WEBVTT 00:00:00.700 --> 00:00:06.860 Amen. Thank you. Just a quick word for you. If you're visiting with us, this isn't really our 00:00:06.860 --> 00:00:12.880 normal practice. Normally we are going through books of the Bible. And again, next week we'll 00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:18.019 begin going through the book of Genesis together. But here at the beginning of the year, we're 00:00:18.019 --> 00:00:23.580 taking just a couple weeks to focus in on our mission and our vision as a church. It's what 00:00:23.580 --> 00:00:29.859 we aim to do and how we aim to do it. And no discussion of a church's mission and vision is 00:00:29.859 --> 00:00:34.899 complete, I think, without a look at what we call the Great Commission. So this is going 00:00:34.899 --> 00:00:40.039 to be our passage this morning. If you would, turn to the book of Matthew chapter 28 and 00:00:40.039 --> 00:00:44.679 we'll look at verses 18 through 20. And if you don't have your own Bible, feel free to use 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:51.019 one of those Bibles in the seat near you. Matthew 28 verses 18 through 20. And when you found 00:00:51.019 --> 00:00:54.640 it, let's stand for the reading of God's word. Stand and listen as I read. 00:00:59.859 --> 00:01:29.840 Father, 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:36.840 it is my desire that every one of us would take these words seriously. And God, that we 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:41.180 as a church would be obedient to this Great Commission. Lord, that we would love you and 00:01:41.180 --> 00:01:46.840 your word and so desire to spread it to the ends of the earth. And so we pray now as we 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:53.480 look to this glorious text, God, would you stir our hearts and show us Christ. Father, we ask 00:01:53.480 --> 00:01:58.140 that you would magnify your glory through the preaching of your word this morning. We pray 00:01:58.140 --> 00:02:06.140 this in Jesus name. Amen. You may be seated. Well, you may not know this, but there is a 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:12.500 not so fun side of establishing a church. I mean, you learn pretty quickly that it's not 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:19.080 only just preaching and teaching or ministry and prayer, all the fun stuff that you actually 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:26.120 want to do as a pastor. Unfortunately, there are a lot of administrative and legal things, 00:02:26.220 --> 00:02:30.960 a lot of all sorts of paperwork that has to be done and filled out in order to set up a 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:41.660 church as a legal recognized 501c3 incorporated entity here in the United States of America. And 00:02:41.659 --> 00:02:47.859 yeah, just so you know, no, they don't teach you any of that in seminary. I do think it's funny 00:02:47.859 --> 00:02:52.659 though, sometimes though, when I've had to fill out various forms for these things every now and then 00:02:52.659 --> 00:03:00.699 I'll get to this question. They say, what is the purpose of your organization? And it's a good question, 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:06.139 isn't it? What is the purpose of your organization? And then every now and then they'll follow that 00:03:06.139 --> 00:03:10.139 question up with another question that sounds something like this. Well, what sort of activities 00:03:10.139 --> 00:03:17.079 do you do? In other words, what is your mission and how do you go about fulfilling your mission? 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:25.259 And I'll tell you how I tend to respond. I say, well, we exist to magnify the glory of God in the gospel 00:03:25.259 --> 00:03:31.359 of Jesus Christ. And how do we go about that? What sort of things do we do as a church? Well, we enjoy God 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:41.020 and we equip the saints and we evangelize the lost. That's our mission and our vision. I wonder 00:03:41.020 --> 00:03:43.920 if you had to answer those questions, what would you say? 00:03:46.140 --> 00:03:51.720 What would you say in your understanding is the mission of the church? And if you had it your way, 00:03:51.800 --> 00:03:56.500 if you could craft up a church to be exactly what you wanted it to be and what you wanted it to do, 00:03:56.500 --> 00:04:02.580 what would you say are the most important things that a church ought to busy herself doing? 00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:09.340 The truth is every one of us has an idea of what the church is supposed to be and what the church 00:04:09.340 --> 00:04:14.340 is supposed to do. But we have to take an honest assessment here as we do every year at the beginning 00:04:14.340 --> 00:04:21.879 of the year and ask, well, how does our idea of the mission and vision of the church line up with 00:04:21.879 --> 00:04:28.959 Jesus's idea of the mission and vision of the church? And what we see here in our passage this 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:36.740 morning in Matthew 28 is that King Jesus has defined and determined the purpose and the mission and the 00:04:36.740 --> 00:04:43.060 function of the church. I'm thankful that he's not left it up to us to decide what the church is, 00:04:43.300 --> 00:04:49.819 what the church ought to be about. He tells us what we are to do and he tells us what our ministry 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:55.819 ought to look like. And so the question that every individual Christian and every individual church 00:04:55.819 --> 00:05:04.379 ought to ask is not what is our mission going to be, but rather are we being faithful to the mission 00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:12.100 we've been given? This morning we get to hear Jesus's mission and vision for the church. And here it is 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:20.560 again, I want you to hear it again. Christ calls all of his disciples in light of his absolute sovereign 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:32.080 authority to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son 00:05:32.080 --> 00:05:39.160 and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that he has commanded. And surely as we go, 00:05:39.160 --> 00:05:47.600 he promises he is with us to the end of the age. And we see all three parts of our ministry philosophy 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:55.100 here in this passage. And so we'll look at each one. First, we see we are called to enjoy God. 00:05:55.780 --> 00:06:02.560 We are called to enjoy God. Look there to verse 18 with me and let's get our bearings here. We're at 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:12.060 the end of the book of Matthew. Jesus has gone to the cross. Jesus has died on the cross. And now he has risen 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:18.259 from the grave. He's appeared to the disciples and now he's getting ready to ascend into heaven. And so step 00:06:18.259 --> 00:06:24.100 into their mindset here for just a minute. And naturally the disciples would be thinking, well, wait a minute, 00:06:24.100 --> 00:06:30.900 what are we supposed to do next? What are we supposed to do now? We saw you get murdered on the cross. 