WEBVTT

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 We invite you to take your copy of God's Word and turn with me to Matthew chapter 28.

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! We had purpose today to get back into our study of Romans, and I must tell you that I'm very eager to continue considering and learning from verses 16 and 17 of chapter 1.

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 At this rate, we'll finish Romans about the time I retire as a pastor.

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 I do hope we'll be able to get in it and keep up a pace here very soon.

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 But this evening, we have an important members meeting to pray and discuss the future of our church.

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 You see, God has been blessing us with growth.

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 Good, healthy, steady growth.

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 And we feel it on a lot of Sundays, not every Sunday, because there's just been so much sickness as of late.

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 But when you really begin to pay attention and look at the numbers, we have a wonderful opportunity in front of us, and we're going to have to think together.

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 We're going to need to make some changes to the way that we meet if we are to stay on mission as a church.

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 So, as I have spent time working on a sermon for today, I have felt that the most important thing happening today is the work we will do together this evening, which is why I want to prime us for that meeting.

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 Now, if you're a guest this morning, whether a new guest or a long-time guest, I don't believe this lesson will be lost on you, so don't already check out on us.

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 In fact, perhaps it will help inform your church involvement.

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 So, I pray that this will be of good benefit for us all.

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 I'm revisiting this morning a sermon that I preached about six months ago when we were going through that resilient church culture kind of series that we were working through on the mission of the church.

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 What is the mission of the church?

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 If we are not crystal clear on why we exist, then we will always be distracted by some lesser purpose.

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 I think that we are God's people and we care about his word, but there's a lot of lesser purposes that can distract us from the purpose of the church.

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 We will need to readily identify what battles we ought to engage in and what the war is that we cannot avoid.

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 We must know the task the Lord has set before us if we are to make decisions both macro and micro that honor him.

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 So, we're going to look today at Matthew chapter 28, verse 18, 19, and 20.

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 A text that perhaps is familiar to you.

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 Maybe you've never heard it and thought about it in the context of a local church.

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 Before I read it, beloved, let me remind you that this is God's word to us written for his glory and our good.

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 And so, we should listen to it so that we would believe its promises and that we would obey its commands.

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 Matthew 28, verse 18 and following.

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 And Jesus came and said to them,

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 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

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 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

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 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

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 And behold, I'm with you always to the end of the age.

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 Now, in considering this text, we must first consider the amazing Christological statement that Jesus makes concerning himself in verse 18.

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 He says there that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

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 Let us not rush past this to the application, but stop for a moment to steep in this reality.

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 Jesus is totally in charge.

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 There's not an ounce of anything that happens in this world that our Lord does not reign over.

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 This episode, as Matthew records it for us, takes place just after Jesus' resurrection.

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 He has lived the perfectly righteous life that we cannot live, but that is required of us.

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 He has died a most gruesome death on the cross and paid the penalty for our sin.

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 A debt that with all our penitence we could not have repaid.

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 And he has risen from the grave, defeating death, guaranteeing that for those who place saving faith in his person and his work,

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 we will one day be resurrected.

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 It is on the heels of this that Jesus says,

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 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

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 Now, it takes a little imagination to think,

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 What must have the disciples thought at this point?

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 Where do our minds go if the risen Christ is before us and says,

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 All authority in heaven and on earth, this leaves nothing out, has been given to me.

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 And I just imagine it's where my mind goes.

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 Maybe it's where their minds went.

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 To a text like Daniel chapter 7, verse 13 and 14.

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 Where Daniel records,

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 I saw in the night visions and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man.

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 And he came to the ancient of days and was presented before him.

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 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him.

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 His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away.

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 And his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

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 Right?

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 This, who we understand to be the Christ, the son of man, is given all the dominion so that peoples, nations and languages would serve him.

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 Right?

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 In his kingdom forever and ever.

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 If their minds happened to go to a text like this,

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 then Jesus' following command would not have been a surprise to them.

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 He has a reign that is going to include peoples, nations and languages.

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 So it makes sense that he says,

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 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.

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 Or in the Greek, ethnos.

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 Go, therefore, in response to what I have just told you of my authority.

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 Go, right?

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 Because I am in charge of all things.

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 Go.

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 And this Greek word for go, which I won't try to pronounce this morning,

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 means in the simplest of terms to go or to travel.

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 This is why this text is most classically used as a missionary text.

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 And it certainly is that.

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 As it speaks of all nations.

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 Right?

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 It is a missionary text, but not just a missionary text.

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 As a brief side note, I argue that this is a reference to peoples, not nation states.

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 It's a much more inclusive statement.

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 Right?

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 So it's a missionary text, but not just a missionary text.

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 You see, this Greek word go is in the errorist verb tense.

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 In this case, not indicating a particular moment of going.

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 It's in the passive grammatical voice,

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 which means the subject implied in this case as you is being acted upon.

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 So a fair translation of go could be in your God-ordained going about.

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 In all of your going in which the Jesus who reigns over all things sends you,

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 be about the work of making disciples.

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 So it is a missionary text because there are going to be people who go to the very ends of the earth.

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 But it is also a text for us today.

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 Jesus gives us a command to make disciples in our God-ordained going about,

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 which may include packing up and spending your life in a remote place.

