RESET: Back to the Basics (Simple Mission)

Greetings

Recap

Power in the share

The last 4 weeks we have been in a discussion about Resetting and going back to the basics. We have discussed the Simple Gospel, Simple Worship, last week was the Simple Holy Spirit. Today, I want to focus on our last topic, and that is the Simple Mission.

"Any church that is not seriously involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist." — Oswald J. Smith

“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” J. Hudson Taylor

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The mission of the church has been and always will be the same , PEOPLE. Two weeks from this day today we are gonna share vision, and I will go more into detail then, but a year ago, I held a meeting with leadership in this church and I discussed in that meeting but the reason why we are here. The reason why our church exists.

Abundant Life Here for a Purpose!!!

You will here these numbers again in two weeks but please indulge me today:

(Before the Pandemic)

-38% of people are active church members.

-43% are unchurched.

34% are de-churched (formally very, somewhat or minimally active

-There are 30,722 people in Smyth County.

-23,656 people in Smyth County alone are unchurched.

A year ago (give or take a little) I stood in this room, with leaders and elders in our church and spoke of the fact that there 23,656 reasons of why we are here, why we do what we do, and why we exist.

(Let me say why we are not here)

After that meeting something happened that no one expected, a pandemic.

-The church was closed for 3 months

-Fear struck so many of not knowing what was gonna happen and rightfully so.

However, I am afraid something greater than a virus began to take place in the church.

During the time of church shutdowns and closures of all sorts, I believe the enemy has been at work.

Please understand that I am not here to criticize anyones concerns or convictions but I need you to hear what this preaching is saying today.

I believe it was Barna who recently reported, that the church nationwide has only seen a 36% return back to the gathering.

Do you see where I am going?

In all of the chaos and distraction the enemy has been at work. 2020 was supposed to be the year of clear vision. It was supposed to be the year of moving forward and advancing the kingdom of God.

So now there is talk of this “new normal”

-So worship from home and forsake the gathering

-New normal is censorship and silencing

-New normal is come and support when you can.

Can I tell you that that new normal is not normal!

I’m asking God for different kind of New Normal!

(Preach right there for a second)

We have a an opportunity unlike ever before in the history of the American Church to rise to the occasion to be the church that God has called us to be!

THE CHURCH! (Preach right there)

We are gonna be a Missional Church

Luke 14:23

A Church that makes Disciples

Word, Devotion and Service

A Gospel Church

Not just preach it but live

More to come on February 7th, lets stand!

Close

Pray for the Lost

Pray for the More

Pray for the Mission