Getting Others on Base | The Playing Field
Rodney Thrift   -  

The Playing Field

Getting Others Home…

John 4:35 (ESV) 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.

SOUL TATTOO: Don’t leave anyone on base.

How do I get other people to HOME BASE?

Matthew 28:17-20 (ESV) 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

I.) KNOW GOD

  • Could I know God better?
  • What could I do to know God better?
  • What is preventing me from doing what I should do to know God better.

 “Whatever keeps me from my Bible is my enemy, however harmless it may appear to me.” A.W. Tozer

Prepare a place with resources and focus on three elements:

1. Listen to God through His Word. 

2. Speak to God in Prayer. 

3. Give God your Worship.

II.) BUILD COMMUNITY:

  • Building Community is all about getting free and staying free.
  • Remember, salvation is a free gift, but we are supposed to work it out with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV) 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

James 5:16 (ESV) 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

John 15:26 (ESV) 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

John 16:13-14 (ESV) 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

III.) DISCOVER PURPOSE:

  • God created everyone on purpose for a purpose.

Colossians 1:16 (MSG) For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. 

Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIV) 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Ephesians 1:18-19 (MSG) 18I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—19endless energy, boundless strength!

  • The goal of a disciple/student is not just to learn, but to follow their purpose and get a “job” or place to serve.

 “Your design is going to reveal your destiny.” 

Pastor Chris Hodges

IV.) MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

  • The ultimate mark of a true disciple is to make a difference.
  • Our true job is not to just make converts, it is to make disciples, this is what Jesus called us to do.

Mark 9:35 (NIV) 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Mark 10:43-45 (NLT) 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

V.) Let’s get everyone we can HOME.

  • H = Hope

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV) 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • O = Observation

Romans 12:2 (ESV) 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

  • M = Motivation

Joshua 1:9 (ESV) 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT) 13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.

  • E = Example

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

SOUL TATTOO: Don’t leave anyone on base.