16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Matthew 28:16-20

Intro:

The objectives that the Bible gives to the New Testament Church center around two primary goals.

(1) Evangelism - winning the lost to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and 

(2) Exhortation - motivating the believer to witness and equipping the believer through proper instruction. The result is edification which means to be built up. The church is a place that we come apart from the world not to be torn down but to be built up in the faith. We live in a hurting world!

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-12

Now, please notice with me the objectives Christ has given to His church.

1. INVESTIGATION “find the man”

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. John 20:21

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 
Luke 19:10

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to

every creature. Mark 16:15

Need to put the “go” back in the gospel and the “do” back in the doctrine.

2. EVANGELIZATION “win the man”

Go after the sinner.
Seek out the lost.
Then win them to Christ!

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Matthew 28:19

3. IDENTIFICATION “hold the man”

The first step of obedience for the child of God is to publicly be identified with Christ in baptism.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 3:21

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19

In Acts chapter 10, Peter commanded the converts at the house of Cornelius to be “baptized in the name of the Lord.” (v48)

4. INFORMATION “build the man”

Following salvation and baptism the believer is to be taught the principles of his new life.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17

The church is to provide all the information possible from God’s Word as that converts become mature in the Lord.

This comes through preaching and teaching the Word.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 
Acts 20:27

5. SANCTIFICATION “fill the man”

Time is one thing it does take to be holy. When we’re too busy for that we’re too busy.

My father said dirt, debt, and the devil were related so I decided to keep away from all three as far as possible. -Vance

Havner

Don’t be afraid of this wonderful Bible word! This simply means, “set apart from the world.” “Ecclesia,” the very Greek word translated “church,” means a “called out assembly!”

The church is to be a people, “set apart in prayer to God.”

DO I REALLY PRAY?

I often say my prayers, But do I really pray? And do the wishes of my heart Go with the words I say? I may as well kneel down And worship gods of stone, As offer to the living God. A prayer of words alone. For words without the heart The Lord will never hear; Nor will He to those lips attend Whose prayer is not sincere! Lord, show me what I need And teach me how to pray, And help me when I seek Thy grace. To mean the words I say. Set apart from the world, set apart to God. Separation and Consecration. Both are important. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Ephesians 5:18

The Spirit has not come to supersede Jesus, but to testify of Him and make Him more real. Vance Havner

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

6. CONSERVATION “use the man”

There is a principle of “use or lose.” There is a place of service for each of God’s children. The believer is saved to serve!

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

7. SUPERVISION “improve the man” Christ IS the Head of the church. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Ephesians 1:22

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 1 Corinthians 12:11

God calls pastors to lead the flock and to watch over them with love and care as the Scripture tells us in Hebrews 13:17

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-12

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

When someone says, “I have learned,” he hasn’t learned anything yet. We are “learning” all the time. (Charles Tremendous Jones)

8. PERFECTION “mature the man” That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:17

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13

Perfect=mature. grown up. It is natural for new Christians to be on the milk of the Word but something is wrong for older ones to still be on the milk! Need to go on to the meat!

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: Hebrews 6:11

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Colossians 2:10

CONCL:

May God help us to remember these objectives and keep us from getting sidetracked.

AHEAD
Written by Jack Shuler

Those who win are those who try;  
Not the kind who alibi!  
Start, and never let it die -  
Keep going!  

Life will never bring success  
To the man who’s motionless;  
Crowns are made for those who press -  
Keep moving!  

Do you want to gain the prize?  
All those castles realize?  
There’s no limit but the skies -
Keep Climbing!  

Those who've won are round about;  
When you score you’ll hear them shout!  
Let no foe your courage flout -  
Keep fighting!  

Sure! It’s worth it when you stand  
With that chosen, faithful band  
Who inherit Canaan land -  
Keep striving!  

Guess there won’t be much to do  
When you’re dead, and buried too:  
Now’s the time to see it through -  
Keep driving!  

Oh to vict’ry! Never quit!  
Heroes make a drive for it!  
Here’s life! Use it ever bit -  
Keep living!