September 29, 2024 • Grant Caldwell • John 17:13–19
“How do we do missions like Jesus?”
Discipleship pastor Grant Caldwell unpacks this question through the lens of John 17, focusing on Jesus’ final prayer for His disciples and its implications for our mission today.
Discover how Jesus defines missions—not through guilt, but through the fullness of joy. As we reflect on Jesus’ words, we’ll explore the complexities of Christ Methodist's mission statement in a world marked by brokenness and the powerful hope of the gospel that brings joy to all.
Grant shares insights from his years in missions, highlighting the confusion many face about the cause, act, and goal of missions. He emphasizes that missions is a holistic life calling, not a periodic activity, and that we are called to engage with the world while being protected from the evil one.
As we navigate the challenges of living on mission, we're encouraged to reflect on what breaks our hearts and how we can unite as a church community to bring Jesus into the areas of brokenness around us.
Whether you’re seeking to deepen your understanding of missions or looking for practical ways to get involved, this episode is packed with inspiration and guidance to help you live out your calling in Christ.
Surrendering Doubts, Fears, and Comforts to Fulfill God's Mission
September 29, 2024 • Nathan Cook • Numbers 13:27—14:1
Are we living by fear or faith? This sermon delves into the story of the Israelite spies in Numbers 13-14, challenging us to confront our hesitations in following God's call.
The recurring phrase, "Today, if you hear God's voice, do not harden your hearts," is a potent reminder that God often leads us into difficult places for His greater purpose. Just as the Israelites faced giants in the Promised Land, we, too, encounter daunting challenges in our mission to spread God's love.
However, this message encourages us to trust in God's presence and power rather than succumbing to our fears or longing for past comforts. It prompts us to reflect on how we might be resistant to God's call due to concerns for safety or comfort and inspires us to step out in faith, knowing that God goes before us.
Surrendering Doubts, Fears, and Comforts to Fulfill God's Mission
September 29, 2024 • Nathan Cook • Numbers 13:27—14:1
Are we living by fear or faith? This sermon delves into the story of the Israelite spies in Numbers 13-14, challenging us to confront our hesitations in following God's call.
The recurring phrase, "Today, if you hear God's voice, do not harden your hearts," is a potent reminder that God often leads us into difficult places for His greater purpose. Just as the Israelites faced giants in the Promised Land, we, too, encounter daunting challenges in our mission to spread God's love.
However, this message encourages us to trust in God's presence and power rather than succumbing to our fears or longing for past comforts. It prompts us to reflect on how we might be resistant to God's call due to concerns for safety or comfort and inspires us to step out in faith, knowing that God goes before us.
Called to Surrender: Embracing God's Mission to All People
September 15, 2024 • Nathan Cook • Isaiah 6:1–10
In this sermon, Missions Pastor Nathan Cook explores Isaiah's awe-inspiring vision of God's holiness and his call to proclaim His message to resistant people. Through this profound encounter, we learn the necessity of surrendering to God's mission, overcoming barriers, and embracing our role in reaching all nations with the gospel. Join us as we reflect on how God's grace equips us for service and challenges us to say, "Here I am, send me."
Following Christ Beyond Comfort: God’s Unchanging Call to Mission
September 15, 2024 • Paul Lawler • Isaiah 6:1–10
More than two billion people have never heard the Gospel. In this sermon, Pastor Paul challenged us with a powerful message from Isaiah 6 about God's heart for all nations. He reminded us that as followers of Christ, we're called to participate in God's global mission because the Great Commission wasn't a suggestion—it's our responsibility. We can all play a part through praying, sending, or going.
Let's ask ourselves: Are we aligning our goals with God's goal of seeing every tribe, tongue, and nation worshipping before His throne? Join us in praying for the unreached and considering how you can be part of God's global mission.
Called to Surrender: Embracing God's Mission to All People
September 15, 2024 • Paul Lawler • Isaiah 6:1–10
More than two billion people have never heard the Gospel. In this sermon, Pastor Paul challenged us with a powerful message from Isaiah 6 about God's heart for all nations. He reminded us that as followers of Christ, we're called to participate in God's global mission because the Great Commission wasn't a suggestion—it's our responsibility. We can all play a part through praying, sending, or going.
