Forming a Plan for Mission.

Nate Schlomann

[0:00] Well, good morning, Village. [0:01] You can go ahead and have a seat. [0:03] Welcome once again. [0:03] My name’s Nate. [0:04] I’m one of the pastors here at the Village. [0:06] That song, Rain in Us, that’s one of my favorite songs.

[0:09] It says, Rain in Us, we’re offering up our lives, [0:12] a living sacrifice. [0:14] Very appropriate, because that is exactly what we’re [0:16] talking about this morning. [0:17] How do we make that a reality? [0:19] How do we make that more than just words?

[0:21] Because I think we want that. [0:22] We want our lives to be that living sacrifice [0:24] that we’ve seen these last 18 weeks of Ephesians. [0:27] But how do we implement that? [0:28] How does that really happen? [0:30] I’m getting way ahead of myself, though.

[0:32] That’s where we’re headed. [0:33] A few things first. [0:34] So I want to invite you one more time out to the picnic. [0:36] I know Steve did. [0:37] You’ve heard it the last couple weeks. [0:39] You got a handout in your bulletin as you came in.

[0:41] There’s a map on there. [0:42] Come out and join us. [0:43] Even if you’re new, if you’ve just [0:45] been visiting with the Village for a few weeks, [0:48] I don’t feel like this is just a church family event. [0:50] We want to meet you.

[0:51] We want to actually serve you by providing you with a cookout [0:55] and a great entertainment for your family. [0:57] The swimming is going to be free. [0:59] The boats are going to be free. [1:01] Come out and join us. [1:01] We really want that to be just a time of celebration

[1:04] of everything that God has done in our community [1:06] the last year. [1:07] So we hope that’s going to start to be a tradition that we [1:09] do every summer. [1:11] So we hope to see you out there. [1:12] Try to be there a little before 11 so we can all start on time.

[1:16] Again, you should have got a map as you came in, [1:18] the auditorium, but also there’s a map on the website. [1:21] I want to say Happy Father’s Day once again [1:23] to all the dads out there. [1:26] This is going to be a little bit different of a Sunday [1:27] to start out with.

[1:28] Steve has been preaching for 18 weeks [1:30] through the book of Ephesians. [1:31] We figured it’s probably time to give him a week off. [1:34] And it actually turned out to be good timing [1:35] because I’ve got some updates to give you [1:37] on the building that Steve talked about last week.

[1:40] I’m just going to spend a little bit of time on this. [1:42] I know if you’re new or visiting, [1:44] the last thing you probably want to hear [1:45] is you’re going to come into church [1:46] and find yourself in a business meeting with information [1:48] about a building.

[1:49] I promise this won’t be like that. [1:51] It won’t be more than 10 minutes here. [1:52] But I do have some news we want to share [1:54] with you, the church family. [1:55] So it’s a little bit of family business [1:57] as we get started here this morning.

[1:59] Last week, Steve shared that we’ve [2:00] been looking at a building off Genito Road to Lees. [2:03] We definitely feel that having a permanent space would [2:06] enable us to be on mission even more than we already [2:09] are in our community. [2:10] Ultimately enable us to reach more people with Jesus.

[2:13] So that’s been something we’ve been pursuing off [2:15] and on the last year and a half or so. [2:16] And we’ve found a place that’s got some real promise. [2:21] To the point where last week we actually [2:23] put a proposal in to start the process of discussing [2:26] a lease for that building.

[2:28] From what we understand, there are several other churches [2:29] also looking at this space. [2:31] And we did hear back last week that they liked our proposal. [2:34] And so they want to continue the process with us [2:36] of discussing that lease. [2:39] So before we, that kind of brings us to a place

[2:41] where we need to share some information with you, [2:43] the church family, on what we’re possibly looking at before we [2:46] kind of proceed any further with that. [2:49] We want to make sure that we’re communicating as much as we [2:51] can in keeping you guys involved and informed [2:53] in that process.

[2:54] So first, really quickly, let me just tell you just [2:57] a few highlights of why we think this would be a great space [2:59] to meet at. [3:00] First, the location’s great. [3:02] It’s right off Geneto Road, kind of near Whole Street. [3:05] We definitely want to keep our church in a location where

[3:08] we’re close enough to our neighbors [3:09] that we can invite them to church. [3:10] We don’t want to move 20 miles out into the country [3:13] to find space that’s affordable to lease. [3:15] So that was one thing that this location provided. [3:18] It’s got great visibility.

[3:19] That’s not essential for a location, [3:21] but it’s definitely a good thing. [3:22] And it’s one of the real pros of this location. [3:25] It’s right on a major road. [3:26] The community would know that we’re there. [3:28] We’d be very visible.

[3:29] We wouldn’t have any problem having people know where we are [3:33] and inviting people to come see what God’s doing in our midst. [3:38] And then the last thing, and really the most important thing, [3:39] is we had to have a space that would have room for us to grow. [3:42] And this does that. [3:43] Most of the places in our price range

[3:45] that we look at to lease, the worship area [3:48] is just not big enough to hold us. [3:50] This is. [3:50] It’s big enough to hold us and allow us to grow a little bit [3:53] and then go to two services and hopefully grow a lot. [3:55] The other thing is a lot of places

[3:57] that we would look at, even if the worship space was [3:59] big enough, there’s not enough parking, [4:01] there’s not enough kid space. [4:02] This building’s on 11 acres, kind of cleared out field. [4:05] Should provide a lot of opportunity [4:07] for future expansion and future growth.

[4:09] So that was one definite positive [4:11] that we really liked about this place. [4:12] I’m not going to go into too many more details. [4:16] Just to say that we wish it was as straightforward as, OK, [4:18] everything looks good. [4:20] Now we’re going to sign the lease.

[4:21] We’ll be in in three weeks. [4:22] It’s not that easy. [4:23] It’s not going to be that easy anywhere [4:25] is in our price range. [4:27] In order to make this building work for what [4:29] we would need it to be for a good home for the village,

[4:31] there are some pretty major improvements and renovations [4:33] we would have to do. [4:35] And so kind of the next step right now, [4:37] and what we want you guys to be praying about, [4:39] is we’ve got to first make sure that those are possible, [4:41] that what we want to do, we can do.