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:36.480 We witnessed your death. And now we're standing here. We're talking to you face to face. You've 00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:42.200 risen from the grave. And now you're telling us that you're leaving us. What are we supposed to do next? 00:06:43.140 --> 00:06:48.260 And he does give them a task to do. We'll see that there in a moment. But look at what Jesus does. 00:06:48.259 --> 00:07:00.539 Before Jesus gives them a task to go and do in verse 19, he gives them a truth to know and to believe 00:07:00.539 --> 00:07:08.180 and to cherish and to rejoice in here in verse 18. He makes a big claim here in verse 18. And 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:16.639 here's what he says. He says, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:40.139 I want to ask three questions here to help us understand, well, what does that mean? And what does 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:46.240 it have to do with our joy in the Lord? For one, question number one is what kind of authority is 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:58.459 this? He says, all authority. Do you believe that? All authority in heaven and on earth. This is, this is 00:07:58.459 --> 00:08:09.639 total, complete, absolute, limitless sovereignty over all things in all places at all times in all 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:14.639 ways. When Jesus says, when Jesus says all authority, guess what he means? He means all authority. 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:26.079 John 3 verse 35, Jesus says, the father loves the son and has given all things into his hands. All things. 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:33.360 Ephesians 1 verses 20 through 22, Paul says, God raised him from the dead, that's Jesus, 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:41.320 and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:48.820 and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:56.240 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his 00:08:56.240 --> 00:09:03.779 body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Do you hear all authority in these verses? 00:09:04.940 --> 00:09:11.879 In other words, Jesus stands far above every ruler that has, has ever been and every ruler that there 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:19.940 ever will be. Jesus is greater than the greatest imaginable king or president or leader or ruler that 00:09:19.940 --> 00:09:27.640 there ever has been or that there ever will be. Jesus is more powerful than the greatest threat or 00:09:27.640 --> 00:09:33.900 greatest danger you could possibly imagine that exists here on earth. Jesus has a greater and more 00:09:33.900 --> 00:09:39.580 expansive domain of his authority. He's not bound by this boundary or that boundary. He doesn't have 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:47.040 limited authority, limited sovereignty. He has total, complete sovereignty over all things, 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:56.759 in all places, in all ways. He has all authority. So second question, how did he get this authority? 00:09:57.659 --> 00:10:09.620 Because he says, look there, it has been given to me. Jesus has been, has been given all authority. Now we, we got to 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:16.279 think about this for a minute because of course, God, the son, the second person of the Trinity, God, 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:23.759 he has always had all authority, right? God, the son has, has never had a moment in time where he did not 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:32.779 have all authority. And so what's going on here? Well, now Jesus, the God, man, God incarnate has now been, 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:41.639 been given all authority. How can this be? Well, we get a clue in Philippians chapter two, this passage ought to be 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:49.240 familiar to us by now. I'll read it again. Paul says, have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:58.720 Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 00:10:58.799 --> 00:11:07.620 but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:15.399 human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:24.620 Therefore, you hear this? Therefore, therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name 00:11:24.620 --> 00:11:32.940 that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth 00:11:32.940 --> 00:11:40.900 and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, the Father. 00:11:42.420 --> 00:11:51.420 In other words, church, all authority means the mission has been accomplished. 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:58.580 Jesus, the Son of God, has come. The King of all the universe has come and wrapped himself up in 00:11:58.580 --> 00:12:07.379 weakness. He has set aside his divine rights as ruler of the universe. He's come and become man in order to 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:15.960 accomplish a plan of redemption. And now he stands on the other side, resurrected, reigning to say, all authority 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:23.420 has been given to me. I've done it. It is finished. I have perfectly accomplished the plan of redemption. 00:12:23.419 --> 00:12:30.879 He has perfectly obeyed in our place. He's come through the trials and temptations of life in a fallen world, 00:12:30.959 --> 00:12:38.559 just like you and I, yet without sin. He has triumphed over sin and death and the devil. And now, 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:46.299 because of all of this, he has earned the right as the God-man to have all authority in heaven and on earth. 00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:57.459 So, last question. What does that have to do with our enjoyment of him? Now, I assume that all of you 00:12:57.459 --> 00:13:05.439 know what it's like to be under bad authority. And maybe you had a bad boss or a bad teacher or a bad 00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:13.439 father, a bad mother. Bad authority is a pain to deal with, isn't it? Bad authority hurts those who are under 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:20.660 the bad authority. But on the other side of this, good and godly leadership, good and godly authority 00:13:20.660 --> 00:13:27.920 is a blessing to those who are under that authority. And Jesus says, all authority has been given to me. 00:13:28.040 --> 00:13:36.540 This is good and complete and loving total authority from a good and faithful forever king. All authority 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:44.120 is really good news for those who come up under his authority. You see this. When Jesus says, 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:51.699 all authority has been given to me for those who love his authority, those who submit to his authority, 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:58.319 those who rejoice in his reign and rule over their lives, there is nothing but blessing that comes from 00:13:58.319 --> 00:14:05.559 the authority of Christ. For all those who know him, all authority means that all of our greatest 00:14:05.559 --> 00:14:11.319 enemies, everything that we fear the most, they've all been conquered in him. We look to Jesus and we 00:14:11.319 --> 00:14:21.099 rejoice that he has authority over death. Jesus has authority over sin. Jesus has conquered, 00:14:21.239 --> 00:14:27.839 he has authority over Satan. What do we have to fear? He has all authority. Because Christ has all 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:36.879 