Living as the Church: Purpose, Mission, and Discipleship
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of having the right motives behind our actions as a church community. He cautions against creating a big fuss or drawing a crowd for the sake of it, as well as using church activities as a means to raise money without considering the underlying purpose. The pastor then shares a personal experience of being pulled over while on his way to church. He mentions how he was captivated by the beauty of the sun and how it reminded him of Psalm 19:1, which says that the heavens declare the glory of God. He emphasizes that if even the skies proclaim God's glory, then as children of God, it is our responsibility to praise His name.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of understanding what the church truly is. He starts by acknowledging that there are more lost people in the world than there are churches, and not every church is pointing people to Jesus. The pastor then reminds the congregation that the church is not a name, brand, or organization, but rather the people of God. He emphasizes that anyone who has been born again and trusts in Jesus for their hope and salvation is part of the church. The pastor clarifies that gathering together is important, but it is not the entirety of the church. He explains that even when they disperse and go about their daily lives, they are still the church.
The pastor then emphasizes the purpose of Jesus' coming and the abundant life that is available to believers. The pastor highlights that while the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus came so that we may have life to the full. The pastor distinguishes the mission of their church, Multiply, from others, stating that their mission is not just to see people come to know Jesus but to help them discover that He is the treasure and that abundant life is available to them. The pastor emphasizes that abundant life is not dependent on money, health, family, or any external circumstances.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of being on a mission and being life-givers. The pastor acknowledges that the world is filled with people who are spiritually dead and in need of life. Instead of bringing condemnation, the pastor encourages the congregation to model a bold and authentic life, filled with compassion. The pastor urges the congregation to be the ones who run towards people in their mistakes, mess-ups, hurts, and drama, rather than standing on a pedestal and pointing out everything that is wrong.
The pastor concludes by emphasizing the importance of making disciples and spreading the gospel. He highlights the failure of a church if the majority of its members are not actively engaged in discipleship. The pastor expresses his concern and brokenness over the misconception that being a part of the church and following Jesus will guarantee a ticket to heaven and fulfill all our earthly needs. He emphasizes that Jesus is not just a means to an end, but He is the ultimate treasure.
Key Takeaways:
- The church is not a name, brand, or organization, but rather the people of God. Anyone who has been born again and trusts in Jesus for their hope and salvation is part of the church. Gathering together is important, but it is not the entirety of the church. Even when they disperse and go about their daily lives, they are still the church. [12:45]
- The mission of the church is not just to see people come to know Jesus but to help them discover that He is the treasure and that abundant life is available to them. Abundant life is not dependent on money, health, family, or any external circumstances. [24:30]
- The world is filled with people who are spiritually dead and in need of life. Instead of bringing condemnation, the church should model a bold and authentic life, filled with compassion. The church should be the ones who run towards people in their mistakes, mess-ups, hurts, and drama, rather than standing on a pedestal and pointing out everything that is wrong. [36:15]
- The failure of a church is if the majority of its members are not actively engaged in discipleship. Jesus is not just a means to an end, but He is the ultimate treasure. Salvation is through faith in the gospel and trust in Jesus' finished work. [48:00]
- The church should prioritize what matters most in life. Significant things do not happen by chance. Living intentionally involves giving one's time and talent as acts of generosity. Failing to use one's gifts would be considered a sin. [59:30]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
2. John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
3. 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.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 19:1, what do the heavens and skies declare and proclaim? How does this relate to our responsibility to praise God? [07:05]
2. In John 10:10, what are the contrasting missions of the thief and Jesus? How does this verse define the purpose of Jesus' coming? [08:36]
3. What command does Jesus give in Matthew 28:18-20, and what assurance does He provide to His followers? [48:25]
4. How does the pastor describe the church's mission in relation to making disciples and living an abundant life? [49:33]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the beauty of creation, as described in Psalm 19:1, inspire believers to praise God even in difficult circumstances? [07:05]
2. What does it mean to have "life to the full" as mentioned in John 10:10? How can believers experience this abundant life regardless of their external circumstances? [08:36]
3. In what ways does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 challenge believers to live out their faith daily? How does this passage shape the mission of the church? [48:25]
4. The pastor emphasized that the church is not just a gathering but the people of God. How does this understanding affect the way believers should live their daily lives? [44:51]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were captivated by the beauty of creation. How did it remind you of God's glory, and how can you use such moments to inspire your daily worship? [07:05]
2. Jesus came to give us life to the full. Identify one area of your life where you feel you are not experiencing this abundant life. What steps can you take to align this area with the fullness Jesus offers? [08:36]
3. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples. Who is one person in your life that you can intentionally invest in spiritually? What practical steps can you take this week to begin or continue this discipleship journey? [48:25]
4. The pastor mentioned that the church should model a bold and authentic life filled with compassion. Think of a recent situation where you could have shown more compassion. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future? [36:15]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of being life-givers rather than bringing condemnation. How can you be a source of life and encouragement to someone who is struggling with mistakes or hurts? [36:15]
6. The pastor expressed concern over the misconception that following Jesus guarantees a ticket to heaven and fulfills all earthly needs. How can you shift your focus from seeing Jesus as a means to an end to recognizing Him as the ultimate treasure? [48:00]
7. Living intentionally involves using one's time and talents generously. Identify one specific gift or talent you have. How can you use it this week to serve others and glorify God? [59:30]
Devotional
Day 1: The True Identity of the Church
The church is not a building, a brand, or an organization, but rather the people of God. Anyone who has been born again and trusts in Jesus for their hope and salvation is part of the church. Gathering together is important, but it is not the entirety of the church. Even when they disperse and go about their daily lives, they are still the church. [12:45]
1 Peter 2:5 - "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you live out your identity as the church in your daily life today?
