The Call of His Church
Matthew 28:16-20 – Pastor Brad Rigney
Intro.:
A. Isn’t it wonderful to be Called? To be called Dad; to be called friend; to be called up on the phone because the person has missed you; to be called for a special task; etc.
B. Well, think about all the great things we are called by God: A Son/Daughter (John 1:12-13); to be reconciled to Him through Christ (2Cor. 5:17-20); His Ambassador (2Cor. 5:20-21); A friend (John 15); To be Free (Gal. 5:13), etc.
Here are some more of God’s “CALLS” for our lives and the Church according to Scripture? Matt. 9:13; Rom. 1:7; 8:28; 1Cor. 1:2; 7:15; 1Thess. 4:7; 1Tim. 6:12; 1Pet. 2:9; 5:10.
YET - The Lord ultimately calls us to be His Disciple .
A Disciple = a Follower, Learner of Jesus.
C. As we study our passage today, we learn more about God’s call in our lives and for us as His Church.
- The Gospel of Matthew records this Call as Jesus’ final words to His Disciples in preparation for His Church.
- We learn of a similar call in all the Gospels and even Acts.
So let’s learn more about God’s Call for our Life and Church!
Body:
A. First thing we learn is that Jesus calls us to an eternally significant PURPOSE .
What is this Significant Purpose? A lot of times when people read this passage, they assume that the great Purpose is to “GO”. However, the real Purpose for you, me and our Church is to MAKE DISCIPLES!
Jesus served all through out His ministry preparing the Disciples for this time; training them not only to Know and Trust Him but to Follow and Serve Him by Making other Disciples.
He warned them that he would not be with them all the time but would send the HS to guide them, etc.
Now, after His REZ. and before His Ascension back to heaven, He calls them and us to Make Disciples!
It is the Overall purpose of our life to be His Disciple and to Make more Disciples.
It is the Overall purpose of the Church to be in the business of Making Disciples. There is no greater calling.
There is nothing else that we can possibly do that will make an eternal Difference as our work in Making Disciples.
The church is not social club – a family meeting Hall – a REc. center to go to and enjoy yourself.
The Purpose of the Church is not about bigger or better facilities – it is not about Programs – or even Budgets – It is about MAKING DISCIPLES - People who are learning, growing and following Jesus to the point of Making More Disciples!
What is our Purpose? Make Disciples!!!!!!!
B. We also learn that Jesus calls us with a PLAN .
Isn’t great to know that when Jesus calls us to great things – He just doesn’t say here it is - good luck on doing it.
Examples: He calls us to be His Child - but he also tells us how: Believe and Receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord - Believe that He rose from the dead and Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.
Well, it is the same thing with this GREAT CALL of Jesus to Make Disciples – Jesus gives us a plan.
It is a plan that is revealed through the Participial phrases associated with the Command to Make Disciples.
Let me explain…
The Plan =
1. GO - or as you are going. I.E. as you are going through life - make contacts with others who need to know, grow and serve Jesus as a Disciple.
Ex. Jesus in ministry – He went to the people. John 2 – He went to the Wedding at Cana – he went to the Temple courts - he went to the Sea of Galilee, etc. There he met people – he revealed Himself to them.
So when we are going through life – keep your eyes open to meet people; to reveal Jesus to them; to bless them in His name; to invite them to now more about Him. To lead them to Christ!
What does that mean for us as a church – part of our PLAN, according to Jesus, is to GET OUTSIDE these walls – GO to people in His Name.
2. BAPTIZING – is that next step in our faith to establish us to Christ and His Church as well as commit ourselves to GROWING and Following Jesus as Lord.
It is about Establishing people in the Lord; Building them up in the faith and helping them to GROW in Christ.
Part of our Plan as individuals and as a CHURCH is how can we best help ESTABLISH, GROW and Build them up in the Lord?
Again the purpose of the church is not to Run Programs. The purpose of the church is Make Disciples. Programs are only means to achieve the PLAN…
3. TEACH them to obey everything I have commanded you, vs. 20a TEACHING or TRAINING people to SERVE the Lord as a Disciple. So that they can GO and Make Disciples.
The Plan: Going to people to Reveal Jesus to them
Baptizing – GROWING, establishing them in the Lord
Teaching – Training them to Serve the Lord.
So how is Jesus’ plan working in your life?
How do you see His plan working in our church?
How should Jesus’ plan affect our planning in the different Ministry programs of our Church?
C. We also learn that Jesus calls us according to His PROMISES .
Vs. 18 Promise = All Authority in heaven and earth is given to Jesus. So we are sent with and by His Authority.
Vs. 20b Promise = Jesus will be with us until the very end of the age. We are not alone. As we seek to make this GREAT – Significant PURPOSE in our life and Church. As we seek to Prioritize our lives and church to His Plan of Going, Growing and Training people in Christ – Jesus is with US!
Romans 8:31; “If God is for us, who can be against us?
Conclusion:
A. Billy Graham: “The Great Commission is still in effect. Christ’s Command has not changed, and neither has God’s great plan of redemption. God’s method of reaching the world with the message of Christ is still the same:… The call of God to His people is to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth; … The proclamation of the Gospel – by whatever means and wherever God places us – is the great responsibility and privilege of His People.”
B. There really is no grater Call in life!
It truly is a the Most Significant Purpose we can have in life – To Make Disciples!
Questions to Answer:
1. Is your Ultimate Purpose in life to be His Disciple and Make Disciples? 1Cor. 3:9-15; everything we do will be judged with fire, only that which is built on the foundation of God, will remain.
2. How are we as a Church focused on this eternally significant Purpose that Jesus calls us?
3. How do you see the Lord’s Plan working in and through your life? The life of the Church?
4. How do the Promises of the Lord help you and our church be more committed to this eternally great Purpose?
The Call of His Church Outline
Matthew 28:16-20 – Pastor Brad Rigney
npccpastor@sbcglobal.net
What are some of God’s “CALLS” for our lives and the Church according to Scripture? Matt. 9:13; Rom. 1:7; 8:28; 1Cor. 1:2; 7:15; Gal. 5:13; 1Thess. 4:7; 1Tim. 6:12; 1Pet. 2:9; 5:10.
The Lord ultimately calls us to be His .
Jesus calls us to an eternally significant .
Jesus calls us with a .
The Plan =
1.
2.
3.
Jesus calls us according to His .
Vs. 18 Promise =
Vs. 20b Promise =
Is your Ultimate Purpose in life to be His Disciple and Make Disciples? 1Cor. 3:9-15
How are we as a Church focused on this eternally significant Purpose that Jesus calls us?
How do you see the Lord’s Plan working in and through your life? The life of the Church?
How do the Promises of the Lord help you and our church be more committed to this eternally great Purpose?