[4:44] And two, that the building owners would [4:45] allow us to do that. [4:46] And that’s kind of part of our proposal. [4:48] And so it’s good that they’ve said in theory [4:50] that they’d like to talk about that. [4:51] But we need you guys to be praying

[4:53] that any of those roadblocks would be taken away [4:56] if this is a place God would have us to be.

[5:00] I promise I’ll turn this into a business meeting, [5:02] so I’m not going to get into all the facts and figures [5:03] and all that. [5:04] But we will email that out to you [5:06] if we do get farther along in the process [5:08] and it looks like this is going to be something we can do.

[5:10] Those who call the village home will send you [5:12] some information on what it’s going to cost, [5:14] what we’re looking at. [5:15] But doing some renovations is clearly [5:16] going to cost a little bit of money. [5:18] One positive of this building, though,

[5:21] is retrofitting a church building [5:22] to be used for a space that we would want to have [5:26] is a lot cheaper than, say, retrofitting a warehouse [5:28] to put air conditioning and heat in there. [5:30] It’s a lot cheaper than retrofitting a retail space. [5:34] So all around, we definitely have some reasons

[5:36] to be hopeful of this space. [5:38] Right now, it’s just a matter of, [5:39] can we do what we want to do, and will the owners let us? [5:41] And that’s definitely not sure at all. [5:43] So I want to give you guys, I want [5:46] to set you up for a letdown if it doesn’t work out.

[5:49] So pray about that. [5:50] Now, why am I sharing this all with you? [5:52] Well, first of all, of course, I want [5:54] you to know any reason that we would [5:56] have for looking for a location is for one reason only. [5:58] Like anything we do as a church is

[6:00] to advance the mission of Jesus. [6:01] We wouldn’t be looking for a location [6:02] if we didn’t think it will help us reach more [6:04] people with the gospel, if it would help more people meet [6:07] Jesus. [6:09] But we also need to kind of keep you guys informed

[6:11] on what we’re doing. [6:12] We are an elder-led church. [6:13] That’s kind of the biblical model [6:15] that we see in the scripture. [6:16] So we’re not going to have a yay or nay vote on whether we [6:19] continue looking at this space.

[6:21] But that doesn’t mean that the whole church body is not [6:23] involved in this decision and in where we’re headed. [6:26] If you call the village home, if you invest your time [6:29] and your talent and treasure here, [6:30] we want to hear from you on this. [6:32] We want to know, is this something

[6:34] that you think we should pursue? [6:36] Do you have some questions and reservations about this? [6:38] That’s totally appropriate if you call the village home [6:40] to come to us and ask us about and talk to us about. [6:43] And that’s why we’re presenting this out to you. [6:45] If we do lease a space, it’d probably

[6:47] be for three years with an option for more. [6:49] And that’s a commitment to the community. [6:51] And it’s not just a commitment that Steve and I are making. [6:53] It’s a commitment that we as a church body are making. [6:56] If we have to do some renovations on a building, [6:57] that’s a commitment that we as a church body are making.

[7:00] So we definitely want to communicate this out to you, [7:03] let you know what we’re potentially looking at, [7:05] and give you an opportunity to come and talk to us [7:07] and ask any questions you might have, or really just say, hey, [7:10] we’re with you guys. [7:11] Keep being smart about it.

[7:12] Keep us informed. [7:13] Keep looking.

[7:15] Quick detour here. [7:16] And this is totally the executive pastor in me speaking. [7:20] It would be, rather than having to say, [7:22] if you guys call village home, if you invest your time, [7:25] your talent and treasure here, it would be so much easier [7:27] if I could just say, if you’re a government

[7:29] member of the village. [7:30] Unfortunately, not a whole lot of you are yet. [7:32] Now, what’s awesome, though, and we are so blessed. [7:36] We have so many people at our church, just a little over 2 [7:40] and 1 half years old, that completely [7:41] act like covenant members.

[7:43] And what does that mean? [7:44] That means you call village home. [7:45] That means you’re invested in community here. [7:47] That means you give regularly of your time and your finances. [7:51] That means this is your home. [7:53] You own this place.

[7:54] Village is you. [7:55] We’re so blessed that so many of you fall in that category. [7:58] So I just wanted to put a quick plug in there [8:00] as the executive pastor. [8:02] Become a member if you are already acting like one. [8:05] It would help us out a lot for stuff just like this.

[8:09] One thing that I do want you to know very sincerely [8:13] is your pastors are aware and very committed [8:17] that we’re not going to let any search for a building [8:19] come in front of ministering to the church [8:22] and being sure that the church is being on mission right now. [8:25] We’re not going to devote extra resources

[8:27] to looking for a building when we should be spreading [8:29] the gospel right where we are. [8:31] So know that and know that that is our first priority. [8:34] But right now, what you can do really is just be in prayer [8:37] that if this is the place that God has for us, [8:40] if it’s going to help the village reach more people,

[8:43] that any roadblocks with renovations and things [8:45] would be torn down and that we’d be able to get in there [8:48] and really make this an awesome place. [8:50] Right now, if you would, just join me [8:52] in prayer about that really quick. [8:54] I’d like to pray as a church for that.

[8:56] Father, this morning we just want to pray. [8:58] Got a quick prayer, a short prayer, one thing. [9:01] God, our desire as a church body [9:04] is to see people redeemed by Jesus. [9:07] And God, we do ask that if this building would help in that, [9:11] that any roadblocks would be taken down.

[9:13] But God, we trust if that’s not the case [9:15] that you’ve got better and bigger things for us. [9:17] God, help us to stay on mission [9:19] and we pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

[9:23] All right, so hopefully that wasn’t too bad there. [9:25] I think I got that under 10 minutes. [9:27] Hopefully that wasn’t too business meeting-like. [9:30] But you know, when we’re talking about looking at a building [9:32] and the possibility of doing some renovations on it [9:36] and all these plans that go into that

[9:38] and all for the purpose of reaching more people for Jesus, [9:42] what we’re doing is we’re actually talking about [9:43] making plans to be on mission. [9:46] It’s not just gonna happen. [9:47] We’re not just gonna wake up next Sunday [9:48] and we’re in a new building.

