Living Hope Church
19 Apr Sunday
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  • Give Me Jesus
  • Forever
  • Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
  • Worthy Of It All
  • Holy Spirit
  • Crowns Down
  • Moving Forward
  • I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
  • Majesty
  • Majesty
  • Introduction
    Last week, we began a new sermon series called, “On Mission”. The purpose of this series is to declare the mission of Living Hope as we minister to Abilene, Texas, and around the world.
    Last week we covered Mission to the Non-Christian which looked at the Woman at the Well in John 4.
    This week we want to continue by looking at our Mission to the New Christian.
    What happens after someone says a prayer of faith in Jesus?
    There is a lifetime of sermons on where new believers go from here.
    And, while I cannot fit everything into 40 minutes, there are a few things that I want to make sure we at Living Hope declare as priorities.
    John 4:39–42 NKJV
    39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His own word. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
    The six impact statements from the woman at the well were:
    Jesus went just for her.
    Jesus met her where she was.
    Jesus offered her living water.
    This is the place where all non-Christians are.
    The Bible does not tell us a prayer she prayed, but that she left her water pots there and ran off.
    4. She experienced Jesus.
    5. She went and told everyone.
    6. They experienced Jesus too.
    This is the normal experience for those who put their faith in Jesus.
    They leave their “water pots” behind - This is a great example of our old ways and our shame (remember, she had to get her water later in the day if she did not want the ridicule of others).
    ***BTW, Jesus does not condone, justify, or legitimize her sinful lifestyle!
    Jesus looks passed it to the person.
    We must do the same! She did not change from all those in judgement, but from the one who sought her out, loved her where she was, and offered her a living hope.
    John 3:16–17 NKJV
    16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
    We also are not called to condemn, but to point them to the Savior.

    I. New Christians Begin a Great Adventure with Jesus 

    Faith begins with an Encounter—but it must go on to Experience
    Colossians 2:6 NKJV
    6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
    Explanation:
    - Salvation is the starting line, not the finish line. 
    - New believers need space to experience Jesus personally, not just hear about Him secondhand.
    Here, Belief turns to Faith, Encounter becomes Experience, and Old is made New.
    **Gym Illustration:** 
    Joining a gym doesn’t instantly make you strong. 
    You grow by:
    - Showing up regularly 
    - Learning the equipment 
    - Building new habits 
    Spiritual Exercise:
    - Prayer strengthens your trust and aligns you in dependence and obedience to God.
    - Scripture shows you the heart of God for the world and for your life.
    - Worship expresses outwardly what God is doing inwardly. We worship what we value the most.
    - Obedience partners you with God’s purpose for you and allows you to see Him move through you.
    These are not rules—they are relational practices.
    **Support Scriptures:** 
    - **John 15:4–5** – “Remain in Me…” 
    John 15:4–5 NKJV
    4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
    - **Psalm 34:8** – “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
    Psalm 34:8 NKJV
    8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

    II. New Christians Make a First Public Step

    Experiencing Jesus Leads to Declaring Jesus.
    This is done through Baptism
    Matthew 28:19 NKJV
    19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
    To quickly explain what we mean by baptism...
    Romans 6:3–4 NKJV
    3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
    Confession and Belief are internal; Baptism is the outward declaration.
    Acts 2:38 NKJV
    38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
    Acts 2:41 NKJV
    41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
    Explanation:
    - Baptism is not the finish—it’s the starting declaration. 
    - It says: “I belong to Jesus.”
    **Gym Illustration:** 
    Baptism is like walking into the gym and signing up publicly.
    You’re saying:
    Ø “I’m not just thinking about change—I’m committing to it.”
    Spiritual Exercise:
    Baptism doesn’t mean perfection; It means identification and obedience.
    Baptism is not a prerequisite for salvation. You are saved when you confess and believe. Baptism is an initial fruit of what is going on the inside.
    The Baptism (or gift) of the Holy Spirit is a subsequent work showcasing the believer’s submission to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and His empowering the believer to live a life worthy of their calling.