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 Or it may include commuting to a thankless job.

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 But wherever you are sent, you are to be part of this disciple-making endeavor.

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 You see, even as Jesus has all authority,

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 he is pleased to use secondary means to bring about his purposes.

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 He includes us in his mission on the earth because he loves us.

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 And he knows that including us in his purpose grants us him as we see him work mightily in our disciple-making efforts.

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 This is not delegated authority.

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 He doesn't give us authority.

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 Jesus has the authority.

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 We have a command.

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 But because Jesus has the authority, it is an empowered command.

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 And he does not want us to miss this.

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 Which is why the text is bookended.

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 At the end of verse 20, he says,

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 And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.

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 Jesus possesses all the authority,

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 commands us to make disciples,

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 and promises to accompany us with his authority.

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 This ought to embolden the listener to Jesus' words.

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 I have the authority.

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 I will empower you.

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 So, in your going about, as I've ordered it,

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 be about the work of making disciples.

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 We have nothing to fear.

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 For if God is for us, who can be against us?

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 As Charles Spurgeon once said,

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 Half our fears arise from neglect of the Bible.

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 Often Christians focus their minds on the going

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 and forget who has all the authority

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 and who goes with us.

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 So, Jesus gives us a command to go, therefore,

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 and make disciples of all nations

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 and a promise to empower the work with his authority.

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 But what are the means for this disciple making?

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 Perhaps you've gathered where I'm going with this

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 as I have posed the question to us this morning,

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 what is the mission of the church?

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 The means for the command to make disciples of all nations

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 is the church.

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 This is the mission of the church.

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 Here, in the simplest of terms,

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 to make disciples.

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 Now, how do I arrive at that from this text?

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 I want you to see these three verses

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 as highly ecclesiological.

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 If I can get there,

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 because I see two activities in our disciple making.

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 The first one we see is baptizing.

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 So we're to make disciples,

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 baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son

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 and of the Holy Spirit.

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 Now, Bobby Jameson, in his book,

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 Understanding Baptism,

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 defined baptism this way.

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 Baptism is a church's act

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 of affirming and portraying

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 a believer's union with Christ

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 by immersing him or her in water

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 and a believer's act

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 of publicly committing him or herself

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 to Christ and his people,

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 thereby uniting a believer to the church

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 and marking off him or her

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 from the world.

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 It's the believer's act

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 of declaring that they're in Christ.

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 They identify with Christ

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 and his people

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 and the church's act

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 of affirming

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 that they believe

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 that profession is credible.

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 It's one of the ordinances

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 we get from the Latin

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 to put in order.

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 It's the ordinance

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 by which we welcome people

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 into the church.

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 Now, we don't have time

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 to prove this definition out.

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 I think that book's out in the book nook

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 if you'd like to pick it up.

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 I'll be happy to put it in your hand.

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 But we believe as a church

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 that baptizing individuals

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 in the name of the triune God

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 is what marks them off,

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 is what welcomes them

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 into the life

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 of a local church.

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 Normatively,

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 churches baptize.

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 There's all kinds

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 of erroneous practice

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 of baptism in our culture.

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 But normatively,

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 churches baptize.

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 We can find an exception.

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 The case of the Ethiopian eunuch

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 being sent home

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 as the only Christian

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 to a people

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 who had yet to hear the gospel.

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 But this is not

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 the normative pattern

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 that we see

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 in the scripture.

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 People become Christians

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 and they're baptized

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 by a church

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 into the life

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 of a church.

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 Therefore,

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 it is an extremely fair assumption

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 that Jesus means

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 for us to understand

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 that in our God-ordained

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 going about

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 and making disciples,

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 we will be doing this

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 connected to a church.

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 It's right there in the text.

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 It's glaring at us

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 as he says,

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 make disciples,

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 baptizing them

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 in the name

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 of the triune God.

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 The second activity

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 that I see

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 is teaching.

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 Teaching them

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 to observe

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 all that I have

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 commanded you.

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 the church

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 is given

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 the ongoing work

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 of teaching

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 the ways

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 of Jesus.

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 Let me show you this

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 from an additional text.

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 If you'd like to turn there,

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 this is Ephesians chapter 4

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 verses 11

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 and following

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 down through 16.

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 There we read,

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 and he,

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 referring to Christ,

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 gave the apostles,

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 the prophets,

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 which you've probably

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 heard me argue,

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 I think is the scripture

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 of our day.

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 He gave the apostles,

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 the prophets,

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 the evangelists,

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 the shepherd teachers

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 to equip the saints

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 for the work

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 of ministry.

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 So there's,

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 there's the task

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 of the leadership

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 of your church

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 is the equipping

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 of the saints

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 for the work

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 of ministry.

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 What is that work

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 of ministry?

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 Last part of verse 12,

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 for building up

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 the body of Christ

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 until we all attain

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 to the unity of the faith

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 and of the knowledge

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 of the Son of God

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 to mature manhood

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 to the measure

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 of the stature

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 of the fullness

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 of Christ

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 so that we may

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 no longer be children

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 tossed to and fro

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 by the waves

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 and carried about

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 by every wind of doctrine,

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 by human cunning,

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 by craftiness

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 in deceitful schemes.