authority in him, we enjoy the blessings of forgiveness, adoption, of reconciliation with God, 00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:43.620 of new life in him. We enjoy his victory over sin and death and the devil. Because he has earned 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:50.160 eternal life in him, we enjoy and receive eternal life. Because he has gone into the presence of the 00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:56.080 Father, we have the hope that we will go to be with him where he is. We enjoy the blessings 00:14:56.080 --> 00:15:04.060 of his authority. But all of that, all of that pales in comparison with this. Because Christ the King 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:17.060 has conquered and has all authority, guess what? We get to enjoy Christ himself. We get to know and enjoy 00:15:17.060 --> 00:15:25.500 and delight in the resurrected King Jesus. And we're called to do that right now. This is, this is the first 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:32.940 task, if you can even call it that. This is the first task of every disciple of Christ. It's not to go and do 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:40.460 something for God. It's to delight yourself in the Lord. Know that he will give you the desires of your 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:50.700 heart. So ask yourself, Christian, this morning, do you enjoy his authority? Are you rejoicing in the 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:58.379 reign of Christ over your life? Do you rejoice in the fact that he has conquered in your place, that he 00:15:58.379 --> 00:16:07.560 lives and reigns in resurrection? Are you enjoying him this morning? And one sign that you enjoy him is 00:16:07.560 --> 00:16:13.440 that you want to spend time with him. I wonder what that'll look like for you this year. 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:19.620 What steps do you need to take this year? I mean, here together as a family, we gather to enjoy him 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:26.780 and to worship him, but also individually on your own. What will that look like for you? Your heart 00:16:26.780 --> 00:16:35.100 will desire more of what your heart delights in. Delight yourself in the Lord. Not only this, when you 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:41.480 enjoy something, you want to share it with others, don't you? You want to bring other people into that 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:48.899 joy. You want to talk about it. And so second, second, Jesus says that we are called to evangelize. 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:56.500 Look there again to our text. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:06.400 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:15.060 Son and of the Holy Spirit. The blessings and the victory of what Christ has accomplished are to be 00:17:15.060 --> 00:17:24.920 enjoyed and they are to be shared. The task of every church and every individual Christian, out of our 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:34.019 delight in the Lord, is to go and make disciples of all nations. And of course, when we hear this, 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:42.400 our first thought ought to be towards missions. You realize there are about 8 billion people 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:50.759 living on planet earth as of today here in 2025. 8 billion people living on planet earth. 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:59.799 Did you know 40 to 42 percent live in what we call an unreached people group? Can you believe that? 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:09.180 40 to 42 percent of the world population belongs to what we call an unreached people group? That's 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:18.680 3.2 billion people who have little to no access to the gospel. They don't know the authority of Christ. 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:25.859 They don't know that he has conquered the grave. They don't know who to trust to have their sins forgiven. 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:32.819 They don't know the blessing of knowing him. They can't enjoy him because they've never heard of him. 00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:39.779 And apart from hearing the gospel and apart from believing the gospel by faith, I won't sugarcoat it 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:49.019 for you, church. They will die in their sins and they will go to hell. Does your heart ache when you hear that? 00:18:49.019 --> 00:19:03.160 Do we care? The Lord has commanded us to go. And of course, not every Christian is going to be called to pack up 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:10.279 and to go overseas and to be a missionary. But listen, whether we stay or whether we go, 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:17.119 we are all called to be a part of fulfilling and obeying the Great Commission. Do we believe that? 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:26.240 Some Christians may be called to pack up and to go share the gospel in a difficult and largely unreached place. 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:36.639 But all Christians, all Christians are called to share the gospel and make disciples wherever it is that the Lord has placed them. 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:41.960 And we need to understand this, church, this command, go and make disciples. 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:47.820 It doesn't just apply to the missionaries and it doesn't just apply to the apostles. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:54.360 This is a command from Jesus to me and from Jesus to you to be obeyed. 00:19:55.380 --> 00:20:00.340 Hudson Taylor, he says, the Great Commission is not an option to be considered. 00:20:00.520 --> 00:20:03.000 It is a command to be obeyed. 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:08.859 And the primary way we plan to get the gospel out to the lost around us, you know what it is? 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:12.500 Here's our strategy for reaching the lost around us. You want to hear it? 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:23.279 It's for each and every one of you, each and every one of us to engage in personal evangelism right where we are. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:27.660 J.D. Greer, he says this, 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:32.900 Without the mission, a church is not a church. 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:37.060 It's just a group of disobedient Christians hanging out. 00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:41.160 Does that sting a little bit? 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:45.740 The church is a movement before it is an institution. 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:50.180 And the number one characteristic of a movement is movement. 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:53.759 If something is not moving, it can't be called a movement. 00:20:54.320 --> 00:21:01.000 And people who are not moving are not part of the movement, even if they are members of the institution. 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:09.759 Are we moving towards the lost around us? 