Sent Together - Community on a Mission
INTRODUCTION: Have you ever watched a rowing team in action? Each member has an oar, but no one rows ALONE. If one person tries to go their own way, the boat goes in CIRCLES. Victory only comes when everyone pulls together in RHYTHYM. That’s exactly how God designed His MISSION for the CHURCH, not as ISOLATED BELIEVERS rowing their OWN way, but as a UNITED BODY moving forward in step with His Spirit.
The MISSION of God is not a SOLO assignment; it’s a TEAM calling.
1. THE GREAT COMMISSION REQUIRES COMMUNITY
a. Jesus gave the MISSION to His followers as a GROUP.
i. Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations..."
b. The command to make disciples wasn’t for ISOLATED BELIEVERS, but for the COLLECTIVE CHURCH.
i. EVANGELISM and MISSIONS are best done in PARTNERSHIP.
ii. JOIN HANDS with OTHERS to fulfill the MISSION.
2. COMMUNITY EMPOWERS US TOGETHER BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
a. The Spirit fell on a GATHERED BODY.
i. Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses..."
b. POWER for MISSION comes through UNITED PRAYER and PURPOSE.
c. Seek the Spirit’s POWER as a COMMUNITY.
i. UNITY PRECEDES ANNOINTING.
d. Notice that the Spirit came not on an INDIVIDUAL in ISOLATION, but on a GATHERED BODY of BELIEVERS
(Acts 2:1-4).
3. COMMUNAL FELLOWSHIP FUELS THE MISSION
a. COMMUNITY isn’t the END, it’s the means for KINGDOM WORK.
i. Philippians 1:5 "For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now."
b. Paul credited the Philippians’ PARTNERSHIP for the gospel’s advance.
i. Partner with others to make Christ known. Don’t just ATTEND CHURCH, JOIN its MISSION.
c. Paul thanked God for the Philippians’ partnership in the gospel.
i. COMMUNITY is not the end goal.
ii. It’s not just about having friends at church; it’s about LOCKING ARMS for the advance of the Kingdom.