Living Out Our Mission as the Church
Summary
In this fourth part of our series, "We Are the Church," we explore the profound truth that being the church is not about attending a building but living out our shared mission as outlined in Matthew 28:18-19. Jesus, with all authority, commands us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is our assignment, and it transcends the physical walls of the church. Wherever we are, we are the church, and we are called to expand God's kingdom by living out this mission.
We are reminded that the church is a place to belong, a place where people can see Jesus through us, and ultimately, a place to believe. Romans 10:9-10 emphasizes the importance of openly declaring Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. This belief is not just a private matter but requires a public declaration of allegiance to Jesus. It's a conscious decision to submit to His lordship, which means we cannot pick and choose when to obey Him.
The fear of the Lord is a profound respect and awe for His holiness and authority, leading to a life of obedience and rejection of sin. This fear is not about being afraid but having a reverential respect that guides our actions. We must examine our lives to see where we have said "no" to God, as this is where we have stopped allowing Him to be Lord.
Our relationship with God is not about using Him as a firefighter to put out the fires in our lives but about submitting every area of our lives to His authority. We must not be comfortable with disobedience, thinking that God's grace will cover our willful rebellion. Instead, we must repent and give Him full access to every part of our lives, allowing His lordship to guide us.
Key Takeaways:
- Shared Mission and Identity: As the church, our identity is rooted in the mission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-19. We are called to make disciples and expand God's kingdom beyond the church walls, living out our assignment wherever we are. This mission is not optional but a fundamental part of being the church. [02:48]
- Belonging and Seeing Jesus: The church is a place where people belong and see Jesus through us. Our role is to reflect Jesus to others, helping them move from seeing Him in us to knowing Him personally. This requires us to live authentically and be a true representation of Christ. [04:10]
- Belief and Lordship: Believing in Jesus involves openly declaring Him as Lord and submitting to His authority. It's a conscious decision to align our lives with His will, not just seeing Him as a savior who rescues us but as Lord who guides us. This belief must be lived out in every area of our lives. [06:42]
- Fear of the Lord: The fear of the Lord is a profound respect and awe for His holiness, leading to obedience and rejection of sin. It's not about being afraid but having a reverential respect that influences our actions. We must examine where we have said "no" to God and repent, allowing His lordship to guide us. [15:58]
- Authentic Repentance: We must not be comfortable with disobedience, thinking God's grace will cover our rebellion. Authentic repentance involves recognizing where we have resisted God's authority, repenting, and giving Him full access to every part of our lives. This is essential for living a life that honors God. [30:48]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:48] - A Place to Belong
[04:10] - Seeing Jesus in Us
[05:20] - Eyes on Jesus
[06:42] - A Place to Believe
[08:38] - Declaring Jesus as Lord
[10:01] - Beyond Savior to Lord
[10:59] - Choosing God's Side
[11:56] - Saying No to God
[12:41] - Fear of the Lord
[13:30] - Misunderstanding Grace
[14:40] - Reverence and Respect
[15:58] - Profound Respect for God
[18:19] - Tithing and Obedience
[19:36] - Wisdom and Understanding
[20:38] - Personal Testimony
[23:05] - Consequences of Saying No
[25:01] - Understanding Disobedience
[27:45] - Intimacy with God
[29:34] - Examining Our Lives
[30:48] - Authentic Repentance
[32:08] - Personal Transformation
[34:32] - Joy in Obedience
[35:35] - Seeking God's Kingdom
[36:17] - Surrender and Repentance
[36:58] - Rededication Prayer
[37:35] - Total Lordship
[38:05] - Prayer of Commitment
[39:08] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "We Are the Church"
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 28:18-19
- Romans 10:9-10
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Matthew 28:18-19, what specific command does Jesus give to His disciples, and what authority does He claim to have? [02:48]
2. In Romans 10:9-10, what are the two key actions required for salvation, and how do they relate to each other? [06:42]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the church in helping people see Jesus? What is the ultimate goal for believers in this process? [04:10]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between obedience to God and the fear of the Lord? [15:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of the church being a place to belong and see Jesus challenge traditional views of church attendance and participation? [02:48]
2. What does it mean to declare Jesus as Lord, and how does this differ from merely seeing Him as a Savior? [10:01]
3. How does the sermon explain the consequences of saying "no" to God in certain areas of our lives? What impact does this have on our relationship with Him? [12:41]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a lack of the fear of the Lord affects our understanding of grace and obedience? [13:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of the church's mission. How can you actively participate in making disciples in your daily life, beyond the church walls? [02:48]
2. Consider a time when you openly declared your faith. How did it impact your relationship with God and others? What steps can you take to make such declarations more frequent? [06:42]
3. Identify an area in your life where you have been resistant to God's authority. What practical steps can you take to submit this area to His lordship? [12:41]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord in your life, leading to greater obedience and reverence for His holiness? [15:58]
5. Think about a person in your life who may see Jesus through you. How can you intentionally help them move from seeing Jesus in you to knowing Him personally? [04:10]
6. Reflect on the sermon’s message about authentic repentance. Is there an area in your life where you need to repent and give God full access? What will be your first step in this process? [30:48]
7. How can you ensure that your relationship with God is not just about seeking His help in times of trouble but about submitting every area of your life to His authority? [10:01]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Living the Mission Beyond Walls
Our identity as the church is not confined to a building but is rooted in the mission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-19. This mission calls us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is a call to expand God's kingdom beyond the physical walls of the church, living out our assignment wherever we are. This mission is not optional but a fundamental part of being the church. As believers, we are called to embody this mission in our daily lives, reflecting the love and teachings of Jesus in every interaction and decision. [02:48]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you intentionally live out the mission of making disciples in your workplace or community today?
