Sermon Summary: NEXT, Part 1: Our NEXT Mission

Summary

What does it mean to be a church on a mission? In this opening message, we'll explore God's call for us to love Him, love others, and make disciples who make a difference. Join us as we set the stage for how we, as a church family, will boldly step into God's purpose for the next decade, inspired by the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

Big Idea

Our mission as a church flows from God's heart: to love God and love others, making disciples who make a difference.

Introduction

Let me share with you a story about the Moravian Church—a once-small, struggling group of ordinary people that God used in extraordinary ways.

The Moravian Church started with followers of John Hus, a church reformer in the 15th century. For years, they faced relentless persecution, and by the early 1700s, the movement faced significant challenges. But God wasn’t finished with them.

In 1722, a small group of Moravians found refuge on the estate of Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf in Saxony, modern-day Germany. They settled in a place called Herrnhut, or “the Lord’s Watch.” But, despite its name, the community at Herrnhhut was far from peaceful. Division and discontent plagued them. Thankfully, in 1727, this changed. During a communion service, they experienced an authentic spiritual revival, an event affectionately called the "Moravian Pentecost." This moment and new trajectory of unity transformed them, even leading to an unbroken prayer vigil that lasted over 100 years (1727 to 1827)!

Out of this revival came something else remarkable—a commitment to missions. The Moravians became one of the first Protestant groups to send missionaries overseas, going to places where others wouldn’t. For Americans (and Pennsylvanians like us), their influence is particularly significant.

In the 1730s, Moravian missionaries came to the American colonies, including Georgia and Pennsylvania. They worked tirelessly to share the gospel with Native Americans and enslaved Africans, often living alongside them in humility and love.

The Moravians also had a decisive impact on John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, too. During a harrowing Atlantic crossing, Wesley was amazed by the Moravians’ calm faith in the face of a storm. He later visited their community at Herrnhut and adopted many of their practices, like small group discipleship, which became foundational to the Methodist movement.

The Moravians influenced American worship as well, introducing hymns that focused on Christ’s love and sacrifice—songs many churches still sing today, especially during Advent and Christmas.

Even their commitment to education left a mark. They established schools in the colonies and founded a university, which continues to educate students today right here in our commonwealth.

What’s most striking about the Moravians’ story is that they were never a large or powerful group. They were small, persecuted, and on the brink of being forgotten. Yet, through their faithfulness, God brought renewal—not just to them, but to the world.

The Moravians remind us of something vital: the power of a clear sense of mission and vision to shape the future. Their story shows us that when a community embraces a clear purpose and aligns itself with God's calling, it can enter a new chapter filled with extraordinary impact. Whether launching a bold new mission, reimagining what faithfulness looks like, or stepping into uncharted territory, a God-given vision has the power to inspire action and ignite transformation.

Like the Moravians, when we (as individuals and as a congregation) trust God with the next chapter and take even the smallest steps of obedience, those steps can ripple outward, creating a legacy far greater than we could ever imagine. Their example challenges us to ask: What new chapter might God be calling us to write today? When we move forward with vision and faith, He can use us to bring fresh purpose and unexpected renewal—not just to our lives, but to the world around us.

Transition

That’s the power of a clear mission. It can bring renewal, generation after generation. As a church, we have a clear and newly-updated mission. We are on a mission to love God and love people, making disciples who make a difference. We believe this mission flows from God's heart and that it forms the foundation of everything we do.

This morning, I want you to imagine a church where every member wholeheartedly embraces this mission. How might our love for God deepen? How might our communities flourish because of our love for others? How might the gospel advance through our commitment to making disciples?

I also want you to consider and imagine the cost of neglecting this mission. What would happen if our love for God grew cold, love for others waned, and discipleship efforts faltered? The consequences are sobering to consider, not only for us but for the generations that follow.

Let’s explore what it means to pursue this mission together.

Loving God

Our mission begins with loving God. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). This love is the foundation of all we do.

Each week, a little boy in our Awana program runs up to me with a big smile and a fist bump. Sometimes we miss the mark—our timing is off, or we just don’t quite connect. But he always wants to try again. Why? Because his heart is in it. His joy and determination aren’t about getting it perfect; they’re about connection and sincerity.

Isn’t that how God views us? He’s not after flawless performance. He’s after our hearts. When we approach Him with genuine love—no matter how imperfect our efforts—He delights in us. As Scripture says, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Are you familiar with the book, musical, or movie, Les Miserables? Even if not, let me tell you about its principal character, Jean Valjean. After years of bitterness, he steals silver from the kind priest who had shown him only kindness and hospitality. But instead of justly condemning him, the priest responds with mercy, absorbing the cost of Valjean’s crime - and even enriching him further, freely giving him more than he stole. This undeserved grace becomes a mirror for Valjean, revealing the hardness of his heart. It transforms him, setting him on a new path of love and devotion.

When we experience God’s mercy, it changes us too. Jesus said it this way: “He who is forgiven much, loves much” (Luke 7:47). Reflecting on the gospel—on the depth of our sin and the even greater depth of His grace—stirs our affections for Him.

As a church, our highest aim must be to glorify and enjoy God as a response to His initiating grace. Imagine a community so captivated by His love that worship overflows in every aspect of our lives. Isn’t that a church you’d want to be part of?

