Luke 13:18-21 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

 

Introduction

 

• RMLBC exists to cultivate a missional congregation where Christians are growing in their love for and obedience to Jesus Christ.
• This purpose statement is accomplished in four practical steps: Reach, Teach, Keep, and Give Feet.
• All of these are vital, and it is vital that, as a church, we develop practical, biblical ways to accomplish these four steps. Today, we are going to be talking about a major way that our church can Reach people.

 

1. The Kingdom of God is extending to the ends of the earth.

 

• Jesus Christ is the authoritative King of God’s Kingdom.

Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

• The Kingdom of God is without geographic borders.
• Whenever a person converts to Christ, there is a new citizen in this ever expanding Kingdom.
• Whenever a new church is planted, a new “neighborhood” of the Kingdom comes into being.

 

2. The Kingdom of God grows by love and Word.

 

• Mohammed and Hitler sought to grow their kingdoms by violence.
• Jesus Christ is the self-sacrificing King that teaches us a new way of kingdom expansion.
• Prayer is one of the key “weapons” of love and Word.

 

3. RMLBC has the joyful job of extending the Kingdom of God to our “Jerusalem” – the communities that surround our church.

 

• This is the theology in which the Pray 4 Five Ministry is rooted.
• It is not: “Let’s see how big we can make our church.”
• Rather, it is: “Let’s join our King in Kingdom expansion ministry.”

 

How does Pray 4 Five work?

 

• Synopsis of the ministry: each volunteer Intercessor is assigned five homes in our community to pray over. Each family is contacted at least four times in the process (general letter, call 1, card/note, call 2).
• Prayer Walk: A MAJOR part of this ministry. This is for everyone who is willing to come, not just our Intercessors. Date, time, place.
• Intercessor Sign-up in foyer: If 10 sign up, we will be praying for 50 homes at a time. If 20 sign up, we will be praying for 100 at a time. If you are unsure whether to commit to this ministry, take some time to think about it and pray over it.