Taking That Step
Jonah 4 | 9.5.21
Our Mission: More and Better Disciples
1. Pray that God would open doors.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:2-6, NIV)
2. God's plan for making followers of Jesus is you.
3. God's program for making followers of Jesus is your everyday life.
4. Pay attention to our opportunities.
Our Big Ask: Build into someone’s life over an extended time period to help them take their next steps with God.
The Excuses of Moses (Exodus 3:10 - 4:13)
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3:11 – “Who am I?” – Feeling of inferiority.
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3:13 – “What shall I say?” - Feeling of incompetence.
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4:1 – “What if they don’t believe me?” - Feeling of lack of credibility.
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4:10 – “But I am slow of speech.” - Feeling of inability.
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4:13 - “Please send someone else.” - The conclusion.
“At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.” (Exodus 4:24, NIV)
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God’s concerns must be our concerns. (Jonah 4:10-11)
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Jonah was concerned with comfort. (4:6-7)
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God was concerned with people. (4:11)
Takeaways:
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God won’t ask where He won’t enable.
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Remind each other of what matters most.
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Beware of comfort talk!
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Be Jesus to your world.
Prayer: Don’t Leave Home Without It!
Colossians 4:2 | 8.29.21
Recap:
1. God's plan for making followers of Jesus is you!
2. God's program for making followers of Jesus is your everyday life!
3. Pay attention to our opportunities.
Disciplemaking Growth Rates:
Iran … 20%
Afghanistan … 17%
Nepal … 5.3%
India … 4%
USA … 0.08%
Our Mission: More + Better Disciples
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God
may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most
of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:2-6)
How do we pray? (v. 2)
A. With devotion
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“devote yourselves” or “continue earnestly”: This has the composition of a Greek word that means “to be steadfast” or “to endure.”
B. With thanksgiving
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“eucharistias” - “celebration” is this attitude that must accompany our prayer: a marked attitude from a man writing from prison.
What do we pray for? (v. 3)
That God would open doors for the proclamation of the Word, the mystery of Christ.
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… for spiritual leaders (v. 3)
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… for every believer (v. 4-6)
“More significant than the concept of the open door, is the reality that it is God alone who opens them!”
Some say, “If God’s in control of everything – why pray?”
I say, “If God is not in control of everything – why pray?”
Application:
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Let’s pray for God to open and re-open doors in our community.
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Pray for 3 people far from God.
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Pray for God to open your door.
Maximizing Your Investment: Making Every Step Have Purpose
Ephesians 5:15-17 | 8.8.2021
Truths from Matthew 28:16-20 last week…
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“God’s plan for making followers of Jesus is you.”
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“God’s program for making followers of Jesus is your everyday life.”
Disciplemaking Growth Rates:
Iran … 20%
Afghanistan … 17%
Nepal … 5.3%
India … 4%
USA … 0.08%
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
2 Essentials for Everyday Disciplemaking:
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“Be very careful” – a combination of two words meaning “see to it” and “accurately/carefully”
Essential #1: Pay attention to our integrity. (v. 15)
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If we are to have everyday impact, our everyday lifestyle matters!
Essential #2: Pay attention to our investments. (v. 16)
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:5-6)
Think about this…
Value the attractiveness of your life over the attractiveness of an event or program.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14)
Value God’s agenda over ours.
“How To Reach a West Virginian” (Natural Disciplemaking)
Matthew 28:16-20 | 8.1.2021
Matthew 28:16-20: “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
1. God's plan for making followers of Jesus is you!
Disciplemaking Growth Rates:
Iran … 20%
Afghanistan … 17%
Nepal … 5.3%
India … 4%
USA … 0.08%
2. God's program for making followers of Jesus is your everyday life!
“Disciple making was commissioned by Jesus to be personal.”
What are a disciple’s next steps?
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Baptizing them.
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Obedience.
How do we walk with others?
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Have a friend in real life.
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Be real.
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Have a real life with Jesus to share.
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Complete the cycle.