All for One Being a Missional Follower of Christ And One for All:

I.What does it mean to be missional? “ Missional” is a term used to describe how we think about, engage, and minister to the culture in which God has placed us.“ Missional” is a term used to describe how we think about, engage, and minister to the culture in which God has placed us. In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus gives what we call the Great Commission.In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus gives what we call the Great Commission.

We are toWe are to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Our command is to go and make disciples.Our command is to go and make disciples. –Baptizing them –Teaching them In Acts 1:8, Jesus gives a more defined method of carrying out His great commission.In Acts 1:8, Jesus gives a more defined method of carrying out His great commission.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)

You will receive powerYou will receive power –This word for power communicates a God give ability to accomplish what we could never accomplish on our own. –You will be my witnesses.

You will be my witnesses.You will be my witnesses. –Jesus instructing His disciples to continue to tell His story everywhere they go and beyond. In JerusalemIn Jerusalem In all Judea and SamariaIn all Judea and Samaria To the ends of the earthTo the ends of the earth

Being missional means being a part of sharing God’s story from your communities to the world.Being missional means being a part of sharing God’s story from your communities to the world.

II.Being Missional Through the Church God has chosen to use the church to bring the gospel to the world. One of the reasons He chose to accomplish his mission this way is because we can accomplish so much more if we cooperate and work together.God has chosen to use the church to bring the gospel to the world. One of the reasons He chose to accomplish his mission this way is because we can accomplish so much more if we cooperate and work together.

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 4:9- 12 that working together is a lot better than working alone.Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 4:9- 12 that working together is a lot better than working alone.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one for several reasons:Two are better than one for several reasons: –They have a good return for their work. –If one falls down the other can pick him up. –A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

The Apostle Paul knew the value of cooperation in mission as well as he expresses it in Philippians 1:4-6.The Apostle Paul knew the value of cooperation in mission as well as he expresses it in Philippians 1:4-6.

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV)

Paul was joyful and thankful for their “partnership in the gospel.” This word for partnership is that great Greek word koinonia, which is generally translated fellowship, but means so much more.Paul was joyful and thankful for their “partnership in the gospel.” This word for partnership is that great Greek word koinonia, which is generally translated fellowship, but means so much more. –It is more than just getting together with friends. –It is more than just sharing some Starbucks. –It is sharing life and ministry in a way that makes them inseparable.

Paul knew that he could never fulfill the Great Commission all by himself, so he continually brought others along with him to share in the work of the ministry.Paul knew that he could never fulfill the Great Commission all by himself, so he continually brought others along with him to share in the work of the ministry. –Paul and Barnabas –Paul and Silas –Paul and Timothy

III.Partnering Together as Southern Baptists One of the great characteristics of being a Southern Baptist has been the idea of cooperating with one another to accomplish more than we could do apart.One of the great characteristics of being a Southern Baptist has been the idea of cooperating with one another to accomplish more than we could do apart. From our earliest beginnings we have tried to find better and more effective ways to carry the gospel from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, to the most remote areas of the world.From our earliest beginnings we have tried to find better and more effective ways to carry the gospel from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, to the most remote areas of the world.

For about eighty years the SBC struggled with how best to do ministry and missions until 1925, when the Cooperative Program was introduced.For about eighty years the SBC struggled with how best to do ministry and missions until 1925, when the Cooperative Program was introduced.

Did you know that before the Cooperative Program:Did you know that before the Cooperative Program: –Every SBC agency and institution had to make pleas for financial contributions directly from each church. –Every SBC ministry did ministry based on pledges with no budget to work from. Sometimes the money came in and sometimes it didn’t.

–Missions support was irregular and sporadic and could even be hindered by the weather. –Most smaller churches couldn’t participate in missions because the offerings that would be received would not be worth the effort to go collect them.

–Most larger churches grew tired of giving because they had petition after petition coming to their church looking for money.

The Cooperative Program did many things to help ministry and missions within the SBC.The Cooperative Program did many things to help ministry and missions within the SBC. –It enabled everyone to be a part of missions, locally, nationally, and internationally, from the smallest church to the largest church. –It brought greater unity between SBC churches around the world. Everyone began to work together to accomplish more.

–It provides greater security and stability to missionaries both at home and overseas. –It enables every Christian and every church to be a part of training and supporting new leaders in missions and ministry around the world.

M.E. Dodd said “This Cooperative Program enables me to do all that needs to be done, because it includes every sort of service to every sort of somebody that any sort of anybody may wish to render.”M.E. Dodd said “This Cooperative Program enables me to do all that needs to be done, because it includes every sort of service to every sort of somebody that any sort of anybody may wish to render.” It enables men like Eric Reese to do the incredible ministry in some difficult places like the Favelas in Rio.It enables men like Eric Reese to do the incredible ministry in some difficult places like the Favelas in Rio.

reach/disciple college students train people to share their faith coordinate volunteer missions opportunities churches develop mature disciples make a quick response to disasters partner with other Alabama Baptist churches It helps… SBOM 59 State Missionaries

reach/disciple college students train people to share their faith coordinate volunteer missions opportunities churches develop mature disciples make a quick response to disasters partner with other Alabama Baptist churches It helps… The Baptist Foundation of Alabama Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers The Alabama Baptist Shocco Springs Conference Center Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries Alabama Baptist Historical Commission 59 State Missionaries Christian Higher Education 11 Other Entities

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS NORTH AMERICAN MISSIONS THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION SUPPORT OPERATIONS CHRISTIAN ETHICS & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

IV.How Can You Be Missional? So what can you do to live missionally in the culture where God has placed you?So what can you do to live missionally in the culture where God has placed you? –Get involved in ministry in your local church. –Be a part of ministry projects in your local association.

IV.How Can You Be Missional? –Look at being a part of mission work throughout the state. (Mission trips, VBS, World Changers, Disaster Relief, Mississippi River ministry, Church planting, etc…) –Encourage your church to give to the Cooperative Program as we partner together to do ministry here and overseas. –Most of all pray.

All for One Being a Missional Follower of Christ And One for All: