WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.160 Now the 11 disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 00:00:05.900 --> 00:00:09.500 And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. 00:00:10.040 --> 00:00:12.800 That doubt really has the, that's probably not the best word really. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:17.519 It's not the sense of they didn't believe, it's the sense of amazement. 00:00:18.379 --> 00:00:21.240 They had just, some of them had just seen him crucified. 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:22.140 They knew he was dead. 00:00:22.219 --> 00:00:25.240 And now standing in front of them is the risen Lord. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:29.539 And they're just kind of like too good to be true. 00:00:29.539 --> 00:00:31.300 Like can't believe this is happening. 00:00:31.399 --> 00:00:32.920 That's the sense of what they feel. 00:00:33.019 --> 00:00:37.700 And Jesus came and said to them, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:42.200 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. 00:00:43.240 --> 00:00:47.239 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 00:00:47.640 --> 00:00:50.659 Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:55.560 And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. 00:00:55.560 --> 00:01:05.620 Well, before we can really understand our mission as a church, we have to reckon with what a church actually is. 00:01:06.299 --> 00:01:06.939 What is it? 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:09.219 What does it actually mean to be a church? 00:01:09.980 --> 00:01:18.520 In one sense, the church consists of God's people from all places, all throughout history. 00:01:18.519 --> 00:01:21.459 There is the bride of Christ. 00:01:21.780 --> 00:01:23.280 It is one bride. 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:26.699 And it consists of all of God's people throughout all of history. 00:01:26.819 --> 00:01:28.079 It's an amazing thought, right? 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:33.759 It's an amazing thought to think that you not only belong to Lakeside Bible Church, 00:01:33.979 --> 00:01:38.500 you belong to the bride of Christ, the church of Christ. 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:41.019 It's amazing for us to think about that. 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:43.899 But then we have to consider local churches. 00:01:44.459 --> 00:01:46.299 What is actually a local church? 00:01:46.299 --> 00:01:51.620 I like how Jonathan Lehman illustrates it. 00:01:51.679 --> 00:02:01.840 He says that they're really like little embassies of God's kingdom in a particular place at a specific time. 00:02:02.920 --> 00:02:05.099 An embassy of the kingdom of God. 00:02:05.459 --> 00:02:12.539 Part of a church's responsibility because of that is to represent its king to the rest of the world. 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:14.280 That's what an embassy does. 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:23.099 It represents the culture and the ideas and the purposes of the king, 00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:28.699 even though they belong temporarily to a different land and to a different country. 00:02:29.400 --> 00:02:31.860 That's a helpful way to think of what a local church is. 00:02:32.199 --> 00:02:33.159 That's what we are. 00:02:33.740 --> 00:02:34.800 We're a little embassy. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:36.580 It's not very big. 00:02:36.659 --> 00:02:37.400 It doesn't have to be. 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:42.819 A little embassy of the kingdom of God in Lake Norman, in Cornelius. 00:02:43.640 --> 00:02:51.300 Now, to get a grip on the kingdom identity, you have to understand God's desire to reveal himself to the created world. 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:52.900 And I want you to think about that now. 00:02:53.700 --> 00:02:54.860 How has God revealed himself? 00:02:55.060 --> 00:02:57.460 Well, primarily he's revealed himself through the word. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:00.400 We see that Sunday by Sunday through the scriptures. 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:02.379 We are encouraged by that. 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:04.319 But I want you to think beyond the written word. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:08.139 I want you to think about human representation of God. 00:03:08.859 --> 00:03:10.419 We go all the way to the beginning. 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:12.039 Genesis chapter 1. 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:16.219 And we find that God made Adam and Eve in his own image. 00:03:16.419 --> 00:03:19.439 He created them to image him. 00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:25.819 To be his representative to the rest of the created world. 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:31.159 God desired that Adam would reflect him to everything else. 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:33.079 His representative. 00:03:33.959 --> 00:03:37.479 A little embassy in the Garden of Eden for the kingdom. 00:03:38.739 --> 00:03:43.180 And then as the created world descended into sinful chaos and forgot God, 00:03:43.819 --> 00:03:48.780 we fast forward in the scriptures a little ways and we find God calls out this man named Abraham. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:54.500 And he gives this covenant, this magnificent covenant to Abraham that he was going to establish a nation. 00:03:54.500 --> 00:03:57.039 That nation becomes the children of Israel. 00:03:57.180 --> 00:04:01.860 And they are God's representative people in the world. 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:07.340 If you wanted to know the true God and what he was like and what he desired, 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:09.960 you had to look at Israel for a time. 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:14.180 You had to look to their scriptures and to the law to really begin to understand. 00:04:14.340 --> 00:04:15.840 They were his representatives. 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:18.139 But then Paul tells us in Galatians 4, 00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:20.659 When the fullness of time had come, 00:04:21.599 --> 00:04:25.579 God sent forth his son, born of a woman, 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:30.419 born under the law that is the law of Israel in that old covenant, 00:04:30.659 --> 00:04:33.839 to redeem those who were under the law 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:36.800 so that we might receive adoptions as sons. 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:40.439 So there's a new kingdom people, new kingdom representatives happening there. 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:43.519 Adoption is what's happening there. 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:50.959 In the incarnation of Jesus, we find the representative par excellence, 00:04:51.959 --> 00:04:53.819 the supreme representative. 00:04:54.319 --> 00:05:02.180 God himself becomes flesh so that we might know him truly in his sinless life, 00:05:02.919 --> 00:05:09.199 in his substitutionary death, and in his victorious resurrection. 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:12.120 And we think of passages like Hebrews 1. 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:17.139 In these last days, God has spoken to us by his son. 00:05:17.259 --> 00:05:19.219 That's important to this representative idea. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:20.800 How did God speak in the garden? 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:21.639 Through Adam. 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:23.740 How did God speak in the Old Testament? 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:25.000 Through Israel. 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:26.599 How does God speak now? 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:28.879 Through his son. 00:05:29.699 --> 00:05:31.259 And then the writer goes on to say, 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:34.120 He is the radiance of the glory of God. 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:37.659 The exact imprint of his nature. 00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:39.620 Colossians 1. 00:05:40.020 --> 00:05:42.580 He is the image of the invisible God. 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:47.480 For in him, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:52.140 And through him, to reconcile to himself all things, 00:05:52.220 --> 00:05:53.280 whether on earth or in heaven, 00:05:53.640 --> 00:05:55.800 making peace by the blood of his cross. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:57.620 God's representative. 00:05:58.640 --> 00:05:59.780 The man, Jesus Christ. 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:03.300 So then we understand now, as we look to the scriptures, 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:05.180 if you want to know God, 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:07.300 look at Jesus. 00:06:09.020 --> 00:06:10.439 Follow Jesus. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:13.759 Listen to Jesus. 00:06:14.600 --> 00:06:19.540 So Jesus comes as God's true and better representative on earth. 