I want you to know this morning that you're in the right place at the right time. What we're just one the edge, on the precipice of a revolution. It's not time for us to be doing events just to be doing events. If they're not purpose driven, if they're not revelational, if they're not empowering, if they're not relevant, we don't have time to waste our energy on things that are not in line with our destiny.
o Because the Holy Spirit has confirmed to us
? It’s going to be big
o Every farmer knows
o That when he plants a seed
o That he does not expect to reap a seed from a seed
o Whatever went into the ground is going to come out bigger than when it went in
o If it’s in good soil
o It’s going to flourish
o I want you to know this morning
o You’re good soil
o Anybody who invests in you
o Is going to be blessed
o Anybody who loves you is going to be blessed
o Anybody who befriends you is going to be blessed
o I am good soil
o If you plant an idea in me
o I’ll create a product around it
o If you plant a seed in me
o I’ll produce a harvest behind it
o Tell yourself
? I am good soil
o That’s why God made Adam out of the dust of the earth
o Because He wanted to make sure that He used good soil
o It’s going to be big
• Alright let’s get into this
• Philippians 1:1-2
o Paul and Timothy, bond servants of Christ Jesus (the Messiah), to all the saints (God’s consecrated people) in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops (overseers) and deacons (assistants):
o Grace (favor and blessing) to you and (heart) peace from God our Father the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
• Last week we started our journey into the book of Philippians and got really far
• Just the first three words
o Paul and Timothy
• Started looking at the Marks of a Healthy Church
• Of course, the Marks of a Healthy Church depend on the Marks of a Healthy Believer
o That’s you and me
o That is if you have a relationship with Jesus
o That is if you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior
o You’ve opened your heart to Him
o You see, you can’t be healthy and not have that relationship
o That relationship has to be up to date as well
o It can’t be Well, I accepted Him years ago Lived how I wanted to live Walked where I wanted to walk
o No, your relationship needs to be up to date
o Fresh and new every morning
o Not that you need to come and say
Oh, Lord I’ve sinned and need Your forgiveness
? I need You to come into my life
o But there needs to be a commitment to live a holy life
o One that strives each day to follow the commands of Scripture
o One that strives to live as Christ did
o And if you do sin
o If you do break the command of Christ
o If the Spirit convicts you of some sin in your life
o Then you immediately get to your knees
o And you confess it
o Scripture is clear
? If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
? 1 John 1:9
o But you have to confess
o Not to me
o Not to some priest
o Not to some person
o But to Him
o And what a promise that is there
o He is faithful and just to forgive
o He forgives all sin as we confess it
o The Word says
? It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
? They are new every morning: great is they faithfulness.
? Lamentations 3:22
o Guess what,
o You don’t even need to wait until we sing for an altar call
o If you have sin
o If the Spirit is speaking to you right now
o Come on,
o Come to the altar now
o There’ll be people that will come and pray with you
o We’ll continue right on
o The most important thing is you getting your life right with the Lord
o You getting your heart right with the Lord
o That relationship is the first step to being a healthy believer
• However, the mark of a healthy church
• The mark of a healthy believer
• Is that of discipleship
• Making disciples
• We started looking at Matthew 28:19-20
o Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
o Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
• We are to go
o We are to make disciples
o We are to attach ourselves to people who will follow the Lord
o Until they can in turn make disciples
o Teach them to do as He did
o We’re to do what He did
o Teaching others what He did
o So that they will do what He did
o He came to seek and save the Lost
o Is that what we’re doing?
o If not, we need to get out there and get doing it
o Where we do business
o Where we shop
o Where we eat
o Where we get our medical needs taken care of
? OSU and the procedure (personal story)
o We should be seizing every opportunity that is available to us
o That the Lord gives to us to share His story
• He’s commissioned us to go and make disciples
Second, He commissioned us to baptize all nations
o Baptism is of crucial importance.
