January 22, 2023
Relentless Pursuit of God's Mission
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Glory: weight and/or significance.
When a representation of God's character is on display – we call that glory.
The glory of God is clearly seen in Jesus.
John 1:14 NIV
"The Word (Jesus!) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Our vision: To become more like Jesus
John 17:4 NIV
"I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do."
Jesus glorifies God the Father by finishing the work God gave Him to do.
John 17:10 NIV
"All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them."
The Disciples glorified Jesus by becoming like Jesus and doing the works He did.
John 17:20-21 NIV
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Notice how much is wrapped up in this passage:
1) Jesus prayed for us
2) Jesus prayed that we would be united as one
3) And our uniting with each other, in Jesus' name, is a testimony to the world that Jesus is Lord!
John 17:22-23 NIV
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
This is what Jesus calls the church.
Matthew 16:13-18 NIV
"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'
'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'
Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church (ekklesia:gathering), and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
The church is any place where believers gather in one heart and mind, with the purpose of glorifying God together by finishing the work He calls them to do.
And nothing is going to stop them!
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go (more like… As you are Going – Go!) and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
1 - Go
2 - Make Disciples
3 - Baptize
4 - Teach to obey
God's hope for this world is super clear – He wants all people, everywhere, to be saved.
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Relentless Pursuit is about joining God in doing our part to make sure everyone around us has the opportunity to hear about the Good News of Jesus Christ.
"God, I know you desire to reach everyone. Give me the name of someone I can walk alongside and share the Hope of Jesus with, in my daily life. In Jesus' name, Amen."