00:06:19.900 --> 00:06:21.180 But there's a problem, isn't there? 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:23.680 He's not here now. 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:25.900 He left. 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:29.879 He was here for about 33 years. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:33.099 He provided salvation through his death and resurrection. 00:06:33.500 --> 00:06:35.899 And then he ascended back to the throne in Acts chapter 1. 00:06:35.979 --> 00:06:38.639 And he sits highly exalted at the right hand of the Father, 00:06:38.719 --> 00:06:39.639 awaiting a return. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:40.799 But he's not here now. 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:45.659 But he does this amazing thing where he tells the disciples in John 16 or 17. 00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:47.599 Maybe it's in both chapters where he talks about it. 00:06:47.719 --> 00:06:48.620 And he says, 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:50.599 It's good for you that I'm leaving. 00:06:50.600 --> 00:06:53.100 And they had to have been thinking, 00:06:53.260 --> 00:06:54.340 How is that good? 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:55.000 He said, 00:06:55.080 --> 00:06:56.260 It's good for you that I'm leaving. 00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:58.100 Because I'm going to send the comforter. 00:06:58.500 --> 00:06:59.460 I'm going to send the Spirit. 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:01.560 And what is it that the Holy Spirit does? 00:07:02.140 --> 00:07:05.540 The Holy Spirit uses the preaching of the gospel through the word of God 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:07.620 to regenerate sinners. 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:10.120 What does that mean? 00:07:10.900 --> 00:07:14.520 That there is a new representative people on earth now. 00:07:15.540 --> 00:07:19.060 They're not bound by geographical boundaries. 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:23.839 They don't consist of a physical nation called Israel anymore. 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:27.379 It is the church of Christ. 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:33.340 We are his representatives here on this earth. 00:07:33.800 --> 00:07:37.220 In other words, if you belong to the church through faith in Christ, 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:41.500 you are a representative agent of God 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:45.560 who should be working in and through a local church 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:49.000 that is a faithful embassy of the kingdom. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:52.459 You are made to image him. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:58.060 And now in the gospel, you are made to be a witness for him. 00:07:58.959 --> 00:08:00.060 Peter tells us this. 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:04.780 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:06.660 a people for his own possession, 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:10.759 that you may proclaim the excellencies of him 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:14.459 who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 00:08:14.459 --> 00:08:16.359 Do you hear those words? 00:08:16.419 --> 00:08:17.019 Are they on the screen? 00:08:17.099 --> 00:08:19.060 Just leave it up there for a moment, Carson. 00:08:19.359 --> 00:08:20.199 Do you see those words? 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:21.279 You're chosen. 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.259 You are called. 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:26.139 You are a priesthood. 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:29.419 You're a holy nation, a people for his own possession. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:30.319 Why? 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:31.479 Why? 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:38.019 So that you may proclaim the excellencies of him. 00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:38.960 To who? 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:40.360 To everyone. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:45.940 We are as his people, as a local embassy of the kingdom. 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:50.180 We are his people, his representatives. 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:54.159 And there are many ways that we proclaim those excellencies. 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:57.979 We do it through worship and prayer and all kinds of ways. 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:03.639 But I want to focus our attention for just a few moments more 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:08.379 on this straightforward command to make disciples of all nations. 00:09:09.579 --> 00:09:11.579 Because of who we are in Christ, 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:14.519 we have a very specific mission to fulfill. 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:18.740 And the great commission lays it out there very plainly for us, doesn't it? 00:09:19.059 --> 00:09:20.899 Just three quick things that I want to mention. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:24.240 The first thing I want to point out is a direct mandate. 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:26.439 A direct mandate. 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:28.960 Matthew 28, verse 18. 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:30.779 And Jesus came and said to them, 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:35.019 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:37.159 So go. 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:38.600 It's important. 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:43.199 In fact, it's easy to kind of skip over this 00:09:43.199 --> 00:09:44.379 if you've been a Christian for a while. 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:46.939 But you shouldn't easily dismiss this statement from the Lord. 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:49.840 The magnitude of what he says here 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:52.899 is actually why the Jews, both in his day and today, 00:09:53.019 --> 00:09:54.179 continue to reject him. 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:56.320 It's because of statements like this. 00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:59.600 It's because of what's at the heart of this claim 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:01.919 that C.S. Lewis once wrote 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:06.039 that it's impossible to be indifferent to the person of Christ. 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:08.379 That because of things like this, 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:10.720 you must either admit that he is a liar 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:14.039 or he is a lunatic, a crazy man, 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:17.879 or he is actually indeed the Lord, the Lord of all. 00:10:18.099 --> 00:10:18.799 This is important. 00:10:19.099 --> 00:10:20.839 What is it that Jesus means when he says 00:10:20.839 --> 00:10:22.279 all authority has been given to him? 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:27.339 He means that he possesses the authority and power 00:10:27.339 --> 00:10:31.459 that the scriptures say only belong to God. 00:10:31.460 --> 00:10:36.620 This is a claim of divinity from the Lord Jesus. 00:10:37.420 --> 00:10:41.240 All authority over all things in heaven and earth 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:43.500 has been given to me. 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:45.280 And Paul wrote to the Philippians 00:10:45.280 --> 00:10:48.180 and he said that this super exalted position 00:10:48.180 --> 00:10:50.540 of the Lord Jesus was given to him 00:10:50.540 --> 00:10:53.600 because of his work of salvation. 00:10:54.400 --> 00:10:55.360 Philippians chapter two, 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:57.440 though he was in the form of God, 00:10:57.440 --> 00:11:00.900 he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:02.500 but he emptied himself, 00:11:03.280 --> 00:11:04.880 taking the form of a servant, 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:07.360 being born in the likeness of men 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:09.680 and being found in human form. 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.740 He humbled himself 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:14.920 by becoming obedient to the point of death, 00:11:15.540 --> 00:11:16.720 even death on a cross. 00:11:16.720 --> 00:11:19.580 Therefore, Paul writes, 00:11:20.300 --> 00:11:22.480 God has highly exalted him, 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:26.180 bestowed on him the name that is above every name 00:11:26.180 --> 00:11:27.980 so that the name of Jesus, 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:30.460 every knee should bow in heaven 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:32.279 and on earth and under the earth 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:34.480 and every tongue confess 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:36.700 that Jesus Christ is Lord 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:38.779 to the glory of God the Father. 