Coney Hill Baptist Church

Demonstrating God’s Love Together

Challenging and Going

Matthew 28:16-20

¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Intro:

Japanese knot-weed …. Introduced in Victorian times but can grow at a metre a month, with roots that spread wide and deep and penetrate concrete, it’s almost impossible to contain or get rid of. The extraordinary thing is that it now occurs in every corner of the UK, even its most remotest parts and islands … and it is not an air-pollinating plant so its transmission is by the physical movement of its root material …. most commonly, it’s thought, by humans, on our shoes and the like.

Unconsciously, over the course of a century, we have carried to every corner of the land, a powerful, almost indestructible, agent that’s transformed the landscape.

As Christians, disciples of Jesus, that is also our role, but not unconsciously, or as a mere by-product of other things, but deliberately, intentionally, it is the very basis of our existence as a church together.

Active Disciples…

‘Went’ and ‘Go’ (v.16)

Too often, when we make a commitment to Christ, horizons close down, the emphasis is on rules and responsibilities, the boundaries rather than the possibilities. Urban Saints consistently ask the question; ‘What next?’ The key to challenging Christian discipleship is what we can do, not what we can’t.

Strong Disciples….

A Disciples’ energy is fuelled by worship, regular encounters with God in that context exercise away doubt, and opens up the opportunities of receiving all that is necessary from the very storehouses of heaven…

Image Passing Disciples

Our role as Disciples is to replicate in others what God has done in us. Just as we are all created in God’s image, so the process of discipleship is about handing on that Christ-like character from one to another.

In all of this the ultimate promise, the central image that we are to keep before us, is that of the persistent presence of Jesus, always and everywhere.

Response Questions…..

In your Christian life do you think more about the boundaries or the horizons?

Think of something specific and practical you can do this week … because you are a disciple of Jesus.

How strong do you feel your faith is? Ask for more of God’s Spirit and Heavenly authority.

How are you helping to mould/mentor other into the likeness of Jesus?

To what extent do you feel God with you always? Ask Him to help you recognise Him more.

Office Address:

Coney Hill Road

West Wickham

Kent

BR4 9BU