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 Boy,

00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:20.259
 does the church

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.840
 lack

00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:22.580
 this kind of equipping.

00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:24.000
 The church

00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:24.540
 in our day

00:16:24.540 --> 00:16:26.639
 is so wind blown.

00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:28.639
 Rather,

00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.420
 verse 15,

00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:30.580
 speaking the truth

00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:32.280
 in love.

00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:34.100
 There's the teaching

00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.100
 ministry of the church.

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:36.040
 Speaking the truth

00:16:36.040 --> 00:16:37.139
 in love.

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.660
 We are to grow up

00:16:38.660 --> 00:16:39.320
 in every way

00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:39.800
 into him

00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.440
 who is the head

00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:41.220
 into Christ

00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:42.060
 from whom

00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:43.000
 the whole body

00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.160
 joined and held together

00:16:44.160 --> 00:16:45.220
 by every joint

00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:46.200
 with which it is equipped

00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.420
 when each part

00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:48.400
 is working properly

00:16:48.400 --> 00:16:49.820
 makes the body grow

00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:50.820
 so that it builds

00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:51.800
 itself up.

00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:53.000
 in love.

00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:55.579
 This work

00:16:55.579 --> 00:16:57.240
 that Paul describes here

00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.919
 will not be over

00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:00.679
 until Christ

00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:01.779
 returns.

00:17:02.359 --> 00:17:03.620
 This is the

00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:05.440
 age in which we live

00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.379
 that Jesus

00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:07.599
 accompanies us

00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.099
 on

00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.220
 with all of his

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:10.240
 authority.

00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:11.980
 We need

00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.180
 to be taught

00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.500
 and taught

00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.960
 and taught

00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:16.779
 to observe

00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.839
 all that Jesus

00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:19.359
 has commanded us.

00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:21.319
 He is not suggesting

00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:21.980
 that we have

00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:23.279
 a simple course.

00:17:23.879 --> 00:17:24.419
 Someone's converted,

00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:24.819
 baptized,

00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.480
 and they take

00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.559
 the Christianity

00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.619
 101 course

00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:28.500
 and it's done.

00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:30.579
 What he's talking about

00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.799
 in Matthew chapter 28

00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:33.299
 is the life

00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.039
 of discipling

00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:34.559
 that happens

00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:36.500
 in a church.

00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:36.599
 church.

00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:39.359
 I am building

00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:39.799
 a house.

00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:40.799
 Many of you know

00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.400
 I'm building

00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:41.740
 a house

00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.140
 property.

00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:43.019
 I'm building

00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:44.440
 quite physically

00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.920
 with my hands

00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.380
 a house

00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:46.839
 for my

00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:48.000
 parents.

00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:50.039
 This task

00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.619
 will not be

00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.039
 completed

00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.299
 until the house

00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.819
 is completed.

00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:54.839
 We have that

00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.839
 CO

00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:56.359
 and probably

00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:56.940
 beyond that

00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.319
 I'll still have

00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:57.799
 some projects

00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.160
 to do.

00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:59.680
 I cannot

00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.540
 merely break

00:18:00.540 --> 00:18:01.160
 ground on the

00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:01.680
 job site

00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.180
 and say

00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:02.880
 that I have

00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:03.580
 built a house.

00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.640
 It's not built

00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:05.880
 yet.

00:18:06.080 --> 00:18:06.960
 We took a step

00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.460
 in the right

00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:07.860
 direction.

00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:08.759
 One of

00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:10.140
 thousands of

00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:10.480
 steps

00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.660
 but it's not

00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.740
 built yet.

00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:14.259
 I'm in the

00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.500
 process of

00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:15.820
 building

00:18:15.820 --> 00:18:17.100
 a house.

00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.120
 We will not

00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:19.940
 be done

00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.420
 until Ephesians

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.279
 4 verse 13.

00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.400
 We all attain

00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.580
 to the unity

00:18:24.580 --> 00:18:25.200
 of the faith

00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.660
 and of the

00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:25.960
 knowledge

00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.279
 of the

00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.840
 Son of

00:18:26.840 --> 00:18:27.160
 God.

00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.420
 To mature

00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.100
 manhood

00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:29.460
 to the

00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:29.860
 measure

00:18:29.860 --> 00:18:30.299
 of the

00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:30.779
 stature

00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.240
 of the

00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:31.759
 fullness

00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:33.519
 of Christ.

00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:36.900
 Now I want

00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:37.480
 to take a

00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:37.960
 step away

00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.440
 from our

00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:38.920
 text just

00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.519
 for a bit

00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.180
 to consider

00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:41.799
 this further.

00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:43.279
 Jonathan

00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:43.600
 Lehman,

00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.160
 the editorial

00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:44.840
 director for

00:18:44.840 --> 00:18:45.480
 Nine Marks,

00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.220
 has characterized

00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.840
 in numerous

00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.480
 publications,

00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.360
 most recently

00:18:49.360 --> 00:18:49.960
 in a little

00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.620
 book entitled

00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:51.680
 What is the

00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.000
 Church's

00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.299
 Mission?

00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:53.660
 I don't

00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.019
 think this

00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.480
 one is out

00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:54.740
 there but

00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:54.900
 there's

00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:55.259
 quite a

00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:55.940
 few of

00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:56.120
 this

00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:56.660
 series

00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:57.800
 out in

00:18:57.800 --> 00:18:57.900
 the

00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:58.060
 book

00:18:58.060 --> 00:18:58.380
 nook.

