Great Commission Sunday - Laying the Foundation

Praise Tabernacle - A Missions Centered Church (Celebrating 40 years)

• Mission Statement
  • PRAISE - People Restored And Inspired Serving Everywhere
• Purpose Statement
  • “We Believe a great commitment to the great commandment and the great commission will grow a great church.
    • Matthew 22:36-40 New Living Translation (NLT)
    • 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
    • Matthew 28:19-20 New Living Translation (NLT)
    • 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
  • Each disciple’s primary mission is the great commission.  God desires to reveal to us His specific call in regards to discipling nations.
  • The nations include our family, neighborhood, career, and local assembly where we are to serve with the talents (spiritual gifts, natural abilities, education, and experience) given to the glory of God.

The Dominion Mandate - Why do we exist?

• The dominion that was lost through sin has been restored to all those who have made Jesus, Lord, and Savior.
  • Genesis 1:28 The Voice (VOICE)
  • 28 Then God blessed them and gave them this directive: “Be fruitful and multiply. Populate the earth. I make you trustees of My estate, so care for My creation and rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that roams across the earth.”
    • Have Children, Bear the Fruit of the Spirit, Be Productive.
    • As you bear fruit you plant seeds in the ground in which you stand multiplying yourself into those within your sphere of influence.
      • Psalm 127:3-5 ESV
      • Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
      • Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
      • But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
      • Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25:14-30

Ambassadors of Christ

• We are the representatives of God on Earth, His body, His Bride, His Chosen Vessels
  • 2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV
  • Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
  • Philippians 3:20 ESV
  • But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
• Our duty is to restore the earth to it’s original intention.
  • Acts 3:20-21 ESV
  • That times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
  • Matthew 6:10 ESV
  • Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Transformed - Transforming

• To Know God’s Will Our Heart and Mind Must Be Transformed
  • Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
  • 12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
• We must first allow God to transform us before we can expect others to be changed by us.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
  • And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
  • Philippians 3:21 (ESV)
  • who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Application

• Confess for being lukewarm, Repent, and make a vow to be a true Disciple of Christ.
• Take time daily to be transformed in the presence of God.
• Seek the Lord regarding your High Calling!