“Why Church”
September 25, 2011
A five week series on “Why Church” or “What is the Purpose of Church” This is based in part on Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Church.” We will use the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as we look at different aspects of being the church. We will consider “5 Ms”: Membership, Magnify, Maturity, Ministry, and Mission.
“Mission”
Acts 1:6-11”Our Mission”
Matthew 28:16-20 “The Great Commission”
Go Therefore – Make Disciples – All Nations
The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40)
Love God & Love your neighbor
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)
Go & Make Disciples, Baptizing, Teaching
*Go Therefore:
First the Therefore: the Climax of Matthew’s Gospel
“All (a) ________ in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
GO: Go to: a (b) _________________
As you go: (c) _______________________
“As you go about your daily lives”
“As you go playing golf, working, ______________, etc”
Tell others about Jesus
Mission of the United Methodist Church
“The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the (d)____________________of the world.”
**Make Disciples:
Disciples: A student of or follower of
We are called to (e)______ disciples not to (f)______ disciples
How do we make disciples? (Not about cake making)
Some say: teach and baptize them
Mission is a Four Step Process
1. A willingness to go – Wherever we are – Share Jesus
2. Make disciples – Teaching them about Jesus
3. Baptize – Personal Decision - Confession of faith
4. Teach – Teaching them to teach others
***All Nations:
Remember Step 1 – A willingness to Go Make Disciples
Not just to Israel but also to the Gentiles
“God so loved the (g)________ he …”
“Go therefore & make disciples of (h)_____ nations…”
Memory Verse: A key to making disciples
“Only, live your life in a manner (i)______ of the gospel of Christ,…” (Philippians 1:27)
Story: Listening to Snakes
Closing: Prayer of Saint France (Hymn # 481)
Note: All scripture quotes are from the NRSV unless otherwise noted.
(a) authority, (b) direction, (c) a way of life,
(d) transformation, (e) make, (f) call, (g) world,
(h) all nations, and (i) worthy