Category: What Jesus Says

Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

“Every step we take is the result of a decision, either to follow our own way or the Way of Jesus Christ. Christian discipleship is companionship with Christ. The Christian Way is that of the long-distance walker, a long obedience in the same direction, where day in and day out, with each step we take, we choose to live in a way that follows Jesus and corresponds to the truth—our new life in him.” (Kevin Vanhoozer, Hearers and Doers, p. 60)

Prayer: Lord, we confess that we believe what you say, that the harvest is plentiful.  Would you send out us out as your harvest workers into the cities you have called us to, as we live as long-distance walkers, day in and day out. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship the Lord in song with “Miracles” by Jesus Culture (click here).

-MR

John 21:15-17 (NIV)
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

“Becoming a disciple of Jesus is as simple as obeying His call to follow… It’s impossible to be a disciple or a follower of someone and not end up like that person… That’s the whole point of being a disciple of Jesus: we imitate Him, carry on His ministry, and become like Him in the process.” (Francis Chan, Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples, p. 16)

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for laying down your life for us and forgiving us over and over again. By your grace, we confess that we desire to build our lives upon the love we have received and grow to be more like you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship the Lord in song with “Build My Life” by Housefires (click here).

-MR

 

Matthew 28:16-20 (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.”

Just as a great classical composer ends a symphony, the Gospel of Matthew ends in this last meeting of Jesus and his followers with the Great Commission. We are given promises that we can do these things because all authority has already been given to him, and we can continue in this call because he is with us always. This is truly the best life. When distractions or doubts come, we can be encouraged by the truth that God is greater than our hearts.

Prayer: Lord, we are grateful that you would call our churches to live this way. As we experience greater healing, may we be increasingly involved in the Great Commission with even greater freedom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship the Lord in song with “Believe for it” by CeCe Winans (click here).

-MR

Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV)
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

1 John 4:13, 16 (NIV)
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

As we received over the conference, the Lord is calling us into a life of no options. Jesus commands us to love God and love others. To human eyes, it may seem daunting. It is impossible without the Spirit, but we are children of God, and the Holy Spirit lives in us, and we are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory. We are growing more and more to resemble our Father in Heaven, who is love. Therefore, we can have hope today.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us faith to believe what you say. Would you help us to live a life of no options, by the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship the Lord in song with “I Will See The Lord (Land Of The Living) ” by Emerging Sound (click here).

-MR

Let’s read aloud together the following passage, confession, and prayer:

John 3:16 (NIV)
¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Cape Town Commitment: We love the gospel of God
We love the transformation the gospel produces. The gospel is God’s life-transforming power at work in the world. ‘It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.’ Faith alone is the means by which the blessings and assurance of the gospel are received. Saving faith however never remains alone, but necessarily shows itself in obedience. Christian obedience is ‘faith expressing itself through love.’ We are not saved by good works, but having been saved by grace alone we are ‘created in Christ Jesus to do good works.’

Prayer: Father, we praise you! How great is your love! Thank you for including us in your plans. We pray that you would help us respond to the love we have received, by living a life that loves God and loves others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship the Lord in song with “One and Only Jesus” by Vertical Worship (click here).

-MR