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:41.320 Jesus is Lord of all. 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:43.300 That includes his church. 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:48.099 That means we're not only representatives of God, 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:51.599 we are witnesses of the Lord Jesus. 00:11:52.859 --> 00:11:55.459 And as a result of his authority, 00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:59.120 he has given us a direct mandate 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:01.759 to go with his gospel message. 00:12:02.459 --> 00:12:03.439 Notice what he says. 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:06.059 All authority in heaven and on earth 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:06.979 has been given to me, 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.519 so go. 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:13.799 The command to go is contingent upon 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:17.759 his authority in verse 18. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.860 So we need to think about that. 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:20.819 What does that mean for us? 00:12:21.079 --> 00:12:23.019 Just two quick statements 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:25.079 that may help you think this through. 00:12:25.699 --> 00:12:27.220 The first thing that this means 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:29.059 as we think about Christ's authority is 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:31.419 you can go. 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:33.620 You can go. 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:38.240 What gives us the right 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:40.940 to challenge someone else's beliefs 00:12:40.940 --> 00:12:44.840 or insist that sinners 00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:47.480 are headed for the eternal wrath of God? 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:49.879 What gives us the right to do that? 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:56.960 Are people not on to something 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:59.180 when they respond to our evangelism 00:12:59.180 --> 00:12:59.879 with something like, 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:02.039 who are you to tell me how to live my life? 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:04.259 Or what gives you the right 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:06.240 to insist that your faith is correct 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:08.719 and mine is incorrect? 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:12.339 I actually think those are great questions 00:13:12.339 --> 00:13:13.759 because they need to be answered. 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:15.399 And the answer is vital. 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:17.839 And you need to hear this. 00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:21.419 We do not preach the gospel to people 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:22.779 on our own authority. 00:13:24.839 --> 00:13:26.559 We do not have the right 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:28.199 to preach the gospel to people 00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:29.939 simply because we live in a nation 00:13:29.940 --> 00:13:33.380 that claims to support freedom of speech. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.760 That's not why we do that. 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:36.260 That's not what gives us the authority 00:13:36.260 --> 00:13:37.260 and the right to do it. 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:41.120 Ours is not an inherent authority. 00:13:42.540 --> 00:13:44.240 It's the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:13:44.640 --> 00:13:46.660 the one with all authority 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:47.620 in heaven and on earth, 00:13:47.780 --> 00:13:51.120 who then authorizes his people 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:52.720 to go into the world 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:55.100 and preach the gospel of his kingdom. 00:13:56.020 --> 00:13:56.600 Someone says, 00:13:56.760 --> 00:13:58.480 what gives you the right to do this? 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.620 And they say, 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:01.920 well, it's not really a right. 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:04.420 I've been authorized by the King of kings 00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:05.320 and the Lord of lords. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:08.920 This is what he's chosen me to do. 00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:10.460 This is what he's made me to do. 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:12.720 You can go. 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:16.180 You have authority to go. 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:19.519 And Christ's authority also means 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:21.279 that we can be confident 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:23.060 that obedience to him 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:24.659 will result in fruitfulness. 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:26.460 It's amazing, isn't it? 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:27.980 There's a sense in which 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:30.160 this is coming right after Jesus' resurrection. 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.160 There's a sense in which 00:14:31.160 --> 00:14:32.620 he's telling his disciples, 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.200 I was dead. 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:36.259 Now I'm alive again. 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:39.740 I have authority over life and death. 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:43.160 I have authority over condemnation 00:14:43.160 --> 00:14:45.040 and peace with God. 00:14:45.400 --> 00:14:47.420 So go with that message. 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:49.460 Tell people on my authority 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.980 that I have authority 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.280 to forgive their sins 00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:53.540 and give them life. 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:54.799 It's amazing. 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.860 And the second statement is simple. 00:14:57.199 --> 00:14:58.099 You can go, 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.599 but you must go. 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:00.699 That's the other thing. 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.240 You must go. 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:05.059 We can't forget that the Great Commission 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:06.919 is not an option for us. 00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:09.299 It's not something that we can elect to do. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:12.839 It is something that we are called to do. 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:14.000 It's a mandate. 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:17.000 And we must not let fear 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.879 and complacency keep us from 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:20.539 being obedient to it. 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:23.000 So we have a direct mandate. 00:15:23.219 --> 00:15:23.519 Number two, 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:26.179 we have a distinct mission. 00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:28.439 A distinct mission. 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:30.120 Verse 19, 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:35.079 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, 00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:38.299 baptizing them in the name of the Father 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:40.480 and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:42.939 teaching them to observe 00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:45.339 all that I have commanded you. 00:15:45.959 --> 00:15:47.959 Now this is where we get to the very heart 00:15:47.959 --> 00:15:48.959 of the church's mission. 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.379 And again, 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.560 there are many ways 00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:52.639 that we proclaim the excellencies of God. 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:53.879 Corporate worship, 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.259 personal holiness, 00:15:55.560 --> 00:15:56.300 social engagement. 00:15:56.400 --> 00:15:57.580 Those are just some of the ways 00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:59.759 that we represent God in the world. 