May 21, 2017
Morning Service

I wanted to put the finishing touches on our sermon series that began looking at the events of the Passion Week that culminated with our Savior arising from the grave.  We then began to examine what a “new normal” would look like when we decided to accept Jesus’ invitation to “Follow Me.”  Our focus then turned to following the two commandments that Jesus said summed up all the Law and the prophets.  First we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.  This is our strong foundation from which everything else must flow from.   The second command is that we love one another, not just in words but in actions.  Mother’s Day actually fit in quite well right there as a mother’s love is the greatest example of how God loves us.  To close this study out we will look at the final command Jesus gave to His disciples before He was taken up to heaven before their eyes.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth.  (19)  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, (20) teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world.” Amen.

·         This is called by many the “Great Commission.”  Jesus is giving His church (us) our collective and individual “Mission Statement.”  After loving God and then loving each other our main objective is to “make disciples of all nations.”  Jesus here is passing down His authority to the apostles whom they then passed it down to the church (body of Christ) or us.  In this statement Jesus is speaking to you.

·         “Go and share your faith to make disciples wherever you are and lead them into a committed relationship with Me displayed by entering the waters of  baptism.  Then continue to teach them the things I have shown you through My Word.  I promise that I will be with you always along your path.”

·         The church leadership here at the Bride takes this statement very seriously.  Everything we do is run through this filter.  Is what we are doing bringing glory to God and fulfilling our mission statement to make and build up disciples?  Are we fulfilling the purpose of the ministry Paul gave to us in the Ephesian letter?

 

Ephesians 4:11-13  And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,  (12)  for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.  (13)  And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

·         These offices of leadership are in place to lead you along the road equipping you with the tools you need to help carry out the Great Commission.  We do that so you can then work with us to create ministries to help others and thus edifying (building up) the body of Christ (the church).  Each of us should be seeking to find that place that we can collectively contribute to the effort to fulfill our goal of making disciples.  Being an active part of this body of Christ it is not an option but a responsibility.

 

 

·         A great example of that was brought up last week in the letter to Titus that the older ladies are to teach the younger ones what the scriptures say about their role in the family and how to do it well.  One teaching one to help all.  That is how it is designed to work.

To make disciples, or let’s just say to share your faith, is not something that always comes easily we have to actively pursue and even be very deliberate in filling this commission that has been laid on us.  Here are three keys to sharing your faith in order to make disciples according to Billy Graham.

1.       Identify your mission field:

 We are not all called to cross the ocean to serve as a missionary.  Our mission field begins in our own house, our neighborhood, and our workplace.  “Bloom where you are planted.”  Be actively looking around you for those with whom you can share your faith.  Take time to pray about this and ask God to place some people on your heart.  It may be helpful to make a list and pray for them often.  Display to them the love you have for your Lord by loving them as you have been commanded to.  Sharing your faith begins sometimes with actions before words.  Francis of Assis once said to “Preach the gospel always and when necessary use words.”

2.      Focus on the Gospel message:

 You don’t have to invent some new ways to tell people God loves them; point them to the scriptures.  To share the scriptures means you also have to know them yourselves.  Paul told Timothy to “Study to show yourself approved unto God a workman need not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.”  John 3:16 is always a great place to start.  Identify with your listener that we all are sinners saved only by the grace of God and avoid any type of judgmental attitude.  Always remember it is God who adds to the church through the power of the gospel message and the Holy Spirit not by your flawless delivery.  Trust the Holy Spirit to guide your words just as He did for the early apostles.

3.      Share true stories of the power of God:

 Nothing is more powerful than your own personal testimony of what God has done for you.  You could share how and when God called you to follow Him.  You could share where the path you were on before Christ was headed and now where the path you are on now leads.  Let your love in your heart for your Lord shine out with the words that come from your mouth.  It may even help you if you take time to write down your testimony on paper first to have it clear in your mind to share.  Another key is to just be open and honest about your own struggles and failures.  Our job is to always be ready to share when the opportunity arises.

1 Peter 3:15 but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope in you, with meekness and fear;

·         Don’t ever be discouraged if you don’t see instant and miraculous results.  You may be called to only plant a seed that will grow someday down the road.

1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

·         We all play a part in the effectiveness of the church completing this great commission.  Our commitment to love God and love our brothers will speak louder than any words we say.  Living a life like that then gives power to the words then that you do share.  Don’t be afraid He is right there alongside us.

·         Do you have those in your life that you are ministering to?  If so, renew your efforts and if not, be diligent about seeking out those God has for you.

 

Lord, grant us opportunity and courage to share of the love that we have for You with those around us to fulfill Your great commission to us.