Sermon Summary: NEXT, Part 3: Message

Summary

This message explores the first way we, as followers of Jesus and members of the First Free Church family, envision faithfully living out our mission to love God and people, making disciples who make a difference: by declaring and demonstrating the power of God's Word, inviting people to discover and deepen their relationship with Jesus.

Big Idea

Our first vision goal is to declare and demonstrate the power of God's Word, inviting people to discover and deepen their relationship with Jesus.

Our Mission and Vision

Good morning! Today we embark on a journey to explore how we can bring the life-giving, transformative truth of God’s Word to our world. This is not a task we take on to earn God’s approval; instead, it flows out of hearts captivated by the gospel. The love of Christ compels us—not duty, not guilt, but grace.

Our mission is to love God and love people, making disciples who make a difference. Our vision for the next ten years is to see people forgiven and set free to flourish in Jesus Christ. These words aren’t lofty slogans; they are an invitation. They call us to step into the story God is telling—a story where His truth brings freedom to the captives, hope to the weary, and life to the spiritually dead. But how will we do it?

To help us flesh that out, let me take you back to a moment in history. Augustine of Hippo, a fourth-century man of immense intellect, was deeply restless. Despite his wild youth, eclectic experiences, and considerable philosophical achievements, his heart longed for something more—something he couldn’t reason his way into. He was unfulfilled and unhappy. One day, in the depths of his inner turmoil, he heard a child’s voice singing, "Take and read, take and read." He opened the Scriptures and read Romans 13:13-14:

¹³ Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

That moment was a turning point. Not because Augustine mustered enough willpower to change, but because the Word of God, alive and active, broke through his defenses and revealed the beauty and sufficiency of Jesus Christ.

We live in a time when many of our neighbors—and perhaps even some among us—are searching for meaning in a sea of noise and confusion. Like Augustine, they long for truth, even if they don’t yet know where to find it.

This search is especially evident in a growing number of Americans who have little to no church experience or understanding of Christianity. I once heard the story of a young woman who visited a local church. She had no Christian background, no frame of reference for its teachings or symbols. After attending for a few weeks, the pastor asked if she had any questions about the church, its beliefs, or its practices. She surprised him when she asked about the "three Ts" in the church's yard. The pastor gently explained that these were not Ts, but crosses—symbols of Calvary, where Christ offered atonement for our sins.

The Scriptures remind us that there is "a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This is our time, church. A time to recognize the spiritual hunger of those around us and the increasing unfamiliarity with the message of the gospel. A time to declare and demonstrate the timeless truth of God’s Word. A time to invite people to discover and deepen their relationship with Jesus. Let’s explore these four pillars: Declaring, Demonstrating, Discovering, and Deepening.

Declare: Proclaiming God’s Word Boldly

Declaring the truth of God’s Word is not about winning arguments or proving points; it’s about introducing people to the One who is Truth incarnate. Think of Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). This was a man who, weeks earlier, had denied Jesus in fear. But now, filled with the Holy Spirit, he stood before a diverse crowd and boldly proclaimed the gospel. What made his message so powerful wasn’t his eloquence or charisma; it was the clarity of the gospel message: Jesus Christ crucified and risen for sinners like us.

Peter’s words, rooted in Scripture, pierced hearts because they offered what nothing else could—hope, forgiveness, and life. "I am not ashamed of the gospel," Paul later wrote, "because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).

When we declare God’s Word, we do so with confidence—not in our own ability, but in the Spirit’s power to awaken hearts. However, let’s be honest: the idea of sharing the love of Christ can feel intimidating. You might wonder, What if I say the wrong thing? What if it feels awkward? What if they think I’m weird? These fears are natural, but our vision is to encourage and equip you to share the good news naturally, relationally, and lovingly—because sharing Christ doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking or cringeworthy experience.

We’ve all seen evangelism done wrong. Maybe you’ve witnessed aggressive so-called evangelists yelling at passersby or the overzealous coworker who corners someone at lunch. Or perhaps you’ve seen someone awkwardly try to steer a casual conversation into a heavy theological debate: “Oh, you like fishing? You know, Jesus told Peter to fish for men.” These efforts can be well-meaning, but they often miss the mark in connecting with people where they are.

Instead, sharing Christ’s love can be as simple as listening to someone’s struggles, offering a kind word, or sharing how your faith has brought you hope. Who in your life needs to hear this good news? Perhaps it’s a coworker weighed down by the grind of daily life, or a friend searching for meaning after a loss. Maybe it’s a family member who seems fine on the surface but is quietly wrestling with doubts.

Ask God to open a door for you to share His Word in a way that resonates with their deepest needs. Trust that He will guide the conversation, empowering you to declare His truth with gentleness and grace. Sharing the gospel doesn’t have to be intimidating, awkward, or embarrassing—it can be an overflow of the love Christ has poured into your heart, shared in a way that invites others to experience His grace for themselves.

Demonstrate: Living Out God’s Truth

Words alone, as powerful as they are, must be accompanied by lives that reflect the gospel. Think of the Good Samaritan. His actions spoke volumes about the heart of God—compassionate, sacrificial, and indiscriminate in love.

Jesus tells us, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). This isn’t about putting on a performance; it’s about allowing the gospel to shape every part of our lives so that others see Christ in us.

I think of our many church members and friends who, while experiencing difficulties and times of loss, experience the love of Christ through your diligent care and compassion. Amid life's uncertainty and fears, you offer prayerful and unwavering support.

These simple, tangible actions are more than just practical help; they are a demonstration of Christ’s love in action. The faithful and diligent care of Christ’s people points individuals and families to the Savior who loves them.

What opportunities do you have to demonstrate God’s truth this week? Maybe it’s as simple as listening to someone who feels invisible or offering help to a neighbor in need.

Discover: Inviting People to Encounter Jesus

The gospel is an invitation—a call to come and see, to taste and see that the Lord is good. Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well is a beautiful example. He met her in her brokenness, asked her questions that revealed her deepest longings, and then offered her living water—Himself. Her response? She left her jar behind and ran to tell her village about the One who had changed her life.

Paul reminds us of the urgency of this invitation: "How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14). People can’t discover Jesus unless someone introduces Him to them.

Think of the places where people gather today—their “wells.” Maybe it’s a coffee shop where a barista has grown to know your name. Maybe it’s a shared hobby or a community event. These are the moments God can use to help someone discover Him.

Deepen: Helping People Grow in Faith

Paul encourages the Colossians, "Continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught" (Colossians 2:6-7). Deepening our faith means investing time in God’s Word, prayer, and community. It’s not about striving but about receiving God’s grace anew each day and allowing Him to shape us.

Where are you deepening your walk with Christ? Maybe it’s through a small group, a Bible study, or simply carving out time each morning to meet with Him in His Word.

Conclusion

Our vision is to see people forgiven and set free to flourish in Jesus Christ. This begins with declaring and demonstrating the power of God’s Word and inviting others to discover and deepen their relationship with Him.

Where is God calling you today?

• To Discover Jesus for the first time?
• To Deepen your faith?
• To Declare His Word with boldness?
• To Demonstrate His love in tangible ways?

We close with the awareness that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!

Let's pray.