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:01.500 But none of those things 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:04.100 take away from the distinct mission 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:06.580 that the Lord Jesus has given us. 00:16:07.920 --> 00:16:09.460 And that mission is clear. 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:14.340 Make disciples of all nations. 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:16.100 That's the mission. 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.000 It's distinct. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:17.620 You say, 00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:19.080 what is a church supposed to do? 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:19.940 Well, 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:22.259 it's great if a church is engaged in its community, 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.820 but that's not the distinct mission. 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:26.860 The distinct mission is not social reforms. 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:29.700 The distinct mission is not political alignments. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:32.240 The distinct mission is not fill in the blank, 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:33.659 whatever it is that you want to fill it with. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:35.179 There's a distinct mission, 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:40.000 and it is to make disciples of all nations. 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:42.539 So let's think about what a disciple is. 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:45.819 A disciple is someone who follows Jesus. 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:51.959 Now, I don't mean someone who identifies with Christianity 00:16:51.959 --> 00:16:55.939 on a superficial or cultural level. 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.599 That's not what we mean by that. 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:59.099 That's not a disciple of Christ. 00:16:59.439 --> 00:17:00.459 That's not even a Christian. 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:08.039 We're talking about someone who has been born again by the Holy Spirit, 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:12.500 has trusted in Christ alone for eternal salvation, 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:15.600 and is following him as Lord of their life. 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.240 That's what a disciple is. 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.440 They follow Jesus. 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:22.180 Now, to make disciples is very simple. 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:26.940 To help other people follow Jesus. 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:32.660 Making disciples is not recruiting people to your church. 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:37.200 Making disciples is not convincing others 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:43.920 to adopt a Christian set of ethics or values or moral positions. 00:17:44.320 --> 00:17:46.519 That's not what it means to make disciples. 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:53.500 To make disciples is to help someone else follow Jesus. 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:58.460 And there's two ways that Jesus tells us to do that in this text. 00:17:58.759 --> 00:18:00.879 The main verb here is to make disciples. 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.660 That's the distinct mission. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:05.160 And then he gives us two ways that we are to do that. 00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:07.500 The first way is personal evangelism. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.759 This is what we talked so much about last night. 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.940 Personal evangelism. 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:14.839 He says, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:15.619 and the Holy Spirit. 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:18.460 Which simply means to preach the gospel. 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:24.379 It doesn't mean that physical baptism is what makes someone a Christian. 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:24.839 It's not. 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:28.200 You can get dunked every Sunday of your life and it won't matter. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:31.059 There's nothing about that that makes you a Christian. 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:34.059 It identifies you with a gospel message 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:37.900 that does have the power to make you a Christian. 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:40.359 But the baptism itself is not the thing. 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:44.839 But you can't baptize somebody who hasn't been born again and turned to Christ. 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:50.399 And someone can't turn to Christ and obey him unless someone takes the word of God 00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:52.399 and preaches the gospel to them. 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:59.740 Therefore, the first step of making disciples must be personal evangelism. 00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:03.300 Personally sharing the message of salvation 00:19:03.300 --> 00:19:07.420 and praying for God to save those who hear it. 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:10.360 Now that's an intimidating task, isn't it? 00:19:11.560 --> 00:19:12.880 We all have to admit that. 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:15.700 Unless you're just like one of the super extroverted people 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:19.340 or one of those people that just doesn't mind to just say whatever's on your mind 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:22.620 at any given time, no matter what comes back at you. 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.980 Maybe some of you are that way. 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:27.680 I pretend to be that way, but I'm not typically that way in the heart. 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:30.319 It's an intimidating task, isn't it? 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:33.360 To go to somebody and say, you're a sinner 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:36.279 and God's going to send you to an eternal hell 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:38.319 unless you turn to Christ. 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.599 He's your only hope. 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.539 It's simple, but it's hard. 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:43.860 It's hard to do. 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:47.140 You say, how can I actually do that? 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.579 Well, you need to be prepared to do it. 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.200 You say, well, I really don't know. 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.059 I don't have any training. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:54.659 Well, if you know enough of the gospel to be a Christian, 00:19:54.879 --> 00:19:57.879 then you know enough of the gospel to help someone else become a Christian. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.799 You don't have to be specially trained. 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:03.619 You don't have to have a particular giftedness. 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.379 You just have to give the truth. 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:09.519 Maybe a helpful paradigm would be this. 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:11.899 Maybe you'd start with a question like this. 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:16.480 Why is there something rather than nothing? 00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:19.599 Like just in existence. 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.799 Why are we here? 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:23.879 Why do we exist? 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:25.579 Why is there something rather than nothing? 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:29.000 You see, in our culture now, Julie and I learned so much about this this week 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:32.799 in this seminar with Al Mohler, and he talked a lot about these things. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:36.639 But you see, in the neo-paganism of our world, 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:41.379 the atheism that exists today cannot exist without Darwinism. 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:44.399 Without Darwinism, there is no atheism. 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:47.420 And there wasn't prior, not in the way that we know it today. 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:50.060 And the question for them is this. 