The church is sent on mission. While we are a family, we are also a family with a purpose that moves beyond ourselves.
John 20:19-23
Sermon Outline
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:19-23)
Defining the Term, Mission
Why Did God Send Jesus?
- To reveal and communicate the Father’s love and will
- To “finish the work of redemption”
- To send the Holy Spirit
The Breath of Jesus Empowers the Church to do 3 Mission Actions:
- To Love and Worship Our Father
- To Disciple and Edify the Believers
- To Carry the Message of Forgiveness
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Was there a specific mission action that captured your heart? How do you think God wants you to respond to these mission actions? Worship, discipleship and forgiveness.
- Have you ever asked the Lord, “God, do you want me to go to the mission field?” If not, why?
- Why do we often associate worship with Sunday and no other time? What does this look like in your personal spiritual journey?
- How much of the Bible do I need to know in order to be a disciple-maker?
- What does forgiveness mean to you? How important is it in your life and how can forgiving help? What do you dislike about the idea of forgiving? What do you like about it?
- What kinds of things keeps you from even considering the possibility that God might call you to go?
- Do you tend to think of the Holy Spirit as coming into existence after Jesus, or do you think of the Holy Spirit as having always been a part of God’s mission? What has contributed to this way of thinking for you?
- When someone believes in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of their sin, the Holy Spirit gives them the breath of life and power to witness (John 20:20; Acts 1:8). How do you define the “breath of life”?