Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Mission in Action Part 4: Christ

Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ.

Our mission statement says “Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ”

We believe this concise, yet powerful statement gives light and guidance to our purpose as the church and as individual believers.

So, this teaching series- called Mission in Action is not just to make sure you know the mission statement, but so that you understand it more deeply, find excitement in its possibilities and desire to engage with us to see this mission lived out.

While Christ is literally the last word in our mission statement, it’s not just a play on words, It’s there on purpose.

We are committed to giving Christ the last word, to focus on Him, to give him the authority in all we do as the church. After all, apart from him- we really don’t have anything to offer others.‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭11‬‬

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

To give Christ the last word is to see him as the central focus and authority of our lives and of our mission together. It means we give Christ the authority over our lives, the past, and the present. And to make him the focus of the future.

To give Christ the last word is to give him authority over everything, even if that’s what it costs.

The invitation to give Christ the last word over our past means that we decide to abandon anything that would keep us from experiencing relationship with him now.If that’s pride in our accomplishments, our jobs, our families, or even our self-reliance- we must let the past go to embrace Christ

If it’s Guilt, or shame, or regret that have you paralyzed- Give Christ the last word over your past.

Your past doesn’t have that power over you when give your life to Jesus.

To see Christ have the last word means we don’t just give him authority over our past- We give all our lives over to him for the sake of Christ.

Paul is helping us to see, there is absolutely nothing in this world worth as much as knowing and experiencing Jesus as Lord. Nothing!

As a church we are called to see others come to know Christ- to experience him as their lord and savior.

To give Christ the last word means that he is not only the life we experience, but also the authority that will guide our actions.

That’s going to challenge me, that will challenge you, because Christ having the last word means that we follow him, no matter what.

It’s not going to be our preferences that are get the final word.

It might not be what’s popular

It’s probably not what’s easiest or even what’s comfortable. It might even feel un-safe in the moment.

In those moments, will we give Christ the last word?

That’s our mission!

Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ!

Giving at COTN

If you have ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@abeaconofhope_pbz6m2

Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!https://www.cotnaz.org/giving/

http://bible.com/events/49019183

Church of the Nazarene

Mission in Action Part: Hope

“God, fill me with your hope so it overflows into the hearts of those you send to me.”

Our mission statement says “Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ”

We believe this concise, yet powerful statement gives light and guidance to our purpose as the church and as individual believers.

This teaching series, called Mission in Action, is not just about knowing the mission, but it is challenging us all to engage in the mission more deeply than ever before.

Today we will focus on HOPE, both the invitation to experience it and the call to share it with others.‭‭

Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬-‭13‬‬

For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.” Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.” And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

-The Jews were God’s chosen people, and while Paul is reminding the church that God kept His promises, he is also reminding them that the fulfillment of that promise was not just for the Jews as some believed.

-Paul points back to the Old Testament to remind the church of the promises God has already made, and now fulfilled.

-Finally, Paul introduces this concept of hope. This hope is possible because of what Christ has done.

Hope in Him

-Paul is specific about who the source of true hope is (verse 12 says “in Him [Jesus] the Gentiles will hope”).

-This is a hope that is available now and forever.

Hope for Forever

-Eternal hope is possible because we have been reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus.

-This is why Paul would write to the church in Phillipi, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21)

Hope for Today

-Paul’s words do not just point to a hope one day in the future, but also a hope for right now.

-“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him”, meaning as you trust Him now. You fill be filled with hope as you trust God today.‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬-‭21

‬‬I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

It’s not enough to experience this hope. We are called to share this hope with others. This is why Paul points to ‘overflowing’ hope.

Our prayer of response:

God, fill me with your hope so it overflows into the hearts of those you send to me.

Verses for further study/reflection:

Isaiah 40:31

Jeremiah 29:11

Psalm 39:7Romans 5:1-5

Romans 8:24-25

Romans 12:12

Colossians 1:24-27

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.orgThank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!https://www.cotnaz.org/giving/

We are joined on today’s broadcast of HOPE Talks by Vickie Dove, Angela Kohl and Kayla May. They join us today to talk about the women’s Bible studies happening at church of the Nazarene in Harrisonburg. We talk to them about how God called them to leave the Bible studies and about what they’ve gotten out of the studies and fellowship with other women in their groups. we pray that today’s broadcast will be a half hour of hope for your life.

We would also like to invite you to take an anonymous six question survey to help give us some feedback on the podcast. You can take the survey by clicking the link below. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=rMtAr_aDl02Dki0XlUrGIhYk-WuZPbRHkFKyO4BJJKdURTIyS1JBNU1TSjRYQjA3VVo5RlNPT0dSWS4u

The Path to Death

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”‭‭

Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬

‭“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.””

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬-‭7

‬ ‭“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭34‬

‭To know God, we have to die to self

How do we destroy the idle of self?

When you have the right voices, you make the right choices

You can’t disciple others, if you’re not discipled.

Acknowledge Him= Know Him

His Kingdom cannot come, until our Kingdom goes.

Walking with God will destroy the idol of self

How to Cultivate a path to death

1. Go Home and grow

2. Find strong community

3. Serve.

Are you bearing fruit? fruit that lasts?

Are You Frozen or Chosen?

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”1 Peter 2:9

“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.””‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬

‭“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬

‭“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬

‭Authority-1. Ugh definition- The power to give orders and make decisions the power or right to direct or control someone or something.

2. Ahh definition- The common quality of someone who knows a lot about something, who’s respected or obeyed by other people.

Authority-

It can be assumed

It can be earned

It can be delegated

It can be received

It can be rejected

It can be revoked

God calls everyone not just special people.

“So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.” Genesis 41:41-42

“The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. “ ‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.””‭‭Haggai‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬-‭23

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14

‬“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”2 Corinthians 1:21-22“

“As surely as I live,” declares the Lord, “even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off.” Jeremiah 22:24

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬

How is the temperature of your life?

How are you serving in authority in ministry?

Only through the promise of the Holy Spirit are we gifted to serve

All called fully surrendered believers have authority, and the Lord has need of you

You didn’t choose him he chose you and appointed you to bear fruit, fruit that will last.