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:52.040 Why is anything here? 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:54.240 Why does any of this exist? 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.920 Darwinism does not have an answer for that. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.620 Not a satisfying answer, at least. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.320 The Bible has the answer for that. 00:21:02.280 --> 00:21:03.220 Genesis 1-1. 00:21:03.780 --> 00:21:07.180 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:10.940 And if God created the heavens and the earth, that means that he created you. 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:17.240 And if he created you, that means he owns you, which is where the rub is. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:19.560 That's what we don't want to admit, right? 00:21:19.600 --> 00:21:24.160 Because if we acknowledge that there's a creator, then we have to acknowledge that there is a purpose, 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:26.519 that we have to be accountable to him, right? 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:29.599 So why is there something rather than nothing? 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:33.500 Well, there's something because there is a God who has made this something. 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:38.019 And he has made this something, including you, for a very specific purpose. 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.519 Which leads us to a second question. 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.500 Where did it all go wrong? 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:47.440 If God is good, and he was good in creation, why are we in such a mess now? 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.819 Where did it all go wrong? 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:51.819 Well, we go to passages like Romans 3. 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:54.400 All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:58.920 We think about passages like Romans 5. 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:03.519 Sin comes by one man, that is Adam, and death by sin. 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:08.440 Therefore, death passes upon all men because all have sinned, Paul writes. 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:12.279 The issue, what's gone wrong, is our own rebellion against the creator. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:17.099 And then the next question is, well, is there any hope for that? 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.420 Is there any hope? 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.079 Well, yes, there is, actually. 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:26.160 And it's not found in your best efforts, and it's not found in your religious involvement. 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:29.380 The only hope that we have is in the gospel of Jesus. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:35.259 That God showed his love toward us, and that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:37.640 Or how about Ephesians chapter 2? 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:40.200 God, who is rich in mercy. 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:44.640 When we were dead in our trespasses and sins. 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.740 Not dying. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.759 Dead. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.379 God quickened us. 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:48.559 God quickened us. 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:50.400 Made us alive together with Christ. 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.579 By grace you have been saved. 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:56.640 The only hope this world has is the gospel of Jesus. 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:59.879 Which leads us to a final question. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.259 Where is all of this going? 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.200 Where is all of it going? 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:08.400 For that, we go to the very final pages of the Bible. 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:11.220 Revelation 19 and 20 and 21 and 22. 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:15.059 And we see this picture, like we talked about last night, of the great white throne judgment. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:18.840 All of this is heading towards final judgment. 00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:23.299 Christ will set everything right. 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:26.080 Sinners will be judged. 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:30.639 Christians will enjoy eternal life. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:36.319 Those who continue to reject Christ will be cast into the lake of fire. 00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:37.379 That's where it's all going. 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:42.399 Now, it's really easy for me to stand up here on a Sunday morning and go through that. 00:23:42.699 --> 00:23:44.639 And of course, conversations have different nuances. 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:46.019 But it's got to have something in there. 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:47.059 That's the gospel, right? 00:23:47.439 --> 00:23:49.379 You have to understand creation. 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:51.500 You have to understand sin. 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:54.839 You have to understand salvation in Christ and his grace. 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:58.359 Listen, what is coming ahead and his renewing power? 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.539 Personal evangelism. 00:24:00.419 --> 00:24:03.459 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, Paul says. 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:07.799 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:11.099 How are they to believe in him in whom they've never heard? 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:14.079 How are they to hear without someone preaching? 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:20.379 How are they to preach unless they're sent by a church to do it? 00:24:21.419 --> 00:24:24.000 So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.119 Okay, so you've got the picture. 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:27.599 We've talked about that a lot the last two days, personal evangelism. 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:29.440 But there's a second part to this that Jesus says. 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:33.920 Not only are we to make disciples of all nations first by evangelizing them, 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:39.519 but then he says we are to be involved in mutual discipling is what I like to call it. 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.519 Mutual discipling. 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:46.259 He says evangelism is essential, but it's not all. 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.680 It continues. 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:54.119 Teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you, Jesus says. 00:24:54.119 --> 00:25:03.799 The disciples were to share the gospel message and train others to believe everything else that Jesus had commanded them to believe and do. 00:25:04.919 --> 00:25:09.679 And we must acknowledge that this work will not be finished until Jesus returns. 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:15.579 Al Mohler said this this week, and I found it so helpful and really frustrating on one hand, 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:16.839 but then really helpful on the other end. 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:20.419 And it was this, I can't bring you to completion. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.799 I want to. 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:25.379 I wish I could do that. 00:25:25.699 --> 00:25:31.299 I wish that the labors, the pastoral labor that God has given me to enjoy and to endure, 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:36.439 I wish that it was actually capable of making you everything that you're supposed to be. 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:38.440 But I can't actually do that. 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:40.360 And you can't do that. 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:42.759 Only Jesus can do that. 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:46.380 And Jesus will do that in the end. 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:51.019 But in the meantime, we're helping one another along that way, 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:54.740 and he's using us to do that until he brings it to completion. 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:58.980 And the work will never be finished, which means one of two things for us. 00:25:59.320 --> 00:26:05.259 First, it means there will never be a time when you no longer need to help other people faithfully follow Jesus. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:11.779 There will never be a time when you can just kind of hang up your church member gloves or whatever 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:13.240 and say, you know what, I've put in my time. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:18.500 I'm just ready to show up Sunday and enjoy the service and listen to the singing and do the things. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:21.680 There will never be a time when that's possible for you. 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:27.599 There will always be someone to help follow Jesus more faithfully. 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:37.439 It also means there will never be a time in your life when you don't need others to help you faithfully follow Jesus. 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.839 We need one another. 00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:43.419 It doesn't matter how long you've been a Christian or how well you know your Bible. 00:26:43.899 --> 00:26:47.219 Sometimes you need someone maybe that doesn't even know the Bible quite as well as you 00:26:47.219 --> 00:26:49.579 to remind you of the things that you easily forget. 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:52.679 We need one another. 00:26:53.859 --> 00:27:00.019 It's one of the reasons why it's so important to emphasize meaningful membership in a local church. 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:09.419 If the extent of your relationships in this church are limited to who you might see and speak to on a Sunday morning, 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:14.940 then it's likely that there is a significant spiritual deficiency in your life. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:23.400 Not only are you falling short of Jesus' disciple-making program, as he explains here, 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:27.920 you're actually robbing yourself of a gracious blessing from God. 00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:34.480 Believe it or not, you are God's gracious gift to this church. 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:36.900 You are. 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:41.240 And the people sitting around you need you. 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:47.140 And you may not understand exactly why or exactly how you can benefit them, 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:49.039 but that's not for you to understand. 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.200 That's for God's purposes. 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.240 He will use you. 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.720 You just need to engage. 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.220 You just need to care. 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.539 You need to have coffee. 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:58.580 You need to have lunch. 00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.740 You need to have people in your home. 00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:02.340 Hospitality is a mark of Christian living. 00:28:02.800 --> 00:28:04.920 We need to be more hospitable people with one another. 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:11.580 We need to do our best to actually have a conversation that's meaningful, 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:13.600 that goes beyond how bad the Panthers are. 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.900 Because they're bad. 00:28:19.300 --> 00:28:24.160 Men, we need other guys in our life that will sit around and will ask us some hard questions. 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:28.640 Someone who will ask us, 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:31.080 what actually have you been looking at this week? 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.800 How have you been treating your wife this week? 00:28:35.560 --> 00:28:36.560 Ladies, you need the same thing. 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:37.220 We need one another. 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:41.400 This is why a discipling culture is one of those focuses, 00:28:41.560 --> 00:28:43.540 those core values that we talk about so much. 00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:46.780 And we need to ask two questions before we wrap things up. 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:49.940 First, who are you discipling? 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:53.039 Who is it in your life? 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:56.019 Let me even qualify that as outside of your family. 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:58.319 Because the assumption is that we're all doing that with our families. 00:28:58.379 --> 00:29:00.059 And if you're not, that's where you need to start. 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:03.819 But outside of your family, who is it in your life? 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:05.779 And who is it specifically in this church 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:10.920 that you are intentionally helping to more faithfully follow Jesus? 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:16.880 Like you just know, like this person or these guys or these ladies or whoever it is, 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:18.820 these are the people that right now in this season, 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:22.279 I'm doing my best to pour my life into and to help them. 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.039 That's the first question. 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:26.460 And if nobody comes to mind, find somebody. 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:27.700 Find somebody. 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.500 Marty could use a lot of discipling. 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:32.380 Go to Marty after the service this morning and say, 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.640 Marty, I'd love to disciple you. 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:36.220 Marty could disciple most of us. 00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:38.800 The second question is this. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:41.279 Who's discipling you right now? 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:43.740 So who are you discipling? 00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:44.839 But who's discipling you? 00:29:44.899 --> 00:29:46.279 You see, you can't forget that. 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:48.460 There's never a moment that you've arrived, 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.480 not until you get to heaven. 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.460 And we need one another. 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:54.899 And some of us, we just need to go to somebody else in the church 00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:56.879 and say, look, I don't know exactly what all this means 00:29:56.879 --> 00:29:58.419 and how it needs to work out. 00:29:58.500 --> 00:30:00.359 But would you just consider, 00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:03.559 maybe for the next three or four months, 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:05.279 meeting with me regularly, 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:08.059 just to help me be a more faithful Christian? 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:11.599 I know you all well, 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:14.099 and I don't think there's a person in this room 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:15.139 that would look at you and say, 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.599 you know what, I don't think I'm interested. 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:20.000 And if they are, come see me, 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.559 because I'll do it. 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:22.960 I'll do it. 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.720 We need it. 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:26.259 Personal evangelism. 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.680 Mutual discipling. 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.879 Let's wrap all of it up. 00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:29.619 I know it's been long. 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:31.659 Third thing here in the text, 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.159 and this is so good. 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:35.359 Divine means. 00:30:36.399 --> 00:30:37.440 Divine means. 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:38.539 Verse 28. 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:40.380 Behold, Jesus says, 00:30:40.580 --> 00:30:42.920 I am with you always. 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.960 To the end of the age. 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:48.920 I am with you always. 00:30:50.340 --> 00:30:51.640 Last night we talked about this. 00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:54.640 Jesus is the reaper, right? 