IS THE CHURCH STILL RELEVANT TODAY?

“When It Makes Disciples”

Pastor Duane Cross | 11.20.2011

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, 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 28:18-20(NIV)

THE MEGA STRATEGY OF JESUS: MAKE DISCIPLES

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GROW?

God’s Word

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105(NIV)

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12(NIV)

Relationships

“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Deuteronomy 6:4-8(NIV)

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17(NIV)

Obedient living

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8(NIV)

Worship

“...ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. I Chronicles 16:29(NIV)

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worsh Romans 12:1(NIV)

I. PRACTICE the presence of Christ.

“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” Luke 24:31-32(NIV)

II. PRACTICE telling your story of faith.

III. PRACTICE living in community

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another...” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:18)