Prepare the Heart: Answering the Call to Go
Summary
Today, I began by expressing gratitude for the warm welcome and shared my excitement about stepping out in faith, despite not having a mic check. I introduced myself as Eric, the next steps pastor here at Bethany, and reflected on the incredible testimonies I've heard over the past eight months, highlighting the transformative work God is doing in our community.
I then transitioned into discussing the overarching theme for the year, "Prepare the Heart," set by Pastor Matt. I encouraged everyone, whether new or regular attendees, to revisit the "Suitcases" series, which has been both practical and introspective, urging us to examine what lies within our hearts.
As we delved into today's message, "It's Time to Go," I emphasized the readiness to act on what we've prepared in our hearts and lives. I highlighted the importance of not just preparing but also moving forward to make a tangible impact.
I shared insights from Matthew 8 and Romans 10, focusing on the necessity of spreading the gospel. The core of our message is that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, but they must first hear the message to believe. This led to a discussion on the responsibility each of us holds to share the gospel, not just within our church walls but in our everyday interactions, whether it be with a neighbor or a stranger in the grocery line.
I introduced a new initiative, GoServe, aimed at mobilizing our church to meet practical needs in the community while opening doors to share the gospel. I explained how GoServe works, utilizing resources from partnerships with local businesses to provide necessary goods to those in need, which in turn fosters opportunities for ministry and discipleship.
Throughout the sermon, I interwove personal stories and testimonies of how simple acts of service can lead to profound spiritual conversations and opportunities to share Christ's love. I stressed the importance of being alert to the Holy Spirit's prompting to seize every opportunity to minister to others.
As I concluded, I challenged each person to consider how they might answer the call to "Go" and be part of this mission. I invited the congregation to stand if they felt compelled to commit to being sent out, just as Isaiah responded, "Here am I. Send me."
### Key Takeaways
1. Preparation of Heart is Crucial for Effective Ministry: Before we can step out to minister to others effectively, our hearts must be aligned with God's will. This alignment comes from a place of introspection and willingness to be transformed by God's word. As we prepare our hearts, we become more attuned to the needs around us and more effective in our witness. [33:23]
2. The Gospel is Simple but Profound: The essence of the gospel is that salvation is available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. This simplicity should empower us, knowing that the message we carry has the power to transform lives. It's not about eloquent words but the powerful truth of Jesus Christ. [40:18]
3. Personal Testimony is a Powerful Tool in Evangelism: Sharing how God has worked in our own lives can open doors for deeper conversations and spiritual inquiry from others. Personal stories resonate and can often bridge gaps that doctrinal discussions may not. [42:24]
4. Practical Ministry Opens Doors for the Gospel: Through initiatives like GoServe, we can meet physical needs, which often leads to opportunities to address spiritual needs. Each act of service is a seed planted, which can grow into opportunities for sharing the gospel. [57:14]
5. Every Believer is Called to be a Missionary in Their Own Context: Whether in our workplaces, schools, or neighborhoods, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ. This doesn't require a pulpit but a willingness to share life and faith authentically wherever we are. [01:02:43]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
32:13 - Introduction and Testimonies
33:23 - Theme of the Year: Prepare the Heart
34:16 - It's Time to Go: Acting on Our Preparation
40:18 - The Simplicity and Power of the Gospel
42:24 - Personal Responsibility in Evangelism
57:14 - Introducing GoServe: Practical Ministry as Outreach
01:02:43 - Call to Personal Mission: "Here I Am, Send Me"
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
> 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. Romans 10:13-14 (NIV)
> For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
3. Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
> Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
### Observation Questions
1. What is the Great Commission that Jesus gives in Matthew 28:18-20?
2. According to Romans 10:13-14, what is necessary for people to call on the name of the Lord and be saved?
3. In Isaiah 6:8, what is Isaiah's response to God's call for someone to be sent?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for believers to "go and make disciples" as stated in Matthew 28:18-20? How does this align with the sermon’s theme of "It's Time to Go"? [34:16]
2. How does the simplicity of the gospel message in Romans 10:13-14 empower believers to share their faith? [40:18]
3. What does Isaiah's willingness to be sent in Isaiah 6:8 teach us about responding to God's call in our own lives? How does this relate to the challenge given at the end of the sermon? [01:02:43]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the preparation of your heart. What steps can you take this week to align your heart more closely with God's will, as discussed in the sermon? [33:23]
2. The sermon emphasized the power of personal testimony in evangelism. Can you think of a personal story of how God has worked in your life that you could share with someone this week? [42:24]
3. How can you be more alert to the Holy Spirit's prompting in your daily interactions, especially in places like your workplace, school, or neighborhood? [01:02:43]
4. The GoServe initiative is about meeting practical needs to open doors for the gospel. What is one practical way you can serve someone in your community this week? [57:14]
5. Consider the people in your life who do not know Jesus. What specific steps can you take to share the gospel with them, even if it feels uncomfortable? [42:24]
6. How can you cultivate a mindset of being a missionary in your own context, as the sermon suggests? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine to be more intentional about this? [01:02:43]
7. Reflect on the call to "Go" and be part of the mission. What is one specific action you can take this week to answer this call, similar to Isaiah's response, "Here am I. Send me"? [01:02:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Heart Preparation Enhances Ministry Impact
Before stepping out to minister to others, it's essential to ensure that our hearts are in the right place. This preparation involves a deep, introspective look into our spiritual state, guided by the Word of God. As we align our hearts with God's will, we become more sensitive to the needs around us and more effective in our ministry efforts. This alignment isn't a one-time event but a continuous process that enriches our ability to serve others authentically and powerfully. The journey of heart preparation not only equips us for service but transforms us, making us vessels through which God can work. [33:23]
Psalm 51:10-12: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to align your heart more closely with God's will?
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Day 2: The Transformative Simplicity of the Gospel
The gospel's power lies in its simplicity: salvation is available to all who call on the name of the Lord. This profound truth should empower us as we share the gospel, knowing that it doesn't depend on eloquent words but on the transformative power of Jesus Christ. As believers, we carry this powerful message, which has the potential to change lives dramatically. Embracing the simplicity of the gospel allows us to share it confidently and effectively, making a real impact in the lives of those who hear it. [40:18]
Romans 10:13-14: "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?"
Reflection: How can you simplify your approach to sharing the gospel to focus more on its transformative power rather than your own words?
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Day 3: Personal Testimony as a Bridge to Gospel Conversations
Sharing personal testimonies is a powerful tool in evangelism. Our stories of how God has worked in our lives can open doors for deeper conversations and spiritual inquiries from others. These personal accounts resonate with people and can often bridge gaps that doctrinal discussions may not. By sharing our experiences authentically, we invite others to explore what God might do in their own lives, fostering a genuine interest and dialogue about faith. [42:24]
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5: "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."
Reflection: Can you think of a recent experience where you saw God at work in your life that you could share with someone this week?
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Day 4: Serving Others Opens Doors for the Gospel
Initiatives like GoServe demonstrate how meeting practical needs can open doors for the gospel. By addressing physical necessities, we not only help alleviate immediate hardships but also create opportunities for spiritual conversations and discipleship. Each act of service plants a seed that can grow into a deeper engagement with the gospel. This approach shows the love of Christ in action and can lead to transformative experiences for both the giver and the receiver. [57:14]
James 2:15-17: "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What practical need can you meet this week as a way to open a door for sharing the gospel?
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Day 5: Every Believer's Missionary Calling
As followers of Christ, we are all called to be missionaries in our own contexts—be it at work, in school, or within our neighborhoods. This calling doesn't require a formal pulpit but a readiness to share life and faith authentically wherever we are. By living out our faith openly and engaging with others about it, we fulfill our role as ambassadors for Christ, bringing the light of the gospel into everyday interactions. [01:02:43]
Colossians 4:5-6: "Walk in wisdom 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."
Reflection: Who in your immediate circle might benefit from hearing about your faith journey, and how can you initiate that conversation this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Giving a gift can open doors. It might just look like a product, a box of diapers or a space heater. But it's an opening door. It's a door to invite somebody to church, to pray with someone, to tell somebody about Jesus Christ that this gift's been given to you, but there's a greater gift that's been given to you and His name is Jesus Christ and it will change your life for eternity." [57:14]
2. "We can use these products for outreach. How many of you guys were a part of the Egg Hunt or Love Week? We had pallets of candy, prizes, and toys. And then for Love Week, we had furniture for the teachers' lounges and gifts for the busting bags. We can use these products to bless and meet the needs of others." [56:14]
3. "This year, his theme is prepare the heart. It's been an amazing time so far. We just got into a series called Suitcases. It's been really amazing. I love the fact that it's been just so practical, but revealing and reminding us what's on the inside matters." [33:23]
### Quotes for Members
1. "We're encouraging one another, building each other up as the body of Christ. That's discipleship. It's growing in your relationship with Jesus and sharing that with others. But here's the catch. If we're not intentional about our relationship with Jesus, if we don't tell others about Jesus, it's not just going to happen." [39:54]
2. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. That's the good news. That's the gospel. Who is everyone? That's me. That's you. That's everyone. That's this community. It's your co-workers. It's your family members. It's the kids at your school." [40:18]
3. "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him unless they've heard about them? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Jesus, you're for everyone but how are they going to know if I don't tell them?" [41:36]
4. "Here I am. Send me. If that's you this morning, I want to ask you this. If this morning you say, 'God, here I am, send me.' I don't need you to stand for me. But this morning if you're here, you say, 'God, here I am, send me.' Stand with me in this place. That God, here I am, send me." [01:04:42]
5. "The need is this. People need to know Jesus. That's the need. Go serve is just a method. It's just a tool we have to use. The need is people need to know Jesus Christ. That's the message. Do they know the need? And the second part is this. Will they answer the call?" [59:57]
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