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:16.099 Are you moving towards the lost around you? 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:21.099 God has placed you in the midst of lostness. 00:21:21.160 --> 00:21:22.099 I know you see it. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:26.559 Are you moving towards it with the good news of Christ? 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:33.879 Jesus commands you to be an evangelistic Christian. 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:36.460 This is the mission King Jesus has given us. 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:38.759 You are called to be an evangelist. 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.579 And so how will we do it? 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:46.339 When Jesus called his disciples, he gave them a new identity and a new purpose. 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.339 He gave them a new mission. 00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:48.200 You remember what it was? 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:51.619 He said, from now on, you're no longer fishing for fish. 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:52.099 What did he say? 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:55.619 From now on, you're going to be fishing for men. 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.539 I like to fish. 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.400 I'm not great at fishing. 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.720 I enjoy it. 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:01.059 I feel like I'm learning a little bit. 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:02.500 I'm trying to get better. 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:05.200 But three things I think are pretty obvious. 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.559 Even I can understand it. 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:06.920 Okay? 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:12.279 To catch fish, number one, you have to go where the fish are. 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:16.800 You will not catch fish sitting in your living room, will you? 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:18.680 There's no fish there. 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:21.740 You won't catch fish if you're just sitting at home. 00:22:21.820 --> 00:22:27.320 You have to actually get up, get in a car, drive to where the fish are, seek them out. 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:33.859 And to evangelize a non-believer, most likely they're not pouring into your living room. 00:22:34.679 --> 00:22:38.859 You actually have to go be around non-believers. 00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:44.039 And when you go, number two, don't forget the bait. 00:22:45.659 --> 00:22:48.679 You must take bait with you. 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:52.819 Be prepared to give them something that will draw them in. 00:22:52.959 --> 00:22:54.639 Go with bait ready. 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:57.379 Pave the way for spiritual conversation. 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:59.540 Now, your goal is to get to the gospel. 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:04.080 Your prayer is that you would be able to have a gospel conversation. 00:23:04.320 --> 00:23:06.260 But that doesn't usually happen right away. 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.460 At least not with me. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:13.280 So, just have a normal conversation as a Christian who loves them. 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.560 Don't be weird. 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:19.379 That's maybe another step we should add here. 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:22.240 Just don't be weird, Christian. 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:29.740 Have a normal conversation as someone whose identity is in Christ who loves your lost friend. 00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:31.539 Loves your lost neighbor. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.779 It might sound something like this. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.299 How was your weekend? 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:37.079 Well, mine was great. 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.960 How was yours? 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.399 Oh, mine was great. 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.419 I went to church. 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.980 Let me tell you what we learned. 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:43.599 It was excellent. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:45.279 The pastor preached from this text. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.240 Here's what I'm learning. 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:47.599 That's not... 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.519 This is normal. 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.680 How's your day going? 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.339 Well, I'm just... 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:55.180 I've been thinking about this truth that I read from the Gospel of Matthew. 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:56.099 Can I share it with you? 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.019 How's your day going? 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.160 Actually, not so great. 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:01.859 I'm really struggling with this, but I'm praying through it. 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.980 Actually, is there anything I could pray for you for? 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:07.619 These are just normal conversations. 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:11.660 This is bait to draw someone into a spiritual conversation. 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:14.700 But number three, number three, third. 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:20.779 You have to be ready to actually pull the fish in when it bites. 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:25.259 Don't just be content to scatter the bait and go back home. 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:29.519 You have to actually, when a fish bites, you don't just wait around and watch it. 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.019 What do you do? 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:31.139 You reel it in. 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.079 You catch the fish. 00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:37.079 All of these things, as good as they are, they aren't the Gospel. 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:43.299 You need to be ready to share the Gospel. 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:45.639 That's what evangelism is. 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.240 Sharing. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:50.159 Speaking the good news of the Gospel. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.980 And so what's that? 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:52.519 What's the Gospel? 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:55.500 God, man, Christ, response. 