Commisioned to Disciple
September 9, 2007
Opening Text: Matthew 16:13-20
Commisioned to Disciple
Text: Colossians 1:28-29
Proposition: God desires all men redeemed from sin and what they were created to be.
Application: We shall commit as a congregation to become and help other be disciples.
Opening illustration: “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.” May 25, 1961 just four months in office, John Kennedy united Congress for a joint session. He was determinedto unite the country with a proposal of ideas. This speech is entitled “Special Message to Congress on Urgent National Needs,” in which he made this declaration of purpose and mission.
Moscow Christian Church exists for disciples to fulfill the Great Commission by living out the Great Commandment.
Disciples – could have used other words, Christian, believers, members
Maturity – placing the will of God and his message above the will of men, their methods and traditions. – David Bycroft
Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)
Making disciples is persuading the people of the world to become committed followers of Jesus and responsible members of his kingdom.” – Win Arn
Great Commandments (Matthew 22:36-40)
The Cost
I believe we should go to the moon. But I think every citizen of this country as well as the Members of the Congress should consider the matter carefully in making their judgment, to which we have given attention over many weeks and months, because it is a heavy burden, and there is no sense in agreeing or desiring that the United States take an affirmative position in outer space, unless we are prepared to do the work and bear the burdens to make it successful. If we are not, we should decide today and this year.
This decision demands a major national commitment of scientific and technical manpower, materiel and facilities, and the possibility of their diversion from other important activities where they are already thinly spread. It means a degree of dedication, organization and discipline which have not always characterized our research and development efforts. It means we cannot afford undue work stoppages, inflated costs of material or talent, wasteful interagency rivalries, or a high turnover of key personnel.
New objectives and new money cannot solve these problems. They could in fact, aggravate them further--unless every scientist, every engineer, every serviceman, every technician, contractor, and civil servant gives his personal pledge that this nation will move forward, with the full speed of freedom, in the exciting adventure of space.
Jesus Way (Luke 9:51-58)
1. Rejection
2. Personal Loss
3. The Reward
a. Learning (Acts 2:42, II Tim. 2:15)
b. Loving (John 13:34-35)
c. Living (Ephesians 4:1)
d. Leading (Ephesians 4:12)
I believe we should fulfill this commission. But I think every member of this congregation as well as the elders should consider the matter carefully in making their judgment, because it is a heavy burden, and there is no sense in agreeing or desiring that the Moscow Christian Church take an affirmative position in this purposive approach, unless we are prepared to do the work and bear the burdens to make it successful. If we are not, we should decide today and this year.