Called to Rescue: Embracing Our Kingdom Mission

 

Summary

In today's message, we delved into the profound truth that God saved us for a purpose beyond ourselves. Our primary mission as believers is to join God in the work of rescuing others. This is not a secondary aspect of our faith but the very heartbeat of God's intention for us. The scripture in Proverbs 24:11-12 serves as a clarion call to action, urging us to rescue those being led away to death and to hold back those staggering toward slaughter. This is not a metaphorical charge; it is a literal and urgent command to engage in the spiritual battle for souls.

We live in a world ensnared by chaos, wickedness, and evil. Many are blinded by these forces, stumbling toward their spiritual demise without the hope of the Gospel. Our role is not to shelter within the walls of the church but to venture out and intervene in the lives of those on the precipice of eternal separation from God. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus, actively preventing people from continuing on a path that leads to spiritual death.

Our Kingdom Builder partners exemplify this mission. They are the ones who stand in the gap, who place themselves in the path of those heading toward spiritual destruction, saying, "No further." They embody the collective effort of the church to reach the lost, and when we support them, we participate in this divine rescue operation.

The analogy of being caught in a riptide powerfully illustrates our condition before Christ and the plight of those still lost. Just as one struggles against the overwhelming force of the current, so do people struggle against the currents of sin and despair. It is only through the concerted effort of many, linking arms and pulling together, that we can bring individuals to the safety of God's love.

This year, we are called to dream bigger, to set goals that stretch our faith and compel us to act. We must reject the notion that the church exists merely to feed us spiritually. Instead, we must embrace the true mission of the church—to rescue. As we commit to this cause, we will find ourselves spiritually nourished in ways that sermons and Bible studies alone cannot provide.

In conclusion, we are invited to become Kingdom Builders, to ask God what role He desires us to play in this mission. Whether through prayer, financial support, or hands-on ministry, each of us has a part to play in the rescue God is orchestrating. Let us respond to this call with faith and obedience, trusting that God will use our collective efforts to save many.

Key Takeaways:

- God's heart is for rescue, and as His followers, we are called to be active participants in this mission. Our faith is not a passive experience but a dynamic engagement with the world, seeking to save those who are lost. This is the essence of being a Kingdom Builder, and it is a cause that should stir our hearts and move us to action. [29:50 ]

- The church is not a sanctuary for the saved but a launchpad for rescue missions. We must resist the temptation to become inward-focused and instead look outward, recognizing the urgency of reaching those who are perishing without the knowledge of Christ. Our gatherings should equip and propel us into the world to share the hope we have. [31:04 ]

- The act of rescuing others is not only a service to them but also a source of deep spiritual nourishment for us. There is a profound joy and fulfillment that comes from participating in God's redemptive work. As we pour ourselves out for the sake of others, we find that God replenishes us in ways we could not have imagined. [28:00 ]

- Our collective efforts as a church have a far greater impact than what we could achieve individually. When we link arms as a community of believers, supporting missions and missionaries, we extend the reach of the Gospel to the farthest corners of the earth. This unity in purpose exemplifies the power of the Body of Christ in action. [35:33 ]

- Commitment to the cause of Kingdom Builders is a tangible expression of our partnership with God and with each other. It is a declaration of our willingness to be used by God to bring about His kingdom on earth. As we commit our resources, time, and prayers, we join a movement that has eternal significance. [43:25 ]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 24:11-12 (ESV): "Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'Behold, we did not know this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?"

2. Luke 19:10 (ESV): "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

3. 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 24:11-12, what are believers commanded to do for those who are being led away to death? How does this align with the sermon’s message about our mission as Christians? [30:27]
2. In Luke 19:10, what does Jesus say is His primary mission? How does this mission relate to the concept of being a Kingdom Builder as discussed in the sermon? [21:08]
3. What does 2 Peter 3:9 reveal about God's heart for humanity? How does this verse support the sermon’s emphasis on rescue? [29:11]
4. The sermon used the analogy of a riptide to describe the struggle against sin and despair. How does this analogy help us understand the urgency of our mission? [34:13]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the command in Proverbs 24:11-12 challenge our typical understanding of Christian responsibility? What practical steps can we take to "rescue those being taken away to death"? [30:27]
2. Jesus’ mission in Luke 19:10 is to seek and save the lost. How should this mission shape the priorities and activities of a local church? [21:08]
3. Reflecting on 2 Peter 3:9, what does it mean for us to align our hearts with God's desire that none should perish? How can this shape our daily interactions and decisions? [29:11]
4. The sermon mentioned that the act of rescuing others provides deep spiritual nourishment. Why do you think this is the case, and how can this understanding motivate us to engage more in rescue missions? [28:00]

#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that the church is a launchpad for rescue missions, not just a sanctuary for the saved. How can you personally contribute to this mission in your community? [31:04]
2. Think about the analogy of the riptide. Are there people in your life who are struggling against the currents of sin and despair? What specific actions can you take to help "rescue" them? [34:13]
3. The sermon called us to dream bigger and set goals that stretch our faith. What is one specific, faith-stretching goal you can set for yourself this year to participate in God's rescue mission? [40:44]
4. Supporting Kingdom Builders can be done through prayer, financial support, or hands-on ministry. Which of these areas do you feel called to contribute to, and what steps will you take to start or increase your involvement? [43:25]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually nourished by helping others. How can you create more opportunities for such experiences in your life? [28:00]
6. The sermon mentioned that our collective efforts as a church have a far greater impact than individual efforts. How can you encourage and mobilize others in your church or small group to join in rescue missions? [35:33]
7. The sermon challenged us to reject the idea that the church's primary mission is to feed us spiritually. How can you shift your focus from being spiritually fed to actively participating in the church's mission to rescue others? [40:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Active Participation in Divine Rescue
God's heart beats for the rescue of the lost, and He calls His followers to be active participants in this mission. This is not a passive experience but a dynamic engagement with the world. Believers are urged to step out of their comfort zones and into the spiritual battlefield, where the stakes are eternal souls. This active participation is the essence of being a Kingdom Builder, a role that requires courage, compassion, and a willingness to be used by God in the lives of others. It is a cause that should stir the heart and move one to action, reflecting the love and urgency of God's own pursuit of humanity. [29:50]

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10 ESV)

Reflection: How can you step out of your spiritual comfort zone this week to actively participate in God's mission of rescue?

Day 2: The Church as a Launchpad for Missions
The church is not merely a sanctuary for the saved but a launchpad for rescue missions. Believers must resist the temptation to become inward-focused and instead look outward, recognizing the urgency of reaching those who are perishing without the knowledge of Christ. The gatherings of the faithful should serve as a time of equipping and propelling believers into the world to share the hope they have in Jesus. This outward focus is essential for fulfilling the Great Commission and for the church to truly function as the Body of Christ in the world. [31:04]

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

Reflection: What is one specific way you can turn your focus outward this week to share the hope of Christ with someone?

Day 3: Spiritual Nourishment Through Service
Rescuing others is not only a service to them but also a source of deep spiritual nourishment for those who serve. There is a profound joy and fulfillment that comes from participating in God's redemptive work. As believers pour themselves out for the sake of others, they find that God replenishes them in unexpected and abundant ways. This spiritual nourishment is a testament to the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and it underscores the transformative power of serving others in love. [28:00]

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." (Proverbs 11:25 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you serve someone else this week, and how might this act of service nourish your own spiritual life?

Day 4: Unity in Purpose as the Body of Christ
The collective efforts of the church have a far greater impact than what could be achieved individually. When believers link arms as a community, supporting missions and missionaries, they extend the reach of the Gospel to the farthest corners of the earth. This unity in purpose exemplifies the power of the Body of Christ in action, demonstrating that the church is not a collection of isolated individuals but a united force for the Kingdom of God. [35:33]

"From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." (Ephesians 4:16 ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity and collective effort of your church community in its mission work this week?

Day 5: Commitment to Kingdom Building
Commitment to the cause of Kingdom Builders is a tangible expression of partnership with God and with each other. It is a declaration of willingness to be used by God to bring about His kingdom on earth. As believers commit their resources, time, and prayers, they join a movement of eternal significance, aligning their lives with God's purposes and experiencing the joy of being part of something much larger than themselves. [43:25]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific resource, time, or prayer commitment you can make this week to support the Kingdom-building efforts of your church?

Quotes

1) "The primary mission of the local church is to rescue people. That's the essence of being a Kingdom Builder, joining with God at the center of His heart." [29:50 ] (Download)

2) "We live in a world full of chaos and wickedness, and Jesus says, 'I want you to get out there and do everything you can to rescue people who are blindly going to their spiritual death.'" [31:04 ] (Download)

3) "There's something about joining Jesus in rescuing people that spiritually feeds your soul like no sermon could ever do, like no Bible study could ever do." [28:00 ] (Download)

4) "When we unify together, we can rescue more people and hold more people back from stumbling toward their spiritual slaughter than anything ever that you could do alone." [35:33 ] (Download)

5) "The rescue Society got so wrapped up in their meetings and equipment that their boats went out into the frigid waters rescuing people less and less, until one day they didn't go out anymore." [25:03 ] (Download)

6) "The greatest demises of Christianity and the local church is that we have forgotten what the primary mission of the local churches: that Jesus Christ came and he died on the cross so that the church could join with him in rescuing people." [26:15 ] (Download)

7) "God saved you for a reason: He saved you so that you could rescue people. That's your primary mission, and the Bible talks about this over and over again." [29:50 ] (Download)

8) "Let's dream bigger in 2024 than ever before. Let's reject the idea that the primary mission of the local church is just to feed me. Let's lean in and go, the primary mission is God, you saved me so that I can help rescue others." [40:44 ] (Download)

9) "I invite you to make a commitment in your Kingdom Builder book. Every single person has a family unit has one of these commitment cards. We just want the bottom piece, the upper piece you can keep in your kingdom Builder book as a bookmark." [41:55 ] (Download)

10) "When you are a kingdom Builder, you're joining with God at the center of His heart. At the center of God's heart is that none would perish but all would have eternal life." [29:11 ] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?