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.599 Is this familiar to you? 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.939 We sum it up with these four parts. 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.539 God, man, Christ, response. 00:25:00.659 --> 00:25:02.419 I'll give it to you in about 30 seconds. 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:04.120 It's very simple. 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:12.320 There is a God who created all things, rules over all things, who created you, to whom all of us are accountable. 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:14.279 Mankind blew it. 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:17.440 We have all sinned against this holy God. 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.560 You're not perfect. 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.279 I'm not perfect. 00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:21.640 We all recognize this. 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:23.100 This is common knowledge. 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.580 Nobody is perfect. 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:27.460 But the bad news is God demands perfection. 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:31.559 And apart from perfection, you cannot be with this holy God. 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:39.160 So third, the good news of the Gospel is God has sent His Son to save sinners. 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:42.460 And He's lived perfectly in our place. 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:45.380 And He's died as a sacrifice in our place. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:47.279 And He's risen from the grave. 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.759 History can show you this. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:51.519 This is real, historical, actual information. 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:53.400 He's risen from the grave. 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:56.920 And He stands to forgive even the worst of sinners. 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:59.000 If you would repent and put your faith in Him. 00:26:00.820 --> 00:26:03.580 Would you like to put your faith in Christ? 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:07.420 Would you repent of your sin and trust in Him? 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:10.320 You too will be born again and have eternal life. 00:26:10.560 --> 00:26:11.480 This is the Gospel. 00:26:13.100 --> 00:26:17.640 This is what we hold out to our friends and our neighbors and our family members. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:19.940 This is the only hope that they will be saved. 00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:23.680 Church, I want to see us reach the lost this year. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:29.220 The only way that it's going to happen. 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:31.400 Here's our big strategy. 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:34.920 Yes, we'll preach the Gospel here. 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:37.100 When we gather every single week, you'll hear it. 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:40.400 We'll preach it from every single text in Genesis or in Matthew. 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.060 It doesn't matter. 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:43.440 Every single time we gather, we will hear the Gospel. 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:47.140 But also, we will go. 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:51.840 We will live as commissioned Christians. 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:58.840 We will live with the good news of Jesus quick off of our lips. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:03.740 We will go praying and seeking opportunities for the Lord to save others. 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:07.880 We will desire to see the Lord save the lost. 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:10.319 We will be evangelists. 00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:13.859 We will be fishers of men. 00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:17.420 But then lastly, third, what do we do next? 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:20.740 Because the journey doesn't stop at conversion. 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:24.660 That's just the starting point. 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.539 That's the starting line. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:30.980 We are not just after converts. 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:35.180 We are called to make disciples. 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:41.639 So third, Jesus says we are called to equip the saints. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:46.159 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:27:46.379 --> 00:27:50.480 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:56.079 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:59.759 Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:04.439 And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:06.099 Do you notice a progression here? 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:10.179 Do you see the progression that Jesus lays out for us? 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:13.399 We are called to go and to share the Gospel. 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:20.579 And when someone, by the grace of God, hears the Gospel and believes and puts their faith in Christ, 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:22.000 we praise God. 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:25.139 But that's not the end of our responsibility towards them, isn't it? 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:30.020 Now we're called to bring them into the church. 00:28:31.300 --> 00:28:35.440 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. 00:28:35.540 --> 00:28:36.740 You know what baptism is? 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:45.880 Baptism is a marking off of a new believer out of the world and into the believing community of the church. 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:55.400 It's saying that this individual has died with Christ and is now raised to walk in newness of life as a new creation. 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:59.120 And the church, when they baptize somebody, we're saying, 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:02.580 we affirm your profession of faith. 00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:06.040 We see the evidence of your regeneration. 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:09.319 We hear you saying, I believe in Christ. 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:17.159 And we now commit to bring you into this believing community and walk alongside you as a brother or sister. 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:18.899 As members of the body. 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:23.039 We're called to evangelize them, bring them in, baptize them. 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:27.019 And then we are called to teach them. 