Sermon Notes

The Dearest Place on Earth
Week 4: What is the Mission of the Church?

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

What is the purpose of my life?

The church is not a place. The church is a people.

What is the mission of the church?

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:16-20

1. Everything is Under the Authority of Jesus

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3

“We are on the front lines of a spiritual battle that is raging for the souls of men and women around the world, and the all-sovereign Son of God, our Savior, is in command of a commission that will be accomplished.” -David Platt

2. Every Jesus Follower Must Make Disciples

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” Matthew 28:19-20a

MAKE DISCIPLES

We exist to connect people to live the life of a Jesus follower.

“It is an educational term. We are to enroll people in the school of Christ and tutor them, meticulously mentoring them month by month, helping them mature in Christ. We are striving not merely for a lost soul to make a decision about Christ, but we are striving for a lost soul to make a dramatic and permanent change of personal allegiance to Christ.” Kent Hughes

MAKE DISCIPLES

“According to Jesus, from beginning to end, to be a disciple is to make disciples. Scripture knows nothing of disciples who aren’t making disciples.” David Platt

3. Every Jesus Follower is Never Alone

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

What are you giving your life to?

“Look after yourself. Remember you’re a man. Remember you will die.” Tertullian

1.I can waste my life.
2. I can spend my life.
3. I can invest my life.

“Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10 (NIV)

“The great use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.” William James

“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

A local community of baptized Jesus followers under biblical leadership, uniting together in doctrine, using their spiritual gifts to serve one another, and being sent to make disciples.

“Whatever you do, find the God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated passion of your life, and find your way to say it and live for it and die for it. And you will make a difference that lasts. You will not waste your life.” John Piper