Sermon Notes & Slides – 7.31.2016

Sermon Notes

Sent
Selected Scriptures
Pastor John Sloan

Introduction: In one of the most moving prayers of the Bible, Jesus pleads with God to watch over those who belong to him. To his Father, as he reflects on his looming death, Jesus says: “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. … My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil on. … As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world“ (John 17). By his very nature, God is a sender. And those who belong to him are on mission, not just to tell people about Jesus but to plant reproducing churches.

Why Plant Churches?
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Questions for Discussion & Discovery

1. What are some examples in Scripture that demonstrate the sending nature of God?

2. How have you personally been transformed by God’s sending of his Son?

3. What are some emphases that can creep in and cause a church to veer off track? What happens when the gospel is no longer central in a local church?

4. Why is it that new churches are so much more effective at reaching unchurched than long-established churches?

5. Have you ever said to God, “Here I am, send me”? If so, what happened? If not, what fears have prevented you?

Sermon Slides

1. Making Disciples who Make Disciples
2. “Jesus gave us a mission. It’s crystal clear. It’s not the least bit ambiguous. We are to make disciples among all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything he commanded. To do that we have to align (and constantly realign) ourselves towards the task.”
3 Gospel Worship
Community Service
Multiplication Prayer
Discipleship
4. Why Plant New Churches?
5. 01. God’s plan has always been about sending.
6. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. … He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” – John 1
7. “Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” – Mark 1:36-38
8. “Go from your country and your kindred to a land I will show you.” – Genesis 12
9. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” – John 20:21
10. 02. The Great Commission is a call to plant churches.
11. 03. New churches are more effective in reaching the unchurched.
12. 04. New churches are the best places to identify and develop strong leaders.
13. 05. New churches infuse life and energy into existing churches.