We Are on Mission

We Are on Mission

We Are on Mission

Philippians 2:1-8

INTRODUCTION

Noah’s Ark Exhibit in Kentucky

510 feet long. 3 levels

To educate. Share Gospel. Tourist Attraction.

Netherlands- Ark built.

The builder built it because of a dream that the Netherlands would flood.

It is not sea worthy. Ultimately just a tourist attraction.

The Real Noah’s Ark

Built in the middle of the dessert.

It had a greater purpose- to save mankind.

Many churches exist with an inferior purpose.

Tourist attraction/ like a cruise ship- provide for its members.

Yet, we have a greater purpose- to save mankind.

2-Fold Purpose of Christ

Mark 10:45 ESV

45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 19:10 ESV

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Del Norte Baptist Church

Spent 5 months, January- May- Understanding our Purpose and Vision.

Our purpose/priorities are the foundation our vision is built upon.

We are not called to be a church of attenders. WE are made up of people united to live in God’s mission.

“Guided by God’s Word, Del Norte Baptist Church is a united community of believers worshiping God, growing in faith, and sharing Christ’s love.”

Philippians 2:1–8 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

3 Reasons We Must Be United

1- It Is Demanded (1-2)

Philippians 2:1–2 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

4 Parts of Unity (2)

A- Same Truth

Same Mind

Intellect, understanding

Are we united around how we understand truth?

Right and Wrong

God’s Word - It is our guide to know God.

B- Same Love

Equally disposed to love.

We equally sacrifice to show love to each other and the world.

Matthew 22:37–39 ESV

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

C- Same Spirit

“full accord”- NAS says “United in Spirit”

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 ESV

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

One body united by Holy Spirit giving different gifts.

Diversity and Unity

D- Same Purpose

One Mind= working toward a common goal= PURPOSE

Miracle= we are all connected to same mind= Christ

What are we going to be about at Del Norte?

What are we willing to sacrifice for?

What do we need to stop doing?

2- It is Prescribed (3)

Philippians 2:3 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Who Are We?

Our Biblical Purpose Statement Describes Who We Are.

Guided by God’s Word, Del Norte Baptist Church is a united community of believers worshiping God, growing in faith, and sharing Christ’s love.

This is our unique identity.

We are Guided by God's Word

Psalm 119:105 ESV

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Matthew 28:20 ESV

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

We are a United Community of Believers

Philippians 2:2 ESV

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

We are Worshipers

Mark 12:30 ESV

30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

We are Growing in Faith

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV

2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Hebrews 5:12–14 ESV

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Salvation-baptism-membership-student-teacher

We are Sharing Christ's Love

Mark 12:31 ESV

31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

3- It is Exemplified (3-8)

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Greatest Example is Jesus

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus sacrificed for us first.

Verses 3-4 are only possible if we live verses 5-8.

We can be a unified community if we all humble ourselves and submit to each other.

The salvation of thousands in this city are in the balance.

Are we going to be who we say we are?

CONCLUSION

The Bible demands our Purpose.

Are you living in a united community?

You cannot live your purpose as part of a local body of believers until you have surrendered yourself to Jesus.

The Gospel is the good news of Jesus.

The Gospel will unite us when we humble ourselves to obedience.