00:18:59.300 --> 00:18:59.640
 But in

00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:00.080
 this What

00:19:00.080 --> 00:19:00.320
 is the

00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:00.600
 Church's

00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:00.840
 Mission

00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:01.240
 book,

00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:01.800
 he talks

00:19:01.800 --> 00:19:02.580
 about five

00:19:02.580 --> 00:19:03.060
 different

00:19:03.060 --> 00:19:04.160
 types of

00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:04.519
 churches,

00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.420
 each with

00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.240
 a different

00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.500
 mission.

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.420
 And I

00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:08.800
 think it's

00:19:08.800 --> 00:19:09.700
 helpful to

00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.019
 us.

00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.060
 So the

00:19:11.060 --> 00:19:11.880
 first four

00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:13.980
 are erroneous

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.580
 missions.

00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:15.560
 And I

00:19:15.560 --> 00:19:16.019
 think we

00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.420
 need to be

00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:16.800
 careful as

00:19:16.800 --> 00:19:17.060
 a church

00:19:17.060 --> 00:19:17.320
 that we

00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:17.680
 don't get

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.920
 tempted to

00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:19.360
 begin to

00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:19.820
 think in

00:19:19.820 --> 00:19:20.200
 some of

00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:22.200
 these ways.

00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:23.080
 So let

00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:23.540
 me read

00:19:23.540 --> 00:19:24.280
 to you a

00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:25.180
 brief excerpt

00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.819
 from this

00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.420
 book.

00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:28.460
 So again,

00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:29.099
 he's going

00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:29.639
 through five.

00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.359
 My reading

00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:31.740
 starts,

00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.279
 Church

00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:32.960
 one

00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:35.079
 emphasizes the

00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:35.319
 Great

00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:35.779
 Commission

00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.539
 and Jesus'

00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.399
 command to

00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:37.740
 make

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.599
 disciples.

00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:40.420
 Yet when

00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.220
 they say

00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.859
 make

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.500
 disciples,

00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.819
 they really

00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:44.839
 mean make

00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.759
 converts.

00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.639
 So church

00:19:47.639 --> 00:19:48.139
 number one

00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:48.960
 gears everything

00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.500
 in the church

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:51.420
 toward non-Christians

00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.740
 as if local

00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.620
 churches basically

00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.440
 exist for the

00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.200
 sake of

00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.019
 evangelism.

00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:56.580
 And he

00:19:56.580 --> 00:19:57.800
 means only

00:19:57.800 --> 00:19:58.980
 evangelism.

00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:00.640
 They talk

00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.140
 about Christian

00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.940
 growth some,

00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:02.840
 but their

00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:03.680
 programs focus

00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.600
 on individuals,

00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.200
 not the

00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.039
 corporate body

00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:06.900
 or family.

00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.300
 They don't

00:20:08.300 --> 00:20:08.600
 see the

00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:08.960
 connection

00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.519
 between their

00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.519
 evangelism and

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:10.980
 being a

00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.380
 vibrant,

00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:12.100
 united,

00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:13.279
 otherworldly

00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.779
 family.

00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.500
 Based on

00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.100
 church number

00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:17.000
 one's mission

00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.600
 playbook,

00:20:17.800 --> 00:20:18.600
 let's call it

00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:19.539
 Seekers

00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.340
 Church.

00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:22.639
 Church number

00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:23.819
 two is similar

00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.379
 to church

00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:25.079
 number one,

00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.220
 but it

00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:26.980
 appeals less

00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.639
 to middle

00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.579
 class longings

00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:28.980
 for things

00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.720
 like purpose

00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:31.099
 and more

00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:31.619
 to basic

00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.439
 human desires

00:20:32.439 --> 00:20:33.419
 for health

00:20:33.419 --> 00:20:34.419
 and wealth.

00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.279
 Join their

00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.819
 service on

00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:37.299
 Sunday when

00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.759
 you hear about

00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.439
 God's desire

00:20:38.439 --> 00:20:39.119
 to bless us

00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:39.919
 if only we

00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:40.339
 would have

00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.199
 enough faith.

00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.079
 Based on

00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:43.659
 its playbook,

00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.220
 let's call

00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.799
 church number

00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:46.819
 two Prosperity

00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.720
 Church.

00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.879
 While church

00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:50.160
 churches number

00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.820
 one and

00:20:50.820 --> 00:20:51.520
 number two

00:20:51.520 --> 00:20:52.400
 emphasize how

00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:53.200
 Jesus is here

00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.120
 for us,

00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:55.580
 churches number

00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.460
 three and

00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.140
 number four

00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:58.000
 emphasize how

00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.960
 we are here

00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.540
 for Jesus.

00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:02.760
 Church number

00:21:02.760 --> 00:21:03.720
 three we can

00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:05.040
 call Justice

00:21:05.040 --> 00:21:05.520
 Church.

