Sunday April 26, 2009

It All Comes Down to This
Matthew 22:37-40

I. Introduction

Over the last few months I have laid before you the heart and purpose of who we are as a church.

I have sought to make it as clear as possible that as individuals and as a congregation we are to remain focused
on certain things.

What are they?

Passionate Worship
Intentional Outreach
Joyful Service
Authentic Community
Life-Changing Discipleship

The last two can be combined: we are called to be a transformational community.

This who we are!

Why have I felt so compelled to talk about these things leading up to my three-month sabbatical?

For many reasons, but one of them is this: Are these five purposes that we are to fully identify with dependent on any
one human person?

Absolutely not!

This is my last Sunday before I will be gone for three months. I have to be honest. I am curious. What am I going to find when I come back?

I feel like Jesus who when commenting about His future return said, “…when the Son of Man comes, will he find
faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8, NIV)

I am fully convinced that what I find upon my return is going to depend on how committed you are to the above purposes.

II. It All Comes Down to This

How can I say this?

Because I firmly believe that if we lose focus on what is important we begin to focus on things that are not – this is where churches give the enemy a foothold and mayhem follows.

We must stay focused on those things that are eternal .

What dos it say in Galatians? “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your
sinful nature craves.” (Galatians 5:16, NLT)

It all comes down to this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as
yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV)

It all begins with a passionate love for God. The Message Bible translates verse 37, “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.”

We need to be passionate worshippers of God.

It is as we enter into this love relationship with God through Jesus Christ that we have the ability to truly love others
( Love your neighbor as yourself ).

It is this love for God and others that motivates us to reach out to others around us (intentional outreach ), serve in the church with joy (joyful service), and build authentic community .

It is as we passionately worship God that we experience the life transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives
( life -changing discipleship).

Do you see the vision? Loving God and loving others is not just a cute catch phrase.

Passionate worship, intentional outreach, joyful service, authentic loving fellowship, and life-changing discipleship are not just doctrinal bullet points – it all comes down to this!

III. Application

What kind of church will I find when I get back? Will I find a church that has grown in its love for God and love for others? Or will I find a church that has lost its way – backbiting, gossiping, and complaining? Or people who turn to praying and fasting for God's Spirit and will to be one here at Grace? Jostling for positions in ministry? What will I find?

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT)

You are the ones who need to stay alert.

Let me close by sharing what I hope I will find when I return.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to
do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature
and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 12 Since God chose you to
be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the
Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all
together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members
of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:1-17, NLT)

It all comes down to this:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV)