Series: Clarity

message: why do we go to church?

John 13:34-35 & selected scriptures

November 12. 2006

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

our Mission

“The Mars Hill Baptist Church of Chicago exists to turn the Unchurched into fully devoted followers of Christ.”

Guiding Question

What does a fully devoted follower of Christ look like?

A Radically Transformed Life!

Radical: characterized by departure from tradition; innovative or progressive:

Transform: make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of

Life: the state of being alive as a human being

When a person has an authentic relationship with Christ, a radical transformation takes place.  The change is characterized by a departure from the former life (old way of thinking) to a new life (A way of thinking is a transformed mind – The Mind of Christ).

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5

1. A fully devoted follower of christ worships god individually and corporately.

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  Matthew 22:37

To be radically transformed means that the believer views worship, both individually (private) & corporately (with other believers) as a way of life.  We encourage our members to attend one of our weekend worship services.

1. A fully devoted follower of christ BUILDs Relationships with believers and non-believers.

'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  Matthew 22:39b

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, Matthew 28:19

The road to radical transformation includes building relationships with those connected to God (believers) and those disconnected from God (unbelievers).

WE MUST PARTNER WITH OTHERS IN THEIR WALK WITH CHRIST!

A.    INVEST IN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH BELIEVERS AND UNBELIEVERS

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22

INVEST IN LIVES:

• SAFE WAY for believers to get back into the game.

• In addition to evangelism training – we want you to invest in the lives of BOTH believers & unbelievers.

• THE CHALLENGE – Build “Purposeful Relationships.”

• BELIEVERS – you’re resp. for “leveraging” your relational influence for the K.O.G.

WHAT MHBC “CAN’T” DO:

• ATTEND WHERE YOU WORK, LIVE, OR PLAY

• …Where you exercise…socialize…

If you’re not willing to leverage your influence – wrong church.

• We don’t want to raise $$$$ to build bigger bldgs. to seat more “note takers.”

• Rescue your friends & family from dead churches…cultic churches…BUT, YOU CAN…REPEAT OUR MISSION…

TWO PRIMARY OBSTACLES:

1.    FEAR

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25

• Traditional Approach – training & motivation

• Pastoral sermons on Evangelism

• RESULT – those w/the gift of evangelism were on fire for the Lord!

• MOST PEOPLE – SCARED to death when presenting Christ to others.

2.    IGNORANCE

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.  Acts 4:31

• You’re “not” responsible for knowing all the answers…

• You are responsible for exposing them to an environment WHERE they will be presented the Gospel.

which word best describes your lifestyle?

Regularly – Occasionally – Rarely – NEVER

B.    INVITE THEM TO A WORSHIP GATHERING

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  John 15:16

Expose them to a place where the WORD will be explained in a CLEAR, CREATIVE, AND COMPELLING way!

• It’s “easier” to invite  a person to a service than it is to preach to them or confront them about their beliefs.

• Easier to “include” them in something you’re excited about…than it is to convince them to change.

• From now on – I expect you to show up w/a friend, neighbor, or family member you’ve developed a relationship with!

• You get them here – we’ll do the hard stuff & close the deal.  DEAL OR NO DEAL?

And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).  John 1:42

EVANGELSIM IS A PROCESS

• We must establish the relevance of the Bible

• Show them that “change” is possible!

which word best describes your lifestyle?

Regularly – Occasionally – Rarely – NEVER

C.    HELP CONNECT THEM TO THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH.

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  John 15:15

1. Sunday Strategic Service Teams are designed to help members build significant relationships with other believers. 

1. Additionally, building relationships will encourage them to take their next steps in Christ (spiritual growth opportunities).  Opportunities to serve are as follows:

A.   Worship & Fine Arts ministry Team

                                                   1.             Choir

                                                   2.             Audio/Video

                                                   3.             Programming

                                                   4.             Drama

1. Life Development ministry team

                                                          1.      Precious Doves (Nursery – ages 2-4)

                                                          2.      Kids’ Kingdom (Children’s Ministry – ages 2-12)

                                                          3.      YADIG: Young Adults Doing It For God (Youth Ministry – ages 13-18)

1. Congregational Care Ministry Team  

                                                          1.      Usher Ministry

                                                          2.      Greet & Seat Ministry

                                                          3.      Impact Agents

                                                          4.      Welcome Center

                                                          5.      Moment of Decision Ministry Team

which word best describes your lifestyle?

Regularly – Occasionally – Rarely – NEVER

PURPOSE OF THESE MINISTRIES:

1. HELP BUILD RELATIONAL BRIDGES  
2. PEOPLE BECOME AQUAINTENCES B/4 THEY BECOME CASUAL FRIENDS

1. MUST SPEND “QUALITY TIME” TOGETHER B/4 INTIMATE FRIENDSHIPS DEVELOP

1. DISCIPLESHIP HAPPENS IN THE CONTEXT OF MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS

1. FRIENDS “DOING LIFE” TOGETHER