00:21:06.520 --> 00:21:07.480
 Join them on

00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:07.980
 Sunday when you

00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.460
 hear the preacher

00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.620
 say we should

00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:10.040
 care for the

00:21:10.040 --> 00:21:10.640
 downtrodden,

00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.760
 wake up to the

00:21:11.760 --> 00:21:12.720
 nation's structural

00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.500
 injustices,

00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.700
 attend to the

00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.120
 environment,

00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:16.480
 and generally do

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.360
 good in the

00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:17.660
 world.

00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:19.660
 church number

00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.300
 four is another

00:21:20.300 --> 00:21:20.860
 version of

00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:21.259
 church number

00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.560
 three,

00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:22.180
 but it focuses

00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:22.740
 on the

00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.220
 structural

00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:24.140
 injustices that

00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:25.600
 concern political

00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:27.080
 conservatives like

00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.519
 abortion,

00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.820
 same-sex marriage,

00:21:28.820 --> 00:21:29.720
 and religious

00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.160
 freedom.

00:21:31.060 --> 00:21:31.720
 Call it

00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:33.019
 Righteous Nation

00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.480
 Church.

00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.160
 It wants to

00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:35.840
 save the nation

00:21:35.840 --> 00:21:36.560
 from moral decay

00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:37.200
 and make it

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.040
 safe for

00:21:38.040 --> 00:21:38.500
 Christianity.

00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.800
 At best,

00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.580
 both Justice

00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:42.160
 Church and

00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:42.779
 Righteous Nation

00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:44.060
 Church focus on

00:21:44.060 --> 00:21:44.800
 discipleship,

00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:46.040
 the moral shape

00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.639
 of Christians

00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:47.460
 and the command

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.099
 to love our

00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.519
 neighbors.

00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.399
 At worst,

00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.299
 they risk sliding

00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.000
 a foot or at

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.700
 least a toe

00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.659
 into Phariseeism,

00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.379
 meaning they lay

00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:55.159
 down laws and

00:21:55.159 --> 00:21:56.259
 political certainties

00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.180
 where Scripture

00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.339
 doesn't.

00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.879
 Members leave

00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:00.639
 church on Sunday

00:22:00.639 --> 00:22:01.299
 not so much

00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.259
 thanking God for

00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.920
 His grace in

00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.299
 their lives,

00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:03.799
 but feeling

00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.639
 superior to

00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.299
 other people

00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.119
 because of

00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.659
 their moral

00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:07.579
 and political

00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.500
 convictions.

00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.659
 To be sure,

00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.139
 many churches

00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:13.279
 occupy a couple

00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:13.659
 of these

00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:14.159
 examples.

00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:15.540
 I'm simply

00:22:15.540 --> 00:22:16.480
 outlining stock

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.019
 types, not

00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:17.460
 trying to

00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.200
 caricature your

00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:19.320
 church so

00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:19.880
 that we can

00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:20.600
 all be more

00:22:20.600 --> 00:22:21.140
 careful.

00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:22.980
 Furthermore,

00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.640
 I trust that

00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.779
 some variety

00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.660
 between churches

00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.740
 is God-given.

00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:28.019
 Just like an

00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.700
 individual Christian

00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.440
 working on Wall

00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:29.980
 Street and one

00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.600
 teaching in a

00:22:30.600 --> 00:22:31.220
 run-down school

00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.480
 will have

00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.180
 different daily

00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:32.759
 ministries,

00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.680
 so a church

00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.220
 in the suburbs

00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:34.720
 might have a

00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.400
 strong counseling

00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:35.860
 ministry,

00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:36.640
 while a church

00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.140
 next door to

00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:37.800
 a refugee camp

00:22:37.800 --> 00:22:38.680
 might excel in

00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.259
 serving the

00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:39.640
 poor.

00:22:40.300 --> 00:22:41.779
 Praise God.

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:43.740
 Still, there's

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.200
 a difference

00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.920
 between being

00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.819
 sensitive to

00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:46.299
 the economic

00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:46.819
 waves and

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.379
 political winds

00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:47.960
 surrounding us

00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.680
 and being

00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:50.160
 driven by

00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:50.899
 those waves

00:22:50.899 --> 00:22:51.700
 and winds.

00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.339
 When churches

00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.940
 are driven,

00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.940
 their playbooks,

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.599
 their sense of

00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.200
 their mission

00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.299
 easily succumb

00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.240
 to biblical

00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.000
 imbalances

00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.859
 and worldly

00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.660
 agendas.

00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:03.220
 Seekers' church

00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.200
 shows signs of

00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.899
 having succumbed

00:23:04.899 --> 00:23:05.680
 to consumerism,

00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.420
 prosperity church

00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.680
 to materialism,

00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.619
 justice church

00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.339
 to political

00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.099
 progressivism,

00:23:12.439 --> 00:23:13.259
 and righteous

00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.979
 nation church

00:23:13.979 --> 00:23:15.159
 to nationalism,

00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.500
 even if all

00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.759
 four have

00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.459
 orthodox

00:23:18.459 --> 00:23:19.599
 statements of

00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:19.959
 faith.

00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:21.959
 So,

00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:22.599
 seekers,

00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.299
 prosperity,

00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:23.879
 justice,

00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:25.039
 righteous nation,

00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:26.139
 church.

