This is a sermon that continues in our series, Vision and Values, Caring and United Community. You can watch more here.
Haven’t we all had those exciting moments in life we couldn’t stop talking
about? Like, you will probably think less of me, but I love watching videos
about “First Amendment Auditors.” Anyone seen this?
The “first amendment auditor” says, “I am allowed to be here.” Then the
person in charge is like, “No you’re not!” And I love it! Some people like
watching the Bachelor. I like watching two 40-year olds argue!
And then, because I love them so much, I tell my wife about these videos. She
thinks they are dumb. It doesn’t stop me, because nobody has to tell me watch
them. I just want to watch them. Nobody has to ask me about them. I will just
start talking about them, because what fills us internally will come out of us
naturally.
But, I think if we’re honest, our faith in Jesus doesn’t always fit that
description. Like, recently, I was talking to someone and they started to talk
about life, stress, purpose, and it was like a perfect moment to talk about
Jesus, and it didn’t even occur to me. What’s that about?
I think in some ways; our present-day culture of arguing and politics has made
us a little shy about our faith in Jesus. We see media mocking followers of
Jesus, and that makes us uncomfortable. (Anyone feel that?)
But, again, if we’re honest, it’s not just culture or politics or media, but I think
there’s a deeper question stirring in our soul, therefore, we want to talk about
what it looks like today to own this part of our faith, because how is
something so important becoming such a quiet part of our lives?
In fact, let’s pray right now, “Jesus, you’ve brought us together. You’ve called us to follow You and live for You,
but sometimes we struggle to know what that looks like practically, so I pray you would open our eyes and ears
in this area of our life for it to feel as practical and normal as possible.” Amen!
You can look our values in greater detail on page 301 in our devotional, but
let’s see a snapshot of them:
WHO WE ARE:
Anchor: February 22 nd
Repent: March 1 st
Worship: March 8 th
WHAT WE DO:
Serve: March 15 th
Unite: March 22 nd
Multiply: March 29 th
WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE DO. Who we are: anchor, repent, and worship.
That’s the Jesus part of our vision. What we do: serve, unite is the Family
part of our vision. And this morning we will finish off with multiply, the
Chasing part of our vision.
North Village Church is a family who are centered on Jesus, so that we become a people who are chasing after
every man, woman and child to experience the life transforming power of Jesus in Greater Austin.
This morning we will talk about what it means to be “Disciples Who Multiply
and Proclaim.”
“Disciples Who Multiply and Proclaim”
Every follower of Jesus has a different level of comfort with this part of our
faith, but I genuinely believe every follower of Jesus has experienced unique
part of Jesus that he or she needs to share with other people. Does that make
sense?
Jesus is pretty big. Even as a pastor, I can only capture so much of Jesus
through my life and words, therefore, we need all followers of Jesus talking
and sharing and modeling their relationship with Jesus, so that we can see
more of Him. You with me?
You might consider yourself shy or introverted. You might say you aren’t
good with your words. You might say you don’t know enough about the Bible.
But if you are a follower of Jesus, you have experienced Him in a personal way,
therefore, when Jesus fills our heart He will come out of us.
Sometimes I will say it this way, “When we are growing in Jesus and walking
with Jesus we want to drink so much of Jesus that when we go throughout life
and bump into people we can say, ‘Excuse me, I got a little Jesus on you.’” You
with me? Let’s look at Romans 10:14-15:
Romans 10:14-15, “14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in
Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless
they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
If you are new to the Bible, the book of Romans is in the New Testament. It is
a letter written by the Apostle Paul to a church in Rome. This is after Jesus’
life, death and resurrection. The apostles have taken the name of Jesus
throughout the Roman empire, and people said the Apostle Paul was scared of
Rome, because it was a major city with the educated elites, therefore, the
Apostle Paul writes this letter to remind followers of Jesus who they are in
Christ and what they do. Let’s look at verse 14 again:
Romans 10:14, “14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in
Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?”
First the context, of our passage. The book of Romans is all about how people
are made right with God, so that throughout Romans we see Jew and Gentile
(non-Jewish people) are separated from God, but through faith in Jesus’ life,
death and resurrection we are made righteous! It’s 9 chapters of gospel
goodness!
Then, in chapter 10 the Apostle Paul begins to ask a really important question,
“If God’s grace comes through faith in Jesus for Jew and Gentile around the
world, how are people going to hear about Jesus?” Isn’t that interesting?
At this point, Jesus has already lived, died, resurrected, and ascended into
heaven, therefore, like no other faith system in the world, the main hero of the
story (Jesus) is gone and then Jesus entrusts the salvation of humanity to
random men and women like us in this room. Isn’t that wild? Like, on the
surface, that’s not a good plan!
Like imagine someone going to the bank and saying, “I need a loan for millions
of dollars, because my product is going to take over the world!” Then the
bank says, “Oh yeah, what’s the marketing strategy?”
I am going to recruit some of those most random hodge-podge group of
people all over the world. I’m not going to pay them anything, but because
they love Me, they will talk about Me, and it will change people’s lives!” Who’s
with me? That’s bonkers! Nobody would invest in that plan! From a human
standpoint, nobody should know about Jesus!
But that’s been God’s glorious plan from the beginning, and that’s still God’s
glorious plan today! The reason we are in this room this morning is because
someone, talked to someone, who talked to someone, who talked to someone,
who talked to someone for 2,000 years, and then someone talked to us!
My guys name was Lenny. I didn’t even get someone with a cool name. I got
Lenny! And, Lenny didn’t know anything. I would ask Lenny questions about
the Bible, about church, about Jesus, and He couldn’t answer any of them, but
in every conversation, Lenny would say, “I don’t know but you should worship
Jesus!” And it worked! Glory to God! I came to faith in Jesus, and I still talk to
Lenny today. We probably text each other 3-4 times a week, so that when
Jesus fills out hearts, Jesus flows out of us!
So, right out of the gate we can see God’s Word makes it clear that people need
to hear about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Yes, the God of Scripture can
speak through nature. Romans 1 says, “God reveals His divine attributes,
eternal power and wisdom through nature!” Humanity looks at the beauty
and design of nature, so that humanity cries out, “There must be a Creator!”
That happens!
Sometimes God speaks to people through dreams. Sometimes God uses our
circumstances to humble us and draw us to Himself. He can make the rocks
cry out if He wants, but the primary way the God of Scripture speaks to His
people is through the words of other people, because, look at verse 14, faith in
Jesus comes through hearing.
Do you see the progression in verse 14? How will they call on Him unless they
believe, and how will they believe in Him unless they hear, and how will they
hear about Jesus unless someone talks to them about Jesus, because faith in
Jesus comes through hearing. (Pause)
Therefore, someone needs to be speaking, and if we are going to be
“discipleship who multiply and proclaim” we need to take ownership of this
value. Each of us in this room needs to see ourselves, not only as a recipient of
His grace, but a conduit of His grace.
I am guessing there are some of us in this room thinking about all the excuses.
Right now, we are saying to ourselves, “I am too busy.” I don’t know enough. I
am too shy. I tried that one time, it didn’t go well, so I stopped. Maybe the
most common, “There’s got to be someone better than me!” (Anyone feel
that?)
I remember early on as a pastor I was working with 20-year-olds on a college
campus and a random student walked up to one of the 20-year-olds from our
church and asked, “Will you tell me how you came to faith in Jesus?” It’s like a
perfect set up into a conversation about Jesus!
The 20-year-old from our church said, “No, my story is boring, but you should
come hear my friend tell you how they came to faith in Jesus.” There’s nothing
wrong with telling our friends to listen to a sermon or invite them to worship
on Sunday morning, but if this value is going to be a value in our church
family, we can’t pass it on to someone. We need to own it!
I mean, when we look at God’s Word we don’t see stories of great orators who
had it all figured out with pristine lives. There are stories of adulterers,
murderers, greedy, foolish men and women, and He moves through ordinary
people intentionally, so that He gets all the glory!
Every follower of Jesus in here this morning has had an experience with Jesus
in a special way. Our lives have been shaped by Jesus in a personal way. Each
of us has unique stories we have wrestled with around questions and doubts.
We have walked through seasons of ups and downs, so that our story with
Jesus is the story that needs to be multiplied and proclaimed! Amen?
After all, Jesus spoke creation into existence. Jesus took on flesh. Jesus took
on death and conquered it in the resurrection. If Jesus wanted, He could write
a message in the clouds, “Believe in Jesus!” If He wanted, He could get some
billionaire to drop leaflets from helicopters all over the world, “Believe in
Jesus.” The challenge isn’t information. The challenge is Jesus’ being filled in
our hearts and minds as His disciples, so that when we bump into people, we
get a little Jesus on them. Amen? Let’s look at verse 15 again:
Romans 10:15, “15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of
those who bring good news of good things!”
The word “preach” doesn’t mean pastor / preacher. It’s someone who owns
“disciples who multiply and proclaim.” It’s someone who proclaims the name
of Jesus. It is someone who talks to their co-worker. It is someone who prays
for a family member over the phone when they talk about that challenge in
their life. It is someone who stops and chats with their neighbors and invites
them to the comedy show at their church. (May 30 th on Eventbrite)
In addition, notice the word “sent” in verse 15. Game changer! The word
“sent” in the original language means someone who is commissioned or
entrusted with a message to be proclaimed!
We’re not trying to go somewhere. We’re not trying to add something on to
our life. In Christ, we’ve been sent so that “disciples who multiply and
proclaim” isn’t something forced in life, but an overflow of our life.
Just as the Son was sent by the Father, so too are we sent. Right? Jesus was
sent by the Father to enter into human history. Jesus was sent by the Father
to lay down His life at the cross. Jesus was sent by the Father to conquer
death in the resurrection, and in Matthew 28 Jesus says to His followers, “Go
and proclaim!” Go to all the nations and baptize them in the name of the
Father, Son and the Spirit. Go, go, go, and keep on going until I return! That’s
it!
Most of us are going to feel unqualified, unprepared, and uncomfortable. But
being a “disciple who multiplies and proclaims” isn’t about feeling qualified,
but believing and trusting by faith that we are sent by Him and for Him!
It is why the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah from the Old Testament in verse 15.
Do you see it? How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of
good things! (Isaiah 52:7) The context is Israel going through a season of
difficulty and someone is sent to bring news that rescue is coming.
Can’t you picture it? We’re going through the volatility of life. We’re
wondering what’s going to happen in Iran? What’s going to happen at that
doctor visit? What’s going to happen on that phone call?
At first, you don’t hear anything. You are waiting. You are wondering. Your
mind is spinning. And, then finally someone shows up from afar and they
bring the good news that you have been praying for! That’s the context of the
quote! And, that’s the gospel!
The God of Scripture has sent His Son, and Jesus is now sending out men and
women all over this world. And it isn’t just a promise of momentary relief or
peace between two nations. The news is that sin has been defeated. Death
has been destroyed. Chains have been broken. Slaves have been set free, and
Jesus has made a way for us to come to the Father! Amen! Let’s get 5 quick
application for what this looks like practically:
1. Faith in Jesus
God’s plan all along is that His glory moves in people and through people, but
it all begins with us coming to faith in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. I
don’t care if you consider yourself a Christian. I don’t care if you grew up
going to non-denominational church in Austin. God’s Word describes a people
coming to know Him. That’s what matters!
Even as we sit here this morning we need to be on guard against religious
behavior and asking ourselves, “Do you know Jesus? Do you enjoy Jesus? Do
you want to read about Jesus? Do you want to talk to Jesus?”
Sometimes I feel like a crazy person, because there are moments I will be
talking to Jesus and I will just laugh with Jesus. I will be talking to Him about
what He’s doing in my life or the lives of the people around me, and just start
laughing, because I will think, “How did you do that Jesus?” He’s my best
friend!
That’s not just true in my life. That’s true for anyone who calls on His name,
therefore, we need to be asking ourselves, “Do we know Jesus?” If you’ve
never met Him, meet Him today. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.
Believe in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead!
2. Relational Awareness
Who has Jesus already placed in your life? You’re not an individual doing
what you want to do with your life. You are in Christ. You are sent! You’re a
“disciples who multiplies and proclaims.”
Acts 17 teaches us that God has determined the times and places in which we
live, therefore, He wanted us in this city at this time at that job and living in
that place around those people, make a note of who the Lord has placed
around.
In our church in Austin we will often use the phrase “Where we live, work or
play.” Sometimes it’s all three, but most of the time the Lord gives us favor in
one of those areas, therefore, lift up your eyes to those opportunities, so that
owning this value is before you leave today, write down 2 names. This is
where it starts!
You’re not adding something new to your schedule. You’re deeming the times
and places where you already exist. In my life, I dabble in stand-up comedy,
so I get to meet these men and women chasing after a dream of comedy, and I
get to be a presence of His name in those relationships. When I meet them I
write down their names. I make note of things they say. I pray for them. And
I ask Jesus to give me opportunities to talk about Him, but it starts with
relational awareness.
3. Pray Intentionally
As you learn their names and learn their stories, pray for them. You don’t
have to pray for every person you’ve ever met every day, but pick 1-2 people
to pray for and make note for what the Lord puts on your heart when you
pray for people. This is owning the value “disciples who multiply and
proclaim.” It’s disciples who pray for the people in our life.
Sometimes the Lord will give us insight into the lives of people through
prayer. Sometimes we will sense a desire to send them a text of
encouragement. Sometimes the Lord will put things on our hearts through
prayer that we will never share, so that through prayer He will increase our
compassion.
4. Speak Boldly
In our culture we are more likely to hold back, because we don’t want to
offend or hurt anyone’s feelings. I think a good rule of thumb is, “Go 1 step
beyond where you are comfortable.”
Maybe it’s praying for someone? Maybe its sharing your testimony? Maybe
it’s inviting that friend to get coffee? Either way, what fills us internally will
flow out of us naturally.
I know in my life, when people talked to me about Jesus I didn’t make it easy. I
made fun of them. I told them I didn’t care. I told them they were stupid for
worshipping anyone besides themselves. But I would leave those
conversations and I would keep thinking, and I would keep coming back with
questions, so that we can’t underestimate what the Lord will do with our bold
words.
5. Replicate!
Challenge people to do the same. Take what you are learning and share it
with others. Our value is “Disciples Who Multiply and Proclaim.” Multiply
means we want to pour into others. We want to ask people, “Who are you?
Where are you? How can I help you?”
Because, on some level, if we say we follow Jesus, but never talk about Jesus,
then on some level we should ask ourselves, “What’s filling us?”
North Village Church
This sermon is brought to you by North Village Church, a non-denominational church in Austin. established in 2009 and built around Jesus and Bible teaching.
Are you looking for a church in Austin? At North Village Church we put Jesus at the center of our church family. We worship together every Sunday at 10:30am, encourage Christ centered fellowship through groups, and host special events such as Bible studies and Theological Training, to ensure that we are rooted in in God’s Word. We also serve our local community in association with several Austin based organizations.
North Village Church is made up of professionals, married couples, singles, and families who are wanting to experience the life-transforming power of Jesus. If you are a family with children or teens, we can support you with either or both our Kids Ministry and Youth Ministry.
You are welcome to contact us if you would like more information.
NVC Online
Unable to attend this Christian Church in Austin? Don’t worry, because, through God’s provision, we have created NVC online, an Online Church streaming a worship service every Sunday from 10:30am Central Time. You can also watch our short, powerful sermons on demand and follow us on Instagram for daily Christ centered content.