Series: Kingdom Life

Message Outline

Series Message 3:
The Kingdom Mission

Text: Matthew 10:5-16

Series theme verse: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here....Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 4:17b, 11:30, The Message)

Kingdom Life series goals:

Learn to think, act and be like Jesus - Matthew 5:48
Live His radical love for God and for people - Matthew 22:37-39
Going beyond the elementary teachings about Jesus - Hebrews 6:1
Be like The Rabbi - spread his “yoke”, live his rhythm - Matthew 11:28-30
Moving to maturity, by His confidence & His power - Acts 1:8
Becoming the chosen royal priesthood - 1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 3:20-21
Ushering in the fullness of the Kingdom - Matthew 6:10
Remember: Jesus believes we can become like him!

Inserts:
MCC Mission, Vision and Purpose and MCC Christ Follower Commitment

As we go through this series, we are taking the opportunity to reflect and deepen our purposes as Christ-followers and as a Church Body. In your bulletins are two inserts – a color brochure that outlines our vision mission and purposes as a church – and a sheet that translates these purposes into a personal road map for each of us to follow Jesus. We believe this is a succinct summary of what Jesus would want us to do and be.  [Purposes Christ-follower sheet]

Focus Passage: Matthew 10:5-16

Context: This is the second major discourse by Jesus (recall there are 5 in Matthew) in which he outlines his teaching on missions. Jesus has selected his 12 apostles and in this list, Matthew groups them in pairs. As individuals they represent the 12 tribes of Israel, and in pairs, they represent the Lord's practice of not sending missionaries alone (always have two witnesses!)

1. Verses 5-6 - Who, How, Where

 

2. Verses 7-10: The message and the messengers

 

3. Verses 11-13: The Person of Peace

 

4. Verses 14-16 - Wisdom in the face of opposition

The key: Finding the Person of Peace Presence – being available, open to listen and observe Passing relationships – moving people along the journey Permanent relationships – Long-term response affected by our lifestyle Proclamation – sharing the gospel boldly, guided by the Spirit Preparation – helping the people in your life - no pressure, no rush. Power – prayer, miracles, and insight Perception – taking the temperature and being aware of needs

* adapted from chapters 22-23 of Passionate Church

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:19 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." NIV

Personal Application: Some opportunities to get involved and develop a stronger mission world-view:

1. Pray. Ask God to direct you in how he wants you to participate in the Kingdom Mission.

2. Give one hour of your time each week to pray for our missionaries. It would be great to have a team of 4-5 people consistently praying each day of the week. Please contact Susan Carson, prayer ministry leader.

3. Plan to make a missions trip in 2007 support someone who is traveling, or make an extra gift beyond your planned giving to allow us to expand our missions budget. We will possibly have trips to Mexico and Africa. Please contact Zeke Swift, missions elder.

4. "Adopt" one of our church's missionaries - this could involve e-mail support, care packages, prayer, or traveling there - note that we also have many Cincinnati-based opportunities! For example, you may want to reserve May 19 to participate in an inner city missions blitz called Go Cincinnati.

Interview with those on the mission field.

Application questions for reflection and sharing in small groups:

1. Many Christians report that their first mission trip was a life changing experience. Have you been on a missions trip or sponsored someone? Did you or your sponsored traveler experience a changed heart?

 

2. Share a missions experience that particularly helped you grow in your faith. Why was it so profound?

 

3. Which of the MCC mission partners are you most connected with? Why? Was there a special work God did in you that went along with this? Maybe you can share it with your group.

 

4. What was your response to the missionaries from EPI? How did their story affect your view of God?

 

5. What experiences have you had being missionaries to your family, your workplace, and your neighborhood?

For parents:

1. Have your children made a mission trip? What did they learn?

2. How were your kids different afterwards?

3. What experiences have you had as a family? What did you learn?

4. Share your favorite experiences in doing ministry with your kids. What seemed to work best? How can we get every child more productively involved in missions?

Memory Verse for this Week:

Psalm 103:19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. NIV

Resources for further study:

1. Back to Jerusalem, by Paul Hattaway
2. The Heavenly Man, by Brother Yun and Paul Hattaway
3. The Irresistible Revolution, by Shane Claiborne
4. The Passionate Church, by Mike Breen and Walt Kallestad

Preview reading for next week's message:

Matthew 5:19
Matthew 20:20-28
Philippians 2:1-11