2016.6.26　礼拝

2016.6.26　礼拝

247th Life Church Service

2016.6.26 Luke 9:18-27 “Knowing and Responding to God’s Call-4”

Q: Why did you become a Christian? A: Because Jesus called me.
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit…

(1) Jesus’ love is unconditional but is not without purpose.
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit…
・Jesus is not a vending machine for eternal life.
・Jesus is not a kiosk for the ticket to heaven.
・Jesus is not a tool to cleanse your sin.

Of course Jesus has promised eternal life, heaven and forgiveness of sin. But they are not fulfilled automatically by just going through the ceremonial baptism.

Jesus called us so that we would join his plans.　Do we really understand His call and His plans?
Matthew 28:19-20 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

For example, we know that a firefighter is expected to extinguish fire when it breaks out. However, what would happen if he rejects his duty. What could be the problem? (1) The recruit was not told of rules and responsibilities of a firefighter but only the fun of going out for drinks with the colleagues after the day’s hard training. (2) The recruit received detailed explanation but did not pay attention to the important instructions and only thought about the possible pleasure.

Then, how does Jesus call us?
Do we listen to His call seriously?
Do we relay His words correctly to others?

(2) Correctly understand Jesus’ call.
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Are we paying attention to Jesus’ call and seriously listening to His plans. Are we not just paying attention to what seems acceptable to us and neglecting what we don’t want to hear.

Matthew 28:19-20 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to very end of the age.

Jesus called us, chose us and appointed us disciples and assigned the Great Commission. He instructed us neither to carry out only one of the commands nor just what command we wish to, but to practice all that is mentioned in the Great Commission. The focal point of the commission is to make disciples and to have them join in the community of God and share in the work to build the body of Christ, the church.

What can be expected when the Great Commission is practiced thoroughly?

→Acts 2:41-42 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

→Acts 2:46-47 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

→The result of the Great Commission is “a group of Christians” which builds the “body of Christ”, i.e. the Church