Sermon Tone Analysis

Missions Central Church

First is it Biblical, and second how does it look?

Think about what it means to be a church where missions is central to everything done.

A church of this kind is filled with Christ followers who are literally committed to “Living on Mission,” God’s mission.

The Bible tells us in that mission is to:

Psalm 96:2-3

The context of this verse is found in where these exact words are found again in .

It is a psalm written by David to be sung by God’s people after he had made a place to house the ark of the covenant in the city of Jerusalem.

This represented God’s presence among His people.

This passage was a command to God’s people then to live on mission for Him before all other nations.

Whether a church boast 20,000 members or 20 members, God’s mission is to reach the nations with the gospel, His followers declaring His glory to all people everywhere.

Every church may claim they know the mission, but the truth is every church does not live this mission.

The few churches who are missions central are healthy, thriving and growing in their spiritual maturity, not necessarily always in their attendance.

Whether a church boast 20,000 members or 20 members, God’s command is to reach the nations with the gospel, His followers are to declare His glory to all people everywhere.

Every church may claim they know this command, but the truth is not every church lives on mission for God.

The few churches who are missions central are healthy, thriving and growing , not necessarily always in their attendance, but always in their spiritual maturity.

God cares much less about numbers than we do.

Personally, let me pastor a church of 50 people with God in their heart, loving Him genuinely, and telling His gospel passionately, faithfully storming the gates of hell; than pastor a church of 500 people with Bible in their hand, sitting comfortably in their seats each week waiting on heaven but never feeling a burden for the people who are dying in sin, going to hell.

That kind of church can turn the world upside down like it says over in that the Christians did in the town of Thessalonica.

Personally, let me pastor a church of 50 people with God in their heart, loving Him genuinely, and telling His gospel passionately, faithfully storming the gates of hell; than pastor a church of 500 people with Bible in their hand, sitting comfortably in their seats each week waiting on heaven but never feeling a burden for the people who are dying in sin, going to hell.

That kind of church can turn the world upside down like it says over in that the Christians did in the town of Thessalonica.

In that kind of church missions is not something they study once a year in VBS or Once a month in WMU.

For church like that, missions is more than a place they go, a trip they take or an event on a calendar.

To those Christ followers missions is more than just an offering.

To a church of this caliber, missions is the very core from which they operate, a way of life for the entire church family.

Disciples are made from this church every week every day.

IMB Missionary to Asia wrote an article about traits seen in such a church:

1. Has a Now Mentality - Working to advance the kingdom now instead of waiting on it to arrive with Jesus’ return.

Going where God sends and doing what God says.

2. Is in it for the Long Haul - Consumed with a passion for worshipping God and telling everyone they can about Him.

How long is not a question asked.

3. Has Cheerleaders - Plural.

Not dependent on a pastor or missions leader to keep the missions fire burning in their core.

4. Spends time on their knees TOGETHER - knowing prayer is crucial in spiritual warfare..

The answer to their what and where question comes through prayer.

5. Is Flexible and Steadfast - “We’ve never done it that way before” is their motivation for innovation.

Missions Central churches are not afraid of change or being creative.

6. Trains and Equips - Leaders are intentional in helping every member live on mission.

Every member is eager to learn and share the gospel.

7. Networks with Others - Seeking advice from other churches already involved in a project or place.

Works together with other churches for better effectiveness.

8. Sends - Caring more about how many go than about how many stay.

Is outward focused reaching non-Christians in their community and everywhere, helping them become Committed Christ followers.

I agree with Chuck Lawless, professor of Evangelism and Missions at SEBTS, many people sitting in church pews keep sitting because they have never been discipled.

It is not that these people do not care; it has to do with their spiritual maturity level.

Many of them maybe 40, 50, 60, 80 years old and Christians most of their lives, but spiritually speaking are still babies in Christ needing someone to help them grow in Christ to live on mission.

Do these stir something inside of you when you think about yourself and our church?

Do they move you beyond yourself?

Do you want to be a Christian that lives on mission?

Do you want to be able to say JFBC is a missions central church that declares God’s glory to people everywhere?

If you answered yes then it begins right here (head) and right here (heart).

The Bible gives us no better example of that than the one of Isaiah encountering God in a worship service, if you will.

We see that Isaiah was...

Ruined and Wrecked

STAND WITH ME AND REVERENTLY READ

The truth for you in what we see happening to Isaiah is this; like him, before you can or will respond to God’s call to live on mission, you must become ruined and wrecked in the presence of Holy God.

Isaiah, by using the word ruined, meant he knew completely how his own way of trying to do right is a failure in the presence of God.

The word Isaiah uses, combined with the recognition of God as literally “my Lord” and the description he gives of the scene, lets us know the thought running through his mind is, “Oh no, I am a dead man about to perish under the Supreme power of the Maker of the Universe.”

The word carries the meaning of dumb or silent.

Isaiah knew he could only stand as a mute in the presence of the Holy One of Israel, the Sovereign Ruler of the heavens and Earth.

The truth for you in what we see happening to Isaiah is this; like him, before you can or will respond to God’s call to live on mission, you must become ruined and wrecked.

When you are ruined and wrecked like Isaiah, you will do 3 actions from your heart and mind.

First, you will have a complete fearful and debilitating:

Awareness of God’s Holiness

v.1 - This is best translated as description of the Lord and not where He is sitting.

High in His Holiness.

High in His nature.

Description of majesty & transcendence.

v.2 - The name for the angels around the throne mean “Burning Ones.”

Fire is the chief symbol in the Bible for God’s Holiness.

(Remember the burning bush when God called Moses to serve Him.) Their wings made it look like flames around the throne.

Holy let’s us know that God is sacred and set apart.

It shows us that God is free from all the fallen characteristics of humanity.

Nothing like Him, ever and anywhere.

The name for the angels around the throne mean “Burning Ones.”

Fire is the chief symbol in the Bible for God’s Holiness.

(Remember the burning bush when God called Moses to serve Him.) Their wings made it look like flames around the throne.

v.3 - Holy let’s us know that God is sacred and set apart.

The word in all its forms is used over 800 times in describing God in OT.

Nothing like Him, anywhere at any time.

Brightness is another word used in some translations - revealing how unapproachable God is - we would have a better chance of reaching the sun than approaching God.

The repetition of the word Holy let’s us know that God’s holiness is so far beyond what our minds can fathom that some super-emphatic means had to be used to get us even close.

Brightness is another word used in some translations - revealing how unapproachable God is - we would have a better chance of reaching the sun than approaching God.

Isaiah, by using the word ruined in v.5, meant he suddenly knew completely how his own way of trying to do right is a failure in the presence of God.

Isaiah here in the midst of this religious service, recognizes the emptiness of religion as he had lived it in comparison to God in His holiness.

The word carries the meaning of dumb or silent.

Isaiah knew he could only stand as a mute in the presence of the Holy One of Israel, the Sovereign Ruler of the heavens and Earth.

Dwelling close to God will help you see yourself as very defiled and God as very holy in all His splendor.

This awareness is a deep conviction from which you should give a repentant:

Your view of God determines everything in your life.

The way you act in church vs. elsewhere.

The way you treat other Christians.

The thoughts you have towards people who are not Christians.

The way you take care of God’s resources.

Etc.

Etc. is all determined by how you see God.

Seeing God how He really is, however, causes you to see you for who you really are.

When you look at yourself through the lens of God’s holiness, you do not think so highly of yourself nor so lowly of others.

It should cause you to do the 2nd action of giving a repentant: