The In His Steps

54 Pages·2011·1.66 MB·English

by  Robert Carrillo

In His Steps
The
MISSION
San Diego Church of Christ
Edited by
Robert Carrillo
Brian Craig
Growing in faith, hope
and love
I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
Psalm 119:58-60
Mission San Diego

When Jesus told the Apostles to go and preach the Gospel, he sent
them not only to the villages of Israel but the farthest reaches of the
known world. The Mission to go to all nations and make disciples
was beyond their wildest dreams! God’s Mission can seem
challenging and impossible. By Faith, the Mission was accomplished
and the Gospel was spread around the world.
San Diego was settled by the Spanish over 400 years ago. The city
was founded as a Mission to bring Christ to this part of the new
world. Today there are over 3 million souls in the San Diego
metropolitan area with an additional 2 million in our neighbor city of
Tijuana. With 5 million souls, the Mission is bigger and more urgent
than ever before.
50 years ago a group of families possessed the faith to start a church
in their town, Poway California. Little did they know the hundreds of
lives they would impact across their small town. God accomplished
miracles through their small but sincere faith. In 1984, the Poway
Church of Christ changed their name to the Mission Church of
Christ. The change was more than a name change, it was a change in
purpose. The small church took on the “Mission” to spread the
gospel to all of San Diego. It was a bold step of faith that God
blessed abundantly. They had no idea at that time the thousands of
lives they would bless across San Diego county and across the
border. When that same group took the Mission in 1988 to become
the San Diego Church of Christ as part of a global fellowship of
churches, again they had no idea the impact this would have across
all the Southwest and around the world! From the Middle East to
Mexico and Manila, the San Diego Church of Christ continues to
have an eternal impact as we continue planting churches and
spreading the gospel .Today our Mission is to build a church that
glorifies God and creates a community where our families and
friends can find
God’s Love, Sincere Faith, truth and salvation.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the
praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light” 1Peter 2:9
A 21st Century MINISTRY
Church Worship :
Our Sunday services are designed to be a time to
come together from all across the city and connect with God in worship and
praise. As one community, together we offer and express our best to God.
Small Groups :
Our church is is actually a fellowship of small groups
that meet together across the city. Whether meeting in homes during the
week, or connecting in other ways, our relationships transcend the Sunday
service and create a fantastic community of friends who mutually encourage
one another to live healthy spiritual lives.
Ministries:
There are multiple special ministries where we can
encourage each other while we travel a common place in life. Teens,
Campus, Singles, Marrieds, Spanish Senior Citizens all are able to enjoy
special events and activities where we can strengthen and enjoy our faith.
Spirituality :
Ultimately our goal is that every individual who comes
to the church would thrive spiritually - fulfilling God's personal plan for them,
becoming all God wants them to be, each living out his/her full potential
according to the Maker's design.
HOPE:
Our conviction as God’s people is that we are called to change
the world by serving our community both locally and globally. Our prayer is
that our fellowship can truly be a center of “hope” for the poor and needy
of our city.
Purpose :
Our felllowship strives to fulfill God’s great Mission that we
live as a light to the world spreading the Gospel of Jesus wherever we go.
His Steps
...
When Jesus called the twelve together, he gave them
power and authority to drive out all demons and
to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the
Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I
have commanded you, and surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age. Mathew 28:18-20
“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”
Acts 1:8
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the
good news to all creation”
Mark 16:15
The Mission Church is named so because God has
given us a great Mission. It is a “Commission” because
we go not alone but as ones sent by the Holy Spirit,