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:31.799 Can I just say something very obvious here, church? 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:35.599 New believers need to be taught. 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:43.160 New Christians, they need to be instructed and taught. 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:45.799 You realize none of this comes naturally, right? 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:48.139 We have to be taught. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:52.319 A new believer does not know naturally how to study their Bible, do they? 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:55.439 A new believer doesn't know how to pray. 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:58.759 You know, Jesus' disciples asked them, asked him, Lord, teach us how to pray. 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:06.559 And new believers don't know naturally how to fight temptation or how to honor the Lord at work 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:13.779 or how to be a godly husband or a godly father, a godly mother, a godly wife, a godly worker, a godly citizen. 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:17.740 How to honor the Lord in all that you do, whether you eat or drink or whatsoever you do. 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:22.480 They don't know anything about the attributes of God or the historical proofs of the resurrection 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:25.180 or Christian ethics or Christian worldview. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.859 They don't know any of this. 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:28.960 And so how in the world are they supposed to grow? 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:32.620 They must be taught. 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:36.460 They must be fed. 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:39.960 And not just information only. 00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:46.039 They must be taught to observe all that Christ has commanded. 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:48.139 They must be taught to obey. 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:49.460 How do I love my brother? 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:55.220 How do I navigate a conflict, a disagreement with a brother or sister in Christ? 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.700 How do I share my faith? 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:58.799 This doesn't just happen naturally. 00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:00.740 We all must be taught. 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:04.119 And it's the church's job to teach. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.500 A good parent. 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:13.480 A good parent doesn't consider their job done when their child is born. 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:22.519 They don't just leave them on their own to figure out how to eat or how to get dressed or how to walk or talk. 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:26.259 They don't just bring them into the world and then set them off on their own and say, 00:31:26.380 --> 00:31:27.759 Well, my job is done here. 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:29.720 If they do that, they're not good parents, are they? 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:39.700 But how many stories have I heard of people coming to faith in a church or through a ministry? 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:42.620 And it was obvious and real for them. 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.980 They know for the first time. 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:46.059 They truly believe the gospel. 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:47.940 They know, yes, I am forgiven. 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:50.339 Yes, I am a Christian now. 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.799 I am a child of God. 00:31:51.860 --> 00:31:52.980 There's new life there. 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:59.319 But then the ministry or the church just kind of goes on. 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:02.779 They think that their job is done now. 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:05.420 They've brought the child into the world. 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:07.799 And now that new believer is left on their own. 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:09.319 They just don't know what to do. 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:17.779 Church, we don't just want to bring new baby Christians into the world. 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:22.720 We want to see them raised up to maturity. 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:28.119 I found myself praying this prayer often, especially on Sunday mornings. 00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:29.859 Before we gather, I'll pray something like, 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:35.220 Lord, would you bring non-believers to faith in Christ 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:39.660 and bring believers to maturity in Christ this morning? 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:42.720 You could join me in praying that this year. 00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:45.940 Lord, would you bring non-believers to faith 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:48.539 and would you bring believers to maturity? 00:32:48.840 --> 00:32:50.480 That's what we're called to do, church. 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:54.360 Listen to this image from Ephesians chapter 4. 00:32:55.860 --> 00:32:56.420 It says, 00:32:56.480 --> 00:33:00.420 He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:05.720 the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, 00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:08.259 for building up the body of Christ, 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:12.420 until we all attain to the unity of the faith 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:14.880 and of the knowledge of the Son of God 00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:17.240 to mature manhood, 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:22.380 to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.300 That's the standard. 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.060 Have you hit it yet? 00:33:26.060 --> 00:33:28.480 Have you matured completely yet 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:30.820 to the measure and stature of the fullness of Christ? 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:36.439 So that we may no longer be children tossed to and fro by the waves 00:33:36.439 --> 00:33:38.819 and carried about by every wind of doctrine 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:41.899 or by human cunning, by craftiness and deceitful schemes. 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:45.759 Rather, speaking the truth in love, 00:33:46.179 --> 00:33:52.119 we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, 00:33:52.659 --> 00:33:55.939 into Christ from whom the whole body joined 00:33:55.940 --> 00:33:59.340 and held together by every joint with which it is equipped. 