Commissioning Service: Love Alliance

Commissioning Service: Start of SSCC Matthew 16:13-19, “When he 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. 22 years ago we started SSCC. Small group. We aren’t going to advertise. We aren’t going to put our name in a phone book. We don’t want to draw other believers. We are either going to succeed on mission. Or we are going to fail on mission, but one way or the other we are going to be on mission. Lots has happened. Good things. Bad things. Hard things. That’s life. But, 100’s, and 100’s of people have been saved. Jesus told his disciples that He was going to the Father to prepare a place for them - well, Jesus is a carpenter, and if he has been building homes in heaven for each freshly redeemed life then he has built a development in heaven b/c of the people that have come to know Jesus at SSCC. Some have moved on to other states. Some of have moved on to their home in heaven. Some have moved on to other churches, other ministries. And some who have come to faith here have moved on to start LA. So more homes can be built in heaven.

Commissioning Service: Matthew 16:13-19, “’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, 22 years ago we started SSCC. Small group. We aren’t going to advertise. We aren’t going to put our name in a phone book. We don’t want to draw other believers. We are either going to succeed on mission. Or we are going to fail on mission, but one way or the other we are going to be on mission. Lots has happened. Good things. Bad things. Hard things. That’s life. But, 100’s, and 100’s of people have been saved. Jesus told his disciples that He was going to the Father to prepare a place for them - well, Jesus is a carpenter, and if he has been building homes in heaven for each freshly redeemed life then he has built a development in heaven b/c of the people that have come to know Jesus at SSCC. Some have moved on to other states. Some of have moved on to their home in heaven. Some have moved on to other churches, other ministries. And some who have come to faith here have moved on to start LA. So more homes can be built in heaven.

Commissioning Service: Matthew 16:13-19, “’but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth 22 years ago we started SSCC. Small group. We aren’t going to advertise. We aren’t going to put our name in a phone book. We don’t want to draw other believers. We are either going to succeed on mission. Or we are going to fail on mission, but one way or the other we are going to be on mission. Lots has happened. Good things. Bad things. Hard things. That’s life. But, 100’s, and 100’s of people have been saved. Jesus told his disciples that He was going to the Father to prepare a place for them - well, Jesus is a carpenter, and if he has been building homes in heaven for each freshly redeemed life then he has built a development in heaven b/c of the people that have come to know Jesus at SSCC. Some have moved on to other states. Some of have moved on to their home in heaven. Some have moved on to other churches, other ministries. And some who have come to faith here have moved on to start LA. So more homes can be built in heaven.

Commissioning Service: Matthew 16:13-19, “’will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’” Jesus promised that his church would prevail. That he would give us what we need to overcome the gates of hell. Three thoughts about a prevailing church: 22 years ago we started SSCC. Small group. We aren’t going to advertise. We aren’t going to put our name in a phone book. We don’t want to draw other believers. We are either going to succeed on mission. Or we are going to fail on mission, but one way or the other we are going to be on mission. Lots has happened. Good things. Bad things. Hard things. That’s life. But, 100’s, and 100’s of people have been saved. Jesus told his disciples that He was going to the Father to prepare a place for them - well, Jesus is a carpenter, and if he has been building homes in heaven for each freshly redeemed life then he has built a development in heaven b/c of the people that have come to know Jesus at SSCC. Some have moved on to other states. Some of have moved on to their home in heaven. Some have moved on to other churches, other ministries. And some who have come to faith here have moved on to start LA. So more homes can be built in heaven.

Commissioning Service: First, prevailing churches mobilize people into the harvest field. Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against his church. Hell isn’t taking the fight to us; we are taking the fight to hell. We are commissioned by Jesus to assault hell’s gates & set the captives free.

Commissioning Service: First, prevailing churches mobilize people into the harvest field. The harvest is reaped in direct proportion to the number of laborers mobilized into the harvest field. “We will succeed on mission or we will fail on mission, but one way or the other, we are going to be on mission.” (die on the hill for mission)

Commissioning Service: First, prevailing churches mobilize people into the harvest field. In a day and age of tolerance, preaching the exclusivity of Christ is not acceptable, but it is Biblical and essential. Preach Jesus. (If we didn’t…) If we didn’t – Janis & Louis’ story of faith. They wouldn’t have come.

Commissioning Service: Second, prevailing churches disciple the followers of Jesus. (Mt 28 – baptize, teach to obey everything) The greatest limitation to the freedom and fullness of Christ in our lives are our soul issues. (inviolable principles of the soul – no secrets, bitterness, etc.)

Commissioning Service: Second, prevailing churches disciple the followers of Jesus. (Mt 28 – baptize, teach to obey everything) Discipleship is hard work. Life change is slow. (life change culture – anointed teaching, true community, presence & power of God)

Commissioning Service: Third, prevailing churches do the work of God in the power of the Spirit. Jesus said, ”I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.” We are not leaders; we are spiritual leaders. We are in a spiritual battle, not against flesh and blood. We need the power of God.

Commissioning Service: “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference,” A.W. Tozer

Commissioning Service: Third, prevailing churches do the work of God in the power of the Spirit. Today, too often, we are trying to accomplish spiritual results with human effort. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and you will bear much fruit, but apart from me you can do nothing.”

Commissioning Service: Third, prevailing churches do the work of God in the power of the Spirit. We need the presence of God. We need the power of God. (make abiding #1 priority; pursue His face, not just His hands; revival – Moses holds the key) Only God can do the impossible.

Commissioning Service: Final words: LA honor your pastor & his family. Louis – The spiritual leader is always the most magnanimous person in the room. When you forgo magnanimity you forfeit spiritual authority.