o Christ says that it is as essential as teaching
o Despite the fact that it can be a one-time act
? I say that because there are times in people’s lives
? Where they feel led to be baptized a second time
? They’ve walked away from the Lord
? Come back and feel led to be baptized again
? Or maybe they were baptized at a young age
? Recommitted their lives at an older age
? And believe they should be baptized again
? All Spirit led
o Either way
o It is as much a part of the commission of Christ as
? Discipling and
? Teaching
o Christ is definitely teaching that baptism is to be the immediate sign
o And the identifying sign that you are now stepping out of the world’s ranks
o And you’re now putting on the whole armor of God
o And you’re standing in the Army of God
o You’re taking a stand with God
o You’ve died
o Romans 6 says it clear for us
? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
? Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death
o That’s what it is when you come to Christ
o You’re united with Him in His death
o Your sin is nailed to that cross
o Your guilt is nailed to that cross
o Your shame is nailed to that cross
o The penalty is nailed to that cross
o You’ve died to that sin, because Christ died for that sin
o It was laid in His tomb
o In His grave
o You’ve been united with Him in His death
o Put under the water
o That’s what that symbolizes
o That’s what you’re telling the world
o That’s what the outward symbol is saying
o Hey, I’ve been united with Christ
o I’ve come to the cross
o I’ve come to the blood
o I’ve placed my life under the blood
o My sin is placed in that tomb
o Oh, but Paul continues there in Romans 6
? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life
o Oh, praise the Lord
o You see, we’re not left in that tomb
o We’re not left in that grave
o We’ve been raised to a new life
o Just as Christ walked out of that grave free
o Just as Christ walked out of that grave alive
o Just as Christ walked out of that grave a conqueror
o Just as Christ walked out of that grave a victor
o So, we too walk out of that grave alive
o So we too walk out of that grave free
o So, we too walk out of that grave a conqueror
o So, we too walk out of that gave a victor
o No longer victims to our sin
o No longer enslaved to sin
o No longer enslaved to depression
o No longer enslaved to anxiety
o No longer enslaved to fear
o No longer enslaved to anger
o No longer enslaved to the things of this world
o Oh, I’m free
o I’m free at last
o I’m free from the fear of tomorrow
o I’m free from the guilt of my past
o Oh, I’ve traded my shackles for a glorious song
o I’m free praise the Lord, free at last!!!!!
• Now, that tells you what Baptism is all about
• It’s an outward sign of what has already happened inwardly
• You see when you come to Christ, you’ve been set free
• You’re telling the world
o I’m free
o I’m no longer bound to this world
o This world is not my home
o I’m just passing through
o I have a hope
o Within my soul
o Brighter than the perfect day
o God has given me His Spirit
o And I want the world to hear it
o All my doubts are passed away
o My life will end in joyful singing
o I have fought a faithful fight
o Then I’ll lay my armor down
o And my spirit freed from all earthly ties
o Will take it’s happy flight
o And will possess a starry crown
o That’s what happens when you get saved
o Baptism just tells the world what’s already happened
o You’re telling your story
• But there’s another aspect of baptism
• In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
o Means more than just saying a formula
o It is a statement of faith
o It’s a statement of belief in God as the true Father of Jesus
o It’s a statement of belief in Christ as the true Son of God,
? The Savior of the world
o It’s a statement of belief in the Holy Spirit as your Comforter
o And the Comforter of every other believer
• It means a commitment to follow God
o To follow Him as revealed in the Father
o The Son
o And the Holy Spirit
o This is where we have so much problem in the church today
o We have a problem with commitment
o We don’t have a problem with saying we’re committed
o We have a problem sticking to that commitment
o Do we even know what commitment is
o Commitment—
? The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.
? An engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action
o Oh, no wonder Paul considered Himself a slave to Jesus Christ
o When you come to know Jesus
o When you make this proclamation
o When you make this statement to the world
o You’re saying
? I’m no longer my own
? It’s no longer me
? It’s Jesus in me
? I’m His and He is mine
? I’m committed to Him
o I have an obligation to Him
o I’m restricted to Him
o The freedom that I have I have through Him
o It’s not my own
o It’s only through Him
o That means that what He calls me to do
o That I do
o I surrender my will
o I surrender my choices
o I surrender my life
o All that I have
o All that I am
o To Him
o You see, many who come to be baptized
o Which we’re called to do
o We’re supposed to do
o But many come to do it just to do it
o Because of the attention
o But this is just as serious as coming to an altar and surrendering your life to Him
o Oh, don’t get me wrong
o It’s a time of celebration
o It’s a time when we celebrate this growth
o This step in your life
o We should have this baptismal full all the time
o Baptizing people all the time
o Because we’re discipling people
o People are getting saved left and right
o People are coming to know the Lord left and right
o We’re doing what we’re called to do
o We’re a healthy church
o And we’re discipling
o We’re making disciples who want to be baptized
o Because they want to declare
o Make a proclamation to the world
o I’m not my own
o I’m bought with a price
o I’m His and He is mine
o I’ve got an obligation now
o I’m making a commitment to be where He’s called me to be
o That may mean that I’ll miss some of the parties that I used to attend
o Because He’s called me to be in worship
o He’s called me to minister here or there
o He’s called me to go here or there
o I may not be running with the people that I used to run with
o Because I’ve declared that there is
? One Father
? One Son
? And One Holy Spirit
o I’m following the One true God now
o And I’m not following the god’s of this world
o See, I’m dead to that life
o And I’m raised to a new life in Jesus Christ
o Take a look
o Here’s my commitment
o Here’s my name on the dotted line
o Devil you had your chance
o But you can touch me now
o I’m not your child anymore
o I’m a Child of the King
o I’m a joint heir with Jesus Christ
o I’m free from your vices
o And I’m going to live this free life
o Trusting in the Lord every step that I take
• Third Commission that Jesus gave us
• He commissioned us to teach all that Christ had commanded
o Teaching is just as essential as making disciples and baptizing.
