Framework
January 22, 2022

Christ-Compelled Multiplication

Main Point: “The central mission of every Christian and every church is to make disciples.” —Free Methodist Bishop Keith Cowart

“Our mission is to bring people to Jesus Christ, build them up in that relationship, and send them out to share His love.” - Northgate’s Mission Statement

What motivates us to talk about the things we talk about?

        We are commanded to (Matthew 28:19)
        We are compelled to (Acts 4:20)
        We care enough to (John 3:16)

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” —Romans 10:1-15

There are two paths we can take seeking a relationship with God: One is the path of “righteousness that is by the law.”

One curse of taking this path is living with doubt.

The “good news” path to a relationship with God is by way of “the righteousness that is by faith.”

One blessing of taking this path is living with assurance.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” —John 5:24

The wonderful thing about a “righteousness that is by faith” is that it is an offer extended to all people.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” —Romans 10:13

The responsibility we have as Christ-followers is to help others discover the “good news” path to a relationship with God through faith in Jesus.

Takeaway - Our love for Jesus and for others needs to move us to tell others about Jesus.

Discussion Questions (These are taken from the book The Free Methodist Way: Learning and Living the Five Values That Shape Our Identity)

  1. How are you intentionally and strategically finding ways to rub shoulders with those who do not yet know Jesus?

  2. When I look at people, do I see them as a Republican or Democrat, a liberal or conservative, a mask-wearer or mask-shunner, a friend or enemy… or do I see persons who desperately need to know Jesus and the life-transforming power of the gospel?

  3. In what ways have I rationalized my own unwillingness to enter the harvest field (i.e., to tell others about Jesus in the hope that they will turn to him)?

Table Discussion Question: What might happen if our kingdom passion was greater than the issues that have dominated our world over the past 12 months (COVID restrictions, racial tensions, partisan politics)? What things stir your anger, fuel your joy, burden your heart, or give you hope? Are they of the world or of the kingdom?