Empowered Mission: Following Jesus Together
Summary
Guiding people to find and follow Jesus is the mission of our church, a mission that echoes the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28. Just as President Kennedy set a bold mission to land a man on the moon, we too have a mission that requires dedication, teamwork, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Our mission is not about growing our church for its own sake but about expanding God's kingdom by making disciples of all nations. This mission is a collective effort, much like the teamwork required in space missions or sports teams, where each member plays a crucial role.
The Great Commission calls us to "go" and make disciples, which means actively engaging with the world around us. This isn't a passive command but an active, ongoing mission that involves every aspect of our lives. Whether at work, school, or in our communities, we are called to share the gospel and live out our faith. This requires preparation, much like the rigorous training astronauts undergo. We must be grounded in Scripture, prayer, and community to be effective in our mission.
Working together is essential. Just as NASA's success depended on the collaboration of scientists, engineers, and astronauts, our mission depends on the unity and cooperation of the church body. Each of us has unique gifts and roles, and when we work together, we can achieve far more than we could alone. The Holy Spirit empowers us, providing the strength and guidance needed to fulfill our mission. This empowerment is not a one-time event but a continual process that grows as we practice and engage in our faith.
Our mission is too significant for any one person to accomplish alone. It requires the collective effort of the church, both locally and globally. We are called to be missionaries in our everyday lives, contributing to God's kingdom through our actions and words. As we commit to this mission, we must ask ourselves how we are personally contributing to God's work and how we can deepen our engagement in serving Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Mission of the Church: Our mission is to guide people to find and follow Jesus, echoing the Great Commission. This mission is not about us but about expanding God's kingdom. We are called to actively engage with the world, sharing the gospel and living out our faith in every aspect of our lives. [06:27]
2. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill our mission. This empowerment is dynamic and ongoing, providing the strength and guidance needed to be effective witnesses for Christ. As we practice our faith, we grow in our ability to share the gospel and live out our mission. [20:38]
3. The Importance of Teamwork: Just as NASA's success depended on teamwork, our mission requires the unity and cooperation of the church body. Each of us has unique gifts and roles, and when we work together, we can achieve far more than we could alone. [15:18]
4. Active Engagement in Mission: The command to "go" in the Great Commission is an active, ongoing mission. We are called to be missionaries in our everyday lives, contributing to God's kingdom through our actions and words. This requires preparation and dedication, much like the training astronauts undergo. [10:49]
5. Personal Contribution to God's Kingdom: We must ask ourselves how we are personally contributing to God's mission. This involves deepening our engagement in serving Him and using our unique gifts to further His kingdom. God has equipped each of us for this purpose, and we must be willing to step out in faith. [28:32]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[04:09] - The Bold Mission to the Moon
[05:16] - The Importance of Having a Mission
[06:27] - Our Church's Mission
[07:19] - The Great Commission
[09:02] - Teamwork in Missions
[10:49] - The Call to Go
[15:18] - Working Together as the Church
[18:33] - Unique Roles and Gifts
[20:38] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
[21:36] - Practicing Our Faith
[22:27] - Overcoming Challenges
[24:30] - Sharing the Gospel
[25:29] - No Excuses for Not Sharing
[26:30] - Unity in Mission
[27:16] - Commitment to Serve
[28:32] - Deepening Engagement
[32:19] - Discovering Your Role
[33:01] - Personal Story and Encouragement
[35:43] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 28:18-20
- Acts 1:8
- 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the mission of the church as described in Matthew 28:18-20? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on guiding people to find and follow Jesus? [07:19]
2. How does the sermon compare the teamwork required for NASA's missions to the teamwork needed within the church? [09:02]
3. According to Acts 1:8, what role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering believers for their mission? How was this concept explained in the sermon? [20:38]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the importance of being prepared and trained for the mission, similar to astronauts? [10:49]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 challenge believers to engage with the world around them? What does this look like in practical terms? [07:19]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit's empowerment is a continual process rather than a one-time event? How can this understanding impact a believer's daily life? [20:38]
3. How does the analogy of teamwork in space missions help us understand the importance of unity and cooperation within the church? What are the potential outcomes when the church works together effectively? [15:18]
4. What does it mean to be a missionary in everyday life, according to the sermon? How can believers identify their unique roles in contributing to God's kingdom? [10:49]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal contribution to God's mission. What specific actions can you take this week to guide someone to find and follow Jesus? [28:32]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of preparation and training. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of Scripture and strengthen your prayer life to be more effective in your mission? [10:49]
3. Consider the unique gifts and roles you have within the church. How can you use these gifts to foster unity and cooperation in your church community? [15:18]
4. The sermon mentions the dynamic empowerment of the Holy Spirit. How can you cultivate a habit of relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily interactions and decisions? [20:38]
5. Identify one area in your life where you can actively engage in the Great Commission. What practical steps will you take to share the gospel in that context? [07:19]
6. Think about a time when you worked as part of a team to achieve a common goal. How can you apply those teamwork principles to your involvement in church activities and missions? [09:02]
7. The sermon challenges us to be missionaries in our everyday lives. Who is one person you can reach out to this week to share your faith journey with them? [10:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Expanding God's Kingdom Through Active Engagement
Our mission as a church is to guide people to find and follow Jesus, echoing the Great Commission. This mission is not about us but about expanding God's kingdom. We are called to actively engage with the world, sharing the gospel and living out our faith in every aspect of our lives. This requires us to be intentional in our interactions, whether at work, school, or in our communities. We must be prepared to share the hope we have in Christ, always ready to give an answer for the faith that is within us. This active engagement is a lifelong commitment, not a one-time event. [06:27]
"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" (1 Chronicles 16:24, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your daily life can you intentionally share the gospel with this week, and how can you prepare to do so?
