The Great Commission: Matthew 28:16-18 It’s OK to have doubts… Go anyway! Biggest fears for Journey: -‐ buy a building -‐ start another service in Nashville -‐ use video for message/sermon
08-16-15: Jamie George
There are hurting people who need to feel the love of our Savior. We are going to find them. We are going to love them.
VISION APPETIZER: Our History “What if vulnerability was normal?” Journey has practiced how to love well for 10 years – how to live in the tension of serving & loving others while still being broken & in need of grace.
DINE-IN: Our Identity
“If you stay out of your role too long, you will find yourself disoriented & discouraged.” -‐ Jamie The 5-fold Ministry (Ephesians 4:11-‐12) 1. Apostle 2. Prophet 3. Evangelist 4. Teacher 5. Pastor If you’re interested ! http://fivefoldsurvey.com/ 3 Truths during season of unknowing: -‐ If you haven’t been released, you don’t leave. -‐ In the clouds, you remain faithful. When you’re not sure what to do, do the next right thing (one step at a time). -‐ In the uncertainty, rarely are we to run away. Instead, we are to run TO something. There are abused, wounded, desperate people, sleeping off a binge from the night before in our neighborhoods. There are people who desperately need to know there is an answer – & His name is Jesus.
TAKE-OUT: Our Legacy
1. You are not meant to live your God-‐designed life in isolation. If you are new to Journey or haven’t joined a Village, now is your chance! (see Take-‐Out #4 ☺) 2. Is there a role you’re fulfilling because of a need for approval? (aka: Trying to fill the role someone else wants you to fill?). In your desire to please others, have you failed to please God? If Yes, spend some time this week digging into what God’s desire is for you. Talk it out with someone you trust – or maybe talk about it in village.
3. If the Church is the greatest hope for the world, how will you be a conduit for the message of grace to the people in your family, neighborhood, workplace? 4. Jamie mentioned some of his fears in being a Pastor, leading a church, etc. A few of them were just plain unreasonable. What unreasonable fear(s) do you give in to? Identify them. Pray & ask for guidance on the next right step.
Village Conversation HANGOUT (Warm-up) 1. What unreasonable fears have a tendency to creep up in your life? Have you ever jumped headlong into one of them?
HEAR (Listen to God through scripture)
2. Read the following scripture aloud twice: Matthew 5:1-16 3. Before responding to it, take 1-‐2 minutes of silence to let the words sink in. a. What verse or idea stands out to you? Why? b. How do verses 2-‐12 differ from whom society would call “blessed”? In what way is this is good news (“gospel”)? c. Why do you think all of the Beatitudes refer to “those/them” except for verse 11 & 12, in which Jesus changes the subject to, “you”? d. How does the beginning of Matthew 5 shed new light on the Great Commission (in Matt 28)? What stands out to you? e. What comes to your mind when you read/hear verses 13-‐ 15? Do you feel shame? Do you feel inspired?
HUDDLE (Making it Personal & Praying together)
4. In what ways have you seen blessing when you were in mourning, meek, poor in spirit, etc? 5. Jamie shared serious conviction for his identity in leading our church. Spend some time in prayer for Jamie and his family, as well as the unification of our local churches. If you’re looking for
words in how to express this, see last week’s Notes & Conversation prayer for unity from the Book of Common Prayer.
QUOTES/SCRIPTURE… 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. - Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV) 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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.” - Matthew 28:16-18 (NIV) 1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:1-16