Messages about mission
Love One Another
After washing the feet of his disciples, and predicting his betrayal and death, Jesus gives a new commandment: “Love one another.” While the commandment is not new, the pattern is new, “as I have loved you” and the result is new, “all people will know you are my disciples.” For followers of Jesus there is a direct link to the cross, community and mission. Text: John 13:33-35
As Jesus went…the Marketplace mattered
As Jesus went on mission, the marketplace mattered. Throughout the Gospels, significant “missional moments” occurred in the everyday marketplace. Consider the lunchbox and conversational opportunities which cross our path…everyday. Text: Matthew 9:35-38
Storm at Sea and Unstoppable Mission
To be passionately persuaded is to see and with the eyes of faith to believe that all of Scripture, and all of life’s circumstances point to the saving, restoring purpose of God in Jesus. Text: Acts 27:1-28:30
Defense and Deferment
To be passionately persuaded is to surrender all earthly power, position, and fame to entrust oneself to the truth and reasonableness of Jesus. Text: Acts 24:1-26:32
How a Conflict Advances Mission
The good, the bad, and the ugly is revealed in the early church throughout Acts. This included conflict and disagreement. In #3 of 4, “Messy People, Faithful Church,” consider everyday applications for navigating personal differences while staying on mission.
The Messiness of Church Growth
The success of the First Missionary Journey creates a dispute over the relationship of Gentile followers of Jesus and the Law. The dispute is graciously resolved, the gospel affirmed, and the church strengthened in mission. Text: Acts 15:1-35
Sent by the Holy Spirit
God by His Spirit sends His worshipping community outward into mission. Mission starts in worship and moves outward to persons in places that are far from God with the message of Jesus. Text: Acts 13-14
Stand up and be counted
As followers of Jesus we are part of a vast multitude living between salvation accomplished on the cross and salvation completed when Jesus returns. In this ‘in between’ state everyone is important, everyone counts. God is faithful to us, will we be found faithful to Him? Will we stand up, step forward, and be counted? Text: Num 1:1-19; Eph 2:19-20; 1 Cor 16:13-14