Aligning Purpose with God's Mission in the Church

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound connection between our individual purpose and the collective mission of the church. We began by emphasizing the importance of world missions, highlighting our commitment to supporting missionaries like Jason and Katrina Bickett. Our goal is to be their largest contributor, reflecting our dedication to spreading the gospel globally. We also discussed the significance of the Go Offering, which supports projects overseas and church planting in the United States, ensuring that 100% of contributions are reinvested into ministry.

As we continue our series "Made for More," we delved into the idea that God's Word, when remembered, transforms our lives. We examined the concept of God's pattern, as seen in Exodus, where God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle according to His design. This principle teaches us that while God visits everywhere, He only inhabits what He designs. This understanding challenges us to align our lives and our church with God's divine blueprint.

We explored the progressive revelation of God's kingdom, from the promise and prophecy in the Gospels to the birth of the church in Acts, and finally to the mature understanding of the church as the body of Christ in the epistles. This journey illustrates how the church evolves from a promise to a living, dynamic entity, much like a child growing into maturity.

In Matthew 16 and 18, we see the dual nature of the church: the universal church, built on the revelation of Christ, and the local church, where we find our place and function. This duality emphasizes the importance of being contributors, not just consumers, in the body of Christ. Each of us has a unique role, and by serving in our local church, we connect to the greater purpose God has for us.

As we concluded, we invited those who don't know Jesus to commit their lives to Him, offering a prayer of salvation. We also encouraged everyone to find their place in the church, whether through joining a team or participating in a circle, to grow in faith and fulfill their God-given purpose.

Key Takeaways:

- World Missions Commitment: Our dedication to world missions reflects our heart for global evangelism. By supporting missionaries and contributing to projects like the Go Offering, we extend our reach beyond local boundaries, fulfilling the Great Commission. This commitment challenges us to consider how we can personally contribute to spreading the gospel worldwide. [23:41]

- God's Pattern and Presence: God's presence inhabits what He designs. This principle, seen in the construction of the tabernacle, calls us to align our lives and church with God's divine blueprint. It challenges us to seek His design in our personal and corporate lives, ensuring that we are places where His presence dwells. [42:43]

- Progressive Revelation of the Church: The church's journey from promise to maturity mirrors our spiritual growth. Understanding this progression helps us see our role in the body of Christ, encouraging us to contribute to the church's mission and embrace our unique purpose within it. [57:29]

- Universal and Local Church Dynamics: The church is both universal and local, with each believer finding their place and function. This duality emphasizes the importance of being active contributors, not just consumers, in our local church, as we collectively fulfill God's mission on earth. [01:07:58]

- Invitation to Salvation and Purpose: We are invited to commit our lives to Jesus and discover our purpose within the church. By joining a team or participating in a circle, we grow in faith and contribute to the church's mission, aligning our lives with God's greater plan. [01:20:04]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:41] - World Missions Commitment
[28:26] - Overcoming Winter Challenges
[30:41] - Praying for Provision
[33:26] - Importance of Note-Taking
[36:59] - Made for More Series
[40:30] - God's Pattern for His House
[42:43] - God's Presence and Design
[45:50] - Progressive Revelation
[47:56] - The Growth of the Church
[51:05] - The Church in the Gospels
[54:05] - The Birth of the Church in Acts
[57:29] - The Mature Church in the Epistles
[01:00:29] - Understanding Ekklesia
[01:07:58] - Universal and Local Church
[01:13:39] - Invitation to Salvation
[01:20:04] - Finding Your Purpose in the Church

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Exodus 25:8-9
- Matthew 16:13-18
- Matthew 18:15-20

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Observation Questions:

1. In Exodus 25:8-9, what specific instructions did God give Moses regarding the construction of the tabernacle? How does this reflect the importance of following God's design? [40:30]

2. According to Matthew 16:13-18, what revelation did Peter receive about Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to this revelation? [01:01:41]

3. In Matthew 18:15-20, what steps are outlined for resolving conflicts within the church? How does this passage emphasize the role of the local church? [01:05:22]

4. How does the sermon describe the dual nature of the church as both universal and local, and what examples are given to illustrate this concept? [01:07:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the principle that "God only inhabits what He designs" mean for both individual believers and the church as a whole? How can this principle be applied in our lives today? [42:43]

2. How does the progression from the promise and prophecy of the church in the Gospels to its birth in Acts and maturity in the epistles illustrate the growth of the church? What does this teach us about spiritual growth? [57:29]

3. In what ways does the sermon challenge the idea of being a consumer in the church rather than a contributor? How does this relate to finding one's purpose within the church? [01:07:58]

4. How does the concept of the church as the "body of Christ" in the epistles provide a more complete understanding of the church's role and function? [57:29]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea that "God only inhabits what He designs." Are there areas in your life or in your church involvement where you need to seek God's design more intentionally? How can you begin to align with His blueprint? [42:43]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of world missions. How can you personally contribute to spreading the gospel globally? Are there specific actions you can take to support missionaries or mission projects? [23:41]

3. Consider the dual nature of the church as both universal and local. How can you actively participate in your local church to fulfill God's mission on earth? What role do you see yourself playing? [01:07:58]

