No Mission but God’s

No Mission but God’s

2005058

Topic # 150 (evangelism)

Introduction:

A. Pause for a moment and think about the reality of a lost world.

1. How can we make a difference?

a) Emboldened by the impossibility of it all?

b) Or...leave mission work to the experts & those w/the resources to do it?

c) Leave local evangelism to those who have professionally trained & those w/a gift for it?

d) And then the rest of us get to work providing the support structure & organization to indirectly support the great commission.

B. The task of evangelism can be overwhelming. Who is adequate for such things?

1. 2 Cor. 2:16 – Paul asked this question of the Corinthians.

2. 2 Cor. 2:14-17 – Paul alludes to a Roman Triumph

a) A public & solemn honor conferred on a victorious general who returned from a successful war.

b) Victorious general drawn in magnificent chariot w/2 white horses.

c) In the parade, the general was preceded by the spoils of war & the people he had subdued. Some would be killed, others spared.

d) During the triumphal procession – fragrant incense was burned, offerings to pagan deities were conducted, and flowers were scattered along the way – so that the entire city filled with the perfume of victory.

3. It was w/this allusion that Paul writes to explain that ministry is no easy thing.

4. 2:14 – Jesus leads us in triumph & through His servants the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him reaches every place.

5. 2:15 – some welcome him as a welcome fragrance. Others reject Him as the stench of death.

6. 2:16 – service combined with reception and rejection. Who is adequate for these things?

C. So how does Paul do it? How does He continue in the face of rejection & uncertainty?

I. 3:4-6 – It wasn’t His mission – it was God’s.

A. 3:4-6

1. God’s mission has placed us where He wants.

2. We are servants – doing the work of God. It’s all about Him.

B. 3:18-4:2 – what does this teach us?

1. We are not the initiators of the mission.

2. We are the targets of the mission – just as much as anyone else.

3. We are not the rescuers – we are the rescued.

4. We are not the healers – we are the healed.

5. We are not the senders – we are the sent.

C. 4:5-9

1. focus on 4:7

2. We are just vessels & containers for this good news treasure.

a) We are just clay pots; vessels; garbage bags; filled w/treasure.

b) Paul uses a similar allusion in 2 Tim. 2:20-21.

c) Earthen jars were used to hold household garbage & trash.

d) We are just the containers for the good news.

II. Should the prospect of evangelism drive us to despair?

A. Back to 2:16 – who is adequate?

1. None of us.

2. But this should not drive us to despair….rather…

3. It should cause us to be honest & realize that the power behind our efforts belongs to God!

a) Should fill every one of us w/hope!

B. Mt. 28:18-20 – how many times have we read this & felt frustrated & guilty?

C. Tony Ash: Too often calls to evangelism overlook the most important element: the empowering of God. We are asked to operate in our own power. When we find that we lack that power, we become frustrated and guilt ridden.

D. Throughout 2 Cor – Paul focuses on “the empowering of God.”

1. Let’s focus on how God gives us the power to do His work.

2. Let’s take the focus off ourselves & our individual shortcomings in this area…

3. When we focus on the power God - it empowers and primes us to do more as participants of that mission than we could have ever imagined.

a) Phil. 4:13 – God is the power…

b) Eph. 3:20 – God is the power…

E. Challenge each of us to look and see the hand of God at work among us & around us:

1. Lives changed b/c of the power of the gospel.

2. souls being added to the Lord’s kingdom

3. People being restored to service – after years away…

III. We make disciples for Jesus – for we do it with Him.

A. Talking about evangelism can always make us depressed – b/c we feel we are not doing enough.

1. Get discouraged – fearful that God is displeased w/us.

2. Could there be a part of the great commission we have neglected?

3. Mt. 28:18, 20b.

4. These are 2 statements that Jesus proclaims about Himself.

5. Ignore them? We’ll tend to view evangelism as just another church program.

B. 28:18

1. Jesus claims all authority. This leads to the “therefore” that establishes the commission.

2. Jesus is not delegating responsibility here.

3. He is taking responsibility & He is doing the work in us and through us.

4. Think of the FC Church: They never claimed anything they did was by their own effort:

a) They were witnesses of God’s work.

b) When they preached – it was Christ’s message.

