TAKE 5
TAKE FIVE
Jesus was very clear about the mission of the church. He wanted his followers to understand the reasons they were left here and what they were to do until He returned. Five different times he repeated the Great Commission.
“Therefore 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)…
“You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” Mark 16:15 (LB)
”With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: There is forgiveness for sins for all who turn to me.”
Luke 24:47 (NLT)
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21 (NIV)
“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)
Jesus is saying to His followers, “My mission must matter to you.” His mission is to take the Gospel message that we have been given and share it with our city, our nation and our world. At OBC we are committed to the Great Commission.
Sometimes it is easier to think of the Great Commission in terms of a mission trip or a mission offering or a service project but how can we be a part of Christ’s mission in our everyday life and relationships. You might be thinking, I have lived in the same house with the same job around the same people for years. How can I meaningfully share with people in my everyday life?
I want to encourage every member of Olivet to take five for the next five weeks. Take five is an intentional focus about prayerfully seeking opportunities to invite someone to church/small group Bible study or do an act of kindness simply to be like Jesus to those who are in your network of relationships. It can be a very practical way to get involved in the Great Commission in an everyday way.
Here is the challenge:
- TAKE FIVE outreach/truelife cards to give out each week for five weeks. (October 25-November 29). These cards can be used multiple ways. It is a card you can just give to someone and invite them to church/small group Bible study. You can use the card to engage a friend in conversation and if they have questions about the Christian faith or our church simply point out to them the truelife.org website on the card. The website is a great resource that has great answers to the most pressing questions that people have about Christianity. You can also use it by doing an act of kindness (paying for a meal… helping a neighbor etc.) and leave a card.
2. TAKE FIVE minutes a day each morning and pray for opportunities and the ability to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit for those divine appointments that the
Lord brings into your life. I have discovered that when I am prayerful and seeking opportunities to share with others the Lord brings those divine
appointments into my path much more often. When I am not prayerful and just on the go, I miss those opportunities.
Over the next few weeks there are many opportunities to invite others to at OBC.
- November 1- Youth/Children connect outreach in small group Bible study @ 9:30 a.m.
- November 15- Preschool/Adult connect outreach in small group Bible study @ 9:30 a.m.
- November 22- Freedom Quartet (PM)
- December 2- Maisha African Choir (Youth)
You never know the eternal difference that a simple invitation from an obedient witness can make. I will forever be grateful for a friend who invited me to a campout at his church. It was on that trip that I heard and understood and opened my life to the Gospel of Christ.
I want to challenge each of us to prayerfully TAKE FIVE over the next five weeks and see what God will do.
Pastor Scott
Here is a video from truelife.org that shows just how easy it is to share with others.