Game Plan: Fulfilling Our Mission to Discipleship
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today marks the beginning of our new sermon series, "Game Plan," which has been three years in the making. This series will explore why we exist as a church, where we are headed, and the strategies we will employ to glorify God. Just as sports teams have a game plan to win championships, we as a church need a game plan to fulfill our mission. Our mission, derived from Matthew 28:18-20, is to make disciples of all nations. Unlike sports teams that compete against each other, churches are unified under Jesus, with the gospel as our core.
Our mission is to glorify God by helping people faithfully follow Jesus. This mission is not just about evangelism but also about discipleship. For too long, American churches have focused solely on evangelism, neglecting the crucial aspect of discipleship. This has led to a decline in spiritual growth and an increase in societal issues like drugs, divorce, and depression. Our goal is to help people walk with Jesus both here on earth and in heaven.
Our vision is that everyone at FBC Logaville will be faithfully following Jesus and intentionally leading others to Him for the sake of the gospel. This vision is rooted in Scripture, specifically Matthew 22:34-40, where Jesus summarizes the law as loving God and loving people. We aim to be a church where parents feel confident discipling their kids, grandparents are actively involved in mentoring the next generation, and everyone feels welcome to bring their problems and questions.
The demographic growth in our area presents both challenges and opportunities. With nearly 700,000 people within a 15-mile radius, the need for intentional ministry is greater than ever. The state of the American church shows that many Christians feel unprepared to share their faith, and many are walking away from the church. Our vision is to equip and prepare you to engage with this changing culture effectively.
We are called to move from the stands to the field, actively participating in God's mission. Just as athletes train rigorously for their sport, we must be devoted to our spiritual growth and mission. The greatest threat to the church is not external but internal—our lack of discipleship. A chaotic culture needs an intentional church, and we are committed to being that church.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unified Mission: Every church shares the same mission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20—to make disciples of all nations. Unlike sports teams that compete, churches are unified under Jesus, with the gospel as our core. This unity is crucial for fulfilling our mission effectively. [06:39]
2. Importance of Discipleship: For too long, American churches have focused solely on evangelism, neglecting discipleship. This has led to a decline in spiritual growth and an increase in societal issues. Our mission is to help people walk with Jesus both here on earth and in heaven, emphasizing the importance of discipleship. [09:23]
3. Vision Rooted in Scripture: Our vision is that everyone at FBC Logaville will be faithfully following Jesus and intentionally leading others to Him. This vision is rooted in Matthew 22:34-40, where Jesus summarizes the law as loving God and loving people. This dual focus is essential for a balanced Christian life. [14:19]
4. Demographic Growth and Opportunity: The rapid demographic growth in our area presents both challenges and opportunities. With nearly 700,000 people within a 15-mile radius, the need for intentional ministry is greater than ever. We must be prepared to engage effectively with this growing community. [20:33]
5. Active Participation: We are called to move from the stands to the field, actively participating in God's mission. Just as athletes train rigorously, we must be devoted to our spiritual growth and mission. The greatest threat to the church is not external but internal—our lack of discipleship. A chaotic culture needs an intentional church. [27:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Introduction to "Game Plan" Series
[02:45] - The Importance of a Winning Game Plan
[05:05] - Defining a Game Plan
[06:39] - The Unified Mission of the Church
[08:02] - Why We Exist: Glorifying God
[09:23] - The Importance of Discipleship
[10:18] - The Full Gospel: Walking with Jesus
[10:56] - Vision: Where Are We Going?
[11:40] - Faithfully Following and Intentionally Leading
[12:50] - Vision Rooted in Scripture
[14:19] - The Greatest Commandments: Love God and Love People
[16:09] - Devotion to Jesus
[17:41] - Leading Others to Jesus
[19:04] - The Will of God for Our Lives
[20:33] - Demographic Growth and Opportunity
[22:10] - The Need for Intentional Ministry
[23:41] - The State of the American Church
[25:11] - Engaging a Changing Culture
[27:57] - Moving from the Stands to the Field
[30:49] - The Need for an Intentional Church
[32:22] - Personal Testimonies of Faith
[33:54] - Spiritual Battle and Our Purpose
[35:25] - The Potential Impact of Our Church
[37:01] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:18-20: "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
2. Matthew 22:34-40: "Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What is the unified mission given to all churches according to Matthew 28:18-20? How does this mission differ from the goals of sports teams? [06:39]
2. According to the sermon, what has been the primary focus of American churches in the past, and what crucial aspect have they neglected? [09:23]
3. How does the vision of FBC Logaville, as described in the sermon, align with the greatest commandments given by Jesus in Matthew 22:34-40? [14:19]
4. What demographic changes in the area surrounding FBC Logaville were highlighted in the sermon, and why are these changes significant for the church's mission? [20:33]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the mission to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18-20) encompass both evangelism and discipleship? Why is it important to balance these two aspects? [09:23]
2. In what ways does the command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39) influence the church's approach to community engagement and ministry? [14:19]
3. The sermon mentions that the greatest threat to the church is internal, specifically a lack of discipleship. How does this internal threat manifest, and what are its potential consequences? [27:57]
4. Considering the rapid demographic growth in the area, what specific strategies might the church employ to effectively minister to a growing and diverse population? [20:33]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal discipleship journey. Are there areas where you have focused more on evangelism and less on discipleship? How can you bring more balance to your spiritual growth? [09:23]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of loving God and loving people. Identify one practical way you can show love to a neighbor or community member this week. [14:19]
3. With the demographic growth in the area, what steps can you take to engage with new community members and invite them to church or small group activities? [20:33]
4. The sermon calls for active participation in God's mission. What specific actions can you take to move from being a spectator to an active participant in your church's ministry? [27:57]
5. Think about the people who have been instrumental in your faith journey. How can you express gratitude to them, and how can you become a similar influence for someone else? [32:22]
6. The sermon mentions the need for parents and grandparents to be involved in discipling the next generation. How can you support or initiate discipleship within your family? [12:50]
7. Reflect on the cultural challenges mentioned in the sermon. How can you prepare yourself to engage with and minister to a changing culture effectively? [25:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Unified Mission
Our mission as a church is to make disciples of all nations, as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20. Unlike sports teams that compete against each other, churches are unified under Jesus, with the gospel as our core. This unity is crucial for fulfilling our mission effectively. When we understand that we are all working towards the same goal, it fosters a sense of community and purpose. We are not in competition with other churches; instead, we are co-laborers in Christ, striving to bring the good news to every corner of the world. This unified mission helps us stay focused on what truly matters—glorifying God and expanding His kingdom. [06:39]
Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV): "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unified mission of making disciples in your daily life? Think of one specific action you can take this week to support this mission.
Day 2: Importance of Discipleship
For too long, American churches have focused solely on evangelism, neglecting the crucial aspect of discipleship. This has led to a decline in spiritual growth and an increase in societal issues like drugs, divorce, and depression. Our mission is to help people walk with Jesus both here on earth and in heaven, emphasizing the importance of discipleship. Discipleship involves teaching, mentoring, and guiding others in their spiritual journey. It is about building deep, meaningful relationships that encourage spiritual growth and maturity. By focusing on discipleship, we can help individuals develop a strong, enduring faith that withstands the challenges of life. [09:23]
Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."
Reflection: Who in your life can you mentor or disciple? Identify one person and think about how you can start or deepen this discipleship relationship.
Day 3: Vision Rooted in Scripture
Our vision is that everyone at FBC Logaville will be faithfully following Jesus and intentionally leading others to Him. This vision is rooted in Matthew 22:34-40, where Jesus summarizes the law as loving God and loving people. This dual focus is essential for a balanced Christian life. Loving God involves worship, prayer, and obedience, while loving people involves compassion, service, and evangelism. By grounding our vision in Scripture, we ensure that our actions and goals align with God's will. This scriptural foundation provides clarity and direction, helping us stay true to our mission and values. [14:19]
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: How can you better balance loving God and loving people in your daily life? Identify one practical way to show love to God and one way to show love to others this week.
Day 4: Demographic Growth and Opportunity
The rapid demographic growth in our area presents both challenges and opportunities. With nearly 700,000 people within a 15-mile radius, the need for intentional ministry is greater than ever. We must be prepared to engage effectively with this growing community. This means understanding the unique needs and backgrounds of the people around us and finding ways to connect with them meaningfully. It also means being proactive in our outreach efforts, using creative and innovative methods to share the gospel. By embracing these opportunities, we can make a significant impact on our community and help more people come to know and follow Jesus. [20:33]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can engage with the growing community around you? Think about a new method or approach you can use to reach out to those who may not yet know Jesus.