commanded by Jesus under God’s direction.
Seeking God
STUDY OBJECTIVE
God’s Plan for You
Jeremiah 29:11-14
To create excitement
-If this was God’s plan for them about a relationship
(the Jews), what do you think with God
his plan is for you, based on
this scripture?
-You will find God when you do what?
(“...seek him with all your heart.”)
Acts 17:26-28
- God determines times and places.
- Why does he do this? (so men will seek and find him)
- He is “not far” - what does that mean?
How to Seek God
Psalm 42:1-2
-What do you think about the idea that you can “meet
with” God?
-How do you do that in a practical sense? (prayer and
Bible study)
Matthew 6:25-33
- What are you tempted to worry about?
-What does it mean to “seek first the kingdom”?
-What is God promise to you, if you do?
ASSIGNMENT
Read: Proverbs 2
Write: Specific ways
you can seek God
The Word STUDY OBJECTIVE
To establish the Bible
of God
as the standard of
living
The Word ...Is from God
2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Which scriptures come from God?
- What are they useful for?
- Are you willing to let God teach, rebuke, correct and
train you?
- What is the goal of all this ?
2 Peter 1:19-21
- How did we get the scriptures?
- Why is this important?
...Exposes Our Hearts
Hebrews 4:12-13
-What action does the Word take? (it cuts - exposes what
is inside)
-God knows all anyway.
-Are you willing to be exposed by the Bible?
...Sets Us Free
John 8:31-32
- Who is Jesus speaking to? (Believing Jews)
- In order to be a “real” disciple what must I do?
- How are we “set free”? and of what?
- Begin putting things you are reading into practice in
your daily life.
Hold to teaching really a disciple know truth set
...More Important Than Tradition
Matthew 15:1-9
-Must go by Scripture above tradition.
-How is it possible to have empty worship that God says
is “in vain”?
-Are you willing to go by the Word above religious
tradition?
...Shapes Both Life and Doctrine
1 Timothy 4:16
-Having the right “life” (the way you live) and the right
“doctrine” (what you believe) are both essential.
-Result: salvation for yourself and those you are reaching
out to.
....The Final Judge
John 12:48
-What will judge us at the last day? (the Word)
-Will you live by the Bible or by your feelings, traditions,
needs, etc.?
...Has the Answers
Acts 17:10-12
- Must check what religious leaders say with the Bible.
- Show interest and excitement.
- Your challenge: Read the Bible every day!
ASSIGNMENT
Read: Psalm 119
Write: What excites you
about the Word of God?
Discipleship
STUDY OBJECTIVE
Matthew 28:18-20
To understand
-What does Jesus want everybody how Jesus defines
to become? (“disciples”) “Christian” and
what he expects
-Which is the more popular term:
from a Christian
“disciple” or “Christian”?
Acts 11:19-26
-The word “Christian” - 3 times in the Bible (a name the
disciples were called by those outside the church).
-
The word “Disciple” occurs 270 times in the Bible. In order
to learn what Jesus expects from a Christian, you must look
at what Jesus says it means to be a “disciple” (since that is
the term Jesus used). John’s was the last Gospel written. By
this time there were people calling themselves “Christians”
who either did not understand or were deceiving themselves.
John’s Gospel records the many times Jesus defined a
“disciple” in order to make it crystal clear.
What is the Definition of a disciple ?
How would you define the word “Disciple”?
Heres how Jesus defined HIS “disciples”...
John 8:31-32
A Disciple is someone who __________
John 13:34-35... All men will know a disciple by __?
John 15:8... A disciple is shown by _____________
SUMMARY: A disciple is shown by...
✤Holding to the teaching
✤Loving others
✤Bearing much fruit
1 John 2:3-6 - What does “walk like Jesus” mean?
According to Jesus’ definition of a “Disciple”, what
are the basic characteristics of a disciple?
Are you currently a disciple?
Most people grow up with a very general understanding
of what a “Christian” is. In fact there is alot of
confusion out there! Can a person follow something
they don’t understand or do not know? Now that you
know, Do you want to follow Jesus and be his disciple?
The Call of Discipleship
Mark 1:14-18
- The call was to follow Jesus.
- “Fishers of men” - what does that mean?
The Cost of Discipleship
Luke 9:23-26
- What does it mean to “deny self”?
- What does it mean to “carry your cross”?
-Paradox: Gain world … forfeit soul. Lose your life for
Jesus … save it.