Mission of the Church (June 16)
June 16, 2024

Sermon Notes: Mission of the Church (June 16)

Introduction:
- Paul is going to answer 4 questions in today’s section of Ephesians:
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Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-13
- Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth… remember that at that time you were separate from Christ,
- Paul addressed the Ephesians, and this applies to us as well. As Gentiles (non-Jews), we were initially excluded from God’s covenant.
- You and I were:

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in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

The Global Nature of the Gospel:
- The Gospel spread beyond Israel to the “ends of the Earth.”
- It started in Israel, not by a white guy or a political figure, but by Jesus, a Jewish carpenter who claimed to be God and sacrificed himself for humanity’s salvation.
- Jesus instructed to make disciples of all nations (ethne - people groups).
- The disciples’ efforts enabled the Gospel to reach us today.
- Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were

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have been
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by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.

Dividing Walls of Hostility:
- Examples include race, economic status, and political parties.
- Jesus broke down these walls, redefining who is inside and outside.
- Ephesians 2:15-18 His purpose was to create in himself

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new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to
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both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
- Ephesians 2:19-22 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but
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with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Unity in Christ:
- All Christians share:
- A common source of

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: Jesus Christ is the cornerstone.
- A common foundation of
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: the apostles and prophets.
- A common
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: we are built together as a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (This is the church).

Four Questions:
1. Question 1: Why must we be a part of the church?
- a. If you want to know Jesus, you must be

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to His body.
- Ephesians 3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom should be made…
- We are a dwelling place for God by His Spirit. God inhabits the praises of His people. Where two or more are gathered, there He is.
- b. If you want God to work in your life, you have to be a
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of the church.
- Honest truth: You cannot ask for God’s power if you separate yourself from the means of that power.

  1. Question 2: How involved should we be in the church?

    • Reflect on how involved you want Jesus to be in your life.
    • If you are not in a life group or serving, you are missing out on what God wants for you.

  2. Question 3: What’s the mission of the church?

    • God is glorified when diverse people unite because of Jesus.
    • NLC MISSION STATEMENT: Going across the street and around the world to rally people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus for the glory of God.
    • Ephesians 3:1-2 When I think of all this I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of the Gentiles…assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles.
    • Ephesians 3:7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
    • Ephesians 3:9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
    • Ephesians 3:11-13 This was his eternal plan. Which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.
    • Paul aligned his mission with God’s eternal mission.
    • There are 3 stages in every great work of God: impossible; difficult; done.
    • Encouragement to share Jesus boldly and engage with the nations.

  3. Question 4: What am I asking from you today?

    • Be very active in your church:
      • Get in a life group, serve on a team, and give to support the mission.
      • Be open to different styles of church.
      • Connect with people different from yourself.
      • Share Jesus with those far from God and invite them to church.
      • Consider mission trips and support sending others.

Practical Steps for the Church:
- We are going to do this in 4 ways:
1. Sending people on short-term mission trips.
2. Sending mid-term and long-term missionaries, focusing on the 1040 Window.
3. Engaging with Bible translation efforts for 3,400 languages with little or no scripture.
4. Planting churches nationally and globally.
- Current mission fields include Honduras, with plans for India, Bangladesh, and others.