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:01.600 When each part is working properly, 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:03.200 makes the body grow 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:07.480 so that it builds itself up in love. 00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:12.000 Christian, are you growing? 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:18.940 Are you chasing after maturity in Christ? 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:23.559 Has your walk with the Lord stalled? 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:26.539 Do you feel like you've hit a wall? 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.179 Are you... 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:29.019 You don't know that next step to take. 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:31.659 You don't know what it means to walk with the Lord. 00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:32.820 You're struggling to pray. 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:34.420 You don't know how to study your Bible. 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:36.440 You don't know how to share your faith. 00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:42.179 We are called to grow up together. 00:34:43.700 --> 00:34:44.960 Look around you 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:46.840 and ask yourself, 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:48.820 who here can help me grow 00:34:48.820 --> 00:34:52.260 and who can I help grow up in Christ this year? 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:58.260 Christ Jesus has defined the mission of the church. 00:34:58.360 --> 00:34:59.119 It isn't optional, 00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:02.880 but He's promised us He has all authority. 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:05.200 Church, this mission will be accomplished. 00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:09.219 And He's promised us His presence. 00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:13.359 He will be with us even to the end of the age. 00:35:13.439 --> 00:35:15.599 And so here's what I want each of you to do this morning as we close. 00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:19.339 I want you to commit with me right now 00:35:19.339 --> 00:35:22.219 to pray these three prayers this year. 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:23.879 Starting today. 00:35:24.719 --> 00:35:28.000 Would you pray these three prayers with me throughout 2025? 00:35:28.439 --> 00:35:29.619 For our church, for yourself. 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:30.419 These three prayers. 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.439 Number one, Lord, 00:35:31.799 --> 00:35:34.119 Lord, would you be the greatest joy of my life? 00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:38.719 Lord, would you help me? 00:35:38.799 --> 00:35:40.079 Would you shape my heart? 00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:43.739 Would you change my desires so that I enjoy you 00:35:43.739 --> 00:35:45.359 and that I love you 00:35:45.359 --> 00:35:48.739 and that I delight in you as my greatest treasure of my life? 00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:50.679 And it may be for you that that's the first time 00:35:50.679 --> 00:35:52.359 you've ever prayed anything like that. 00:35:52.799 --> 00:35:55.699 Lord, change my heart so that I truly enjoy you 00:35:55.699 --> 00:35:57.699 and love you with all my heart. 00:35:57.799 --> 00:35:58.359 It's number one. 00:35:58.360 --> 00:36:01.420 Number two, 00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:04.059 Lord, 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:06.460 use me 00:36:06.460 --> 00:36:10.559 to bring non-believers around me 00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:13.240 to faith in Christ this year. 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.320 Lord, I'm 00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:18.960 not even sure how that's possible. 00:36:19.140 --> 00:36:20.680 I'm scared to do it. 00:36:21.220 --> 00:36:23.519 I don't know the right words to say, 00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:23.900 but God, 00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:26.500 I know I'm called to be an evangelist. 00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:28.179 And so would you use me 00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:30.619 to see others around me come to faith? 00:36:30.699 --> 00:36:32.079 Would you open up my eyes 00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:33.260 to see the opportunities 00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:35.320 that are already there around me 00:36:35.320 --> 00:36:37.340 and in my normal rhythms and routines, 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:40.019 the people that I come into contact with at work 00:36:40.019 --> 00:36:41.480 or in my neighborhood 00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:43.340 or at the ball field 00:36:43.340 --> 00:36:44.780 or within my family, 00:36:44.900 --> 00:36:45.320 but also, 00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:45.579 God, 00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:47.920 help me to go seek them out 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:49.980 wherever you would have me go. 00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:53.619 Make me an evangelist this year. 00:36:53.619 --> 00:36:54.420 Third, 00:36:55.759 --> 00:36:56.019 Lord, 00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:58.920 help me to grow 00:36:58.920 --> 00:37:02.519 and help me to help others 00:37:02.519 --> 00:37:03.460 to grow 00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:04.799 around me. 00:37:06.019 --> 00:37:08.319 I don't want to be stagnant 00:37:08.319 --> 00:37:09.339 in my walk with you. 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:10.719 I don't want my brothers or sisters 00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:12.000 around me to be stagnant 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:12.960 in their walk with you. 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:15.179 We want to grow up 00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:16.299 in maturity 00:37:16.299 --> 00:37:17.819 and Christ-likeness 00:37:17.819 --> 00:37:18.460 this year. 00:37:18.539 --> 00:37:18.920 And so, God, 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:20.699 would you simply show me 00:37:20.699 --> 00:37:22.139 that next step 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:23.239 that you would have me take? 00:37:23.239 --> 00:37:24.500 I wonder what that is for you. 00:37:25.899 --> 00:37:27.159 Each one of us, 00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:28.479 wherever it is 00:37:28.479 --> 00:37:30.219 we're in our walk with the Lord, 00:37:30.479 --> 00:37:31.739 each and every one of us 00:37:31.739 --> 00:37:34.339 has a next step to take. 00:37:34.439 --> 00:37:34.559 I mean, 00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:35.919 maybe that next step for you 00:37:35.919 --> 00:37:37.039 is that first step 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:40.719 of truly repenting of your sin 00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:42.679 and trusting in Christ Jesus 00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:43.419 as your Savior. 