Day 2: Belonging and Reflecting Christ
The church is a place where people belong and can see Jesus through us. Our role is to reflect Jesus to others, helping them move from seeing Him in us to knowing Him personally. This requires us to live authentically and be a true representation of Christ. It is not just about attending services but about being a living testimony of Jesus' love and grace. As we interact with others, we should strive to be a place of belonging, where people feel welcomed and valued, and where they can encounter the transformative power of Jesus. [04:10]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to see Jesus through you today, and how can you show them His love and grace?
Day 3: Declaring and Submitting to Jesus as Lord
Believing in Jesus involves openly declaring Him as Lord and submitting to His authority. It's a conscious decision to align our lives with His will, not just seeing Him as a savior who rescues us but as Lord who guides us. This belief must be lived out in every area of our lives, requiring us to submit to His lordship and follow His teachings. It is a call to move beyond a superficial faith to a deep, transformative relationship with Jesus, where His authority guides our actions and decisions. [06:42]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to submit to Jesus' authority, and what steps can you take to align it with His will?
Day 4: Reverence and Obedience through the Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is a profound respect and awe for His holiness, leading to obedience and rejection of sin. It's not about being afraid but having a reverential respect that influences our actions. We must examine where we have said "no" to God and repent, allowing His lordship to guide us. This fear of the Lord is a guiding principle that helps us live a life of obedience, recognizing His authority and holiness in every aspect of our lives. It calls us to a deeper understanding of His character and a commitment to live in a way that honors Him. [15:58]
Proverbs 9:10 (ESV): "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life, and how might this change your actions and decisions?
Day 5: Embracing Authentic Repentance
We must not be comfortable with disobedience, thinking God's grace will cover our rebellion. Authentic repentance involves recognizing where we have resisted God's authority, repenting, and giving Him full access to every part of our lives. This is essential for living a life that honors God. It requires a sincere acknowledgment of our shortcomings and a commitment to turn away from sin, allowing God's grace to transform us. Authentic repentance is not just about feeling sorry but about making a conscious decision to change and align our lives with God's will. [30:48]
2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to practice authentic repentance, and how can you invite God to transform this area today?
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Quotes
1. "We are the church when we are on assignment. That assignment is to go and to make disciples. See people saved and make disciples. And when we're doing that, whether we're in this building or you're in your house or you're on your job, or you're in the grocery store or wherever your favorite place may be, you are still the church, a part of the church. And if you are living out your assignment, you are then expanding what God has called us to do." [02:48] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The first place that a non-believer or a young believer sees Jesus is in us. But they can't stay there because as a person matures in God and develops their own relationship with God, they no longer need to be bound by seeing Jesus in you because they need to be able to see Jesus for who he is for himself." [04:10] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, come on, say these four words with me, you will be saved. For by believing in your heart that you are made right with God. And it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved." [06:42] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we declare that Jesus is Lord, we are saying, I am giving full allegiance to his authority. In other words, I have chosen a side. And the side I've chosen. Is God's side. I have chosen that I will be loyal to him until I see him face to face." [10:59] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The point at which we say no to God. Is the point at which he stopped being our Lord. And my concern for us is that we have grown comfortable in a state. Where we have rebelliously defied God and we think it's okay." [12:41] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The fear of the Lord is a profound respect and awe for God's holiness and authority, which leads to a life of obedience, submission to his will, and rejection of sin, bringing wisdom and spiritual understanding." [19:36] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We tolerate too much disobedience in our own lives. I'm not telling you to go out of here and start nitpicking everybody around you. I want you to start nitpicking yourself. God, where have I said to you no because that's where I left you." [30:48] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Living a Christian life is fun. And you don't have to live your life like the world in order to get, quote, unquote, real fun. Because I can tell you, if you've ever been in a position where God has used you to minister to somebody else, and they can say to you, wow, my life is different because you let God use you, there's a joy that comes with that, that no drink, no high, no party, no relationship can ever satisfy." [34:32] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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