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.579
 But Lehman

00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.299
 goes on to

00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.659
 speak of the

00:23:28.659 --> 00:23:29.000
 church he

00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.699
 believes is

00:23:29.699 --> 00:23:30.539
 most biblical,

00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.179
 that is the

00:23:31.179 --> 00:23:31.979
 church I am

00:23:31.979 --> 00:23:32.699
 making a case

00:23:32.699 --> 00:23:33.779
 for today by

00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:35.039
 asking two

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.959
 important questions.

00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:38.079
 First, he

00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:38.379
 asks,

00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.079
 what is the

00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.919
 mission of

00:23:39.919 --> 00:23:40.519
 the church

00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.599
 acting all

00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.259
 together,

00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:44.160
 and what is

00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.559
 the mission

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.259
 of church

00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.019
 members

00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.099
 throughout the

00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:48.099
 week when

00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.519
 we're not

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.799
 gathered together,

00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:51.639
 or what is

00:23:51.639 --> 00:23:52.980
 our mission

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.440
 and what is

00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:56.460
 your mission?

00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:58.420
 He then

00:23:58.420 --> 00:23:58.960
 answers these

00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:00.220
 questions simply

00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.240
 and I believe

00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:03.480
 correctly by

00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:03.720
 saying,

00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.339
 number one,

00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.099
 so what is

00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:05.700
 our mission

00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.579
 acting together

00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.500
 as a church?

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.720
 Our mission

00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.500
 is to make

00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.299
 disciples.

00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.819
 Number two,

00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.140
 living as

00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:15.259
 individual church

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.900
 members throughout

00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:16.440
 the week,

00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.440
 our mission

00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:19.100
 is to be

00:24:19.100 --> 00:24:20.360
 disciples.

00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.220
 So,

00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.620
 the church

00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.680
 acting together

00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:25.720
 reads the

00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.000
 Bible,

00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:27.100
 preaches the

00:24:27.100 --> 00:24:27.420
 Bible,

00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.579
 prays the

00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:28.900
 Bible,

00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.100
 sings the

00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:30.460
 Bible,

00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.700
 and sees the

00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.180
 Bible in the

00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:32.700
 ordinances of

00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.759
 baptism and

00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.180
 communion.

00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:36.100
 we do so

00:24:36.100 --> 00:24:37.320
 by the

00:24:37.320 --> 00:24:38.400
 prescription of

00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.440
 the Bible.

00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.200
 This is called

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.799
 the regulative

00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.420
 principle.

00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.320
 This disciple

00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:44.340
 making together

00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:45.080
 will include

00:24:45.080 --> 00:24:46.500
 things like

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.320
 sending you to

00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:48.100
 your respective

00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:49.019
 spheres to share

00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.640
 the good news

00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.100
 of Jesus,

00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.740
 teaching you to

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.259
 be faithful

00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.860
 husbands and

00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:52.200
 wives,

00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.080
 parents and

00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:53.440
 children,

00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.360
 equipping you

00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.120
 to work as

00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.779
 unto the Lord

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.860
 and not for

00:24:56.860 --> 00:24:57.200
 men.

00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.259
 It may also

00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.019
 include things

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.039
 like starting a

00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:01.680
 biblical counseling

00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.740
 center or a

00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.880
 pastoral residency

00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:05.000
 or planting new

00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.539
 churches or

00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.339
 starting a

00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:06.799
 school,

00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:08.240
 but the efforts

00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.779
 of the church

00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:10.099
 acting together

00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:12.599
 must always be

00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.519
 aimed at

00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:15.180
 going therefore

00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.240
 and making

00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.039
 disciples of

00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.099
 all nations,

00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:19.900
 baptizing them

00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.240
 in the name of

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.519
 the Father,

00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:20.779
 Son,

00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.099
 and the Holy

00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:21.380
 Spirit,

00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.180
 teaching them

00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.980
 to observe

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.539
 all that

00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.660
 Jesus has

00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.500
 commanded us.

00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.140
 Church members

00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:29.819
 then will be

00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.599
 equipped to be

00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:31.440
 salt and light

00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:31.799
 in their

00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.899
 respective spheres

00:25:32.899 --> 00:25:34.460
 always with a

00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.159
 mind to the

00:25:35.159 --> 00:25:35.899
 collective work

00:25:35.899 --> 00:25:36.579
 of the church's

00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.759
 mission to

00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.460
 make disciples.

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.680
 Disciples of

00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.240
 Jesus will be

00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:42.180
 rightly concerned

00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:42.720
 with seeing

00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:44.299
 others become

00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:46.039
 disciples of

00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.339
 Jesus.

00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:49.059
 You've heard me

00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.859
 sum up much of

00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:50.399
 what I've just

00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:51.419
 said by saying

00:25:51.419 --> 00:25:52.399
 the church

00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:54.599
 gathers to

00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:54.940
 go,

00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.539
 bring you here,

00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.180
 equip you to

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.839
 send you,

00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:59.859
 and we go in

00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.559
 order to gather,

00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:01.460
 continue to

00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.000
 gather the

00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:03.559
 church together.

00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.819
 The church is

00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.940
 not merely an

00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:08.059
 evangelistic outreach

00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.799
 or a place for

00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.779
 therapeutic lessons

00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.980
 or a lecture or

00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.480
 concert series.

00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.440
 The church is not

00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.920
 only meant to be

00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:17.539
 your social network.

