Our-Core / Week 6

                         

 

 

 Our Core - Mission – Following Jesus, Impacting Others
Matthew 28:19; Luke 6:40, Matthew 4:19-20      

June 12, 2022   

• Introduction:
  1. Almost every church can clearly state what their mission is because Jesus made it very clear what our mission is – to make disciples.   
     1. Differences comes when churches seek to define “What is a disciple?”
     2. Think how that would hamper MVC ability to be a disciple making church if everyone at MVC has a different definition of what a disciple looks like!
     3. Let’s try it out – take a moment and share with someone near you how you would define what a disciple is! 
        1. How many of you had the exact same definition?
        2. How many of you can repeat the exact words the other used to define it?
     4. So today, we are closing out our series called “our core” where we are seeking to define ourselves as a church, by looking at what is our mission.  But as I said the hard part of that is very simple, defining a disciple
        1. But it is not that simple as there is much said in Scripture about being a disciple. So to be true to the Bible means there are many things to consider.
        2. On the other hand, if we make our definition too complex and include everything then no one will ever remember specifically what we are trying to do.
        3. So my hope today is to capture the heart of what the Bible says about who a disciple is and yet say it as simply as possible.   Then apply that to MVC.
     5. Let’s start by reading Matthew 28:19-20 again where we see this as the heart of our mission – to make disciples!   Read

• Let’s start with

1. Definition of a disciple
   1. As you know disciple is not a common word in our culture but it was in theirs at the time of the New Testament 
   2. For the definition of the word disciple, as found in Matthew 28:19 I went to seven different Greek dictionaries to see how they defined the word -       mathētēs (μαθητής).  Here are some highlights of a few things I found.    
      1. Most use the word “disciple’ or ‘follower’ to describe this Greek word.
      2. But when you break down the Greek word itself - it means to learn, a learner, a pupil.  
         1. Listen to Luke 6:40  
         2. The word pupil is the exact same Greek word here as disciples in Matthew 28 – only difference is that in Matthew it is a verb and here it is a noun!
         3. We see here that the goal of discipleship is to become like your teacher.  As disciples of Jesus, our goal is to become more and more like Jesus.   less of me and more of Jesus
      3. Vines dictionary says this word indicates thought accompanied by endeavor, hence it denotes one who follows or puts into practice one’s teaching,
         • . He goes on to say “a disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent -  

1. Or simply someone who binds himself or herself to observing or obeying what they learn! 

1. So bottom line the definition of a disciple has two aspects to it - first they are a learner and secondly they follow or obey what they learn
   1. So a “disciple of Jesus” is one who is learning from Jesus how to live life and following or obeying what they learn from Him about how to live life.  

• That really leads us right into Jesus’ call to discipleship that helps us understand what a disciple is.
• Jesus’ call to discipleship
  19. Turn to and read Matthew 4:19.  
      1. Jesus called them to follow Him.
      2. Jesus is inviting them to be His pupils, to learn from Him and obey what they learn from Him.
  20. But Jesus adds something onto to this call that further develops what a disciple is.  Listen again to v19b.
      1. If you follow Him then He will make you a fisher of men!
      2. In other words, you are called for a purpose!   Now you will join Jesus on His mission to seek and save the lost and to teach believers to obey everything Jesus taught us!
  21. When we follow Jesus and His teachings, He will make us into a person that influences others for the sake of the kingdom of God.   We will not only follow Jesus’ teachings but we will also join Him in His mission!
• So let me now try to summarize all that we have heard and come up with a …

1. Simple definition of a disciple 
   1. Within the last month, I was in a discussion with three other staff members as we were asked to define a disciple for MVC.   We wrestled with what the Bible says and how it could be understood today!
   2. We talked for a long time and went done many trails, possibilities and circles and finally we concluded that the best way to define it is to say what we already are saying is our mission – following Jesus, impacting others.  
   3. So every one of us at MVC should be able to answer the question of what a disciple looks like with full biblical confidence and simplicity by saying it is to follow Jesus and impact others.  

• So how does that … 

1. Apply to MVC
   1. Well the next logical question would be what would we say following Jesus and impacting others looks like?  
      1. If we cannot do that with the same clarity as we would defining a disciple we still will be greatly hampered as a church in carrying out the mission of making disciples that Jesus gave us.
   2. How could we say that simply enough that we would be biblically accurate and still be able to hang on to it.  More importantly give us some direction on how I should be living to be a disciple of Jesus!  
      1. Let me suggest three key things:  
         1. Be with Jesus  
         2. Become like Jesus   
         3. Bring Jesus to our world 
      2. The heart of each 
   3. Be with Jesus  (union/source)  
      1. Jesus said He chose His followers to be with Him.  The heart of being a disciple is to be with Jesus.  Mark 3:14
      2. Since He is the source of everything, we need for our life and for impacting others, we need to constantly be living in union and dependence upon Him. 
   4. Become like Jesus  (goal)
      1. The end product of a disciple, as we learned in Luke 6:40, was to become like their teacher.  We also learn in Romans 8:29 that God has predestined each one of us to be conformed to the image of Jesus! Paul said in Galatians that he was in hard labor like a woman giving birth until Jesus was formed in them.
      2. So the end goal of our lives and the lives we are seeking to impact is that we become more like Jesus!
   5. Bring Jesus to our world (work)  
      1. This is simply the work of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost world 
      2. And teaching those who are believers both what Jesus taught and how to obey it! 
   6. As we close this series of defining just who is MVC at our core we learn this mission is the work that Jesus has given to MVC to do and our values are the way that MVC does it:  
      1. Remember these values 
         1. Together strong  
         2. Mission driven  
         3. World changers   
         4. Future focused  
         5. Grace+truth 
      2. This is how we carry out the mission to make disciples, those who are following Jesus and impacting others
         • . Together strong - together is our vehicle 
           1. This is not a solo mission but a team mission that will require all of us

1. Mission driven - mission is why we exist  
   1. This mission is what drives MVC to be who we are and do what we do
2. World changers - transformation is our destination 
   1. We learned today that the goal will require a transformational work by the Spirit of God – not just to get people to church but to see them receive the life of Jesus and become more like Jesus
3. Future focused - the next generation is our sight
   
   (1) As we saw there is a special need to touch the generations following us with this mission as we are commanded to do so, as Bob Long taught us and it is essential for the health of MVC
4. Grace+truth - grace+truth is our context 
   1. God’s grace and truth is what each one of us needs to be a healthy disciple, and it is what we need to bring to others in order to impact them!
5. So let me ask you, which area of discipleship would you need to focus upon this summer to continue to grow as a disciple?  
6. Three main areas of a disciple who follows Jesus and impacts others! 
   1. Be with Jesus  (union/source)  
   2. Become like Jesus  (goal)    
   3. Bring Jesus to our world  (work)  
7. What are 1-3 practical things you will do to get there?  Take a few moments to think that through.
8. Share with the same person you did at the start of this message what is your area and what will you do about it!

                         

 

 

 Our Core - Mission – Following Jesus, Impacting Others
Matthew 28:19; Luke 6:40, Matthew 4:19-20      

June 12, 2022   

• Introduction:
  1. Almost every church can clearly state what their mission is because Jesus made it very clear what our mission is – to make disciples.   
     1. Differences comes when churches seek to define “What is a disciple?”
     2. Think how that would hamper MVC ability to be a disciple making church if everyone at MVC has a different definition of what a disciple looks like!
     3. Let’s try it out – take a moment and share with someone near you how you would define what a disciple is! 
        1. How many of you had the exact same definition?
        2. How many of you can repeat the exact words the other used to define it?
     4. So today, we are closing out our series called “our core” where we are seeking to define ourselves as a church, by looking at what is our mission.  But as I said the hard part of that is very simple, defining a disciple
        1. But it is not that simple as there is much said in Scripture about being a disciple. So to be true to the Bible means there are many things to consider.
        2. On the other hand, if we make our definition too complex and include everything then no one will ever remember specifically what we are trying to do.
        3. So my hope today is to capture the heart of what the Bible says about who a disciple is and yet say it as simply as possible.   Then apply that to MVC.
     5. Let’s start by reading Matthew 28:19-20 again where we see this as the heart of our mission – to make disciples!   Read

• Let’s start with

1. Definition of a disciple
   1. As you know disciple is not a common word in our culture but it was in theirs at the time of the New Testament 
   2. For the definition of the word disciple, as found in Matthew 28:19 I went to seven different Greek dictionaries to see how they defined the word -       mathētēs (μαθητής).  Here are some highlights of a few things I found.    
      1. Most use the word “disciple’ or ‘follower’ to describe this Greek word.
      2. But when you break down the Greek word itself - it means to learn, a learner, a pupil.  
         1. Listen to Luke 6:40  
         2. The word pupil is the exact same Greek word here as disciples in Matthew 28 – only difference is that in Matthew it is a verb and here it is a noun!
         3. We see here that the goal of discipleship is to become like your teacher.  As disciples of Jesus, our goal is to become more and more like Jesus.   less of me and more of Jesus
      3. Vines dictionary says this word indicates thought accompanied by endeavor, hence it denotes one who follows or puts into practice one’s teaching,
         • . He goes on to say “a disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent -  

1. Or simply someone who binds himself or herself to observing or obeying what they learn! 

1. So bottom line the definition of a disciple has two aspects to it - first they are a learner and secondly they follow or obey what they learn
   1. So a “disciple of Jesus” is one who is learning from Jesus how to live life and following or obeying what they learn from Him about how to live life.  