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.159 If that's you, 00:37:44.319 --> 00:37:46.059 you take that step right now. 00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:48.359 Call upon the name of the Lord 00:37:48.359 --> 00:37:49.739 and you too will be saved. 00:37:50.419 --> 00:37:52.099 For the believers in the room, 00:37:52.099 --> 00:37:52.980 at every stage, 00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:54.480 we all still have a step 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.619 to take towards maturity, 00:37:55.619 --> 00:37:56.219 do we not? 00:37:57.579 --> 00:37:58.579 These Bible studies 00:37:58.579 --> 00:37:59.900 we've discussed this morning 00:37:59.900 --> 00:38:00.480 with the men's 00:38:00.480 --> 00:38:01.400 and the women's ministry, 00:38:01.619 --> 00:38:02.880 excellent opportunities 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:03.819 for you to take up 00:38:03.819 --> 00:38:04.199 and grow. 00:38:05.239 --> 00:38:06.460 And maybe that's looking around 00:38:06.460 --> 00:38:08.400 and picking somebody else 00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:08.920 in this church 00:38:08.920 --> 00:38:09.639 and coming to them 00:38:09.639 --> 00:38:10.400 and asking them, 00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:12.119 friend, would you just commit 00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:14.280 to pray with me this year? 00:38:15.539 --> 00:38:16.800 Can we set aside a time 00:38:16.800 --> 00:38:17.519 to meet together 00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:19.180 and read a book 00:38:19.180 --> 00:38:20.079 of the Bible together? 00:38:20.180 --> 00:38:22.260 Maybe a good Christian book together. 00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:23.539 I just need encouragement. 00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:24.160 Would you commit 00:38:24.160 --> 00:38:25.360 to call me 00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:27.039 and encourage me? 00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:28.840 Would you help me to grow? 00:38:30.720 --> 00:38:31.720 And maybe you can be that 00:38:31.720 --> 00:38:33.220 for someone else 00:38:33.220 --> 00:38:34.559 in the church this morning. 00:38:34.559 --> 00:38:36.739 Each and every one of us 00:38:36.739 --> 00:38:37.500 has a step 00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:38.360 to take 00:38:38.360 --> 00:38:39.579 towards Christ-likeness 00:38:39.579 --> 00:38:40.659 this year. 00:38:40.779 --> 00:38:41.759 I ask you, friend, 00:38:41.840 --> 00:38:43.420 would you pray, 00:38:43.739 --> 00:38:45.320 pray, pray, pray 00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:45.960 and ask the Lord, 00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:46.599 would you show me 00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:47.360 what that is? 00:38:49.019 --> 00:38:50.019 Christ, Jesus, 00:38:50.840 --> 00:38:52.059 has defined the mission 00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:52.980 of this church. 00:38:54.019 --> 00:38:55.039 All authority 00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:55.779 in heaven 00:38:55.779 --> 00:38:56.519 and on earth 00:38:56.519 --> 00:38:57.480 has been given to me. 00:38:57.699 --> 00:38:58.860 Go, therefore, 00:38:58.860 --> 00:39:00.780 and make disciples 00:39:00.780 --> 00:39:02.800 of all nations. 00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:04.780 Baptizing them 00:39:04.780 --> 00:39:05.880 in the name of the Father 00:39:05.880 --> 00:39:07.280 and of the Son 00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:08.340 and of the Holy Spirit. 00:39:08.500 --> 00:39:09.120 Teaching them 00:39:09.120 --> 00:39:10.039 to observe all 00:39:10.039 --> 00:39:11.160 that I have commanded you. 00:39:12.120 --> 00:39:13.579 Surely I am with you always, 00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:15.800 even to the end of the age. 00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.260 Let's pray. 00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:23.840 Jesus, I thank you 00:39:23.840 --> 00:39:25.440 that you have not left 00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:28.840 the mission 00:39:28.840 --> 00:39:29.980 up to our 00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:32.019 own interpretation 00:39:32.019 --> 00:39:33.380 because surely 00:39:33.380 --> 00:39:34.079 we would be about 00:39:34.079 --> 00:39:34.800 something else. 00:39:36.099 --> 00:39:37.559 We would make this thing 00:39:37.559 --> 00:39:38.440 about ourselves. 00:39:39.840 --> 00:39:40.960 We would want to grow 00:39:40.960 --> 00:39:41.800 our own kingdom. 00:39:43.380 --> 00:39:44.280 We would be 00:39:44.280 --> 00:39:46.740 internally focused. 00:39:48.159 --> 00:39:49.340 We would be fixated 00:39:49.340 --> 00:39:50.059 on numbers 00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:51.720 and finances 00:39:51.720 --> 00:39:53.440 and worldly success. 00:39:53.579 --> 00:39:54.019 But God, 00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:55.920 you have spoken 00:39:55.920 --> 00:39:56.659 clearly 00:39:56.659 --> 00:39:57.759 that you want us 00:39:57.759 --> 00:39:58.440 to be about 00:39:58.440 --> 00:40:00.179 magnifying the glory 00:40:00.179 --> 00:40:00.960 of your name 00:40:00.960 --> 00:40:01.780 in the gospel 00:40:01.780 --> 00:40:03.039 of Jesus Christ 00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:04.860 as we enjoy you, 00:40:05.599 --> 00:40:07.679 as we evangelize others, 00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:09.039 as we equip the saints 00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:10.259 so that we grow up 00:40:10.259 --> 00:40:11.380 into Christlikeness 00:40:11.380 --> 00:40:12.239 for your glory. 00:40:12.400 --> 00:40:13.159 Lord, we pray. 00:40:13.519 --> 00:40:14.460 Would you do that 00:40:14.460 --> 00:40:15.780 amongst us this year? 00:40:17.619 --> 00:40:18.239 God, would you 00:40:18.239 --> 00:40:19.440 make us 00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:21.059 a worshiping community 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:22.259 that truly loves you 00:40:22.259 --> 00:40:23.099 and enjoys you? 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:25.519 Father, would you 00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:27.099 bring the lost 00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:27.699 to faith 00:40:27.699 --> 00:40:28.619 this year 00:40:28.619 --> 00:40:29.420 through our 00:40:29.420 --> 00:40:30.000 proclamation 00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:30.980 of the gospel? 00:40:32.800 --> 00:40:33.420 God, would you 00:40:33.420 --> 00:40:34.800 would we see 00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:36.159 baptisms this year 00:40:36.159 --> 00:40:37.500 that are the fruit 00:40:37.500 --> 00:40:39.019 of personal evangelism 00:40:39.019 --> 00:40:39.599 of our members? 00:40:41.199 --> 00:40:42.059 God, would you 00:40:42.059 --> 00:40:43.019 show us how to grow 00:40:43.019 --> 00:40:43.980 in Christ this year? 00:40:45.360 --> 00:40:46.719 We want to honor you 00:40:46.719 --> 00:40:48.219 and we want to 00:40:48.219 --> 00:40:49.239 magnify your glory. 00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:49.820 So we pray, 00:40:49.980 --> 00:40:50.179 Father, 00:40:50.420 --> 00:40:51.460 would you do it? 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:52.639 We ask in Jesus' name. 00:40:53.780 --> 00:40:54.039 Amen. 00:40:54.039 --> 00:40:54.159 Amen.