[9:49] We’ve gotta plan that out. [9:50] We’ve gotta go through a lot of hard work [9:53] to make that happen. [9:54] And this morning, what I’m really wanting [9:56] to talk to you guys about is it’s the same way [9:58] in our individual lives.

[10:01] These last 18 weeks as Steve’s preached through Ephesians, [10:04] we’ve had this amazing vision [10:05] of what the Christian life should look like. [10:09] And in order for that to actually come to fruition [10:12] in our lives, we’ve gotta form a plan for that to happen. [10:14] That’s really what I’m talking about this morning.

[10:16] We called the series Ephesians the Blueprint [10:18] because Ephesians does this amazing job [10:21] of laying out the plans and purposes of God [10:23] and then explaining how we as his people, the church, [10:27] are gonna participate in that. [10:29] And so my goal this morning is not so much

[10:31] to just recap, okay, here’s what we talked about [10:33] the last 18 weeks in Ephesians. [10:34] My goal this morning is to encourage you [10:36] that what we talked about the last 18 weeks [10:38] can happen in your life. [10:40] And it is doable and we can do this.

[10:42] And more importantly, we should do it and we must do it. [10:46] But first, I wanna show you something. [10:49] I do feel like we need a little bit of background [10:50] on Ephesians. [10:51] I’m not gonna recap the whole book [10:52] that would take 30 minutes, take two hours probably.

[10:56] But I do wanna show you a neat little way [10:58] that you can remember pretty much what the overall idea [11:02] and overall teaching of Ephesians is. [11:05] I think this will be helpful for you. [11:06] After this next three minutes here, [11:08] you should be able to tell anyone you know

[11:09] exactly what Ephesians is about. [11:11] If you want to remember what the letter of Ephesians is, [11:14] remember 110, 210, and 310, [11:16] and you’ll be able to give anyone an overview [11:19] of the book of Ephesians. [11:20] Here, let me show you what I mean.

[11:22] In Ephesians 1, 10, and these will all be up on the screen. [11:25] We read, as a plan for the fullness of time [11:29] to unite all things in him, [11:31] things in heaven, and things on earth. [11:33] So the him we’re talking about here is of course Jesus. [11:35] And this is God’s eternal plans from before time even started.

[11:39] And this has now been revealed to us that God has a plan. [11:42] He’s doing something. [11:43] He’s uniting all things in Jesus. [11:44] Now a little sidebar here, I want you to see, [11:46] God has a plan. [11:47] We need to have plans.

[11:48] That’s not gonna be my main point for that, [11:50] but I just wanted you to see that. [11:51] But this is why we exist. [11:53] This is our purpose. [11:54] God is telling you. [11:56] You wanna know what your purpose in life is.

[11:57] It is to unite all things in Jesus. [11:59] That’s why you exist, to see that happen, [12:02] because you’re gonna bring him glory. [12:03] You’re gonna point to him [12:04] that all things are united in him. [12:07] And so when we see this big plan,

[12:09] we realize we’re caught up in something [12:10] way bigger than ourselves. [12:11] And that’s something that you saw many times [12:13] the last 18 weeks in Ephesians. [12:15] We’re caught up in something way bigger than ourselves. [12:17] There’s a big story going on that we’re a part of.

[12:19] And that is the key of the letter of Ephesians. [12:22] We’re a part of that. [12:23] We’re the church. [12:24] Ephesians is written to a church, [12:25] and we’re a part of what God’s doing. [12:27] And that’s what we see in Ephesians 2.10,

[12:30] where it says, for we are his workmanship, [12:32] created into Christ Jesus for good works, [12:34] which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. [12:39] And to those of us who’ve been redeemed by Jesus [12:41] and saved by grace, [12:42] we now have this amazing calling on our lives

[12:44] to participate with God and what he’s doing in the world. [12:47] That’s good news that we have a part to play [12:50] in what God’s doing. [12:51] So God has these eternal plans that are huge. [12:54] And now he’s saying, [12:55] and I want you to play a part in that.

[12:57] I’ve prepared beforehand how you would do good works [13:00] to point to my son Jesus [13:01] and to play a part in me uniting all things in him. [13:05] But the great thing about Ephesians and why [13:07] it is a blueprint, and we’ll get to that in a second, [13:10] is because God gets way more specific than that.

[13:13] He doesn’t just leave us there and say, [13:14] okay, unite all things in Jesus. [13:16] Okay, how do we do that? [13:17] He gets specific, and he starts in chapter 3, 310. [13:22] I’m talking about the church. [13:23] He says, so that through the church,

[13:25] the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known [13:27] to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. [13:31] So Ephesians explains that this happens. [13:33] All things are united in Christ. [13:35] Our good works that have been prepared beforehand, [13:37] that happens when we come together as the church

[13:40] with all our different giftings and abilities [13:42] to show to the world who Jesus is. [13:44] And so we have a specific way [13:46] that we’re supposed to do this, [13:47] and that’s through building the church. [13:49] That’s how Ephesians phrases it.

[13:51] And Ephesians talks about building the church [13:52] in depth and in width. [13:54] So we go deep in knowing who we are in Christ, [13:57] but with also as new people are coming into the church, [14:00] being redeemed and worshiping Jesus. [14:03] So Ephesians has this great plan

[14:05] in these 110, 210, and 310 verses that we can see. [14:08] And then from there, Ephesians goes on [14:10] to explain how the church works in chapter 4, [14:12] how our unity keeps us together, [14:14] and we equip each other. [14:15] And then it goes into the family in chapter five and six.

[14:18] And then at the end of chapter six, [14:20] like Steve talked about last week, [14:21] it sends us out with a mission, [14:24] with something to fight for, to fight for God’s glory. [14:29] And so that’s a real quick recap of Ephesians. [14:31] It’s a great, you can see why we call it the blueprint,

[14:33] right? [14:33] I mean, it’s laying out the Christian life. [14:36] It’s a pretty amazing blueprint, [14:38] but here’s what I really want you to hear this morning. [14:41] A blueprint has to be used and followed [14:43] to be worth anything.

[14:45] All right, you can have the best blueprint in the world, [14:46] the most amazing building. [14:47] You got a blueprint for just, [14:49] this is the best building ever made. [14:51] If it just sits on the desk and isn’t built, who cares? [14:54] All right, a blueprint is worthless

[14:56] unless it’s built off of. [14:57] A blueprint doesn’t mean anything [15:00] unless you take that blueprint and you build. [15:02] And it’s really not any different with the Christian life. [15:05] All right, God can be so specific in Ephesians [15:08] of what the Christian life is to look like.