Day 2: Discovering the Treasure in Jesus
The mission of the church is not just to see people come to know Jesus but to help them discover that He is the treasure and that abundant life is available to them. Abundant life is not dependent on money, health, family, or any external circumstances. [24:30]
Matthew 13:44 - "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
Reflection: What does it mean for you to see Jesus as the ultimate treasure in your life?
Day 3: Being Life-Givers in a Broken World
The world is filled with people who are spiritually dead and in need of life. Instead of bringing condemnation, we should model a bold and authentic life, filled with compassion. We should be the ones who run towards people in their mistakes, mess-ups, hurts, and drama, rather than standing on a pedestal and pointing out everything that is wrong. [36:15]
Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Reflection: Who in your life needs compassion and understanding today, and how can you show it to them?
Day 4: The Importance of Active Discipleship
The failure of a church is if the majority of its members are not actively engaged in discipleship. Jesus is not just a means to an end, but He is the ultimate treasure. Salvation is through faith in the gospel and trust in Jesus' finished work. [48:00]
2 Timothy 2:2 - "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."
Reflection: Who can you disciple or mentor in your life, and what is one step you can take towards that today?
Day 5: Living Intentionally for God's Glory
The church should prioritize what matters most in life. Significant things do not happen by chance. Living intentionally involves giving one's time and talent as acts of generosity. Failing to use one's gifts would be considered a sin. [59:30]
1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Reflection: What is one talent or gift you have that you can use to serve others today?
Quotes
"The difference is why you're doing it. Does that make sense? You can meet five days a week with the people of God and do it right or do it wrong. It's not about how many times you come together. It's not about even what you do when you come together. A lot of it's about the reason behind it." [47:26]
"There's more lost people everywhere than there are churches everywhere. And this ain't going to do this much today. But not every church is pointing people to Jesus." [44:20]
"Our mission is not just to see people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Our mission is to help people find that He is the treasure and that abundant life is available to them, not in their money, not in their health, not in their family, not in no drama." #!!01:08:48!!#
"We are called not to bring condemnation, but to bring life to a world that don't know it, but they're dead in their sins. We can model for them what it looks like, not to live perfectly, but to live boldly, to live authentically, to be people who are full of compassion." #!!01:40:03!!#
"If there's 50 people coming here and 47 of us ain't making disciples as a collective body, failure, failure." #!!01:05:51!!#
"He's not the weight of the treasure. He is the treasure. Once you figure that out... I'm talking about what's in John 10, 10. Let's go over there just a minute. John 10, let's look at John 10, 7. Therefore Jesus said again, Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep." #!!01:07:12!!#
"Once you figure out He's not the ticket to what you want, He is what you want. Things will start to change. It's relational. Everything you'll ever want in this life is found in Him." #!!01:00:39!!#
"Your heavenly Father says what? I love you. I want what's best for you, and guess what's best for you? Me. You get that, and you understand that your role, your privilege, is to tell people that there's somebody who loves them unconditional. Somebody who can fulfill every longing their soul will ever have. Somebody who can give them full satisfaction." #!!01:03:11!!#
"Compassion says, listen, I forgive you. I love you. I've given you my spirit so that you don't have to walk in this anymore. And I love you in the midst of it. That's compassion. Compassion's not saying, I love you and I fully embrace your lifestyle. Compassion is, I love you so much I'm going to tell you what's not right. But I'm not going to judge you for it. I'm not going to beat you down and reject you. I'm going to love you while I'm telling you." #!!01:32:21!!#
"The measuring stick's not how much sin's in your life. The measuring stick is how are you growing in Him. What do you mean by that, Robbie? I'm finding more and more and more delight in Him." #!!01:33:43!!#
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