2:18

o    Through Evangelism – Telling others the Good News of Christ

§  Training, encouragement, and opportunities

§  Matthew 4:19; Mark 3:14; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8

Matthew 22:36-40 NLT

36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

John 17:3 ESV

And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Colossians 1:28 NCV

So we continue to preach Christ to each person, using all wisdom to warn and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature person in Christ.

Titus 3:8, 14 ESV

8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people….14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

Matthew 4:19 ESV

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”