[15:10] But if we don’t take that blueprint that he’s given us [15:12] and build off of it, it’s not doing us any good. [15:16] So that’s really what I wanna talk about this morning. [15:19] Our passion for the village is that we would be a church [15:21] that doesn’t just talk about the mission of Jesus [15:24] and have that become just like kind of a key phrase

[15:27] that we say all the time. [15:27] We wanna be a church that implements it, [15:30] that actually forms plans to go out and see people redeemed, [15:34] see all things ultimately united in him.

[15:38] But for that to happen, [15:40] what has to happen is we have to make plans. [15:42] As you come into the auditorium every week, [15:44] as you go from the foyer to the little entryway, [15:47] there’s a sign out there and it’s got our core values on it. [15:49] And then on the left-hand side, it has our motto.

[15:52] And our motto is exploring a mission, forming a plan. [15:55] We don’t talk about that too much. [15:56] We probably will do a series on that [15:58] at some point in the future, maybe a couple of years even. [16:02] But that really gets to the heart [16:04] of what we want to be as a church

[16:06] because actually what we do almost every week in here, [16:09] usually it’s Steve preaching [16:10] and we’re exploring a mission. [16:13] That really is what we’re doing. [16:14] What does the scripture say to us [16:15] about this mission that we’re supposed to be on,

[16:17] this mission that Jesus had for us [16:19] and that now he gives to us? [16:21] And so we do that each and every week. [16:23] But then the other part of that [16:24] is we’ve got to form a plan on how to do that. [16:26] And primarily we do that through community.

[16:29] We get into community groups. [16:30] Sunday morning sometimes too, [16:31] we’re primarily in our community groups, [16:33] we’re forming a plan on how do we implement [16:36] what scripture’s revealing to us. [16:38] Because we’ve learned really that being a disciple

[16:42] requires having a plan. [16:44] It doesn’t just happen. [16:46] And so that’s kind of our heart [16:48] for wanting Village to be known for. [16:49] We want Village to be known as a place [16:51] where people don’t just talk about it,

[16:53] they’ve got a plan to do it. [16:56] And so this morning I actually just wanna talk [16:58] a little bit about what are a few key first steps, [17:02] just a few small points on how we can start forming a plan, [17:05] especially in light of everything that we’ve learned [17:07] in the book of Ephesians.

[17:10] Now real quick, it should be obvious I think, [17:12] but I still wanna make this point [17:13] that we do need to have a plan. [17:15] We make plans for everything else in life. [17:17] And this is what I find amazing is how, [17:19] I know that most of us in this room

[17:21] would claim that there’s nothing more important than Jesus. [17:24] God is the most important thing to us. [17:26] Yet we have so much more detailed plans [17:28] for so many other things in our life. [17:30] We have so many more detailed plans for our career [17:32] and the education that we’re gonna have to get

[17:34] to get there maybe. [17:35] We’ve had detailed plans for our finances [17:37] and our long term future. [17:39] We’ve had plans for our family and where we’re gonna live. [17:42] We make plans for going on vacation [17:44] or saving the money to go on vacation.

[17:46] We make plans for all kinds of things [17:48] and yet somehow it does seem that we fail [17:50] to make any kind of significant plans [17:54] for living out the mission of Jesus. [17:56] What we say is the most important thing in our life. [17:58] How do we get to that point where we’re not doing that?

[18:02] We’re gonna spend the rest of the morning [18:04] in the book of Acts because in Acts, [18:06] there’s a few places where we see one, [18:08] Jesus giving the disciples a plan [18:11] and two, we see Paul and Barnabas setting out on a plan. [18:14] So I wanna look at those and gain from those

[18:16] some insight into how we can start to do this [18:19] in our own life. [18:20] So if you would go ahead and turn with me [18:22] to Acts chapter one verse eight.

[18:26] And here we see Jesus as he’s just about to ascend to heaven [18:30] and this is one of really the most famous [18:32] mission passages in scripture, very well known passage. [18:36] But I think we’re gonna see some interesting things [18:37] in this as far as Jesus giving the disciples a plan. [18:42] And he says, but you will receive power

[18:44] when the Holy Spirit has come upon you [18:46] and you will be my witness in Jerusalem [18:48] and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. [18:52] Now what we have here is actually a virtual outline [18:54] of the book of Acts. [18:55] This is literally how it went down.

[18:58] The disciples went to Jerusalem, [18:59] then they went to Judea and Samaria, [19:01] then the ends of the earth. [19:02] But I think Jesus is also giving us [19:04] some very practical insight into our thought process [19:07] and how that should be when we’re thinking

[19:08] about accomplishing the mission that Jesus has for us. [19:11] Because doesn’t Jesus have the same mission for us? [19:13] That we would go to the ends of the earth with the gospel? [19:15] He absolutely does. [19:17] And so I think what we see in this verse [19:19] is a little bit of the process

[19:21] of how we should think through that. [19:23] Because we see a couple things in here. [19:25] The disciples here were told to start where you are [19:29] and have a goal for where you’re going. [19:32] And that is really where I wanna be camped out [19:33] kinda the rest of the morning is fleshing out this point.

[19:36] Start where you are and have a goal for where you’re going. [19:39] First you need to remember to start where you are. [19:42] When you’re making plans to be on mission, [19:43] we can get so overwhelmed with the vastness [19:46] of what God has called us to. [19:48] We see in Ephesians one of these eternal plans.

[19:51] And this idea that the great commission, [19:53] we’re supposed to go into all the world [19:54] and preach the gospel. [19:56] So we can get overwhelmed by that. [19:57] We can even get overwhelmed in our own city. [19:59] In the Richmond area, 1.2 million people.

[20:02] How is a little village church supposed to reach them? [20:05] And so what happens is we get overwhelmed [20:07] and we get caught up with so many choices [20:11] that we can’t make any decision. [20:12] There’s so many different things we could do. [20:14] So we don’t end up doing anything proactively

[20:17] on Jesus’s mission. [20:18] And I really think it’s important, [20:19] many times in scripture you see [20:21] the most important step is that first one. [20:23] And that’s a really practical thing [20:25] for thinking through getting any big mission accomplished.