• That really leads us right into Jesus’ call to discipleship that helps us understand what a disciple is.
• Jesus’ call to discipleship
  19. Turn to and read Matthew 4:19.  
      1. Jesus called them to follow Him.
      2. Jesus is inviting them to be His pupils, to learn from Him and obey what they learn from Him.
  20. But Jesus adds something onto to this call that further develops what a disciple is.  Listen again to v19b.
      1. If you follow Him then He will make you a fisher of men!
      2. In other words, you are called for a purpose!   Now you will join Jesus on His mission to seek and save the lost and to teach believers to obey everything Jesus taught us!
  21. When we follow Jesus and His teachings, He will make us into a person that influences others for the sake of the kingdom of God.   We will not only follow Jesus’ teachings but we will also join Him in His mission!
• So let me now try to summarize all that we have heard and come up with a …

1. Simple definition of a disciple 
   1. Within the last month, I was in a discussion with three other staff members as we were asked to define a disciple for MVC.   We wrestled with what the Bible says and how it could be understood today!
   2. We talked for a long time and went done many trails, possibilities and circles and finally we concluded that the best way to define it is to say what we already are saying is our mission – following Jesus, impacting others.  
   3. So every one of us at MVC should be able to answer the question of what a disciple looks like with full biblical confidence and simplicity by saying it is to follow Jesus and impact others.  

• So how does that … 

1. Apply to MVC
   1. Well the next logical question would be what would we say following Jesus and impacting others looks like?  
      1. If we cannot do that with the same clarity as we would defining a disciple we still will be greatly hampered as a church in carrying out the mission of making disciples that Jesus gave us.
   2. How could we say that simply enough that we would be biblically accurate and still be able to hang on to it.  More importantly give us some direction on how I should be living to be a disciple of Jesus!  
      1. Let me suggest three key things:  
         1. Be with Jesus  
         2. Become like Jesus   
         3. Bring Jesus to our world 
      2. The heart of each 
   3. Be with Jesus  (union/source)  
      1. Jesus said He chose His followers to be with Him.  The heart of being a disciple is to be with Jesus.  Mark 3:14
      2. Since He is the source of everything, we need for our life and for impacting others, we need to constantly be living in union and dependence upon Him. 
   4. Become like Jesus  (goal)
      1. The end product of a disciple, as we learned in Luke 6:40, was to become like their teacher.  We also learn in Romans 8:29 that God has predestined each one of us to be conformed to the image of Jesus! Paul said in Galatians that he was in hard labor like a woman giving birth until Jesus was formed in them.
      2. So the end goal of our lives and the lives we are seeking to impact is that we become more like Jesus!
   5. Bring Jesus to our world (work)  
      1. This is simply the work of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost world 
      2. And teaching those who are believers both what Jesus taught and how to obey it! 
   6. As we close this series of defining just who is MVC at our core we learn this mission is the work that Jesus has given to MVC to do and our values are the way that MVC does it:  
      1. Remember these values 
         1. Together strong  
         2. Mission driven  
         3. World changers   
         4. Future focused  
         5. Grace+truth 
      2. This is how we carry out the mission to make disciples, those who are following Jesus and impacting others
         • . Together strong - together is our vehicle 
           1. This is not a solo mission but a team mission that will require all of us

1. Mission driven - mission is why we exist  
   1. This mission is what drives MVC to be who we are and do what we do
2. World changers - transformation is our destination 
   1. We learned today that the goal will require a transformational work by the Spirit of God – not just to get people to church but to see them receive the life of Jesus and become more like Jesus
3. Future focused - the next generation is our sight
   
   (1) As we saw there is a special need to touch the generations following us with this mission as we are commanded to do so, as Bob Long taught us and it is essential for the health of MVC
4. Grace+truth - grace+truth is our context 
   1. God’s grace and truth is what each one of us needs to be a healthy disciple, and it is what we need to bring to others in order to impact them!
5. So let me ask you, which area of discipleship would you need to focus upon this summer to continue to grow as a disciple?  
6. Three main areas of a disciple who follows Jesus and impacts others! 
   1. Be with Jesus  (union/source)  
   2. Become like Jesus  (goal)    
   3. Bring Jesus to our world  (work)  
7. What are 1-3 practical things you will do to get there?  Take a few moments to think that through.
8. Share with the same person you did at the start of this message what is your area and what will you do about it!