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.460 Now he uses us, 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:58.580 and we have these smaller moments 00:30:58.580 --> 00:31:01.840 of where we get to enjoy reaping and fruitfulness, 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:04.160 but Jesus is the one who actually does the reaping. 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:06.540 He's the only one that can save. 00:31:06.800 --> 00:31:07.920 We can't save people. 00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:10.160 All we can do is take the gospel message. 00:31:10.560 --> 00:31:11.920 Jesus does the reaping. 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.779 And this is what's amazing about it. 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:16.080 Think back to that story in John chapter 4, 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.980 the woman at the well. 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:21.100 Remember, do you remember why she was coming to the well 00:31:21.100 --> 00:31:21.920 in the middle of the day? 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:27.000 All signs point to her being a social outcast, 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:28.300 even among her own people. 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:32.099 Which means she's not the kind of person 00:31:32.099 --> 00:31:33.599 anybody else is going to listen to. 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:36.440 But then do you see what happens in the chapter? 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:38.759 She leaves Jesus, and she goes into the town, 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.940 and it doesn't take very long. 00:31:40.159 --> 00:31:41.419 And then what's the next thing that happens? 00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:43.379 Suddenly, all the people in the town 00:31:43.379 --> 00:31:45.279 are coming out to see Jesus. 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:47.599 And why is it that they're coming out to see Jesus? 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:50.919 Because the woman that they don't even like 00:31:50.919 --> 00:31:52.079 told them to. 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:54.460 Now, why would they do that? 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:57.359 That doesn't make any sense at all. 00:31:58.439 --> 00:32:00.919 Why would they just suddenly start listening 00:32:00.919 --> 00:32:02.220 to this woman from the well? 00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:03.319 Let me tell you why. 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:05.039 Because Jesus is the reaper. 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.839 And when he tells the disciples, 00:32:07.419 --> 00:32:09.480 as you go in missional faithfulness, 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:12.019 I'm going to go with you in divine authority, 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:14.240 and I'm going to provide the divine means. 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:16.480 You see, here's what I think Jesus was doing. 00:32:16.699 --> 00:32:18.960 Through the Holy Spirit, he's already working 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.599 on the people's hearts in that town, 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:22.839 so that it didn't matter who that woman was. 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:25.079 As soon as she said, come see this man, 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:26.799 there's something in them that says, 00:32:26.919 --> 00:32:28.219 you need to see this man. 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:31.779 Now, some of us, we get really discouraged about that. 00:32:32.179 --> 00:32:34.199 And we think, I don't have a lot of gifting, 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:36.019 and I'm really kind of nervous to talk to people. 00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:38.579 And man, if I go to talk to this person, 00:32:38.699 --> 00:32:40.079 they actually know me. 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:43.439 Which means that they know my sin, 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.559 and they know my past, 00:32:44.639 --> 00:32:47.099 and they're never going to listen to me about that. 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:49.539 Listen, if they'll listen to that woman at the well, 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:51.940 why do you think Jesus won't cause the people 00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:53.099 in your life to listen to you? 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:56.759 You see, it's not ultimately about you. 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:59.119 And it's not about me. 00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.659 He is the reaper. 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.539 He is doing this work. 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:05.240 Listen to what Paul said to the Corinthians. 00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:06.859 When I came to you, brothers, 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:09.059 I did not come proclaiming to you 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:12.220 the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:15.380 For I decided to know nothing among you 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:17.160 except Jesus and him crucified. 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:19.819 And I was with you in weakness, 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.420 in fear, 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:23.180 and much trembling. 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:25.279 And my speech and my message 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:27.819 were not in plausible words of wisdom, 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:30.640 but in the demonstration of spirit 00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:32.440 and power. 00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:35.700 So that your faith may not rest 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.880 in the wisdom of men, 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:39.240 but in the power of God. 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:41.420 You see, the people that Jesus loves to use 00:33:41.420 --> 00:33:43.299 are the people that at the end of it 00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:45.059 will immediately say, 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.920 that had nothing to do with me 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:49.220 because I'm not real good at talking 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.720 and I don't really know everything to say, 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.960 but the Lord is just faithful 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:53.359 and he does his work through us. 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:55.279 Isn't that what Paul's saying there? 00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:57.400 Isn't that what Jesus was doing 00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:58.200 with the woman at the well? 00:33:58.380 --> 00:33:59.220 And here's the other thing. 00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:01.220 You may not always see the fruitfulness, 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:03.359 but Jesus is always going with you. 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:05.599 Last night after the service, 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:07.079 a teenager from Laurel, 00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:08.759 that I don't even personally know. 00:34:08.799 --> 00:34:09.519 He wasn't at the church 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:11.179 when Julie and I were there. 00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:13.400 He came up to me after the service 00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:13.779 and he said, 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:15.779 I want to convey a message to you 00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:17.500 from a friend of mine 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.860 that he had invited 00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:20.380 to come to that teen activity 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.099 back in August. 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:21.739 Do you remember that? 00:34:22.299 --> 00:34:23.319 We had it here in the gym 00:34:23.319 --> 00:34:24.139 at the end of August 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:25.739 and Laurel's teens came over. 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:27.519 Well, this guy invited his buddy 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:28.599 who doesn't go to the church there, 00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.940 invited his buddy to come along. 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:31.619 Now, I didn't preach 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.819 a gospel message that day. 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:34.099 I actually probably gave 00:34:34.099 --> 00:34:35.219 a quite boring lecture 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:36.980 on the inerrancy of the Bible. 