Day 2: Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill our mission. This empowerment is dynamic and ongoing, providing the strength and guidance needed to be effective witnesses for Christ. As we practice our faith, we grow in our ability to share the gospel and live out our mission. The Holy Spirit equips us with the necessary tools and courage to step out in faith, even when we feel inadequate. This empowerment is not just for personal growth but for the edification of the church and the expansion of God's kingdom. [20:38]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's empowerment, and how can you invite Him to guide you today?
Day 3: Unity and Cooperation in the Church
Just as NASA's success depended on teamwork, our mission requires the unity and cooperation of the church body. Each of us has unique gifts and roles, and when we work together, we can achieve far more than we could alone. The church is a diverse body, and each member is essential to its function. By valuing each other's contributions and working in harmony, we can effectively carry out the mission God has given us. This unity is a testament to the world of God's love and power. [15:18]
"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: How can you use your unique gifts to contribute to the unity and mission of your church community this week?
Day 4: The Call to Be Everyday Missionaries
The command to "go" in the Great Commission is an active, ongoing mission. We are called to be missionaries in our everyday lives, contributing to God's kingdom through our actions and words. This requires preparation and dedication, much like the training astronauts undergo. We must be grounded in Scripture, prayer, and community to be effective in our mission. By living out our faith authentically, we can impact those around us and draw them closer to Christ. [10:49]
"Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to be more intentional in living out your faith as a missionary in your daily life?
Day 5: Personal Contribution to God's Kingdom
We must ask ourselves how we are personally contributing to God's mission. This involves deepening our engagement in serving Him and using our unique gifts to further His kingdom. God has equipped each of us for this purpose, and we must be willing to step out in faith. By examining our lives and aligning our actions with God's will, we can make a meaningful impact in the world around us. This personal contribution is a vital part of the collective mission of the church. [28:32]
"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 unique gifts has God given you, and how can you use them to serve others and contribute to His kingdom this week?
Quotes
"Guiding people to find and follow Jesus. This is the mission of our church, to guide people to find and follow Jesus. The church isn't about us. The church is about the job that God has given us, and that job is to guide people to find and follow Jesus." [00:06:41]
"Go, therefore, this is a command of God, go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always to the end of the age." [00:07:36]
"That's what church is that's what discipleship is that's what's learning what the christian life is living and that passage and i say this every time i talk about this passage of the great commission that passage go that word go is better translated while you are going because you are going into the world unless you sit in your house and hide out and just sit in the closet all day you are in the world you go to the grocery store you go to work you go to school you go to sporting events you are out there and you have the opportunity to share the gospel you have a role in fulfilling this mission that has been given to us by god god has called you to be a missionary" [00:11:24]
"God has called us as the Big C Church. The Big C Church is the Church of God around the world to work together to do what? Tendency. To preach the gospel and to make disciples. So the first point is our mission is given to us by God. That's the Great Commission. Jesus said all power has been given unto me." [00:10:18]
"God has called all of us together in this local church with the goal of growing his kingdom god has called our brothers and sisters who go to other bible teaching churches in our area to work together to grow his kingdom when we're having our baptism and child dedication next sunday god deals with child because we don't have the facility here to do it we're going to go to grace community church that church preaches the gospel and there are brothers and sisters in christ and they're letting us use their facility to do the baptism so that we don't have to take samaya and cache down to the river" [00:12:00]
"thirdly the holy spirit empowers us and unites us to do it to do the mission in acts 1 8 it says but you shall receive power when the holy spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in jerusalem and in all judea and samaria and to the ends of the earth if you are a christian the holy spirit has come upon you it is the spirit of god" [00:19:26]
"that indwells us when we because when we give our lives to christ it is the spirit of god of God that works within us and wills in us to do his good pleasure. Philippians 2 .13 tells us that it is God who works in you and wills in you to do his good pleasure. God has given his spirit to you and to me and empowers us to do the job that he's given us, to complete the mission that he's given us. And he empowers us at home. The verse says, in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." [00:19:59]
"It is a dynamic power that happens and fills us every day. God continually is giving us the power to do the things that he wants to do. And he's giving us the power to do the things that he wants to do. And he's giving us us to do. And the more often we do them, the easier it is to do them." [00:20:38]
"The Holy Spirit has empowered us, not will empower us, has empowered us to be his missionaries. And unity in spirit, means that we can work together. We can tag team. We can work together to share the gospel with people. We have events and opportunities where you can bring people." [00:26:08]
"Our mission is to guide people to Jesus and help them in their relationship with Jesus, or guide them and help them grow. It's too big for one person to do. I can't win this community to Christ. You can't by yourself, but working together as a team here, working together with our brothers and sisters at other churches, we can have a significant impact on the kingdom of God." [00:27:16]
"God's called you. He has equipped you. And most importantly, he has indwelled you to do this ministry together. We are one in purpose, one in mission, one in responsibility to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all the nations." [00:28:45]
"God has equipped you to do something that you can do and if you don't know what that is guess what dear lord i don't know what you've equipped me to do i don't know how i'm supposed to do it will you please help me to realize and discover what that is he'll say yes that's one of those prayers you don't have to wonder god will say yes there are online tools you can use to help you describe to understand what your spiritual giftedness is well my spiritual gift is hospitality i don't know what that means guess what i do i can help you understand what that means to do well i've been on my spiritual gift is prayer awesome we have an intercessory prayer team that we're putting on together putting on putting together if you have a talent and ability that god has given you it can be used in this church and in god's kingdom" [00:31:00]
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