00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:19.480
 The church is not

00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.160
 a theological

00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.819
 club.

00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:22.880
 The church is not

00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:24.279
 a thing to be

00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.380
 consumed.

00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.340
 And beloved,

00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:28.779
 hear me,

00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:30.119
 it's altogether

00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:31.859
 possible to

00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.660
 consume a

00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.200
 church that's

00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:34.319
 not trying to

00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:35.460
 offer consumables.

00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.039
 What you might

00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:38.059
 be consuming is

00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.379
 small church

00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:40.879
 or relationship

00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:43.019
 or expositional

00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.940
 preaching or

00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.759
 wordy songs or

00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:47.319
 the list can go

00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.139
 on and on and

00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.639
 on.

00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.980
 The church is a

00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:52.160
 people called

00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:53.079
 by God and

00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:54.099
 given a divine

00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:55.920
 mission with a

00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.519
 guaranteed

00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:58.200
 outcome.

00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.680
 Jesus has all

00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.300
 authority in

00:27:01.300 --> 00:27:01.560
 heaven and

00:27:01.560 --> 00:27:01.720
 earth.

00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:03.100
 Go therefore and

00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:03.620
 make disciples,

00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.400
 baptizing them and

00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:04.960
 teaching them all

00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.900
 that I've commanded

00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.140
 you.

00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:08.000
 Another text that I

00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.800
 want to show you

00:27:08.800 --> 00:27:10.080
 that drives at this

00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:11.259
 point is from

00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.320
 Matthew chapter 16.

00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.300
 So do please join me

00:27:13.300 --> 00:27:14.259
 in Matthew chapter 16

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.340
 beginning in verse

00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.779
 13.

00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.559
 We'll close with

00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.980
 this text and a

00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.720
 few comments

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.619
 about it.

00:27:31.179 --> 00:27:32.559
 Jesus is traveling

00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.599
 with the disciples

00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:34.980
 and when he comes

00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:36.019
 as verse 13 to the

00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.019
 district of

00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:38.099
 Caesarea

00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.099


00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:38.939
 Philippi,

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:41.439
 he asked his

00:27:41.439 --> 00:27:42.039
 disciples,

00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:43.879
 who do people

00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:45.039
 say that the

00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.819
 son of man

00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:46.720
 is?

00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:48.759
 And they

00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.180
 said,

00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:51.019
 some say John

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.460
 the Baptist,

00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.299
 others say

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.099
 Elijah and

00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:54.259
 others Jeremiah

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.500
 or one of the

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:55.980
 prophets.

00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.859
 He said to

00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.119
 them,

00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.740
 but who do you

00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:01.180
 say that I

00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:01.500
 am?

00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.480
 Simon Peter

00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.059
 replied,

00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.480
 you are the

00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.059
 Christ,

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.700
 the son of

00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.019
 the living

00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.379
 God.

00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.180
 And Jesus

00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.839
 answered him,

00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.339
 blessed are

00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.599
 you,

00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.659
 Simon Barjona

00:28:12.659 --> 00:28:13.740
 for flesh and

00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.359
 blood has not

00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:15.139
 revealed this to

00:28:15.139 --> 00:28:15.279
 you,

00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.139
 but my father

00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:17.279
 who is in

00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:17.539
 heaven.

00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.419
 And I tell

00:28:19.419 --> 00:28:19.719
 you,

00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.000
 you are Peter

00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:22.599
 and on this

00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.339
 rock,

00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:23.579
 and maybe

00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:23.899
 clear,

00:28:23.959 --> 00:28:24.399
 he's referring

00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:25.279
 to the truth

00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:25.939
 that Peter

00:28:25.939 --> 00:28:27.439
 has declared

00:28:27.439 --> 00:28:28.579
 doing some

00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.139
 play on word

00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:29.299
 there,

00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:29.699
 but he's

00:28:29.699 --> 00:28:30.299
 referring to

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.919
 the truth

00:28:30.919 --> 00:28:31.339
 that Peter

00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.859
 has declared

00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.279
 that he is

00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.679
 the Christ

00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:33.539
 on that

00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:33.980
 rock.

00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.379
 Jesus

00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:34.699
 says,

00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:35.500
 I will

00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.299
 build my

00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.919
 church.

00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.199
 Right?

00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:38.819
 This Jesus

00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.699
 all authority

00:28:39.699 --> 00:28:39.939
 in heaven

00:28:39.939 --> 00:28:40.259
 on earth

00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:40.659
 who's going

00:28:40.659 --> 00:28:41.019
 to accompany

00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.639
 us in this

00:28:41.639 --> 00:28:42.220
 disciple-making

00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:42.759
 process of

00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.299
 building churches

00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:43.920
 says,

00:28:44.359 --> 00:28:45.079
 I will

00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:45.980
 build my

00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.619
 church.

00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.119
 He is

00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.299
 primary means,

00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:48.900
 we are

00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:50.799
 secondary means.

00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:51.900
 And then he

00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.240
 says,

00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.400
 and the gates

00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:53.859
 of hell

00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.740
 shall not

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.200
 prevail

00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.720
 against it.

