Two weeks ago I spoke to you on the subject, “What is Our Dream for Twenty Thirteen!” As the Lord allows, I will speak this coming Lord’s Day Morning on what practical and specific steps we can take to make that Dream Come True!

Like many who came before him, Rick Warren correctly summarizes the great work to be done by Bible-believing Christ Followers as The Great Commandments and The Great Commission. I will build on this idea for our Sermon.

Here is my application of this idea: First Baptist Church Atwood Exists to Live Out the Great Commandments and Carry Out the Great Commission by Loving God, Loving People, and Sharing the Good News!

It is not possible to perfectly keep the Great Commandments or to perfectly obey the Great Commission. But, that is no excuse to not make our best possible effort to keep and obey them! Clearly, no one can keep God’s laws and commands, so Jesus came and kept and obeyed them for us. The Law and Commandments cannot save us – they do, however, show us our need of a Savior. In the context of our future life, work, and ministry as a New Testament Church; let me point out some ways in which these commandments and commission can be applied…

First, we must “Live Out” the Great Commandments to the very best of our ability! (Luke 10:25-28) How do we do that? I am glad you asked… These two commandments are simple: love God and love people! Indeed, that is it. So by truly loving God and behaving lovingly to other people, we can fulfill this “First and Great Commandment.”

Second, we must “Carry Out” the Great Commission to the very best of our ability! (Matthew 28:19-20) Our commission is, “to make disciples.” We do that, “as we are going” by “baptizing them” and by “teaching them all things Jesus has commanded of us.”

The heart of this sermon will consist of four or five specific areas of ministry in which we must be continually involved. I will be meeting with our Elders on Sunday evening and I will go over these ideas and the specific actions required for accomplishing this. I am confident that out of that meeting some very good and effective strategies will emerge.

I hope you will carefully and prayerfully read over and think through our verses (Luke 10:25-28; Matthew 28:19-20) and seek the Lord’s wisdom about applying them to our individual and corporate lives.

I hope to see you Sunday with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and family and friends by your side!