November 13, 2005 pm   The Mission Possible     Matthew 28:19-20

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

 

Our mission is to live our lives everyday so that others can see Christ living in us. 

 

Scripture Text:  Matt 28:19 (NIV) 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 1:6 (NIV) So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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."

 

What is the role of the Lord: 

  1. He calls and sends us out. 
  2. He gives us purpose and a reason to live and go. 
  3. He provides the power and the presence that we need to accomplish his mission.
  4.  He brings the mission to pass, but invites us to join Him. 
  5. He sets the example that we need so that we will now how to do it. 
  6. He gives the command and the directions on how it is to be done. 
  7. After all it is his mission that becomes ours. 

 

The role of the church: 

  1. The church is the only organization that I know of that exists entirely for the benefit of others.  The church is to go and make disciples of all nations. 
  2. The church is to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 
  3. The church is to teach them all things that have been commanded by the Lord.
  4. The church is to remember that Jesus is with us to the very end of the age.
  5. The church is to trust in the Lord and let Him be God.
  6. The church is to wait for the power.
  7. The church to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

 

The role of the pastor:

  1. The role of the pastor is the same as the church except that the pastor has been given the responsibility of the church. 
  2. Ephe 4:11 (NIV) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's 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.

 

The role of the individual believer:

  1. The role of the individual believer is the same as the church.  But to use our gift to accomplish our task. 
  2. 1Pet 4:7 (NIV) The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

 

The desired result:  Our desire is to be witnesses as the Lord has commanded.   We must leave the results to the Lord.  Have we been his witnesses?  Have we used the gifts he has given us?