Life360 Conway
Sunday Service November 23, 2025
  • I Thank God
  • Firm Foundation (He Won't)
  • Great Are You Lord
  • Thank You Jesus For The Blood
  • We Fall Down/Awesome in this Place

      • 1 John 4:6NIV2011

  • Summary: The theme 'The Unfinished Task' reflects the ongoing mission of the Church to share the Gospel and impact the world, echoing Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations.
    Application: This message empowers Christians to recognize their role in fulfilling the Great Commission, inspiring them to overcome barriers and actively participate in God's mission.
    Teaching: The sermon emphasizes the importance of every believer's involvement in the ongoing work of sharing the Gospel, illustrating how each person's unique gifts and circumstances can contribute to the completion of this divine task.
    How this passage could point to Christ: The entire Bible points to Christ's role as the Savior who commissioned His followers to continue His work, illustrating that the Great Commission is not just a command but a response to His love and sacrifice.
    Big Idea: Every believer is called to play a crucial role in completing the unfinished task of spreading the Gospel and making disciples, fueled by Christ’s love and empowerment.
    Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider examining articles in your Logos library regarding missiology, especially those that discuss the historical context of the Great Commission. Pay attention to any theological debates around the implications of this command for various cultures. You might also find studies on contemporary obstacles to evangelism insightful, as well as commentaries that address any linguistic nuances in key biblical texts related to missions.

    1. Authority Affirms Our Mission

    Matthew 28:16-18
    You could begin by highlighting the authority of Christ in the Great Commission. This section shows how all authority has been given to Jesus, and thus, our task is under His supreme power. Emphasizing His authority reassures believers that they are sent under divine mandate and governance, equipping their hearts with confidence and courage. It can be an opportunity to inspire trust in Jesus' sovereignty over all nations and peoples, which can dispel fears of inadequacy and release believers from hesitancy.

    2. Active Participation in His Call

    Matthew 28:19-20
    Perhaps explore the command given to make disciples of all nations. This section is a call to action, emphasizing the role of each believer in actively participating in God's mission. You might consider illustrating practical ways to engage in disciple-making, focusing on baptism and teaching as responses to Christ's love. This approach invites the audience to reflect on their unique capabilities and how they can be utilized in sharing the faith and incorporating new believers into the community of God's people.

    3. Empowered by His Spirit

    Acts 1:7-8
    Maybe consider discussing the empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Here, before Jesus ascends, He promises the Holy Spirit as the power source for fulfilling the task. Emphasizing this promise reassures believers they are not alone or powerless in this divine task. This point can serve as an encouragement to tap into the Spirit's guidance and strength for courage and creativity in evangelism. It's a moment to challenge listeners to rely on the Spirit for opportunities to witness in both local and global contexts.

  • Conversation with God

    Prayer is addressing and petitioning God.
    A classic definition of Christian prayer is “an offering up of our desire unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of His mercies.
    Christian prayer is the end product of a long process of change and development in God’s relationship to us.
    How satisfied are you with your current prayer life? Why?

    Prayer in the Old Testament

    Prayer shows itself early in the Bible in how Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. When sin, however, broke this intimate direct relationship prayer did not vanish.
    God called Abram to leave his homeland and move to a place where God promised him to make him into a great nation. Genesis 15
    After God changed his name, Abraham, prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18.
    Jacob’s wrestling with the angel at Peniel (Genesis 32) is an example of boldness and directness in making a request of God.
    Genesis 32:22–31 NIV
    22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” 31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.

    Prayer in the Old Testament

    Prayer is a gift we have been given by God to shoot through the separation between God and man to reach closeness and intimacy with God.
    More than that, however, The basis of a person’s approach to God in prayer is never simply “man’s search for God” but God’s gracious initiative, the establishing of the covenant, and the promise of help and deliverance on the basis of that covenant. It is this covenant relationship that gives the authority for prayer.
    We see that relationship again and again in scripture. Aaron, Samuel, Solomon, Hezekiah, and King David are all seen in scripture praying.
    Many of the Psalms are prayers.
    The prophets were men who prayed, and God’s Word came to them. Men like Isaiah and Jeremiah’s ministries are characterized by times of conflict and prayer.
    During the exile in Babylon men like Daniel were know for their prayers.
    Others like Nehemiah prayed as the city of Jerusalem and the temple are being rebuilt.

    Prayer in the New Testament

    The New Testament’s teaching on prayer is dominated by Christ’s own example and teaching. His dependence on His Father in His work expresses itself in repeated prayer, culminating in his high-priestly prayer and the agony of Gethsemane with the prayer from the cross.
    The parables are a large source of Christ’s teaching that emphasizes persistence in prayer.
    Luke 18:1–8 NIV
    1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
    Christ emphasizes simplicity and humility in prayer
    Luke 18:10–14 NIV
    10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
    He also emphasizes tenacity
    Luke 11:5–8 NIV
    5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

    Prayer in the New Testament

    The rest of the New Testament show examples of prayer all over. Whether it be the examples of the church praying in the book of Acts, or the letters written by Paul.
    There are two things I want you take away with you today, Prayer is important, but it is also complex.
    The Biblical examples I just gave you should highlight the importance of prayer. Just like fasting when Jesus said, when you fast, expecting that you will do it, he also talks about prayer in the same way saying “when you pray”.
    I want to highlight something, It is not that we have to pray, but that we get to pray.
    Prayer is not meant to be seen as a chore, but a chance. A chance to speak to our creator, A chance to learn from Him, a chance to build relationship with Him. A chance for Him to speak to you. A chance for God to use you so you can fulfill your purpose.
    What makes prayer challenging for you?