Let's ask ourselves: Are we aligning our goals with God's goal of seeing every tribe, tongue, and nation worshipping before His throne? Join us in praying for the unreached and considering how you can be part of God's global mission.
How Do I Respond to Jesus’ Command to Make Disciples?
September 8, 2024 • Bro. Chris Carter • Matthew 28:16–20
In Bro. Chris Carter's final sermon at Christ Methodist explores what living out the Great Commission truly means. Drawing from Matthew 28:16-20, Bro. Chris reflects on the journey of obedience and loyalty required to follow Jesus' call. We're invited to consider how choosing obedience, loyalty, contentment, and fresh surrender play a vital role in our discipleship.
Bro. Chris discusses the challenges of leaving what is familiar for the unfamiliar and the growth that comes from stepping out in faith. But he reminds us of our encouragement in Christ's promises—His presence, help, power, and peace—as we commit to making disciples in our communities and beyond.
How Do I Respond to Jesus’ Command to "Make Disciples"?
September 8, 2024 • Paul Lawler • Matthew 28:16–20
In Part 5 of our Christ Church Mission Statement Series, Pastor Paul Lawler challenges us to examine our personal response to Jesus' Great Commission. The universal call to discipleship isn't reserved for clergy but is meant for every believer. Pastor Paul highlights common responses to this call, from ignoring it to making excuses, and contrasts them with Jesus' intentional and relational method of disciple-making. Jesus' approach was deliberate, relational, and formational. We're encouraged to replicate Jesus' method by organizing small, manageable groups and focusing on inward growth and outward outreach.
This sermon reveals practical steps for making disciples, including the importance of personal engagement, systematic training, and living out the Great Commission daily. Paul also addresses the misconception that disciple-making is limited to classroom settings, urging us to integrate it into our everyday lives.
Tune in to learn how to embrace the call to disciple-making, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and contribute to a movement that seeks to reach every corner of the world with the gospel. This sermon is not just a call to action but an invitation to deeply engage with Jesus' mission.
How Do I Respond to Jesus’ Command to "Make Disciples"?
September 8, 2024 • Paul Lawler • Matthew 28:16–20
In Part 5 of our Christ Church Mission Statement Series, Pastor Paul Lawler challenges us to examine our personal response to Jesus' Great Commission. The universal call to discipleship isn't reserved for clergy but is meant for every believer. Pastor Paul highlights common responses to this call, from ignoring it to making excuses, and contrasts them with Jesus' intentional and relational method of disciple-making. Jesus' approach was deliberate, relational, and formational. We're encouraged to replicate Jesus' method by organizing small, manageable groups and focusing on inward growth and outward outreach.
This sermon reveals practical steps for making disciples, including the importance of personal engagement, systematic training, and living out the Great Commission daily. Paul also addresses the misconception that disciple-making is limited to classroom settings, urging us to integrate it into our everyday lives.
Tune in to learn how to embrace the call to disciple-making, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and contribute to a movement that seeks to reach every corner of the world with the gospel. This sermon is not just a call to action but an invitation to deeply engage with Jesus' mission.
What is a Disciple of Jesus Christ?
September 1, 2024 • Paul Lawler • Luke 9:23–27
We all can likely draw a Sunday school answer to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, but what does Scripture say?
In this sermon, Pastor Paul explores what it means to follow Jesus beyond a superficial understanding. He challenges us to move past a merely intellectual grasp of discipleship and embrace its full, transformative potential. Using Scripture, Paul redefines what it truly means to be a disciple, emphasizing that being a follower of Christ involves active, intentional learning and living.
Paul explains how Jesus' teachings on discipleship are not merely historical or academic but are intended to shape our daily lives and mission. He highlights the distinction between being a Christian and a disciple, underscoring that true discipleship involves a commitment to learning and teaching others, living out Jesus' commands, and embracing His call to deny ourselves and take up our cross.
