House of Faith Mission
2 – Step One: Where do we Begin?
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
The House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
Online Audio Files | HOF Church Facebook | Truth Digest Facebook
This document is a Sermon Outline. You may hear the full audio of the actual sermon by following the link Online Audio Files located above for this and other Full Sermon Audios. For a complete list of Sermon Outlines, visit TruthDigest.org or Truth Digest on Facebook; for our Official Church website, visit PS127.org, or find us on Facebook at House of Faith Church.
SERMON TIMELINE
· Introduction
o Step One: Where do we Begin?
INTRODUCTION
Today is Sunday. February March12th, 2023.
We began a new series last week entitled The House of Faith Mission. Every so often we need to remind ourselves of why we exist as a local church, what our purpose is, and what God has called us to do in our lives, in our town, and in the world, all in His Name.
Before we know the Lord, many of us were drowning in life. True, sometimes we were swimming. Some swimming better than others, at least, by the worlds standards. Some of us may have been financially successful. Some may have had great careers, or large loving families. Or, perhaps we lived the juxtaposition? Perhaps, we were not swimming well at all.
Regardless of our performance in the pool, one fact remains for us all. There is a shark in the pool. The Lord, like the trustworthy lifeguard, rescues us from the pool, pulling us out and placing us on the tiled concrete surrounding the dangerous waters.
Once there, no longer in danger of the shark in the pool, we begin to learn more about this lifeguard. He instructs us that we are to assist him in retrieving others from the shark-infested waters of the pool.
It is at this point in the parable where we see the different reactions from those who were pulled from the pool by the lifeguard, and it is to be expected, because Jesus Himself warned us about it.
One, not understanding why he was pulled from the pool, listens to the lifeguard, scoffs at his words and ignores his warnings, jumping back into the pool.
Another, pulled from the pool, listens to the words of the lifeguard, immediately begins to reach for others in the pool, but because he did not first dry himself off and retrieve a life preserver, he falls into the pool with the shark.
Another, hears the warnings of the lifeguard who had pulled him from the shark infested pool, but was afraid, believing he may be lost himself if he were to try and pull others from the pool. So he sits and watches the others.
Lastly, the ones who were pulled from the shark infested waters of the pool, listened to the warnings and instructions of the lifeguard. They understood what needed to be done to help the others. They quickly throw shoes on their feet so as not to slip and fall on the wet tile. They grab many life preservers and throw them into the water. Following the actions of the lifeguard, and consistently looking at him for guidance and instruction, they manage to get preservers to many until the lifeguard can get to them.
Some of them threw a hundred to others, some sixty, and some thirty.
We find this explained by Jesus in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23
For us to know where we are to begin, we need to know where we are going. What is our destination? If you say Heaven, you are incorrect, for that is where we will go AFTER we get to where the Lord wants us.
One of the problems with believing we are traveling toward our destination of heaven is we become so self-involved with our personal journey, we forget the real reason we were called by the Lord.
Today we Ask the Question, Where do we Begin?
SCRIPTURE READING
(Legacy Standard Bible)
Galatians 5:13-14 “For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
The Lifeguard did not pull us from the shark-infested waters so we could run around living our lives and always “working” on ourselves to be better people.
You were pulled to freedom from the waters so that through love (ACTIONS I Corinthians 13) you would serve one another. You fulfill the “whole law” in this one sentence, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
TODAY'S MESSAGE
I. WHAT DOES JESUS SAY WE ARE TO DO UNTIL HE RETURNS?
a. Jesus tells us the destination in “The Great Commission.”
i. Matthew 28:19a “Go therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES of ALL NATIONS.”
ii. The last thing Jesus says to the disciples before He ascends is this
iii. There were many things the Lord could have said at this moment, but I believe what He chose to say was the most important message to the church.
iv. Make Disciples of All Nations.
v. Why disciple and not “fill the church with people?”
1. The Lord is about quality not quantity.
Disciple – A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes the doctrine of Christ, (2) rests on His sacrifice, (3) is filled with the Holy Spirit, and (4) imitates the example of Jesus (Matthew 10:24; Luke 14:26-27; Luke 14:33; John 6:69)
This isn’t simply a “convert,” “follower,” or pew warmer, but one who is “disciplined” in the way of the Lord.
OF ALL NATIONS – meaning color, race, creed, belief, and geographical location make no difference to who can be a disciple.
We are instructed by Jesus to “make them”
b. Once pulled from the waters, prepare yourself for service
i. Jesus tells us what takes place once we preach the gospel to someone to “make a disciple,” we then baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
ii. THEN we teach them to obey all that Christ commanded.
iii. These three things occur first, and then you are a disciple and ready for service.
c. Do not hesitate to help others
i. Think of the example of the pool and the shark
ii. 1 Peter 5:8-10
II. ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR DESTINATION, YOU CAN BEGIN
a. God’s Holy Spirit works within you, not you
i. Philippians 1:6
b. The Fruits of the Spirit are for others, not you
i. Galatians 5:22-26
c. The Gifts of the Spirit are for others, not you
i. 1 Corinthians 12:7
ii. 1 Corinthians 14:12
iii. Ephesians 4:12-13
iv. Ephesians 1:12-14
v. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
III. WHEN TRAVELING, IT IS NECESSARY TO CHECK THE MAP
a. The Word of God is our map
b. It must be studied to ensure our direction
c. The Word is food for our ever-hungry spirit
When we understand where we are going, we begin right where we are, checking our map daily to ensure we are not off-course!
CONCLUSION
Why does the scripture refer to Satan as a roaming lion, looking for whom he may devour?
Understanding this brings clarity to 1 Peter 5:8-10
Jesus Christ gives us the way out.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
James 4:7-8
Let us Remember the Destination, Start where we are, and check the map daily!
NEXT WEEK
Part 3: Going into all the world
This and other Sermon Audios can be found for FREE at
https://www.ps127.org/online-audio-files
Want to learn more about Salvation?
Want to read more FREE sermons?
No comments:
Post a Comment