    How do we pray?

    Luke 11:1 NIV
    1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
    Did you know this is the only example we have in scripture where the disciples ask Jesus how to do something?
    How would you feel if someone asked you to teach them to pray?
    His answer is recorded in two places in Luke 11 and Matthew 6. Let me read to you the prayer in Matthew 6:9-13
    Matthew 6:9–13 NIV
    9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
    Let’s look over that again and break that down line by line… [break down the Lord’s prayer].
    So, How do we learn to pray? You pray.
    But what if I don’t know what to pray? Ask the Holy Spirit, Jesus said in John 16:23–25 “23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. 25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.”
    In Acts 2 we find that after the coming of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost that the early church was characterized by prayer, meaning people prayed together, just as we do every Sunday Acts 2:42 “42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
    Petition God in times of difficulty Acts 12:5 “5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Acts 12:12–14 “12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!””
    The only way to get better at prayer is to pray, so that is what we are going to do for five minutes. I’m not going to give you any spacifics or prayer requests, but instead I want you all to take time to communicate with God. If the Holy Spirit highlights something that you need to pray for, do it, but this is your time. We will come back together in five minutes.
    [5 minute music and prayer]
    What did you pray about for your five minutes?
    What do you hope to get out of praying, what goals do you have from prayer?
  • When you think about the word involvement what does that make you think of?
    Involvement is an act or instance of being included, or of including someone or something, in an action, process, group etc...
    It also means, an act or instance of having one’s interest, emotions, or commitment engaged by someone or something.
    Involvement’s synonyms include: engagement, relationship, responsibility, preoccupation, reflection, and study.
    So, If I was to say that I am involved in your life what I am saying is that I not only have a relationship with you at some level, but I am preoccupied in getting to know you more though acts that hold your interest, emotions, or commitment.
    In essence I am serving you. There is a term used in the Bible, a cultural term appropriate for the time in which the Bible was written describing this kind of service.
    The word is slave. The Greek word used for slave is “doo-la-o”. This word means to enslave, bring into bondage, or to become a servant.
    Today in “churchy” language we love using the word servant. Even in the business world bosses are being taught how to be servant leaders, but if the word servant in scripture is the same as slave why are we so bothered by the word slave? Why are we so hesitant to identify as a slave?
    Being a slave literally means total subordination or a lack of freedom, but in reality if we thought about it, we are all slaves to something? Whether we are slaves to money, success, debt, addictions, or even positive things like family, friends, and the church. We find ourselves constantly serving something or someone with our lives.
    Knowing this to be true, God wants us to be servants, slaves, of His glory.
    But how do we do that? How do we get involved?
    Paul speaks clearly about this concept in 1 Corinthians 9, where it says… [slide]
    1 Corinthians 9:19–23 NIV
    19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
    Paul says that he made himself into a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. Win them to what? Win them away from sin and for the glory of God and the good news.
    To be accepted and to be able to share Christ’s message with other Jews he became like a Jew. To those who didn’t have the law he became like one not having the law. (What do you think he means when he says this?)
    When he was with the weak he became weak.
    Have you ever through about serving someone so much that you were willing to meet them where they were? Paul made himself a slave, someone who served another without reservation or freedom so that he could meet them where they were.
    But do not get confused Paul was not a push over… [slide]
    Galatians 2:11–14 NIV
    11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
    Paul here is calling out Peter (yes, ear cutting Peter). The same many who stood up in Acts 2 and declared the wonders of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and thousands came to Christ, that Peter, why?
    Because in this instance Peter, that man of incredible faith, was afraid of what some Jews would think about him because he would often eat with (hang out with) Gentiles. These Jews came from James, the brother of Jesus and the head of the church in Jerusalem.
    So let me ask you a question, what is the difference between Paul’s saying before about becoming all things to all men and Peter’s actions?
    Jesus also talks about being a slave/servant.
    Mark 10:35–45 NIV
    35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
    Jesus came to the world to serve. He laid down his life for the good of others. That puts Jesus in the position of being a servant to each of us. God served us.
    But so many people are more like James and John wanting to be glorified and blessed more than serve.
    Sometime people in the church act the same way. They want to be served, fed, and filled and not serve.
    What is the point of being served, fed, and filled without service. I’ve seen so many people leave perfectly good churches under the leadership of perfectly good leaders, because the people felt they were not being fed enough.
    If you sat around and was fed all the time and didn’t do anything you would get fat on the word and useless for the work of the kingdom. So get up.
    What can I do?
    This is always the biggest question. I don’t know what I can do.
    Well, let’s start with what you are doing now. - Is what you are doing now in your life something you can transform to do for God’s glory and just just your own?
    Next, work in your spiritual gifts.
    Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? I’m going to put something up on the screen now. Everyone who has a smart phone get ready for a qr code. This code will take you to a website where you can fill out a survey that will help you to discover your spiritual gifts.
    Once you’ve completed your survey I encourage you to email it to yourself and to the church (conway@life360.org).
    Doing this means that I can help you discover your spiritual gifts and help you to find and achieve you callings.
    That is my calling. Maybe the calling you have is in the church, maybe it is outside the church. Remember, the church is not about staying inside these four walls. It is about getting out to where the people are and reaching them for Jesus.
Life360 Conway
conway@life360.org
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