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Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
The Vision of Jubilee Family Church is to
*Win
*Consolidate
*Disciple
*Send
But this vision can further be simplified to
*Win Souls and Make Disciples
How much time did Jesus spend on soul winning in the modern sense of the word? Culturally, Jesus had a tremendous advantage over the modern day discipler. It was the highest honor, to be called, in the Jewish culture, by a Rabbi.
Very little of Jesus ministry was spent trying to reason with people to become saved. I actually don’t know of one single instance.
John 6:44
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
The signs and wonders that were manifesting in Jesus' ministry and the ministry of the early church as recorded in scripture did an excellent job of drawing people to hear the teaching from the ministry.
I would argue that there is not a program man can devise that could rival what God has planned for his Church. Rather, the majority of Jesus' time and focus was on raising up his disciples.
Another cultural hurdle we have to deal with is the concept of the Hebrew educational model in the middle of a Greek imprinted culture.
I would challenge the idea that we’re here today to only learn something. I believe we’re here today to become something. Yes, this in some ways involves learning, but it’s much more than that. We are here to be renewed and invigorated by a Holy Spirit that loves and challenges; guides and empowers.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
I believe the gospel transcends culture. Should we change our methods away from what Jesus did in order to accommodate cultural changes? Some things may not be sacred and we can adjust. However, some things may be sacred and we mustn't change them. I believe having real relationships with real people is a sacred component to fulfilling the great commission. To me the great commission should not be changed or altered. It must be obeyed.
Matthew 28-18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We have delegated authority to accomplish the mission. The mission is to make disciples.
My challenge to you today is, who are you teaching to obey everything the Lord Jesus has taught you? Can you envision a church where everyone in the room has a new believer or two they are helping raise up to become a fruit bearing follow of the Lord?
I believe this is what Jesus meant when he told us that we were to be fruitful.
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Your Purpose
Why didn’t Jesus “beam you up” after you came to saving faith in the Lord Jesus? I believe he left you here to bear fruit in the form of reaching people and helping with their spiritual maturity until they are ready to do for another what you have done for them.
I believe not only is this the reason the Church exists it’s also the reason you exist. This is your purpose. Now it can be articulated in different ways but I believe it’s central and of utmost importance to spend time developing other people for the Lord.
What are the only things that last for all eternity? It’s the souls of men and women. When everything passes away we’ll have the Word of God and the souls of people. Relationships with one another should be the highest priority in our lives; on a very similar level with our own relationship with God.
Mark 12:28-31
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[f] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[g] There is no commandment greater than these.”
I think the best way we can love one another is to lead one another to a closer walk with the Lord Jesus.
A Word of Caution
I admonish you to pursue relationships with a few people that you can pour your life into. Pray first about who this is and remember…
Matthew 7:6
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Let’s make 2012 the year when our mission statement comes off the wall, enters our hearts and becomes a reality. It doesn’t do any good on the wall if it doesn’t really happen in our lives.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124