A Mandate for the Church
Matthew 9:35-38
December 31, 2000
Introduction
I. The reality of a national mandate
A. The political scene
1. This year’s election was at best unsettling and at worst a big joke
2. Political analysis brings out the question – Will George W. Bush have a real mandate for the nation?
3. This talk is creating confusion and division in the nation. It leads us to another important question – What is a mandate?
B. The meaning of mandate – Webster
1. An authoritative command
2. An authorization to act given to a representative
3. There is another type of mandate that I believe we need to look at this morning. The mandate of the church
II. The reality of a church mandate
A. Jesus laid out the instruction for the disciples to follow
1. Jesus spent three years getting the disciples ready to change the world
2. He gave them a pattern and plan for ministry that was nothing short of revolutionary and with it they changed the world
3. Jesus made the disciples His representatives in this world and sent them out. He still does the same thing today
B. Jesus has given us a mandate
1. We are to be the representatives of Christ in this world but we have backed away from our calling
2. We have a mandate from Christ to do His work – Will we obey?
3. Obedience to Christ will make us real, righteous and radical
Read Text: Matthew 9:35-38
Body
I. The Mandate for Ministry
A. The pattern of ministry
1. Jesus went out
2. Jesus reached out to hurting people
B. The position of ministry
1. Jesus went everywhere He could go
2. Jesus was not partial to any place
C. The performance of ministry
1. Jesus worked hard by teaching
2. Jesus worked hard by preaching
3. Jesus worked hard by healing
D. The proclamation of ministry
1. Jesus came with a message of good news
2. The message of the Kingdom of Heaven
E. Application
1. We are called to go out
2. We are called to do the work of ministry
3. We are called to deliver good news
II. The Mandate for Mercy
A. Mercy sees those who are worried
1. Jesus saw people who were harassed
2. These were people who were weighed down
B. Mercy sees those who are weak
1. Jesus saw people who were helpless
2. These were people who had no meaning and no purpose
C. Mercy sees those who are wandering
1. Jesus saw people who were lost
a.) They were like sheep without a shepherd
b.) Jesus had compassion on them
2. These were people without leadership
D. Application
1. We need to see the problems of other people
2. We need to see the pain of other people
3. We need to see the potential of other people
III. The Mandate for Mission
A. Mission in the way of the Kingdom
1. The kingdom of God is based on a great harvest
2. The Kingdom of God is shown by harvesting in the field of souls
B. Mission in the work of the Kingdom
1. There is a vast need for workers
2. The harvest is too great for the few
C. Mission in the will of the Kingdom
1. Jesus is calling for us to pray
2. The need for prayer is also great
a.) God moves when we pray
b.) God will raise up the needed workers
D. Application
1. We must see the field of souls
2. We must see the work is vast
3. We must see the calling of Christ
Conclusion
I. Goals for 2001
1. Positive spiritual growth in every family
2. 65 converts to Christ
3. 15 people make a commitment to lay ministry and discipleship
4. Recruit 25 prayer partners for 2002
5. Financial faithfulness of $850.00 per week
6. Develop an active outreach plan through direct mail, monthly outreach events and servant evagelism
7. Membership increase to 45
8. Reaffirmation of the membership covenant by every member of the church
9. Every member know their spiritual gift and be encouraged to serve
10. Average attendance of 55 in the AM worship service by the end of the year
II. Three keys to achieving our goals
A. The Requirements
1. Time - Separate
2. Talent – Spiritual Gift
3. Tithe - Stewardship
4. Trust – Supply
B. The Role
1. Get interested
2. Get involved
3. Get innovative
4. Get invaded
C. The Reason
1. There are too few workers
2. There is a vast need
3. There is a calling from Jesus