[20:28] That first step is the most important thing. [20:30] So Jesus says, go to Jerusalem first. [20:32] You don’t have to be complicated. [20:34] Right where you are, that’s where you need [20:35] to start spreading the gospel. [20:38] And so that’s something that we’re gonna flesh out

[20:40] in just a little bit. [20:41] But I also wanna talk about Jesus’s second point, [20:44] which is the next part of his plan [20:45] is going to Judea and Samaria and the ends of the earth. [20:48] Because Jesus also says you have to have a goal [20:49] for where you’re going.

[20:51] And Ephesians one says that following Jesus [20:54] is a great calling. [20:56] The plan given to us in Ephesians one, [20:58] the goal is no less than taking the mission of Jesus [21:01] to the ends of the earth. [21:03] I mean, that’s what Jesus says here in Acts 1, 8, 2.

[21:06] They’re to go to the ends of the earth. [21:07] And so that’s a huge mission. [21:09] That’s a huge goal. [21:10] It’s not gonna happen overnight, [21:11] but we do have to have some thought [21:13] and some passion for where God would take us.

[21:17] Oftentimes our goals are way too small [21:20] for the God that we serve. [21:22] And I think what happens when that happens, [21:23] when we just get content with staying in our vicinity, [21:26] with staying in our Jerusalem, [21:28] with no vision for where we will go,

[21:30] the Christian life, that’s when it becomes very self-focused [21:34] and it starts to be kind of all about you. [21:36] It’s an individualized religion [21:38] where things are just about you [21:39] and whether you’re feeling good. [21:40] And before long, any passion that you would have had

[21:42] for following Jesus has gone. [21:43] And that really is related to not having appropriate goals [21:46] for where Jesus would call us to be. [21:49] We’ve gotta remember that the one who’s in us [21:51] is far greater than us. [21:54] And he’s got so much more planned for us, Jesus does.

[21:57] Now I don’t want you to hear [21:58] when I’m talking about setting goals, [21:59] and we’re gonna flesh that out a little bit later too. [22:02] I don’t want you to hear this idea [22:03] that we’re all supposed to be super Christians, [22:06] and we’re supposed to be the heads of some big ministry,

[22:09] traveling the earth. [22:10] That actually would be success in the world’s eyes. [22:12] What I’m talking about when I’m talking about goals [22:14] is I’m talking about having a vision for a life [22:17] that is just wrapped up in the gospel. [22:20] Like we saw the last 18 weeks in Ephesians.

[22:22] I’m talking about having a vision for a life [22:24] where you’re just known for your deep relationships [22:26] where people come to know Jesus. [22:29] A life where you’re actively participating [22:32] in something bigger than yourself. [22:34] Or you’re part of a local church.

[22:35] You can see kind of how you help build a church [22:38] like Ephesians talks about. [22:40] That’s the kind of goals that I’m talking about. [22:41] And those actually are eternal goals. [22:44] I think one thing that’s kind of funny is people often, [22:48] and I don’t know why they ask this question,

[22:49] but I’ve had it asked at least three or four times [22:51] since we’ve started Village. [22:53] How many people do you guys want to reach? [22:55] I think when they’re saying that, [22:56] they mean how big of a church do you want to be? [22:58] But I answer the question they actually ask.

[23:00] I say about seven billion. [23:01] I don’t know what other answer would be appropriate [23:04] to that question. [23:06] And that is the mission that God’s given us all [23:09] for your life. [23:10] If I ask you how many people do you want to reach,

[23:11] you better say seven billion. [23:13] That’s the only thing that’s appropriate [23:16] in light of who God is, honestly, if we think about it. [23:20] You see, it works like this. [23:21] If we don’t start where we are, we’ll never get anywhere. [23:24] But at the same time, if you stay where you are,

[23:26] you’re not gonna persevere following Jesus. [23:30] So realize the one who’s in you can do far greater [23:32] than you can ever imagine and set your goals accordingly. [23:36] There’s one more key point in this passage [23:38] before we move on to Acts 13. [23:40] And I don’t want this to get overlooked

[23:42] in a message as pragmatic as I realize this is [23:44] when we’re talking about forming plans [23:46] to accomplish God’s mission. [23:48] But that’s, in Acts 1-8, Jesus says [23:50] that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit. [23:54] And one objection that sometimes people have

[23:56] to this idea of putting a lot of thought and planning [23:58] in how we’re gonna accomplish the mission of Jesus [24:00] is doesn’t that kind of leave relying on God [24:03] out of the equation? [24:04] Like isn’t it supposed to be a little bit more [24:05] about relying on God to work?

[24:08] And that’s absolutely true. [24:10] Proverbs 16-9 says, the heart of a man plans his ways, [24:14] but the Lord establishes his steps. [24:16] And what we have to remember here, [24:18] so when we’re talking about planning [24:19] to accomplish the mission,

[24:20] we’re not talking about our own plans. [24:22] And that’s what Proverbs 16-9 is really talking about. [24:24] We’re not talking about what we want out of life. [24:26] We’re talking about planning for what God wants. [24:29] And when we’re planning for what God wants, [24:31] that is in tandem with the Holy Spirit.

[24:33] That requires the Holy Spirit actually [24:35] in order to be able to discern that and to do that. [24:38] We have to have the Holy Spirit in us [24:39] to even be able to form plans about his mission. [24:43] And when we’re planning with what God wants, [24:45] when we’re thinking about how are we gonna implement

[24:47] this vision that God’s given us in Ephesians, [24:50] then that is actually complete reliance on God, [24:52] because that’s involving a lot of denial of ourselves. [24:55] That’s involving a lot of passing up things [24:58] the world would tell us that we need to be involved in, [25:00] to be involved in Jesus’ mission.

[25:02] So that’s actually absolute reliance on God [25:04] to be planning for his mission.

