Mission:

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Part IIIb – Methods in the Mission

by Samuel E. Ward

The Mission

Utilizing the training received by observing the attitudes, approach, and methods of Jesus Christ, each disciple will engage in bringing the gospel to their own areas of influence. This shall be done with loving attitudes, respect for those to whom the gospel is presented, and a variety methods designed to attract people to Christ. We shall seek to be persuasive without being deceptive or manipulative. --S. E. Ward 2

The Christian’s effectiveness in fulfilling Christ’s mission can be greatly affected by his methods. We have already observed that . . .

I. Jesus Sought the Lost, Not Separated Himself from Them.

II. Jesus Ate with the Lost.

III. Jesus Opened His Home to Reach Lost Souls.

IV. Jesus Invested Much Time in Training His Disciples to Seek Lost Souls.

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Jesus also employed other means to reach out to the souls which we consider now.

V. Jesus Fit the Method to the Situation and Lesson.

VI. Jesus Confronted His Listeners with the “Either/Or” Consequences of Their Choices.

VIII. Jesus Called His Disciples with the Purpose of Giving Them a Calling.

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Let us consider the last three in more detail beginning with the fact that . . .

V. Jesus Fit the Method to the Situation and Lesson.

A. Jesus Taught at Different Levels of Commitment.

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1. Jesus preached to large crowds of seekers mixed with some dissenters—no one was excluded.

2. Jesus taught some smaller groups who had become disciples, Mat 10 and Luke 10.

3. Jesus chose twelve to be his inner-circle of trainees who would be entrusted with continuing the mission He began in preaching, training in ministry, and spreading the gospel.

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B. Jesus Taught in Informal Settings (at a table, in a field, in in a boat, on a mountainside, in homes, etc.).

C. Jesus Taught Through the Use of Ministry Assignments, Luke 10:1-17.

Jesus sent groups of seventy, seventy-two, and the twelve disciples out into the cities to preach, heal, and cast out demons. Upon their return He heard their reports on their experiences.

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D. Jesus Taught Profound Truths by Simple Means (stories, illustrations, parables, examples, etc.)

E. Jesus Taught Using Experiences Familiar to His Audience (from the lives of fishermen, housewives, shepherds, farmers, and children).

F. Jesus Was Arresting, Thought Provoking, Even Paradoxical—NEVER DULL!

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Several examples of attention-getting statements Jesus made are to be found in His Sermon on the Mount discourse—(i.e., “You have heard that it was said . . . but I tell you . . .”:

Mat 5:21-22 – Jesus equates anger to murder.

Mat 5:27-28 – Jesus equates lust to adultery.

Mat 5:31-32 – Jesus holds responsible those who initiate divorce with the adultery that results from the partner that is divorced. (Some exceptions apply.)

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Mat 5:33-34 – Jesus says that simply saying that we will do something is as binding as an oath and therefore oaths should not be necessary for believers.

Mat 5:38-39 – Jesus said if we have harmed someone and they demand restitution, we should be willing not only restore the loss, but more.

Mat 5:43-44 – Jesus said that we must love our enemies as well as our neighbors. 10

G. Jesus Taught Using Questions,

1. He asked His disciples, “Whom do men say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?” (Mat 16:13)

2. He asked the Pharisees, "What do you think about the Christ ? Whose son is he?" (Mat 22:42)

3. He asked the Pharisees and the Herodians, "Whose portrait is this? and whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. (Mark 12:16-17)

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H. Jesus Taught from the Scriptures. (Isa 61:1-2/Luke 4:16-21; Psa118:22-23/Mat 21:42; Luke 24:44-47)

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VI. Jesus Confronted His Listeners with the “Either/Or” Consequences of Their Choices.

Here are a few examples in which Jesus taught:

A. Choose Not to Judge Others Until You Have Judged Yourself, Mat 7:1-3, Rom 2:1-4.

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B. Choose to Serve God or Money. Your can’t do both, Luke 12:15-21; Matthew 16:26.

C. Choose Christ Because His Way Is the Only Way, Matthew 12:30; John 14:6.

Matthew 12:30 (NIV2011) “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

John 14:6 (NIV2011) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

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VIII. Jesus Called His Disciples with the Purpose of Giving Them a Calling, Mark 3:13-15; 1 Peter 2:9.

A. From the First, This Was Christ’s Plan, Mark 3:13-15.

B. For the Present, This Is Christ’s Plan, 1 Peter 2:9.

C. In the Future, Christ Will Complete His Plan, Matthew 24:14.

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D. Until the End, the Lost Will Have a Choice. Understand . . .

1. The opportunity will one day be closed, John 3:36.

2. God is patient, not willing that any should perish, 2 Peter 3:9.

3. Now is the day of salvation, Hebrews 2:1-3.

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Conclusion

Every attitude Jesus had, every approach He made to others, and every method He employed had just this one aim ultimately in mind.

Luke 19:10 (NIV2011) “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

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