Matthew 28:18-20

The question we ask every week: If Oak Hill Baptist Church were not here, would the community miss us?

What does it look like to be connected and growing?

Called to Respond to His Authority v.18

Connection begins with a response to who Christ is.  When you follow him you recognize His authority.  Mark 1:17 and Matthew 4:19 “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  When Jesus called the first disciples, they responded to His authority.  You cannot be connected to the community of Christ until you are connected to Christ.  You have to respond to the fact that you are a sinner and headed to Hell unless you come to Christ.  You surrender your life and come follow Him.  Look back to verse 17.  Some doubted!  Two choices here, to doubt or to devote!

What if we doubt and are never connected to Christ?  John shows us in John 15:4-6 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”

It is only when you are connected to Christ can you grow in Christ.  You have to be born to grow.

Commissioned to Represent His Affection v.19

The only reason that we will share Jesus with anyone is because we become so in awe of His affection!  We cannot get over what he has done; therefore, we tell everyone!  Like a grandparent with a new grandchild!  There is a continual amazement at the affection that Christ has shown you and you want everyone to know it! 

1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.”

So how do you make disciples?  It’s the work of God through you as you share the greatest message of all mankind.  You pray, you position, you proclaim, and you praise!

Community is built when an authentic connection to Christ is made.  You love God and love people.  Studies show that people feel most connected to a community if they are connected to 7 to 12 people.  How can Oak Hill Baptist Church develop these connections?

Small group Bible Study/Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Ladies Ministry

Cultivated to Reproduce Through Application v.20

What does it mean to cultivate?  It means to remove anything that competes.  In agricultural terms you remove the competing weeds so that the plant alone gets the nutrients.  You are removing other affections and solely focusing on one thing, growth in Christ!  What is the sign of health and growth?  Reproduction!  When we are healthy in Christ, we reproduce!  We are disciples who make disciples.  We are to train others to make disciples!  To teach, to connect, to grow.  The promise that Christ will be with us the whole way is how we have confidence to apply connection! 

2 Timothy 2:2 “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others also. 

Application: Johnny Hunt’s Three People

Every person needs at least three people they are connected to for spiritual growth and discipleship.  Why?  You can only run further and faster with a coach.  What is not inspected is not expected.  A healthy church is helping to foster these relationships. 

If you are a Christian, who are these three people?

Paul:_________________

Barnabas:_____________

Timothy:______________