Sermon Central
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Staying On The Mission Series
Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jun 29, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: Everyone's circumstances have been drastically altered by Covid-19 and quarantines. This has been especially true for the church. Even as we have change and adapted so many of our practices, we must remember that our mission has not changed.
You can listen to the audio of the sermon at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4355999
Intro:
• It’s been a crazy, busy time trying to figure out how to adapt to our circumstances these past months.
• Normal routine shattered. Changing nearly everything we do while still trying to fulfill our mandate as the church.
o Some of the things we’ve done:
? Online services
? “church to go” kits
? Reopening changes when we got ready to come back.
o Still figuring all that out.
• But in the midst of all the disruption, the primary purpose of the church has never changed and never will: to be disciples and to invite others to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
• A familiar passage for us today but vitally important for us to put in place as the filter for everything we do as a church. Now more than ever.
Matthew 28:18–20 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
• I want us to focus our attention on the “all” aspect of this passage today. I believe this speaks to our circumstances perfectly.
• We’re not “sorta” disciples during quarantine. We’re not limited in making disciples during the pandemic. No, we’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime to reimagine what it means and what we need to do to fulfill this mission together.
All Authority
• Answer: Jesus has all authority through his perfect life, sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. So God made him ruler of the world.
Matthew 28:18 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
• He has given us his authority as his ambassadors.
2 Corinthians 5:20 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
• We are all called to this mission. How?
• It’s intimidating to share our faith. What if I can’t answer questions? What if my life doesn’t measure up? What if I’m rejected or lose my job?
• Practically, we extend forgiveness and grace in the name of Jesus and through his blood.
• This is the job of all Christians. (Hebrews - priesthood of believers)
Revelation 1:6 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
• What that means is we’re going to have direction from Jesus when we need it:
Matthew 10:19–20 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. 20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
All of the Nations (Everyone, Everywhere)
Matthew 28:19 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
• The goal has always been to move “out” from our center.
• GO = “as you are going.”
Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
• Nearly every religious tradition moves people inward - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
• Christian “hierarchy” is to move responsibility and authority down, not up.
All of the Commands (Teach Everything)
Matthew 28:20 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
• Not that hard.
• Boiled down to two:
Matthew 22:37–4037 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
• Easy to memorize, impossible to perfect.
• This is why we teach and preach over and over
• Our role is teach everywhere, all the time.
All (of us) Making Disciples
Mark 16:15–16 15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