[25:07] So Acts 1-8 is a small example [25:09] of a plan being put together. [25:11] I wanna see kind of an even more detailed plan from Paul. [25:14] When Paul and Barnabas were first sent out, [25:17] they put together a plan for how they were gonna do [25:19] what they were called to do by Jesus

[25:21] and by the church in Antioch. [25:22] So join me in Acts 13, [25:24] and we’re gonna read just a very quick little story here. [25:29] Starting in verse two, [25:32] it says, while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, [25:34] the Holy Spirit said,

[25:36] “’Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, [25:38] “‘for the work to which I have called them.’ [25:40] “’Then after fasting and praying, [25:41] “‘they laid their hands on them and sent them off.’” [25:44] So the Christians in Antioch were told by God, [25:47] they felt God was telling them to send out Paul and Barnabas,

[25:50] and Paul was still called Saul at this time. [25:52] Now we don’t know kind of how many details they were given, [25:55] were they told just send them out, [25:56] or were they told exactly where to send them. [25:58] But I think the next two verses are very interesting [26:01] when it comes to kind of the plans and thoughts

[26:03] that should go into advancing the mission. [26:07] Starting in verse four here, [26:09] it says, so being sent out to the Holy Spirit, [26:12] they went down to Solution, [26:13] and from there they sailed to Cyprus. [26:15] When they arrived at Salamis,

[26:17] they proclaimed the word of God [26:18] in the synagogues of the Jews, [26:19] and they had John to assist them. [26:22] Now either God just called them to go take the gospel out, [26:25] and then they developed a plan to Cyprus, [26:28] or God gave them a very good plan,

[26:30] because let me explain why, [26:32] kind of what they did was clearly strategic [26:34] and thought through on how they were gonna [26:36] take the mission out. [26:37] First, the fact that they went to Cyprus [26:38] is very significant.

[26:40] It’s probably the most strategic place they could go. [26:43] In a lot of ways, this was their Jerusalem, [26:44] or at least their Judea. [26:46] Reason being, the people that started the church [26:48] in Antioch were from Cyprus. [26:50] Barnabas was from Cyprus,

[26:52] so he had a lot of family there. [26:53] He didn’t go to the hard place first, frankly. [26:55] He went to the place where he was gonna have [26:56] a lot of connections. [26:58] He went to the place where he probably knew [26:59] a lot of people.

[27:00] He went to the place where he had family. [27:02] He went to the place where he had friends. [27:03] He started first in Cyprus. [27:05] He started basically where he was, all right. [27:08] He was in Antioch, of course, [27:09] but he moved to Cyprus where he had come from

[27:12] and already knew a lot of people. [27:13] He didn’t try to kind of climb the whole mountain [27:16] right at once. [27:17] So that was very strategic. [27:18] You can definitely see him thinking through, [27:21] okay, if I’m gonna start this mission,

[27:23] going to Cyprus is gonna kind of get me started [27:25] with a little bit of a push.

[27:29] Beyond that, though, and this is something [27:30] Paul did everywhere he went, [27:31] we see that they went to the synagogues first [27:34] and spoke with the Jews. [27:35] All right, and this is even getting more specific [27:37] to kind of starting where they were.

[27:39] Paul went to the people that already had a background [27:41] in what he was talking about. [27:42] All right, so he didn’t first try to talk to people [27:44] that had no idea who this God he was talking about was. [27:47] He first went to the Jews, [27:49] people that had the Old Testament,

[27:51] that worshiped God but didn’t know that the Messiah had come. [27:55] That’s where Paul started. [27:56] He basically went to the easier places first. [28:00] And he did this very strategically, I think, [28:02] because he was trying to get momentum [28:05] in the mission that he had.

[28:07] I don’t think it was happenstance [28:08] that he just went to the synagogues first. [28:10] He was trying to meet some people [28:12] who he could have a connection with [28:14] and get them on board, [28:16] well, get them saved so they would know who Jesus was

[28:19] and then get them on board with this mission that he had. [28:21] He’s being very strategic. [28:24] And eventually, where did that take him? [28:26] Started at Cyprus, where they already knew a lot of people, [28:29] always started in the synagogues [28:31] where they had this connection.

[28:32] And eventually, by taking those steps, [28:34] that propelled them around the entire Roman Empire [28:36] because it got them started and it didn’t stop. [28:39] They were very strategic about the plans that they had [28:42] to accomplish the mission of Jesus. [28:45] And finally, last thing I wanna point out really quick

[28:46] is they took John Mark with them. [28:48] We don’t see anywhere where it said [28:49] that the Holy Spirit said to take John Mark with them. [28:52] Maybe he did, we don’t know that, honestly. [28:54] But it was very strategic that they did [28:56] because John Mark had a lot of money.

[28:58] We know earlier in Acts that his mother was wealthy. [29:02] That must have meant that he was too [29:03] in those times. [29:05] So they very likely took John Mark along with them [29:07] to fund their mission and get it started. [29:08] So they were thinking about what they would need

[29:10] to take the mission out. [29:12] And he even ended up abandoning them later on [29:14] and it actually was okay because he provided [29:17] what they needed to get started. [29:20] It was very strategic that they did that. [29:23] So Paul and Barnabas were sent out

[29:24] by the Holy Spirit on mission. [29:26] But then they put together a very good plan [29:28] to make that happen. [29:29] They started with what was familiar [29:30] and they had a bigger goal for where they were going [29:33] across the whole Roman Empire and eventually they got there.

[29:36] So these are nice little points, right? [29:38] How does this apply to us? [29:40] This is really what I want you to hear this morning. [29:43] Ultimately, these last 18 weeks in Ephesians, [29:45] what God has revealed to us in scripture, [29:48] the blueprint of the Christian life,

[29:51] we are just as called to mission [29:53] as Paul and Barnabas were by the Holy Spirit there. [29:56] We have now been given God’s revelation in scripture. [29:59] And it says in Ephesians 1, [30:01] we are all called to be part of God uniting all things in Jesus, [30:06] so these good works that are prepared beforehand.

[30:08] So we are just as set apart and called as Paul and Barnabas were. [30:12] And so we need to have their same attitude. [30:14] We really do. [30:15] We need to have the same thought that they went, [30:16] okay, I’ve been called by the Holy Spirit to this. [30:20] How am I gonna implement it?