C. Mt. 28:20b – this commission is not being “left up to us.”

1. Lo is an attention grabber. Today we’d say: “Hey!” or “Look here.”

2. Jesus is w/us as we work.

3. Should fill us w/joy; hope; and awe.

D. Think: we do not make our own disciples – we make disciples for Jesus.

1. Let’s don’t leave Jesus out of the process!

2. Let’s quit thinking in terms of “us” and “them” and that “them” need to become more like “us.”

3. How does Jesus factor into that?

E. Look at the early church.

1. They experienced Jesus’ presence among them & it radically changed them.

2. They knew Jesus was presenting w/them.

a) Their view of the world changed.

b) They lived differently

c) They demonstrated love & unity

d) They were empowered to serve others in Christ’s name.

F. Jesus is still w/us & it ought to change who we are!

1. Through us – He can change others! Let us:

2. Focus daily on Jesus & His cross.

3. nurture spiritual growth & become transformed

4. Increase love & godly behavior.

Conclusion:

A. What can we do that will take our evangelism to the next level?

1. Let’s seek to have a vision for what God is doing. (Look at what He has done; what He is doing; and what He will do.)

2. Let’s pray that God will work w/in us.

3. Our mission is God’s mission!

B. Let it be said of us that all we do and all that we are is God at work among us.

1. We are the visible evidence of His mission.

2. We are an example of His work.

3. Chris Benjamin: We are the model home for the heavenly mansion estates that are under construction and will be completed soon.

C. As we move forward – Jesus must become greater w/no emphasis on us.

1. If we really believe we are the Church of Christ – then we must believe this is Christ’s church – not ours.

2. Everything we do is in the name of Jesus:

3. everything we do flows from the precious treasure in us – the gospel

4. everything about us:

a) our worship; preaching; giving; teaching

b) Must all be about Jesus & His power to save.

5. We must believe & speak like we know there is real power around here – and we’re just the cardboard box to carry it in.

6. Everything needs to focus on Jesus Christ & HIS Power to save.

D. The mission is God’s.

1. John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-5; John 20:30-31

E. Here and outside of Christ? God can fill you with the treasure of hope & earnest expectation of salvation. Won’t you believe & obey today?