o One is not to be emphasized over the other
o All are part of the commission of Jesus
o You might be asking what the difference is between
? Making disciples
? And teaching
o Well, one is doing what He did
o The other is teaching all that He commanded
o Paul wrote in Colossians
? Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
? Colossians 3:16
o Let the Word of Christ
o If you read the Gospels you have quite a few teachings from the Lord
o Just in the parables alone there are more than 30
o You could spend a year teaching the Sermon on the Mount
o What about His scolding of the Pharisees in Matthew 23
o Not to mention all the one on one teaching that He did
o Or the times that He shared with His disciples
o When you read through Philippians
o Or the books that Paul wrote
o He was constantly teaching Christ
o He wasn’t teaching some new theology
o Some new doctrine
o He was teaching Christ
o What Christ taught and commanded must be studied
o And studied
o To the point of learning and knowing and practicing
o That’s how you know what He did
o So you can do what He did
o And teach other’s what He did
o The commandments of Christ will be the first things taught
o They should be the rule of our society
o Society deteriorates and crumbles when it neglects the teaching and commandments of Christ
o The church deteriorates and crumbles when it neglects the teaching and commandments of Christ
o You as a believer deteriorate and crumble when you neglect the teaching and commandments of Christ
o Don’t believe me
o Stop praying
o Stop coming to worship
o Stop reading His Word
o And see how long your life holds together
o You’ll be calling the church and wanting to know how you can get through the trial that you’re going through
o It happens all the time
o That’s why my first three questions are
? How’s your prayer life
? How’s your worship
? What are you studying in the Bible
• Lastly about the Great Commision
• This gives us a great promise as a Healthy Church
• As a Healthy Believer
• Jesus promised to be with us alway
o Note the word lo, or behold.
o Christ used this striking word to get the attention of His followers,
o To startle them to wake up and listen
o He was about to encourage them in the great task he had charged to their care
o Lo, I am with you
o He gave emphatic assurance
o Not
? I will be with you
o But
? I AM with you
o Christ is with us as we go forward to make disciples fo all nations
o Christ is with us
? Every step
? In every decision
? In every trial
? In every joy
? Every day
? Every hour
? Through every sorrow
? When we’re without
? When we’re poor
? When having nothing
? When having plenty
? When we’re abused
? When we’re sick
? When facing death
o Even unto the end of the world
o There is not a moment when Christ is not with us
o To help us in our witness
o Even if our witness means abuse
o Persecution
o Or martyrdom
o Christ is there
o Standing right beside us
o Right in front of us
o Behind us
o He’s there
o For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them
? Matthew 18:20
o Oh, that’s why I love technology
o When I have a need
o I have a problem
o I’m going through a trial
o I just get my phone out
o Send out a text
o And know that there are at least two or three who are praying
o Guess what,
o May not be two or three in person there with me
o But there are two or three in spirit standing right there with me
o And where two or three are gathered
o Jesus is standing right there
o Even Isaiah wrote
? When thou passes through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee”
? Isaiah 43:2
o Why, because my Lord is standing right there
o The river can’t overflow me
o The fire can’t burn me
o Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness
? Isaiah 41:10
o Oh, when I’m in the thick of it
o There He is with His right hand
o Reaching out to pull me up
o Not that I still don’t have to go through it
o But He’s right there
o He’s standing right there
o He’s got ahold of my hand
o He never let’s go
• The first mark of a healthy church is one that disciples
• Paul and Timothy
• As believers we should be answering the call to seek and save the lost
• So, as we close today
• The fields are white unto harvest
• But the laborers are few
• Will you answer that call this morning
• Will you proclaim publicly that you’re answering that call
• Will you tell the world that
• You have decided to follow Jesus
• No turning back, no turning back
• The world behind you
• The cross before you
• No turning back
• Not looking back
• Not going back
• I’m selling out completely today
• I’m going all the way today
• As Dawn moves to the piano
• Just Dawn moving right now
• Will you move to answer that call
• Whether it’s to answer the call to salvation
• Or whether it’s to answer the call to step out of the comfort zone
• Step out on faith
• And start making disciples
• Start sharing your story
• Start doing what you know the Lord has been calling you to do
• You might be saying right now
o Preacher I don’t know for sure what that is
o But I do know that He’s been calling me
o He’s got something for me to do
• Today, come and ask Him
• Come and commit to Him
• Lay it on the altar
• Lay your all on the altar
• Commit to Him and say
o Lord, I don’t know what
o I don’t know where
o But what I know
o Is that You’re God
o You’re in charge
o I want to follow You
o I want to be obedient
o I want to do what You’ve called me to do
o So, here I am
• Will you commit to that this morning
• Will you answer that call this morning
• If you’re at home and you’re going to answer that call
• Type in the comment that you’re committing to that today
• Kneel at your chair
• Your coffee table
• Pray with us
• Come on
• Don’t wait
• Let’s stand