00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:38.400 Which teenagers, 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.319 I'm sure, really loved. 00:34:40.759 --> 00:34:42.099 And I gave him a little book 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:42.860 and he said, 00:34:43.259 --> 00:34:44.900 the kid's name was Max 00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:46.639 and this boy comes to me last night 00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:47.019 and he says, 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:48.779 Max wanted me to convey 00:34:48.779 --> 00:34:49.579 a message to you. 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:51.000 He wanted you to know 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:52.819 that it was as a result 00:34:52.819 --> 00:34:53.480 of that lecture 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.559 and the book that you gave. 00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:55.779 He immediately went home 00:34:55.779 --> 00:34:56.599 and read that book 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:57.799 on why we can trust the Bible. 00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:58.480 And he said, 00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.619 that's actually what led him 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:01.860 to trust Christ. 00:35:02.739 --> 00:35:04.019 And he's been saved now. 00:35:04.579 --> 00:35:06.159 And I was so encouraged by that. 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:06.539 You know, 00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:09.079 I would have never known Max 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:10.780 and I would have never known 00:35:10.780 --> 00:35:12.780 how God was working in Max 00:35:12.780 --> 00:35:14.360 had that teenager not come up 00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:15.639 and told me that last night. 00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:16.539 Now, I want you to think 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.719 about all of your opportunities 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:19.420 for witnessing and discipleship. 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:21.480 You don't always see 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:22.480 the fruitfulness of that. 00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:24.159 But when Jesus says, 00:35:24.300 --> 00:35:25.440 behold, I'm with you always 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.360 to the end of the age, 00:35:26.619 --> 00:35:27.400 he means that. 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:29.059 Which means that 00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:30.019 as we're going in faithfulness, 00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:30.579 faithfulness, 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:32.699 he's going with the divine means 00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.340 that we need. 00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:35.840 So on this fourth anniversary 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:36.900 of our church, 00:35:37.460 --> 00:35:39.780 I want you to remember 00:35:39.780 --> 00:35:40.900 who we are in Christ 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:42.000 and what we've been called 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:43.000 to do as his people. 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.579 And by God's grace, 00:35:44.579 --> 00:35:45.820 I intend to press forward 00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:46.599 in these things 00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:48.259 with a gospel focus 00:35:48.259 --> 00:35:49.719 and the priority 00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:50.639 of gathered worship 00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:51.900 and biblical teaching 00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:53.039 and personal holiness 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.840 and kingdom mission, 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:55.019 the whole thing. 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.579 But I'm going to be honest with you, 00:35:56.719 --> 00:35:58.000 I'd rather not do it alone. 00:35:58.000 --> 00:36:00.039 I'm happy to 00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:01.659 if that's how the Lord 00:36:01.659 --> 00:36:02.219 sees fit. 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:04.199 But I don't think 00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:04.920 that's how the Lord 00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:06.400 wants things to go. 00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:08.300 Can I just ask you again 00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:08.980 after four years, 00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:10.360 will you join me 00:36:10.360 --> 00:36:11.460 in pressing onward? 00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:13.320 You go with me. 00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:15.780 You partner with me 00:36:15.780 --> 00:36:16.300 in the mission 00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:17.619 that Christ has given us. 00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.599 You help me reach 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.099 our community 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:21.000 with evangelism, 00:36:21.260 --> 00:36:22.420 just like in any way we can. 00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:23.019 Maybe it's just, 00:36:23.360 --> 00:36:24.420 maybe your biggest role 00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:24.800 is going to be 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:25.760 a role of prayer. 00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:29.100 And then as you pray 00:36:29.100 --> 00:36:30.320 for evangelists 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:31.100 in the conversation, 00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:31.800 going to those people 00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:32.000 and saying, 00:36:32.120 --> 00:36:32.900 okay, who have you 00:36:32.900 --> 00:36:33.500 talked to this week? 00:36:33.560 --> 00:36:34.080 Tell me about it 00:36:34.080 --> 00:36:34.880 so I can pray for them. 00:36:35.160 --> 00:36:36.040 Maybe that's the role 00:36:36.040 --> 00:36:37.220 that God intends 00:36:37.220 --> 00:36:39.520 for you to primarily pray in that. 00:36:39.700 --> 00:36:40.660 But will you partner 00:36:40.660 --> 00:36:41.500 with us together 00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:42.160 to do that? 00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:44.580 Will you commit 00:36:44.580 --> 00:36:47.160 to mutual discipling? 00:36:48.460 --> 00:36:49.300 Will you disciple me? 00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:50.400 Some of you are so faithful 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:51.060 to do this. 00:36:51.680 --> 00:36:52.220 Terry Forey 00:36:52.220 --> 00:36:53.780 is a faithful discipler for me. 00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:54.640 I don't think he realizes 00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:55.559 how much he does that, 00:36:55.619 --> 00:36:56.059 but he is, 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:57.119 and many of you are. 00:36:59.059 --> 00:36:59.819 And just helping me 00:36:59.819 --> 00:37:00.480 be faithful. 00:37:02.400 --> 00:37:03.099 Help me be faithful. 00:37:03.379 --> 00:37:04.159 Will you help one another 00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:04.679 be faithful? 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:06.019 If I die tomorrow, 00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:06.920 will you keep going? 00:37:08.079 --> 00:37:08.679 Keep going. 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:09.659 Call Austin 00:37:09.659 --> 00:37:11.759 or Andy 00:37:11.759 --> 00:37:12.179 or whoever, 00:37:12.359 --> 00:37:13.299 somebody that can come 00:37:13.299 --> 00:37:13.879 and they can start 00:37:13.879 --> 00:37:14.539 filling the pulpit 00:37:14.539 --> 00:37:15.059 on Sundays 00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:16.940 and just keep pressing onward. 00:37:17.639 --> 00:37:18.739 You don't need me for this. 00:37:20.179 --> 00:37:21.279 You've already got the promise 00:37:21.279 --> 00:37:22.199 that Christ is with you 00:37:22.199 --> 00:37:22.619 in this. 00:37:22.619 --> 00:37:24.799 I'm just an instrument. 00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:27.079 So if something happens, 00:37:27.159 --> 00:37:28.219 we just keep going. 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:30.159 Keep doing the thing. 00:37:31.239 --> 00:37:32.139 Keep being faithful. 00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:34.319 This is what we've been 00:37:34.319 --> 00:37:34.960 called to do. 00:37:36.319 --> 00:37:37.519 And I hope you'll continue 00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:38.420 with me on the journey 00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:38.779 for that. 00:37:38.780 --> 00:37:38.990 NINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNINGNING