Being the Church: A Mission of Healing and Hope
Summary
In our journey to understand what it truly means to be the church, we are reminded that our mission is not confined to the walls of a building but extends to every corner of our lives. Jesus' command in Matthew 28:18-19 is clear: we are to go and make disciples of all nations. This mission begins at home, with our families, and extends to our workplaces and communities. We are called to be the church wherever we are, representing the body of Christ and welcoming those who seek hope and healing.
The church is likened to a hospital, a place where people come seeking healing, deliverance, and hope. Just as I experienced the necessity of staying in the hospital despite discomfort, people come to church seeking answers and solace. It is our responsibility to ensure that they find a welcoming environment where they can encounter Jesus. We must be intentional in creating a space where the lost, lonely, and seeking can find a place to belong and experience the transformative power of Christ.
Our role is to be welcoming, just as Jesus was. He came not for the well-adjusted but for the broken and the lost. We must avoid becoming a clique, focusing only on those we know, and instead open our hearts to those God sends our way. Our mission is to be sensitive to the needs of others, recognizing that every encounter is a divine appointment. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, offering compassion and love to those in need.
As we strive to be a welcoming church, we must also be mindful of the drama that can distract us from our mission. Drama draws attention to ourselves and away from those who need our help. We must focus on creating a drama-free environment where people can find rest and peace in Jesus. Our church should be a sanctuary where people can lay down their burdens and experience the love and grace of God.
Ultimately, our mission is to point people to Jesus, the only one who can truly heal and restore. We are called to be a place where people can come as they are but leave transformed by the love of Christ. Let us commit to being the church that welcomes all, offering hope and healing to a hurting world.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Church's Mission Begins at Home: Our mission to make disciples starts with our families and extends to our communities. We are called to be the church wherever we are, representing Christ and welcoming those who seek hope and healing. [01:31]
2. The Church as a Spiritual Hospital: Just as a hospital provides healing, the church must be a place where people find hope and deliverance. We must be ready to receive those seeking solace and ensure they encounter Jesus. [05:36]
3. Avoiding Cliques and Embracing Compassion: We must avoid becoming a clique, focusing only on those we know. Instead, we should open our hearts to those God sends our way, offering compassion and love to those in need. [10:10]
4. Creating a Drama-Free Environment: Drama distracts us from our mission and draws attention away from those who need our help. We must focus on creating a welcoming environment where people can find rest and peace in Jesus. [24:25]
5. Pointing People to Jesus: Our ultimate mission is to point people to Jesus, the only one who can truly heal and restore. We are called to be a place where people can come as they are but leave transformed by the love of Christ. [28:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:31] - The Church's Mission Begins at Home
- [02:33] - Personal Hospital Experience
- [03:26] - Waiting for Healing
- [04:23] - The Church as a Spiritual Hospital
- [05:36] - A Place to Belong
- [06:54] - Creating a Welcoming Environment
- [08:43] - Training for Discipleship
- [10:10] - Avoiding Cliques
- [11:28] - Welcoming All
- [12:25] - Breaking God's Heart
- [13:06] - Meeting Needs
- [13:41] - Destiny Encounters
- [14:37] - Welcoming with a Smile
- [15:24] - Avoiding Drama
- [16:35] - Creating a Sanctuary
- [17:33] - A Life-Saving Encounter
- [18:04] - Offering Hope
- [19:22] - A Call to Action
- [20:18] - Sensitivity to the Spirit
- [21:23] - Transforming Lives
- [22:27] - Blocking Access to Jesus
- [23:34] - Facilitating Rest and Restoration
- [24:25] - Drama-Free Environment
- [25:09] - Avoiding Drama
- [25:54] - Life-Saving Business
- [26:22] - Jesus' Invitation
- [27:19] - Come to Me
- [28:00] - Infrastructure for Healing
- [28:58] - Rest for Your Souls
- [29:55] - A Place of Peace
- [30:40] - Comfort and Care
- [31:39] - Conforming to God's Standards
- [33:01] - Jesus' Compassionate Touch
- [34:37] - Hands of Compassion
- [35:21] - A Shared Journey to Christlikeness
- [36:20] - Love Lifted Me
- [37:06] - A Call to Belong
- [37:54] - Commitment to Mission
- [38:40] - Prayer of Commitment
- [39:24] - Being a Blessing to Others
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 28:18-19
- Isaiah 61:1
- Romans 15:7
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Matthew 28:18-19, what is the mission Jesus gives to His disciples? How does this mission extend beyond the church building? [01:31]
2. In the sermon, the church is compared to a hospital. What are some reasons people come to church, as mentioned in the sermon? [05:36]
3. How does Romans 15:7 instruct us to welcome others, and what is the significance of this in the context of the church's mission? [14:37]
4. What role does drama play in the church environment, and how can it distract from the church's mission? [24:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the command in Matthew 28:18-19 to make disciples challenge the traditional view of church as a place rather than a mission? [01:31]
2. The sermon describes the church as a spiritual hospital. In what ways can the church ensure it is a place of healing and hope for those who are seeking? [05:36]
3. Romans 15:7 emphasizes welcoming others as Christ welcomed us. What does this look like in practical terms within a church community? [14:37]
4. How can creating a drama-free environment in the church help in fulfilling its mission to point people to Jesus? [24:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own family and home life. How can you begin or continue to make disciples within your own household? What specific steps can you take this week? [01:31]
2. Think about a time when you felt unwelcome or judged in a church setting. How can you ensure that others do not have the same experience when they come to your church? [12:25]
3. Identify a person in your community or workplace who might be seeking hope or healing. How can you be the hands and feet of Jesus to them this week? [10:10]
4. Consider the role of drama in your life. Are there areas where you might be unintentionally creating drama that distracts from your mission? How can you address this? [24:25]
5. How can you create a welcoming environment in your church or small group that reflects the love and compassion of Christ? What specific actions can you take to make newcomers feel valued? [14:37]
6. Reflect on a recent encounter where you might have missed an opportunity to point someone to Jesus. What can you do differently next time to be more sensitive to the Spirit's leading? [21:23]
7. Jesus invites those who are weary to find rest in Him. How can you personally create a space in your life where you can lay down your burdens and experience His peace? [28:58]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church's Mission Begins at Home
Our mission as the church is not limited to the confines of a building but extends to every aspect of our lives. It begins at home, with our families, and reaches out to our workplaces and communities. We are called to be the church wherever we are, representing Christ and welcoming those who seek hope and healing. This mission is rooted in Jesus' command in Matthew 28:18-19 to go and make disciples of all nations. By living out our faith in our daily interactions, we embody the love and grace of Christ, creating opportunities for others to encounter Him. [01:31]
"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children." (Deuteronomy 4:9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally represent Christ in your home and community today, creating opportunities for others to encounter His love?
Day 2: The Church as a Spiritual Hospital
The church is likened to a hospital, a place where people come seeking healing, deliverance, and hope. Just as a hospital provides care for the sick, the church must be a place where people find solace and encounter Jesus. It is our responsibility to ensure that those who come seeking answers find a welcoming environment where they can experience the transformative power of Christ. By being intentional in creating a space for the lost, lonely, and seeking, we fulfill our calling to be the hands and feet of Jesus, offering compassion and love to those in need. [05:36]
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life is in need of spiritual healing or hope? How can you be a source of comfort and support for them today?
Day 3: Avoiding Cliques and Embracing Compassion
We must avoid becoming a clique, focusing only on those we know, and instead open our hearts to those God sends our way. Jesus came not for the well-adjusted but for the broken and the lost. Our mission is to be sensitive to the needs of others, recognizing that every encounter is a divine appointment. By embracing compassion and love, we create a welcoming environment where people can find a place to belong and experience the love of Christ. This requires us to step out of our comfort zones and be intentional in reaching out to those who may feel marginalized or overlooked. [10:10]
"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone new or unfamiliar in your community or church that you can reach out to with compassion and hospitality this week?
Day 4: Creating a Drama-Free Environment
Drama can distract us from our mission and draw attention away from those who need our help. As a church, we must focus on creating a drama-free environment where people can find rest and peace in Jesus. This means being mindful of our actions and words, ensuring that we are not contributing to unnecessary conflict or division. By fostering a sanctuary of peace, we allow others to lay down their burdens and experience the love and grace of God. Our church should be a place where people can come as they are but leave transformed by the love of Christ. [24:25]
"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14, ESV)
Reflection: Are there any areas of conflict or drama in your life that you need to address or let go of to create a more peaceful environment for yourself and others?
Day 5: Pointing People to Jesus
Our ultimate mission is to point people to Jesus, the only one who can truly heal and restore. We are called to be a place where people can come as they are but leave transformed by the love of Christ. This requires us to be intentional in our interactions, ensuring that we are reflecting the character of Jesus in all that we do. By living out our faith authentically, we create opportunities for others to encounter the transformative power of Christ. Let us commit to being the church that welcomes all, offering hope and healing to a hurting world. [28:58]
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively point someone to Jesus today through your words, actions, or presence?
Quotes
1) "The mission of the church is to go and make disciples. Disciples. To go and help people mature as followers of Jesus Christ. And we saw last week that that all begins in your own home. With your own family, the ones that make you go loopy sometimes. That's the mission field. That's our first mission field, to get it right at home. And then we can go forth and do it on our jobs and in our communities and every place else. But it starts at... Home. Jesus' call to us is that we are supposed to go wherever the people are. And let them know that there is hope and there is a difference that God can make in their lives." [01:31] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "People come to the church in much the same way. They're seeking healing, seeking deliverance, seeking hope, seeking help, seeking a way out of their situation. And when they come, if we aren't ready to receive them properly. We can actually end up. We can actually end up turning off someone who is looking for salvation and hope in the only name that matters, which is the name of Jesus. And so I want us for the next few minutes to talk about a place to belong, a place to belong, because we have to make the gathering of ourselves together called the church, the called out ones, as inviting and welcoming." [05:36] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Our goal, our mission is to create a church environment where the lost, the lonely, the seeking can find a place to come and encounter Jesus. And whether people realize it or not, and oftentimes they don't, everyone needs Jesus. They may not know it. They know they've got issues, but they think they can. They can solve their issues, but they get an invitation to come to church. Let me just come to church, see what it's all about. They don't realize that they're coming because they need an encounter with Jesus. And one thing we cannot do is allow our stuff, our issues, our idiosyncrasies to somehow cause a person that's looking for Jesus to miss him." [06:54] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "The church should be welcoming. Just like a hospital, the church cannot turn away someone looking for what Jesus has to offer. There's not a problem you face that Jesus does not have an answer to. In fact, when Jesus started his ministry in Luke. Chapter four, he preached his first sermon and he took his text from Isaiah chapter 61 verse one. I want you to look at that with me. Isaiah 61 one says the spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me for the Lord has anointed me to bring. Come on church to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners. We'll be free." [10:10] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "When the church neglects its role as a spiritual hospital, it becomes a click and a click is a stench in God's nostrils. I know we didn't mean to kind of slip into it. We just have friends in the church and we like being with the people we know. But God didn't send you here to be with the people you know. He sent you here to be his eyes and ears to help those who are lost. And if all you do is keep your eyes on the people you know, the people you like, the people you hang out with, then you're going to miss the people that God has sent you here for." [11:28] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Our role is to create a warm, welcoming environment around us and in the church that makes people feel valued and secure. We are called to welcome others as Christ has welcomed us, making this church and wherever you are a sanctuary where everyone can find peace and peace. Every person we encounter should feel welcome because it may be their last chance. Years ago, when we had just moved into this building, we were having a great worship time, and a gentleman came in. He's a veteran from the military. We had never seen him before." [17:33] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "God wants to transform people's lives. And there's so many hurting people out here. And there's so many people that are hurting in here. And what I'm saying to you is the same Jesus that wants to use you to help other people, he's willing to use those around you to help you. And church, I want us to be sensitive to people. want us to be sensitive so that God can speak to us and say, I know they're smiling and they look like everything is okay. But you go tell them that. I love them. You go tell them that they're not alone. You go give them a hug and let them know that everything is going to be all right." [21:23] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Because when a person comes in your presence or a person comes into this church, they're coming, whether they know it or not, at the request of Jesus. Because Jesus says, Matthew chapter 11, Jesus says, come to me. That's Jesus' invitation to you and to your friends and the people you come across. I know you can't handle what life is throwing at you. I know the burden is heavy. I know the worries are overwhelming. I know it's overtaking you. And I know you can't handle them. And I'm not going to condemn you. I'm not going to say it's all your fault. All I'm going to say is, come to me. Come to me." [27:19] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "Jesus said, come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Now, I'm not talking about eight hours of sleep. Because you can have eight hours of sleep and still be tired. Still be worn out. Still be weary and everything else. He says, take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart. And you will find. Once again, that word, rest for your souls. Your mind is just out of control with all the worries and cares and all the things going on. He says, if you come to me, let me teach you. You will find rest for your souls." [28:58] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "Because Jesus' promise is simple and we're done. God's promise is simple yet profound. You can come as you are, but you won't leave as you came. Amen. In today's culture, there's a constant pressure to conform to sinful standards. But we can't, I know y'all got quiet right there, but we can't conform to what the world says is good. As a Bible-based church, as a church that stands on what God has told us to do, we must stay steadfast on God's word. Now what does that mean? It means that we won't alienate you for your sins. That was a good place for it, amen. We can also not affirm those sins either." [31:39] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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