No Mission but God’s

No Mission but God’s

Introduction:

Pause for a moment and think about the reality of a lost world. How can we make a difference? Are we emboldened by the impossibility of it all? Or do we leave mission work and local evangelism to the experts & those w/the resources to do it? Do we settle just to the work of providing the support structure & organization to indirectly support the great commission? The task of evangelism can be overwhelming. Who is adequate for such things?

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

A. 3:4-6 - God’s mission has placed us where He wants.

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

1. We are not the initiators of the mission.

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

C. 4:5-9 - We are just vessels & containers for this good news treasure.

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

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

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

A. Back to 2:16 – who is adequate? None of us.

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

B. 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. This empowers and primes us to do more as participants of that mission than we could have ever imagined.

a) Phil. 4:13; Eph. 3:20

C. Look and see the hand of God at work among us & around us:

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

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

B. Mt. 28:18, 20b - Two statements that Jesus proclaims about Himself.

C. 28:18 - Jesus claims all authority.

1. Jesus is not delegating responsibility here.

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

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

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

a) Look at the early church. They experienced Jesus’ presence among them.

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

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.

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

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.

C. The mission is God’s. John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-5; John 20:30-31

D. Here and outside of Christ? Won’t you believe & obey today?



No Mission but God’s Introduction: Pause for a moment and think about the reality of a lost world. How can we make a difference? Are we emboldened by the impossibility of it all? Or do we leave mission work and local evangelism to the experts & those w/the resources to do it? Do we settle just to the work of providing the support structure & organization to indirectly support the great commission? The task of evangelism can be overwhelming. Who is adequate for such things? I. 3:4-6 – It wasn’t His mission – it was God’s. A. 3:4-6 - God’s mission has placed us where He wants. B. 3:18-4:2 – what does this teach us? 1. We are not the initiators of the mission. 2. We are not the senders – we are the sent. C. 4:5-9 - We are just vessels & containers for this good news treasure. 1. We are just clay pots; vessels; garbage bags; filled w/treasure. 2. Paul uses a similar allusion in 2 Tim. 2:20-21. II. Should the prospect of evangelism drive us to despair? A. Back to 2:16 – who is adequate? None of us. 1. This should cause us to be honest & realize that the power behind our efforts belongs to God! B. 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. This empowers and primes us to do more as participants of that mission than we could have ever imagined. a) Phil. 4:13; Eph. 3:20 C. Look and see the hand of God at work among us & around us: *III. We make disciples for* Jesus – for we do it with Him. A. Could there be a part of the great commission we have neglected? B. Mt. 28:18, 20b - Two statements that Jesus proclaims about Himself. C. 28:18 - Jesus claims all authority. 1. Jesus is not delegating responsibility here.** D. Mt. 28:20b – this commission is not being “left up to us. E. Think: we do not make our own disciples – we make disciples for Jesus. 1. Let’s don’t leave Jesus out of the process! a) Look at the early church. They experienced Jesus’ presence among them. 2. Jesus is still w/us & it ought to change who we are! 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. 2. Let’s pray that God will work w/in us. 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. C. The mission is God’s. John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-5; John 20:30-31 D. Here and outside of Christ? Won’t you believe & obey today?