[30:21] Where am I gonna go first that I already know some people [30:24] and I can kind of get some traction [30:26] and have this vision of taking the gospel to the whole empire? [30:28] We have the same calling on our life. [30:32] We each need to start thinking just that same way. [30:35] How can we practically start to live out

[30:38] what we’ve learned these last 18 weeks in Ephesians? [30:41] So the first thing that I wanna just talk about [30:44] one more time is the importance of starting where we are. [30:47] In light of all that we’ve learned [30:48] these 18 weeks in Ephesians, [30:50] the only thing that really we can’t do is nothing.

[30:54] We can’t take the blueprint and not build anything from it. [30:57] We’ve gotta have a plan. [30:58] And no one else can do that from you. [31:00] So this morning I just wanna encourage you, [31:02] take the example of Paul and Barnabas [31:05] and think about being more engaged

[31:07] with the people that you already know. [31:09] Who are your family? [31:11] Who are your connections, your friends? [31:13] The truth is we all know so many people [31:16] who need to be part of our community, [31:17] that need to be in here hearing this message

[31:19] week in and week out of who Jesus is [31:22] and how he’s God and how we need to serve him. [31:24] There’s so many people that we know that need that. [31:27] We need to be way more passionate [31:28] about taking that message to them first [31:31] because that really is where it starts.

[31:33] And then God will take the rest of the city after that. [31:37] That’s where he’ll take us after that. [31:38] But we’ve gotta start with who we know now, [31:41] our connections now, [31:42] the people that God has already placed in our lives. [31:44] We gotta go to our Jerusalem and our Judea

[31:46] and start where we are now. [31:49] The other thing is we’ve gotta start now [31:50] with the abilities and gifts that God’s given us. [31:53] God has given all of us things that we’re good at, [31:56] the ways we can serve the church. [31:57] We saw in Ephesians, one of the main ways mission goes out

[32:01] is by the building of the church. [32:02] We can each be a part of that now, [32:05] where we are with what God has already gifted us. [32:07] And we need to be way more intentional [32:09] about engaging with that. [32:10] So what I’m saying is don’t have an idea

[32:13] of what I’ll do in the future when things are convenient. [32:16] To have an idea of where can you start now [32:19] to build the church because eventually [32:21] that’s going to build up a community [32:23] where more and more people are coming to see Jesus. [32:26] That’s where it starts.

[32:29] Now maybe you don’t know how to do any of that. [32:32] You say, okay, that sounds good, [32:33] but I don’t know what I’m good at. [32:34] I don’t know who I know. [32:35] I don’t even know how to talk to them anyway. [32:38] All right, so it’s a nice idea,

[32:39] but I really don’t know how to do that. [32:41] And we’re trying at Village to give as many environments [32:43] as we can to help with that. [32:45] We do think that one of the reasons, [32:47] and we saw this in Ephesians chapter four, [32:49] but one of the reasons we have the church

[32:50] and the church is organized is to equip you [32:54] and provide you with what you need to be on mission. [32:57] So plug in and engage with the church. [32:59] That’s why we have community. [33:00] That’s why we have community groups. [33:01] One thing you can do is come to the picnic next week,

[33:04] meet some people. [33:05] A lot of these kind of things happen [33:07] in the context of relationship. [33:09] Wisdom is absolutely found in the local church, [33:11] and that’s something that we buck against in our society [33:14] because we’re so individualistic, but it’s absolutely true.

[33:17] Wisdom happens in community when we’re discussing [33:20] these things, and so you’ve got a group of 100 people here [33:22] that are on the same page as far as wanting to talk [33:25] about these things, wanting to talk about Ephesians [33:27] and how we can apply it to our lives. [33:30] So take advantage of that.

[33:32] If you want to sign up for a community group, [33:34] next step table is out there. [33:35] Groups are having all kinds of events all summer [33:37] with cookouts and different events where you can get [33:39] plugged in and be ready to go with weekly meetings [33:41] when those start again in August.

[33:43] Summer’s a great time, actually, to kind of casually [33:46] step into a group and get to know the people there. [33:49] But then we’ve got to have a goal for where we’re going. [33:52] And this is sometimes the harder part of having a vision [33:55] for where God could take us. [33:58] And it’s ultimately all about choices.

[34:00] I mean, it’s all about what we decide for our life [34:03] and whether we’re going to follow Jesus or not. [34:04] One of the amazing things about following Jesus [34:07] is that we are all completely the same in a lot of ways [34:11] and completely unique. [34:12] We’re all completely unique in that God has given us

[34:15] different giftings, we’re different. [34:17] We all have different experiences that we’re coming from, [34:20] different backgrounds. [34:21] We all see life a little bit differently [34:23] and God’s put us all together in the church. [34:26] And it’s supposed to work that way,

[34:28] we’re supposed to build each other up in that way. [34:30] But we’re also completely the same in that we’ve been given [34:32] the same calling by God. [34:34] The book of Ephesians was very clear on this. [34:37] We all have the same calling. [34:38] To live, to unite all things in Jesus,

[34:41] to do the good works that God has prepared for us beforehand. [34:45] We’re all on the same page with that. [34:47] And so that should be encouraging as we try to go from here [34:51] and setting goals for how we’re going to accomplish that [34:53] in our life. [34:55] Because each of us have the same basic issue

[34:57] and that’s that we need to submit to God’s will [34:59] to unite all things in Jesus with our life. [35:02] We have to see our life as yes, it really can be possible [35:06] that every decision I have in life is made [35:09] through the lens of, does this help me build the church? [35:12] God says that’s how that’s going to happen.

[35:14] You’re going to build the church, [35:15] you’re going to build the local church, [35:16] that’s going to build the universal church [35:17] where more and more people are worshiping Jesus. [35:20] And so when we look at our careers, at our leisure time, [35:23] at our family, and that’s what Ephesians

[35:24] kind of broke it down into, [35:26] we can ask the question, does this help me build the church? [35:30] Then that’s a good goal. [35:31] Then that’s something that I need to start doing now. [35:33] Does it not? [35:34] Then I shouldn’t.

