Luke’s account of the “great commission” in Acts calls disciples “witnesses” (shaping what we are responsible for and what we are not responsible for), tells us where to begin, and reveals the power we need to be effective. Our mission is immediate (beginning right where we are), expansive (going to the whole world), and impossible (apart from God’s power). Have you identified your mission field?

Jesus’ first command in the Great Commission is “Go…” To reach the unsaved and unchurched we have to go to them - we can’t expect that they will come to us. In this message, we see the priority, rhythm, and holistic nature of our calling as followers of Jesus.

The call to follow Jesus is a call to follow totally, completely, holistically. In this message, Pastor Ross expounds on four vital areas that contribute to a discipleship that is holistic.

Disciples of Jesus are called to obey and pass on “all that Jesus commanded” (Matthew 28:20). Our goal should be to grow as holistic disciples, meaning that no area of our lives is outside the Lordship of Jesus. Discipleship is all-encompassing, comprehensive, and total. We must grow in following Jesus in all areas of life - our mind as well as our emotions, our money as well as our sexuality, in worship as well as evangelism.

Our primary calling (Great Commission) is to make disciples, students of Jesus. And Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God and love others. Therefore, our aim is to make disciples, who will make more disciples, who love God and love others.

There’s no perfect Christmas celebration. We don’t have to pretend that all is okay. But there is a perfect Savior. He came as a baby to imperfect people - for imperfect people. By embracing Jesus, we can know peace and joy in the midst of sin, brokenness, and imperfection.

We are meant to be surprised by the way God has come to us in Jesus. He came first, not in power nor to the rich and acclaimed, but in humility and for the humble and weak who would accept Him. He entered our world not as a conquering King, but a suffering servant and Savior. This is good news and brings great joy to all who will receive Him.

The second week of Advent calls for us to reflect on peace, but in a hurried and anxious world this can be difficult to do. What does the Bible say about peace and how is Jesus the perfect manifestation of that peace? When we turn to Christ we see from birth to death to resurrection, He alone is able to give us true and everlasting peace.

Luke narrates the classic and most memorable account of Jesus’ birth. In this four-part Advent series, we look at the reason for His coming and how it brings us joy and hope.