The Call Of His Church

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?