    III. New Christians Are Not Meant to Grow Alone 

    Membership Is Commitment to a Spiritual Family
    **Key Text:** 
    - **Acts 2:42** – Devoted to fellowship 
    Acts 2:42 NKJV
    42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
    Explanation: 
    - The early church didn’t have “attenders”—they had belongers. 
    - Membership is not about a list; it’s about shared life and responsibility.
    -For clarity, membership is a declaration of fellowship and trust - being committed to what God is doing in a local body.
    -Membership is not about salvation or a point of pride to say, we have this many people. Rather, it is ownership of the success and failures of this group of believers. It says, this is MY church, and MY ministry, and MY responsibilities to the congregation and community.
    **Gym Illustration:** 
    A gym isn’t just equipment—it’s a **community**.
    - Judge‑free zone 
    - Everyone starts somewhere 
    - No one expects mastery on day one 
    Spiritual Exercise:
    Church is a place where:
    - Grace replaces shame 
    - Growth happens over time 
    - Belonging comes before behaving

    IV. Mature Believers Help New Ones Grow Safely 

    Discipleship Prevents Spiritual Injury
    Everyone has a place in the family of God. There is always someone who IS where you are going, and someone who IS where you used to be.
    **Key Text:** 
    - **Proverbs 27:17** – Iron sharpens iron
    Proverbs 27:17 NKJV
    17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
    **Explanation:** 
    - Without guidance, people can get hurt—physically or spiritually. 
    - New Christians need mentors, not critics.
    **Gym Illustration:** 
    Have you every seen people go to the gym for the first time without talking to anyone and they try to lift weights having never done it before. There are videos of this and it is funny, and sad. Funny because it is entertaining to watch someone in ignorance, and sad, because they will never have a good experience and grow if they are not taught.
    In a healthy gym:
    - Experienced members help with form 
    - They prevent injury 
    - They encourage consistency  and create community
    **Church Parallel:** 
    Discipleship:
    - Protects from burnout and discouragement 
    - Teaches healthy rhythms/ habits
    - Builds confidence over time

    V. New Life Changes How We Live

    Growth Leads to Godly Living
    **Key Text:** 
    - **Romans 12:1–2** – Transformed lives 
    Romans 12:1–2 NKJV
    1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
    - **Galatians 5:22–23** – Fruit of the Spirit 
    - **Colossians 3:1–3** – Set your hearts on things above
    I don’t transform you, people cannot transform you. Only God can do that. That is why there is no judgement.
    **Gym Illustration:** 
    When someone commits to a gym it effects everything else:
    - They eat differently 
    - They sleep differently 
    - Their choices change because their **identity has changed**
    Spiritual Exercise:
    When someone commits to Christ:
    - Desires shift toward Spiritual Growth
    - Habits change to align with Holiness
    - Life aligns with Purpose
    ## VI. New Christians Are Called to Share What They’re Experiencing 
    **Growth Naturally Multiplies**
    **Key Text:** 
    - **John 4:39** – “Many believed because of her testimony” 
    - **Acts 1:8** – “You will be My witnesses” 
    - **2 Timothy 2:2** – Entrust to others
    **Explanation:** 
    - You don’t need to be mature to be a witness—just honest. 
    - Sharing Jesus is inviting others to experience what you are experiencing.
    **Gym Illustration:** 
    People invite friends to the gym because:
    - It’s changing them 
    - They want others to feel better too 
    **Spiritual Parallel:** 
    Evangelism isn’t pressure—it’s **invitation**.

    Reflection

    > “If you’re new to faith, Jesus is inviting you to more than a moment—He’s inviting you into a life.
    We want to invite you to take the next step:
    > Baptism is your public declaration.  If you have not been baptized and would like make that declaration, please see me after service so we can share in that with you.
    > Membership is your commitment to a family. We do not require membership to be part of this family. Like baptism, membership is a public commitment to what God is doing here for the season He has you here.
    > Discipleship is how you grow strong.  Let us know how we can partner with you in discipleship. It is more than just becoming a Christian, it is allowing Jesus to bring the life changing power of the Holy Spirit in your life.
    > And mission is how others find life too.
    > The church is God’s judge‑free zone for becoming who He created you to be.”
    ### Series Tie-In
    - **Week 1:** Jesus meets us where we are 
    - **Week 2:** Jesus grows us together 
    - **Week 3:** Jesus heals us when we’re hurting 
    - **Week 4:** Jesus sends us as we grow

      • John 4:39–42NIV2011

      • John 3:16–17NIV2011

      • Colossians 2:6NIV2011

      • John 15:4–5NIV2011

      • Psalm 34:8NIV2011

      • Matthew 28:19NIV2011

      • Romans 6:3–4NIV2011

      • Acts 2:38NIV2011

      • Acts 2:41NIV2011

      • Acts 2:42NIV2011

      • Proverbs 27:17NIV2011

      • Romans 12:1–2NIV2011

Living Hope Church
pastor@livinghopecogop.org
325-500-4763
http://livinghopecogop.org
4 members