[35:37] So that’s really kind of where the book of Ephesians [35:39] was so helpful in breaking down. [35:41] This is how the family applies to that. [35:43] This is how your career applies to that. [35:45] Every aspect of life really can be seen in light [35:48] of whether we’re advancing the mission

[35:50] through building the church. [35:52] But here’s the thing this morning, [35:53] our fear really should be that it’s possible to not do that. [35:58] It’s absolutely possible to have received God’s grace [36:02] and not engage with that. [36:05] Not look at life through that lens

[36:07] of how do I build the church? [36:10] How do I form these plans to really move forward [36:13] with where God wants to take me? [36:16] And you can decide to stay right where you are [36:18] and not experience the joy that God has for you. [36:21] I’m not saying that to discourage you,

[36:23] I’m not saying it to condemn you, [36:24] I’m saying it because genuinely [36:25] that’s what we’re all up against. [36:27] We can choose not to really engage [36:30] with where we know God is calling us, [36:32] taking practical steps through community

[36:35] to live for the mission of Jesus. [36:37] And when we choose not to do that, [36:38] we really are choosing not to find that ultimate joy [36:42] that God has when we do like we saw in that song, [36:45] Rain in Us, when we’re a living sacrifice. [36:48] That is the only true joy in this life.

[36:51] And I want that for all of us. [36:52] I want that for myself and I want that for you. [36:55] I think what happens absolutely [36:58] is we cheapen grace when it’s given to us so freely. [37:01] And then we think that it’s not gonna change us. [37:04] We absolutely cheapen grace when that’s our attitude.

[37:06] And I want you to see a verse in 1 Peter this morning. [37:11] So we’re getting to the end here [37:12] that really kind of highlights that. [37:15] 1 Peter 1 verse 13.

[37:18] It’s really an amazing scripture here. [37:20] It says, therefore, preparing your minds for action [37:22] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully [37:26] on the grace that will be brought to you [37:28] at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [37:31] So the grace of God, all that we’ve been freely giving,

[37:33] everything we saw in Ephesians. [37:35] I know I keep referring back to Ephesians [37:37] the last 18 weeks. [37:38] I guess you have 18 weeks to catch up on [37:40] if you haven’t been here all that time. [37:42] But all that grace that’s been given to us,

[37:45] it’s supposed to have the effect [37:46] of preparing us for action [37:48] and preparing our minds for wisdom, being sober-minded. [37:52] Wise action is the effect of grace on our life. [37:56] That we would be wise about all that Christ has done, [37:59] realize that Jesus is God

[38:01] and that that has to have an impact [38:03] on everything that we do. [38:05] So once again, this morning, my point is simply this. [38:08] You do need a plan for the life of mission [38:10] that God has for you. [38:11] I can’t do that for you,

[38:13] and you need to engage in community for that to happen. [38:15] You need to think, where do I start? [38:18] Who are the people that I know? [38:19] This week, not later, not sometime in the future, [38:22] but later today, tomorrow, when I meet people at work [38:25] or people that are in my life,

[38:27] how do I begin to see all my relationships [38:29] as ones of reconciliation? [38:31] How do I begin to see life through that lens? [38:34] If you don’t know the answer, [38:36] if you don’t have thoughts churning in your mind right now, [38:38] that means you need community.

[38:40] It doesn’t mean you’re dumb. [38:41] It doesn’t mean you don’t have it figured out yet. [38:43] It means you’re normal, [38:44] and it means you need community to help you work through that. [38:48] Can’t give all the answers in a 30-minute sermon. [38:50] I can only hopefully give you the encouragement

[38:52] to press forward with that next step.

[38:56] Think of Paul and Barnabas. [38:58] Think about strategically what your next move is [39:00] as far as being on mission and advancing the gospel. [39:03] You’ve got a local church family that cares for you, [39:06] and if you start here to build the church, [39:08] if you get involved and plug in with what we’re doing,

[39:11] we are passionate about leading you in that [39:13] and having you be a part of what we’re doing in that, [39:15] and we do hope and believe and have the goal [39:18] that we’re gonna change the city, [39:20] that people are gonna come to know Jesus. [39:22] That is our goal.

[39:23] That’s what we’re headed for. [39:24] We may never get there, but that’s our goal, [39:26] and we know that the journey’s gonna be worth it. [39:29] So I encourage you to get involved. [39:30] Give your time. [39:32] Take action and see where God takes you from there.

[39:35] If you’re not sure where to start, start right here. [39:37] Start by getting in community. [39:39] Start by getting to know some people. [39:41] Ah, but don’t wait. [39:43] Get started right now. [39:44] That’s my encouragement to you.

[39:46] If you will, let’s go ahead and pray. [39:48] Father, this morning, I just ask God [39:52] that you continue to reveal your word to us. [39:57] God, we do thank you for the letter of Ephesians [40:01] and all that you’ve taught us these last 18 weeks. [40:04] And God, we ask that we would not be people

[40:07] that just hear your word, [40:08] but that we would be doers of your word, God. [40:10] Help us to make that a reality. [40:12] God, I pray for everyone in here [40:13] that you would reveal to us steps that we can take right now [40:17] to get started on your mission.

[40:19] God, I thank you again for your word, [40:21] and I pray that it would just be illuminated [40:24] in our lives together as a community [40:26] as we continue to learn to serve and follow you. [40:29] And I pray all these things in Jesus’ name, amen.

[40:34] On to a time of communion. [40:35] We take communion together every week at the village. [40:38] And we do this, people ask me sometimes, [40:42] why do you take communion every week? [40:43] It’s not because we think we have to, [40:44] it’s because we like to.

[40:46] When we take communion, it gives us a very intentional, [40:50] purposeful time to reflect on Jesus every week. [40:53] It’s a kind of, for me, it’s almost, [40:56] it’s a time in my life on the calendar, [40:58] I know, Sunday morning, I’m gonna have communion. [41:01] I’m gonna remember who Jesus is and what he did.

[41:04] And I encourage you this morning, even in the, [41:06] especially in the midst of a very pragmatic, [41:09] practical message on forming a plan, [41:11] that’s when we most need to remember. [41:13] Any of that even matters because of Jesus, [41:16] because of his sacrifice, and because of the cross.

[41:19] So take those moments this morning and remember that. [41:22] And then when you’re ready, [41:23] come forward and take communion. [41:24] Our tables are open to anyone who’s a believer in Jesus. [41:27] If you’re not a believer, you can become one this morning. [41:29] That is the amazing thing about these tables.

[41:33] So when you’re ready, please come forward. [41:34] There’s also tables in the back.