Jesus has called us all to make disciples - but many of us find it so hard! We need to break through barriers that stand between us and our glorious destiny:

- We need a personal vision: to recognise the enormous impact that WE can have - even by making one disciple each year.

- We need confidence in Jesus: that he is perfectly capable of using the least of us - in spite of our past failures and our present weaknesses.

- We need to make a start: as we take practical steps in building friendships, discipling opportunities will result!

Let's "step up and step out" - and see the amazing things that Jesus will do as we obey his great commission!

Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21, 2 Corinthians 3:4-6, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

We can suffer from sickness (or lack of wholeness) of the spirit and soul as well as the body. Some causes of "soul sickness" are sin (ours or others), suffering and abuse. We can find healing when we:

- ask God to reveal the true state of our soul

- submit our soul to the Holy Spirit

- submit our life the rule of Jesus

- believe God's words

- seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit

- seek the counsel of trustworthy people

John 3:6, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Galatians 5:16-26, Romans 8:6, Psalm 107:19-20, Isaiah 61:1, John 14:26, Proverbs 24:6, Psalm 139:23-24, Matthew 11:29

God is concerned about our whole being - spirit, soul and body - and our wholeness as humans involves all three. Sometimes our true need (or root problem) is hard to see - so we would be wise to submit spirit, soul and body to God.

The condition of our spirit affects our soul and body as well. When we trust in the work of Jesus, our spirits are made "alive to God" - and this new life and relationship brings new life to our soul and body as well. As we "keep in step" with the Holy Spirit, we enjoy wonderful fruit in every part of our lives!

1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 4:12, Acts 9:1-2, Matthew 9:1-2, John 3:6, Romans 8:16, Galatians 5:22-25, James 4:7, John 10:10

The Bible teaches us that we may go through trials that are beyond our own ability to "cope" - but these trials produce the most amazing fruit:

- we go from being self-reliant and self-confident to God-reliant and God-confident

- we learn to partner with others in prayer, sharing both trials and victories together

- we become a greater blessing to others, able to help them through their trials.

Furthermore, we will outlive our trials - with a glory that far outweighs them!

2 Corinthians 1:3-11, John 16:33, Matthew 24:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13, John 9:1-3, 1 Peter 1:6-7, James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the church that enable us to do what Jesus wants us to do. He does this in each one of us - but he works in different ways in different people.

These gifts are primarily for the common good: for the glory of Jesus, the advancement of his kingdom and the health of the Church.

Our particular gifts do not make us more or less significant than others; we are all vital parts of the Body of Christ.

You are invited to go on a journey of discovery, finding your gifts and setting them to work!

Text: 1 Corinthians chapter 12

In order to be spiritually fruitful, we need two things:

- a close relationship with Jesus (we looked at this last Sunday) and

- the Holy Spirit at work in us.

Jesus assured his disciples that God will give the Holy Spirit to his children when they ask him. The apostle Paul taught that we then need to "keep in step" with the Holy Spirit in order to enjoy the life of God working in us and through us. When we live in step with the Holy Spirit we will experience the power and love of God and live fruitful, effective lives.

John 1:5, John 14:15-18, Acts 1:4-8, Acts 2:1-6 & 37-47, Luke 11:11-13, Acts 4:29-31, Galatians 5:19-25

It is God's will for us that we live fruitful lives - and he has taught us how to do so.

Firstly, we need to live in a consistently close relationship with Jesus. Just as a branch draws life from its vine and a tree draws life from its soil, we cannot be fruitful without the life of Jesus flowing into us.

Secondly, we need to cooperate with God when he "prunes" us, taking good things away so that even better things can grow.

Thirdly, we need to make every effort to grow into "spiritual maturity" so that we have the character required to do great things.

John 15:1-5, Psalm 1:1-3, Philippians 3:8-9, Ephesians 1:16-17, John 5:39-40, John 15:16-17, Hebrews 12:5-7, 2 Timothy 2:20-21, John 12:24, 2 Peter 1:3-11

Who do we think we are that we can make disciples of Jesus?

- We are not the master that others must follow - Jesus is. So we don't have to feel inadequate.

- We are not the people we used to be - we are now new creations. So we don't have to feel disqualified by our past.

- We are ambassadors of Jesus - we have been appointed by him to represent him.

- And we are demonstrations of God's amazing grace and his transforming power!

The more we know who we really are, the more confident we will be to make disciples of Jesus. He has called us to do this - and he has made us the right people to do this!

2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, 2 Corinthians 3:18

Starting a race can be easy; finishing well is more challenging!

When we decide to follow Jesus, it is like starting a long race, a marathon. Our goal is to finish our race well, strong in our faith.

The church has always been challenged by its opponents. As we are challenged and questioned, we need to seek God's answers - so we look to the Bible for his instructions. These instructions will help us to finish well. And those running with us will give us courage to "go the distance" - so let's not run this race alone!

2 Timothy 4 :1-7, 2 Timothy 2:2, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 10:23-25, Ephesians 2:10, Romans 8:35-39

Jesus called himself “The Lord of the harvest”. His harvest field is the whole world - every place and every person matters to Jesus! So he needs workers everywhere. This includes the places where we go normally and places we would not have thought of. Let’s ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers - and let’s go to the places he sends us! Let’s plough our fields: starting where we are right now… being present in our communities… passing on what we have learned… and showing by example what it means to follow Jesus.

If we will all do this, there will be an amazing harvest! So let’s do it!

Luke 9:62-10:2, Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, Acts 2:46-47, 1 Peter 2:12, 2 Timothy 2:2, 1 Corinthians 11:1