We Have a Mission - We have a responsibility to reach and raise the next generation for Christ.

Image Credit - langll - CCO Public Domain Image - via Pixabay

We are focusing on a new theme at church.  The following are my notes taken during my pastor's sermon.

We exist to glorify God

By discipling one another

To reach and raise the next generation

To live out God's truth. 

The following are the notes I took during my pastor's sermon on this topic. 

Our scripture passage for this study is John 20:19-23.

(19) So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  (20) And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  (21) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”  (22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  (23) If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”

At the beginning of the passage, in verse 19, we need to remember what was happening at that time.  Jesus had been crucified.  The disciples felt deflated.  The felt their mission was over.  They were afraid.

We Have a Mission

1.  Discipling One Another - We CAN do this!

Discipling is helping others trust and follow Jesus.  It is helping them live in a daily relationship with Him.

Verse 21 teaches us to BE the church.  Jesus told the disciples, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."  

Don't think God can't use you.  He can and He will.  I'm reminded of a phrase I think about when I feel unworthy or unqualified for a task.  I don't know who wrote it, but when I heard it, it stuck with me.

 God does not call the qualified.  He qualifies the called.

 2.  To Reach and Raise the Next Generation - We MUST do this!

To Reach and Raise = Discipleship = Lots of Work

We can't make this life all about ourselves if we really want to reach and raise the next generation for Jesus.  The next generation is not just our youth, but it also includes anyone who does not know Jesus.  

 O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come. - Psalm 71:17-19

The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation. - Psalm 33:11

3.  Answer To God - We ALL will do this!

Use your life to glorify God.  A passion gets you out of bed.  A burden keeps you up at night.  Many of us lack passion.  

"Get off your duff and do some stuff."  :)

Do you know Jesus?  If you are not sure, learn more about how to receive Jesus here.

Image Credit - langll - CCO Public Domain Image - via Pixabay