Jesus Is Sending You

Jesus is Sending You

“ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:19-21

Intro: Do you value the same things that Jesus places a value on?

People in the world are eternally lost apart from Christ.

Yet these same people are of extreme worth and value in the eyes of God.

What is just as surprising is that, “Jesus is Sending You” to become involved in redemptive relationships…

Redemptive means: “to take action to regain possession of something in exchange for payment.”

That is what Jesus did on the cross.

Among the first words Jesus said to the disciples who were gathered in the Upper Room after his resurrection was “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Do you have a passion for God?

Do you have a love for people?

Do you have a burden to share the gospel?

Ten little Christians, standing in a line, one disliked the preacher, then there were nine.

Nine little Christians stayed up very late, one slept in on Sunday, then there were eight.

Eight little Christians on their way to heaven, one took his own road, then there were seven.

Seven little Christians chirping like some chicks, one disliked the song they sung, then there were six.

Six little Christians seemed very much alive, but one lost his interest then there were five.

Five little Christians pulling for heaven’s shore, but one stopped to rest, then there were four.

Four little Christians, busy as a bee, one got her feelings hurt, then there were three.

Three little Christians knew not what to do, one couldn’t forgive another, then there were two.

Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done, quarreled over petty stuff, then there was only one.

One little Christian, can’t do much ‘tis true; brought his friend to Bible study – then there were two.

Two earnest Christians, each won one more, that doubled the number, then there were four.

Four sincere Christians worked early and worked late, each won another, then there were eight.

Eight splendid Christians, if they doubled as before, in just a seven more weeks, we’d have 1,024.

The mission of the church is to reach lost people with the love of Jesus.

In the book “Building a Contagious Church” Mark Mittleberg says that churches talk about evangelism

but 86% of the pastors he surveyed said their churches fall short of actually doing something about it.

Think a moment about the things that God values.

If you have to make a list of Valuing What God Values what would be on your list?

Instructing from God’s Word.

Mobilizing for ministry.

Praying with faith.

Adoring God in worship.

Caring for each other.

Telling others the Gospel.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit

Value statements unite people and help communicate where they are heading.

Ben Hooper was born in Newport, TN in 1870 out of wedlock, to Sarah Wade.

As a result, he had a tough childhood, often being taunted by others.

When he went into town, he could see people staring at him, making guesses as to who his father was.

At school children said ugly things to him.

In his early school years, his grandfather died,

and his mother was forced to place Ben in an orphanage in Knoxville.

At age 9, he was adopted by Dr. L H Hooper, and had to move back near his Newport home.

At age 12, he recalls going to Church.

He would go in late and slip out early.

But one day the preacher said the Benediction so fast he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd.

Just about the time he got to the door, he felt a big hand on my shoulder.

He looked up and the preacher was looking right at him and Ben knew exactly what he was doing.

He was going to guess who his father was.

He trembled in fear.

A moment later he said, “Well, boy, you’re a child of….”

He paused and Ben knew what was coming.

He knew his feelings were about to be hurt and he would never return to church again.”

But as he looked down at Ben, studying his face, He began to smile a big smile of recognition.

“Boy, you are a child of God. I see a striking resemblance!’

With that he patted him on the back and said, ‘Go and claim your inheritance.’