Loving People

From loving God flows the natural expression of loving people. Jesus continues, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Genuine love for God overflows into love for others.

Just last week, I heard about someone in our congregation whose car battery died in the middle of some cold Pittsburgh weather. As they stood there, unsure what to do, a neighbor stopped, offered help, and got the car running with jumper cables and a few kind words. That small act made all the difference.

Simple acts of kindness like this can reflect God’s love. Imagine the impact if each of us lived with this kind of intentionality—seeking, even scouring for opportunities, to serve our neighbors, care for the vulnerable, and meet needs wherever we find them. Remember: these gestures don’t need to be herculean or heroic to make a decisive difference in someone’s life. What would our communities look like if we loved this way?

I want to praise those in our church who already live this out so faithfully—those who care for widows, visit shut-ins, and provide for the most vulnerable. Your faithfulness reflects the heart of Christ. Hardly a day passes where Pastor Alex and I don’t hear of your ongoing care efforts. You are a blessing to us and so many! As James 1:27 reminds us, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God... is to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.”

But let’s not grow complacent and rest on these laurels. Let’s stay motivated by asking ourselves: What happens if we don’t love others as Christ commands? How many opportunities to reflect His love will we miss? What lives might remain untouched by the hope of the gospel? What will our communities become if we grow cold and passive over the years? 

Making Disciples Who Make a Difference

Our mission, therefore, doesn’t stop with loving God and loving people. Jesus calls us to something even more transformative: making disciples. He says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

This call is urgent. According to the State of Theology report, 43% of self-identified evangelicals believe “Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God,” while 56% think “God accepts the worship of all religions.” These misunderstandings undermine the gospel’s core truths.

Additionally, a Pew Research study shows that only 65% of children raised in evangelical homes retain their faith into adulthood. This decline highlights the need for intentional discipleship to pass the faith to the next generation.

Please let me be clear, even if it sounds dramatic: this is perhaps especially dire in our aging community. We live and minister in one of the oldest counties in the United States of America. Most historic churches in the McKeesport and White Oak communities are either now closed or, apart from an unprecedented reversal, will face the prospect of closure within the next 10 years.

Our church, with its nearly 143 years of history, now faces the real threat of extinction through attrition if we do not make a prayerful and concerted effort to renew our ministry, retain our children and youth through gracious, gospel-driven discipleship, and receive new younger people into our fellowship through evangelism suited to the 21st century. The stakes are high, and, in God’s appointment and the Spirit’s power, the responsibility is ours. This is not just about preserving a building or tradition but ensuring that the gospel continues to shine brightly in our community for generations to come.

Discipleship is like a relay race. The goal isn’t just to run fast but to pass the baton well - all the way to the finish line. 143 years is a great run, but our race is not over. Unless the Lord returns, we’re far from the finish. 

Imagine a church that goes the distance - where every member is equipped to disciple someone else. How might that transform lives, families, and communities?

Consider the Apostle Paul and Timothy. Paul invested in Timothy, who carried the gospel forward. Who is discipling you? Who are you discipling? Discipleship doesn’t have to be complicated. It happens in simple conversations, small group studies, or over coffee.

But consider the cost of neglecting this mission. If we fail to pass the baton, what will happen to the next generation? What legacy of faith will we leave behind? 

Think about our annual church picnic at Renzie. Everyone has a role—cooking, setting tables, welcoming guests—and all are invited to partake. That’s what the church is meant to be: every one of us contributing to something beautiful for God’s glory. That’s what it will take to fulfill our mission. 

As we begin this series, consider your role in fulfilling our mission of loving God, loving people, and making disciples who make a difference. What would it look like for you to fully embrace this mission? What lives might be changed? What eternal impact will mark your life for all eternity? 

Three Commitments

As we close, let me challenge you in three ways.

First, commit to memorizing our new mission statement: “We are on a mission to love God, love people, and make disciples who make a difference.” Let it shape your thoughts, prayers, and actions as you consider your role in God’s work through our church.

Second, pray regularly for our church family and our new strategic vision, NEXT. Ask God to guide us, empower us, and unite us as we pursue His purposes over the next decade.

Finally, take one concrete step this week to live out this mission. Whether it’s extending an act of kindness to a neighbor, starting a conversation about faith with someone in your life, or reaching out to serve in one of our ministries, ask God to show you how He wants to use you.

Imagine what could happen if each of us embraced this mission wholeheartedly—how lives might be changed, and how God’s glory might shine through us. Let’s take these steps together in faith and expectation.

Closing Prayer

Lord, ignite in us a passion to love You with all our hearts, to love others selflessly, and to make disciples who glorify You. Help us fulfill the mission You’ve placed before us. Use this church for Your purposes, and may we shine as a light in the world for Your glory. Amen.

References

Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research, The State of Theology: What Do Americans Believe About God, Salvation, Ethics, and the Bible? 2022 Findings, accessed [December 6, 2024], https://research.lifeway.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Ligonier-State-of-Theology-2022-Full-Report.pdf.

Pew Research Center, How U.S. Religious Composition Has Changed in Recent Decades: Religious Retention by Generation, published September 13, 2022, accessed [December 6, 2024], https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/how-u-s-religious-composition-has-changed-in-recent-decades/.