Craig Smith • Introduction • August 21, 2022

Jesus came to launch a kingdom

, not manage a ministry

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…

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:16-17)

The movement strategy…

• More

with fewer

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equals greater

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– “He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” (Mark 3:14-15)

“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.” (Matt. 28:18b-20)

A disciple is…
• ‘akoloutheo’(

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) – “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said…” (Mark 1:17a)

• ‘mathetes’ (

,

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) – “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…” (Matt. 11:29a)

• ‘mimites’ (

) – “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Heb. 13:7)

💣 Sadly, the movement tends to have an “

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” problem – “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were…like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.’” (Matt. 9:36-38)

• Movement impact requires personal

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, not just casual

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– “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.” (Phil. 4:9a)

• The motivation behind the movement is always

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– “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all…” (2 Cor. 5:14a)

We set the

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, God sends the

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– “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

This movement is global and growing and all that’s required is your willingness to join it…

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. (Col. 1:6b-8)