00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.660
 If you've

00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.039
 been here,

00:28:59.139 --> 00:28:59.859
 you've heard me

00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.279
 say this,

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.379
 my mind

00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:02.240
 flipped this

00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.200
 text for

00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:03.960
 years,

00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.660
 for years.

00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.440
 I don't

00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:06.980
 know why,

00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:07.740
 the text

00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.160
 is really

00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:08.600
 plain,

00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:09.820
 but I

00:29:09.820 --> 00:29:10.660
 had the

00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.060
 church in

00:29:11.060 --> 00:29:11.580
 the defensive

00:29:11.580 --> 00:29:12.200
 position,

00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.200
 right?

00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.740
 Holding at

00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.160
 bay the

00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.600
 world.

00:29:16.540 --> 00:29:17.360
 It's very

00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:18.080
 clearly not

00:29:18.080 --> 00:29:18.480
 that,

00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:18.800
 right?

00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:19.360
 It's very

00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:20.220
 clearly the

00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.000
 church is on

00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.700
 the advance.

00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.820
 Hell is in

00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:23.820
 the defensive

00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:25.160
 position,

00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.300
 and the gates

00:29:26.300 --> 00:29:27.160
 of hell will

00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:28.040
 not prevail

00:29:28.040 --> 00:29:29.440
 against it.

00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.600
 Jesus is

00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:31.279
 talking about

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.400
 his global

00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:32.920
 church,

00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.500
 his church

00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.339
 everywhere

00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.259
 and across

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.960
 all time

00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.279
 here,

00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:36.819
 and I

00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.119
 want to be

00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:37.779
 very careful

00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.359
 at this

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.039
 point to

00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.400
 say,

00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:40.880
 the gates

00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.200
 of hell

00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.720
 can prevail

00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.980
 against this

00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.559
 church.

00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.400
 It will

00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:45.859
 not prevail

00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:46.740
 against the

00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.460
 church.

00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:48.900
 Boy,

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.299
 I want to be

00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.960
 part of that

00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.380
 church,

00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:50.579
 right?

00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:51.019
 I want to be

00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.579
 included in

00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.319
 that number

00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:52.940
 that take

00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.599
 the gates

00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:53.980
 of hell

00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.720
 for the

00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.420
 glory of

00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:55.759
 Christ.

00:29:58.140 --> 00:29:58.779
 If we are

00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.480
 not crystal

00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.359
 clear on why

00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:01.079
 we exist,

00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.380
 then we will

00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:02.779
 always be

00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.200
 distracted,

00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.039
 by some

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.299
 lesser

00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:04.720
 purpose.

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.240
 We will

00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.619
 need to

00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.579
 recognize and

00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:08.200
 remind one

00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:08.720
 another that

00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.299
 the church

00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:10.319
 has a

00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.740
 mission to

00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.440
 make disciples

00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:12.900
 of the Lord

00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.579
 Jesus Christ

00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.720
 by the power

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.380
 that belongs

00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:16.039
 to the Lord

00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.680
 Jesus Christ.

00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:18.119
 We will

00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:18.460
 have to be

00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.339
 readily reminded

00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.259
 of this as

00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.759
 we are slow

00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:23.019
 learners and

00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.400
 quick to

00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:23.660
 forget.

00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.539
 This coming

00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.420
 year and

00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:26.700
 the years

00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.380
 beyond it

00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:28.440
 will be a

00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:29.299
 great test

00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:29.680
 of our

00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.180
 collective

00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.980
 understanding

00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:32.000
 of the

00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:33.079
 mission of

00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:33.500
 the church.

00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:34.859
 I can

00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:35.539
 promise you

00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.639
 that it

00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:37.379
 will not

00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:38.759
 be easy.

00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:40.839
 If you're

00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.259
 a member of

00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:41.720
 this church,

00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.220
 I just want

00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.460
 you to

00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.099
 wad up all

00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:43.439
 the comfort

00:30:43.439 --> 00:30:43.740
 that you

00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.279
 have right

00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.720
 now and

00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.359
 throw it

00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:45.639
 out the

00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:45.879
 window.

00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.379
 It's not

00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:48.639
 going to be

00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:48.939
 easy.

00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:50.159
 That is not

00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:50.799
 the point.

00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:52.699
 It's going

00:30:52.699 --> 00:30:53.059
 to take

00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.919
 sacrifice

00:30:53.919 --> 00:30:54.839
 on our

00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:55.299
 behalf.

00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:57.139
 but the

00:30:57.139 --> 00:30:57.859
 reward will

00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.480
 be great

00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.359
 because we

00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:00.039
 will experience

00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:00.819
 God as he

00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:01.659
 empowers the

00:31:01.659 --> 00:31:02.279
 mission that

00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:03.460
 he has

00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.119
 given us.

00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:05.799
 I can

00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.240
 close with a

00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:06.799
 quote from

00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.480
 Thomas Brooks.

00:31:09.139 --> 00:31:09.879
 He once

00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:10.200
 wrote,

00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.700
 Christ dwells

00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.539
 in that heart

00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.960
 most imminently

00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:15.339
 that hath

00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.359
 emptied itself

00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:17.980
 of itself.

00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:19.940
 May this be

00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:20.899
 true of us.

00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.059
 Let's pray

00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.579
 to that end.

00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:52.559
 Let's pray.