F. I N V I T A T I O N



No Mission but God’s 2005058 Topic # 150 (evangelism) Introduction: A. Pause for a moment and think about the reality of a lost world. 1. How can we make a difference? a) Emboldened by the impossibility of it all? b) Or...leave mission work to the experts & those w/the resources to do it? c) Leave local evangelism to those who have professionally trained & those w/a gift for it? d) And then the rest of us get to work providing the support structure & organization to indirectly support the great commission. B. The task of evangelism can be overwhelming. Who is adequate for such things? 1. 2 Cor. 2:16 – Paul asked this question of the Corinthians. 2. 2 Cor. 2:14-17 – Paul alludes to a Roman Triumph a) A public & solemn honor conferred on a victorious general who returned from a successful war. b) Victorious general drawn in magnificent chariot w/2 white horses. c) In the parade, the general was preceded by the spoils of war & the people he had subdued. Some would be killed, others spared. d) During the triumphal procession – fragrant incense was burned, offerings to pagan deities were conducted, and flowers were scattered along the way – so that the entire city filled with the perfume of victory. 3. It was w/this allusion that Paul writes to explain that ministry is no easy thing. 4. 2:14 – Jesus leads us in triumph & through His servants the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him reaches every place. 5. 2:15 – some welcome him as a welcome fragrance. Others reject Him as the stench of death. 6. 2:16 – service combined with reception and rejection. Who is adequate for these things? C. So how does Paul do it? How does He continue in the face of rejection & uncertainty? I. 3:4-6 – It wasn’t His mission – it was God’s. A. 3:4-6 1. God’s mission has placed us where He wants. 2. We are servants – doing the work of God. It’s all about Him. B. 3:18-4:2 – what does this teach us? 1. We are not the initiators of the mission. 2. We are the targets of the mission – just as much as anyone else. 3. We are not the rescuers – we are the rescued. 4. We are not the healers – we are the healed. 5. We are not the senders – we are the sent. C. 4:5-9 1. focus on 4:7 2. We are just vessels & containers for this good news treasure. a) We are just clay pots; vessels; garbage bags; filled w/treasure. b) Paul uses a similar allusion in 2 Tim. 2:20-21. c) Earthen jars were used to hold household garbage & trash. d) We are just the containers for the good news. II. Should the prospect of evangelism drive us to despair? A. Back to 2:16 – who is adequate? 1. None of us. 2. But this should not drive us to despair….rather… 3. It should cause us to be honest & realize that the power behind our efforts belongs to God! a) Should fill every one of us w/hope! B. Mt. 28:18-20 – how many times have we read this & felt frustrated & guilty? C. Tony Ash: Too often calls to evangelism overlook the most important element: the empowering of God. We are asked to operate in our own power. When we find that we lack that power, we become frustrated and guilt ridden. D. Throughout 2 Cor – Paul focuses on “the empowering of God.” 1. Let’s focus on how God gives us the power to do His work. 2. Let’s take the focus off ourselves & our individual shortcomings in this area… 3. When we focus on the power God - it empowers and primes us to do more as participants of that mission than we could have ever imagined. a) Phil. 4:13 – God is the power… b) Eph. 3:20 – God is the power… E. Challenge each of us to look and see the hand of God at work among us & around us: 1. Lives changed b/c of the power of the gospel. 2. souls being added to the Lord’s kingdom 3. People being restored to service – after years away… *III. We make disciples for* Jesus – for we do it with Him.** A. Talking about evangelism can always make us depressed – b/c we feel we are not doing enough. 1. Get discouraged – fearful that God is displeased w/us. 2. Could there be a part of the great commission we have neglected? 3. Mt. 28:18, 20b. 4. These are 2 statements that Jesus proclaims about Himself. 5. Ignore them? We’ll tend to view evangelism as just another church program. B. 28:18 1. Jesus claims all authority. This leads to the “therefore” that establishes the commission. 2. Jesus is not delegating responsibility here. 3. He is taking responsibility & He is doing the work in us and through us. 4. Think of the FC Church: They never claimed anything they did was by their own effort: a) They were witnesses of God’s work. b) When they preached – it was Christ’s message. C. Mt. 28:20b – this commission is not being “left up to us.” 1. Lo is an attention grabber. Today we’d say: “Hey!” or “Look here.” 2. Jesus is w/us as we work. 3. Should fill us w/joy; hope; and awe. D. Think: we do not make our own disciples – we make disciples for Jesus. 1. Let’s don’t leave Jesus out of the process! 2. Let’s quit thinking in terms of “us” and “them” and that “them” need to become more like “us.” 3. How does Jesus factor into that? E. Look at the early church. 1. They experienced Jesus’ presence among them & it radically changed them. 2. They knew Jesus was presenting w/them. a) Their view of the world changed. b) They lived differently c) They demonstrated love & unity d) They were empowered to serve others in Christ’s name. F. Jesus is still w/us & it ought to change who we are! 1. Through us – He can change others! Let us: 2. Focus daily on Jesus & His cross. 3. nurture spiritual growth & become transformed 4. Increase love & godly behavior. Conclusion: A. What can we do that will take our evangelism to the next level? 1. Let’s seek to have a vision for what God is doing. (Look at what He has done; what He is doing; and what He will do.) 2. Let’s pray that God will work w/in us. 3. Our mission is God’s mission! B. Let it be said of us that all we do and all that we are is God at work among us. 1. We are the visible evidence of His mission. 2. We are an example of His work. 3. Chris Benjamin: We are the model home for the heavenly mansion estates that are under construction and will be completed soon. C. As we move forward – Jesus must become greater w/no emphasis on us. 1. If we really believe we are the Church of Christ – then we must believe this is Christ’s church – not ours. 2. Everything we do is in the name of Jesus: 3. everything we do flows from the precious treasure in us – the gospel 4. everything about us: a) our worship; preaching; giving; teaching b) Must all be about Jesus & His power to save. 5. We must believe & speak like we know there is real power around here – and we’re just the cardboard box to carry it in. 6. Everything needs to focus on Jesus Christ & HIS Power to save. D. The mission is God’s. 1. John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-5; John 20:30-31 E. Here and outside of Christ? God can fill you with the treasure of hope & earnest expectation of salvation. Won’t you believe & obey today? F. I N V I T A T I O N