TITLE: Bringing Christ into Focus

TEXT: Romans 9: 1-5, Matthew 26:36-46THEME: Our vision to make devoted followers of Jesus is the most important purpose there is.

Martin Luther “I Have a Dream”

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.

Martin Luther “I Have a Dream”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

Martin Luther “I Have a Dream”

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

Martin Luther “I Have a Dream”

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!

Martin Luther “I Have a Dream”

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today!

Martin Luther “I Have a Dream”

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. History has shown that seeing this dream realized did not come without a cost

Question

Do I give assent to Jesus’ mission, applaud it, or do I own

His mission?

Why is our vision to make devoted followers of Christ the most important role there is?

I. It is modeled and commanded by Jesus’s (see the graph on other

side of bulletin insert).

I. It is modeled and commanded by Jesus’s (see the graph on other

side of bulletin insert).

A. Jesus models the five purposes.

I. It is modeled and commanded by Jesus’s (see the graph on other

side of bulletin insert).

A. Jesus models the five purposes. – Evangelism Grace

I. It is modeled and commanded by Jesus’s (see the graph on other

side of bulletin insert).

A. Jesus models the five purposes. – Evangelism Grace– Discipleship Growth

I. It is modeled and commanded by Jesus’s (see the graph on other

side of bulletin insert).

A. Jesus models the five purposes. – Evangelism Grace– Discipleship Growth– Fellowship Groups

I. It is modeled and commanded by Jesus’s (see the graph on other

side of bulletin insert).

A. Jesus models the five purposes. – Evangelism Grace– Discipleship Growth– Fellowship Groups– Service Gifts

I. It is modeled and commanded by Jesus’s (see the graph on other

side of bulletin insert).

A. Jesus models the five purposes. – Evangelism Grace– Discipleship Growth– Fellowship Groups– Service Gifts–Worship Giving

I. It is modeled and commanded by Jesus’s.

A. Jesus models the five purposes. B. Jesus final command was to make disciples. (Matt 28:19-20, Acts 1:8)

Matthew 28:19-20

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:8

“8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Our Vision Statement

“To be a regional church that turns unchurched families into devoted followers of Jesus.”

Our Mission Statement

“To Know Christ and Make Him Known.”

I. It is modeled and commanded by Jesus’.

A. Jesus models the five purposes. B. Jesus final command was to make disciples. (Matt 28:19-20, Acts 1:8)C. Jesus was willing to die to accomplish God’s will. (Matt 26:36-46)

Matt 26:36-44

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Matt 26:36-44

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matt 26:36-44

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

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WARNING …. NO HELMET SYSTEM CAN PREVENT CONCUSSIONS OR ELIMINATE THE RISK OF SERIOUS HEAD OR NECK INJURIES WHILE PLAYING FOOTBALL.

Schutt Sports, a major supplier of football helmets:

TO AVOID THESE RISKS [OF PLAYING FOOTBALL], DO NOT

ENGAGE IN THE SPORT OF FOOTBALL."

In a way, the Bible says,

"TO AVOID THE RISKS OF DISCIPLESHIP, DO NOT ENGAGE IN FOLLOWING JESUS.”.

Why is our vision to make devoted followers of Christ the most important role there is?

II. It fulfills the churches purpose. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

II. It fulfills the churches purpose. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

A. The church is not a political, social or military organization

Ephesians 4:11-16

“11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:11-16

“14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

II. It fulfills the churches purpose. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

A. The church is not a political, social or military organizationB. The church is an extension of the ministry of Christ

II. It fulfills the churches purpose. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

A. The church is not a political, social or military organizationB. The church is an extension of the ministry of ChristC. We exist to carry on the vision and ministry of Christ.

Film Memento

Film Memento

Film Memento

Leonard suffers a severe identity crisis that leads to the movie's shocking ending—all because he can't remember who he is.

Mark Driscoll

"As Christians and churches, we're a lot like Leonard. We have a condition. We're continually forgetting what we are called to do- as the church we can also forget who we are; we can forget our identity in Christ and our mission to the world.”

Why is our vision to make devoted followers of Christ the most important role there is?

III. It has a present and eternal impact. (Romans 9:1-3)

III. It has a present and eternal impact. (Romans 9:1-3)

A. It has a present impact

III. It has a present and eternal impact. (Romans 9:1-3)

A. It has a present impactB. It has an eternal impact.

Romans 9:1-5

“I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, “

Romans 9:1-5

“4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised!”

Key Point

This is a sermon about what is the most important cause and a major reason our vision as a church is the most important cause is the eternal impact it has on people eternal state.

Paul Trip

"Our world isn't a very good amusement park. No, it's a broken place groaning for redemption. Here is meant to make us long for forever. Here is meant to prepare us for eternity."

APPLICATION

• We have to believe in the truth of what we are doing.

APPLICATION

• We have to believe in the truth of what we are doing.

• We have to believe in the value in what we are doing.

APPLICATION

• We have to believe in the truth of what we are doing.

• We have to believe in the value in what we are doing.

• We have to believe that it has eternal results.

APPLICATION

• We have to believe in the truth of what we are doing.

• We have to believe in the value in what we are doing.

• We have to believe that it has eternal results.

• We must form priorities around the vision.

Lyman Coleman as he reflected on the death of his beloved wife.

• “Honey, I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I will keep the light on for the kids. I will be there for friends. And one day, we are going to join you. All of us. Because Jesus promised it. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”