4. The sermon invites those who don't know Jesus to commit their lives to Him. If you have already made this commitment, how can you help others in your community to find their place in the church and grow in faith? [01:13:39]

5. Think about the progressive revelation of the church from the Gospels to the epistles. How does understanding this progression help you see your role in the body of Christ? What steps can you take to embrace your unique purpose within the church? [57:29]

6. The sermon encourages joining a team or participating in a circle to grow in faith. Are you currently involved in any church activities or groups? If not, what steps can you take to become more engaged and connected? [01:20:04]

7. Reflect on the invitation to salvation and purpose. If you have not yet committed your life to Jesus, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you deepen your relationship with Him and discover more of your God-given purpose? [01:13:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Commitment to Global Evangelism
The call to world missions is a profound expression of our faith, reflecting a commitment to the Great Commission. Supporting missionaries like Jason and Katrina Bickett and contributing to projects such as the Go Offering are tangible ways to extend the reach of the gospel beyond local boundaries. This commitment challenges each believer to consider their personal role in spreading the gospel worldwide. By being the largest contributor to these missions, the church demonstrates its dedication to global evangelism, encouraging individuals to think about how they can personally contribute to this cause. [23:41]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you personally contribute to spreading the gospel in your community or beyond this week?


Day 2: Aligning with God's Divine Blueprint
God's presence inhabits what He designs, as illustrated by the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus. This principle calls believers to align their lives and their church with God's divine blueprint. It challenges individuals to seek His design in both personal and corporate aspects of life, ensuring that they become places where His presence dwells. By understanding and applying this principle, believers can create environments that invite and sustain God's presence, both in their personal lives and within their church community. [42:43]

"Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst." (Exodus 25:8, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your life needs realignment with God's design, and how can you begin this process today?


Day 3: The Church's Journey to Maturity
The church's evolution from promise to maturity mirrors the spiritual growth of believers. This journey, from the promise and prophecy in the Gospels to the birth of the church in Acts, and finally to the mature understanding of the church as the body of Christ in the epistles, illustrates the dynamic nature of the church. Understanding this progression helps believers see their role in the body of Christ, encouraging them to contribute to the church's mission and embrace their unique purpose within it. [57:29]

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the growth and maturity of your local church community?


Day 4: Embracing the Dual Nature of the Church
The church exists in both universal and local forms, with each believer finding their place and function within it. This duality emphasizes the importance of being active contributors, not just consumers, in the local church. By serving in their local church, believers connect to the greater purpose God has for them, collectively fulfilling God's mission on earth. This understanding encourages individuals to find their unique role and actively participate in the life of their church community. [01:07:58]

"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." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gifts or talents can you offer to your local church, and how can you begin to use them this week?


Day 5: Discovering Purpose through Commitment to Christ
The invitation to commit one's life to Jesus is an invitation to discover one's purpose within the church. By joining a team or participating in a circle, believers grow in faith and contribute to the church's mission, aligning their lives with God's greater plan. This commitment to Christ and His church is a journey of faith and purpose, encouraging individuals to find their place and actively participate in the life of their church community. [01:20:04]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you take a step today to deepen your commitment to Christ and discover your purpose within your church community?

Quotes

We are fasting and praying. And so the first prayer point was our point of presence that Lindsay so wonderfully prayed over. Our second is provision. Now, we just prayed over our offering. But I want us to pause as we get ready to go into the message. I want us to pray over provision for your home and for Harvest Church. Amen? We are believing for finances to increase here. [00:29:57] (34 seconds)


We understand that God has more for our lives individually than we are currently experiencing. God has purpose. If you have breath, God. If you have breath, God has purpose. Amen? You know, I've heard people say, well, I've done my time. No, no, no, no, no. If you have breath, God has purpose. [00:34:26] (23 seconds)


Here's the principle I want you to understand. God visits everywhere. But God only inhabits what he designs. God will visit anywhere. But God only... God only inhabits what he designs. That's why if you look back over the years. Man, there have been revivals here and revivals there. I mean, God will visit anywhere. He'll show up and he'll bless his people. [00:43:56] (36 seconds)


I don't know if you've ever experienced that or not. But there are times when God will begin to deal with stuff in your own life. And He doesn't show you everything at once. He starts with part of it over here. And then when you begin to deal with that and you grasp it and you're able to chew that up and really digest that, then He'll move on and show you a little bit more. [00:45:50] (22 seconds)


And we begin to see the wording changes and the word changes from the rest of Acts through the epistles because while it's talking about the church it uses the term, especially the apostle Paul, he uses the term the body. And most theologians will agree that it's the most complete understanding, theological understanding of what the church Christ's body, Christ's bride is in the earth. [00:57:55] (44 seconds)


There are places for every person in the body you go well I'm an extrovert awesome let us put you right out here at the front door you go well I'm an introvert great let us put you in the sound booth awesome right because there's a place for every person in the body because we all find our place and our function and we all grow into our more individually by connecting and serving in the more corporately. [01:11:10] (45 seconds)


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Transcript
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