Sermon for the Sullivan SDA Church
September 4th, 2004
Intentional Fishermen
Matthew 4:18-22
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two
brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the
sea; for they were fishermen.19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will
make you fishers of men.”20 They immediately left their nets and followed
Him.21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of
Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending
their nets. He called them,22 and immediately they left the boat and their
father, and followed Him. [1]
I The Church’s Mission
our mission - our sense of what God has called us to do
Under God’s guidance, we meet people where they are, and lead them to experience a growing relationship in Christ with us.
our vision - what our
church will look like when we are accomplishing our mission
To be a growing church that transforms our community, models singular devotion to Christ, and is prepared for His coming.
our core values -
principles that define how we do ministry together as we pursue our mission
1 Empowering Leadership - Many people are leaders and don’t even know it; we lead in a variety of ways. (e.g. parent/child, father/family, teacher/student, Christian/unbeliever) Leadership is influencing people toward something better in their lives. Not that we are better, but we participate with God in directing them to the happiest life possible with Him. We “empower” leaders by apprenticing new leaders. We guide and equip them so that together we multiply our influence for good and accomplish God’s mission.
Ephesians 4:11,12; 2 Timothy 2:2; RH
8/24/86; 11/6/88; 9T 82
2
Gift-Oriented Ministry - We serve the Lord in our
areas of giftedness through appropriate ministries so the Body of Christ “grows
and builds itself up in love.”
Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:1,4-6; Ephesians 4:16;
1 Peter 4:10; Letter 19, 1901; 8T 186,7
3
Passionate Spirituality - We believe continual
spiritual growth should be normal for all Christians. Hence, we encourage Christians of all walks and religious
persuasions to become more devoted to Christ by taking delight in the spiritual
life. This includes daily renewal
through the personal disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and obedience.
Psalm 119:148; Mark 12:30; Romans 6:22; 13:11; 2
Corinthians 7:11; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 2:15
4
Functional Structures - Our church’s ministries,
systems, programs and policies work optimally through well-defined objectives
which are regularly evaluated to ensure functionality and excellence.
Exodus 18:14-22; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:16
5
Inspiring Worship - We gather for worship first
and foremost for our heavenly Father.
We worship Him in spirit and truth because of His beautiful holiness,
creative power and loving kindness. The
blending of spirit and truth reveals our commitment to authentic expressions of
praise and adoration that are biblical, decent and orderly.
Psalm 29:2; 96:6,9; 99:5,9;
138:2; John 4:23; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Revelation 4:11; 5:9,10; 14:7
6
Holistic Small Groups - We desire everyone to be involved in a small group
that ministers to their spiritual, mental, physical, and social needs. Since leadership is vital to this ministry,
we equip them through regular training, encourage them through monthly
briefings, and evaluate them through annual reviews. While these discipleship groups vary, they are primarily focused
on life transformation and evangelism.
Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:46-47; Philemon 2; RH 5/30/71;
9/29/91; 7T 21-22, 195
7
Need-Oriented Evangelism - People are at the heart of our existence as a
church. We authentically and
intentionally cultivate friendships with pre-Christians to lead them to become
fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
We use Jesus’ own method of mingling with people desiring their good,
showing sympathy, ministering to them, winning their confidence, and inviting
them to follow Him.
Matthew 25:34-40; 28:29,20; Luke 19:10; Revelation
14:6; MH 143
8
Loving Relationships - People matter - they’re the only thing going to
heaven. We are known for our love for
all people without regard to gender, race, social or economic status. We accept people as they are and desire for
them the happiest, highest and holiest life possible with God. We hold special regard for those who are
destitute, without loved ones, and in need of our sympathy.
A. Up to now
1.
Poking in the Bee Hive
a NCD Surveys
b Investigation of our Spiritual Gifts
c Creation of Small Groups
d Structural Changes to our Worship Environment
II
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
A.
No
matter how much you plan, talk, schedule, attend committee meetings, nothing
happens until you let put your plans into action.
B.
Matthew 4:23-25 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in
their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of
sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.24 Then His fame went
throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were
afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed,
epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.25 Great multitudes followed
Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. [2]
III
Communications – Communicating the Gospel of Christ
A.
Know
your Product
Passionate Spirituality - We believe
continual spiritual growth should be normal for all Christians. Hence, we encourage Christians of all walks
and religious persuasions to become more devoted to Christ by taking delight in
the spiritual life. This includes daily
renewal through the personal disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and obedience.
B.
Gaining
the skills
Gift-Oriented
Ministry - We serve the Lord in our areas of giftedness through appropriate
ministries so the Body of Christ “grows and builds itself up in love.”
C.
Communicating
with those you meet
1.
Intentional Communication
Need-Oriented Evangelism - People are at
the heart of our existence as a church.
We authentically and intentionally cultivate friendships with
pre-Christians to lead them to become fully devoted followers of Jesus
Christ. We use Jesus’ own method of
mingling with people desiring their good, showing sympathy, ministering to
them, winning their confidence, and inviting them to follow Him.
IV
THE ASSIGNMENT
A.
In
some ways the hardest thing you’ve ever done
B.
Each
and every day Intentionally communicate with someone.
1.
Under God’s guidance, we meet people where they are …
2.
Some how you must do what ever is necessary to talk with someone
everyday.
a
Go to town, get your hair done, stop at a restaurant.
b
Meet some one with the intention of saying something that will lead
them one step closer to Christ.
3.
Interact positively
a
Great Weather.
b
Isn’t this a great place
c
Look how hard all these people are working
d
Don’t complain, Affirm
e
Tell people how good they look. What a great car. Find something to
make the person feel good.
4.
The next steps as you grow and become confident and competent.
a
As the opportunity occurs, let people know that you’ve found something
that has helped you.
b
Let them know that what you found was Jesus
c
Invite people to your home
d
Invite people to worship with you
e
…and lead them to experience a growing relationship in
Christ with us.
C.
Contact
someone and tell them your experience
1.
Call and discuss what happened
D.
Next
week before our prayer time, I’ll be asking for reports
1.
Pass out the focus sheets
Acts
2:42-47
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine
and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.43 Then fear came upon
every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.44 Now
all who believed were together, and had all things in common,45 and sold their
possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.46 So
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house
to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,47 praising
God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church
daily those who were being saved.