Learn how you can live out our mission to glorify God and make disciples of all peoples and how we can avoid the distractions and deceptions that keep us from fully following Christ.
What is a Disciple of Jesus Christ?
September 1, 2024 • Paul Lawler • Luke 9:23–27
We all can likely draw a Sunday school answer to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, but what does Scripture say?
In this sermon, Pastor Paul explores what it means to follow Jesus beyond a superficial understanding. He challenges us to move past a merely intellectual grasp of discipleship and embrace its full, transformative potential. Using Scripture, Paul redefines what it truly means to be a disciple, emphasizing that being a follower of Christ involves active, intentional learning and living.
Paul explains how Jesus' teachings on discipleship are not merely historical or academic but are intended to shape our daily lives and mission. He highlights the distinction between being a Christian and a disciple, underscoring that true discipleship involves a commitment to learning and teaching others, living out Jesus' commands, and embracing His call to deny ourselves and take up our cross.
Learn how you can live out our mission to glorify God and make disciples of all peoples and how we can avoid the distractions and deceptions that keep us from fully following Christ.
What is a Disciple of Jesus Christ?
September 1, 2024 • Josh Landen • Luke 9:23–27
Does Jesus want us to be fans or disciples? True discipleship involves more than just learning about Jesus; it requires embodying His love and teachings daily. Drawing from John 8 and the Last Supper discourse, men's ministry pastor Josh Landen illustrates how discipleship is marked by unwavering commitment and sacrificial love, reflecting Christ’s self-emptying love for us.
Throughout the message, Josh calls us to examine our lives and identify what we need to surrender to Christ. He reminds us that being a disciple means prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above all else, even when it challenges our comfort and ambitions. This episode is a powerful reminder of the radical nature of discipleship and the transformative impact of living fully for Christ.
Vision Sunday: Discipleship, God’s Glory, and Our Future
August 25, 2024 • Paul Lawler • 2 Chronicles 34:1–19
In 2 Chronicles 34:1-19, Josiah, a young king who inherited a kingdom steeped in idolatry and corruption, demonstrates how a committed heart and rediscovery of God’s Word can lead to profound transformation.
We explore how Josiah's leadership and the revival he sparked offer lessons for our spiritual journeys. From the power of rediscovering God's Word to the importance of discipleship in our current cultural climate, this episode challenges us to reflect on our personal and collective roles in glorifying God and making disciples.
Learn how Josiah’s story can inspire and guide us in our mission to follow Christ faithfully, especially in times of great challenge. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with our church’s vision for discipleship and hear practical steps to deepen your walk with God.
Vision Sunday: Discipleship, God’s Glory, and Our Future
August 25, 2024 • Paul Lawler • 2 Chronicles 34:1–19
In 2 Chronicles 34:1-19, Josiah, a young king who inherited a kingdom steeped in idolatry and corruption, demonstrates how a committed heart and rediscovery of God’s Word can lead to profound transformation.
We explore how Josiah's leadership and the revival he sparked offer lessons for our spiritual journeys. From the power of rediscovering God's Word to the importance of discipleship in our current cultural climate, this episode challenges us to reflect on our personal and collective roles in glorifying God and making disciples.
Learn how Josiah’s story can inspire and guide us in our mission to follow Christ faithfully, especially in times of great challenge. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with our church’s vision for discipleship and hear practical steps to deepen your walk with God.
The Glory of God in the Life of the Believer
August 18, 2024 • Nathan Cook • John 17:20–26
How do we understand the concept of God's glory and our role in manifesting it? John 17:20-26 reveals Jesus' prayer for unity among believers and the sharing of His glory with us. We learn that God's glory is His manifest presence, character, and mighty works. Through biblical examples, we see how encountering God's glory leads to worship, obedience, and transformation. As believers, we're called to seek God's presence continually, allowing His glory to shine through us in unity and love. This message challenges us to become a people of prayer, surrendering our lives and agendas to God's will so that the world may see Christ in us.