Day 5: Active Participation
We are called to move from the stands to the field, actively participating in God's mission. Just as athletes train rigorously, we must be devoted to our spiritual growth and mission. The greatest threat to the church is not external but internal—our lack of discipleship. A chaotic culture needs an intentional church. By actively participating in God's mission, we can make a difference in the world around us. This involves not only personal spiritual growth but also serving others, sharing the gospel, and being a light in our communities. It requires commitment, dedication, and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones. [27:57]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can move from being a passive observer to an active participant in God's mission? Identify a specific action you can take this week to get involved.
Quotes
1. "And so we have been excited about this moment. We've been excited about what God has been doing. And so for three years, we've been considering and praying and planning all the way to this moment. And we're excited about what God has been doing. And so as we get going today, we're going to be looking at why the church exists. And then over the next three weeks, we're going to be looking at the game plan for the future." [01:21] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Every church has the same goal, aim, mission, and that's to make disciples. And one key difference between a bunch of sports teams and churches is that sports teams are competing because there's only one winner. No, no, no, churches don't compete. Hey, we are unified. We are unified through Jesus. Jesus is the head of the church. The gospel is the heart of the church. And every church has an opportunity to accomplish the mission." [06:39] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And the phrase that we use is simply, that we exist to glorify God by helping people faithfully follow Jesus. That we exist as a local church to glorify God, not to bring glory to us, not to build our church, not to leverage our platform, but we exist for God's glory, to bring about his praise, to build his kingdom. And how do we do it? By helping people faithfully follow Jesus." [08:02] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Well, there are so many people who want to walk with Jesus in heaven one day, but they don't want to walk with him here on earth. And it's not the way that the gospel is set up. Jesus says, look, if you deny me before men, I'm going to deny you before my father. And we as a church have a mission and a calling that is given straight from Jesus himself to go in and make disciples and to help everyone that we can faithfully follow Jesus." [10:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And the best way for us to love people is for us to lead people to Jesus. But we lead them by our example. We lead them by the words that we say. We lead them by the intentionality that we have to go after them and tell them about the hope that we have in our lives. And we love God and that love for God just starts to naturally flow out of us. And we can't help but to lead others to Jesus." [17:41] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And our vision is that we as leaders are helping and equipping you to faithfully follow and intentionally lead other people to Jesus for the sake of the gospel, not for the sake of us building a building, not for the sake of us gaining more people so that the kingdom of God grows. Now, why is this important? It's important because the field is growing." [19:04] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And the statistics are telling. I don't have enough time to go through all of them today, but the picture's clear. The church hasn't been training and equipping and preparing people to do ministry. And today, there's a huge need for all of us to do ministry. And as a church, are committed to help. And the effects of people have left the church, left the faith at alarming rates. The rise of the religious nuns, where they say they're not affiliated with anything, continues to rise. And our culture is chaotic and crazy." [25:11] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And what is our aim? The church for so long has been allowing people to sit in the stands instead of hopping on the field. And I want you to think about the absurdity of somebody who makes the team and gets the jersey. They've practiced with the team. They've trained. They've watched what they're doing. They've eaten. They've watched game film. And then all the way on game day, and they refuse to go stand on the sidelines or to get on the field. They sit in the stands." [27:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Look, the greatest threat in the church today isn't what's happening, outside of the walls of the church. It's that discipleship isn't happening inside of it. And we get so concerned about everything that's happening that we huddle here in fear. Kind of remember, the Bible says that we don't have a spirit of fear, right? Oh, but we forget those things. Why? Because we're so consumed. We're just sitting in the stands." [30:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Now, what could he do with our church? With the hundreds and over a thousand that call this place home. And think about how different metro Atlanta would be. Look, and I know we don't live in Atlanta. But think about where you work and where your kids are playing games. Maybe we've got people in Bethlehem and Winder, all the way down to Covington and Conyers and a stone mountain. Like, we are representative of millions of people that we interact with throughout the day. Imagine, picture what our community, what our world would look like if all of us were sold out of faithfully following and intentionally leading." [35:25] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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