Sunday message · Fresh Start series
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Message Summary
In the third message of the Fresh Start series, Pastor Phillip Santillan moves from why missional communities matter to what they actually look like, drawing on Matthew 4:18–19 and Matthew 28:19–20. The series’ bottom line is renewing our commitment and aligning our everyday rhythms toward actually making disciples. Phil repeats last week’s reminder that Jesus’ community isn’t made of people who are easy to be with, but of people who, like us, have been forgiven by Jesus.
Before commissioning his followers in Matthew 28 to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey his commands, Jesus discipled them, starting in Matthew 4 when he called Simon Peter and Andrew to follow him and fish for people. He didn’t ask them to invent a new plan, only to imitate his. Drawing on Greg Finke’s Joining Jesus on His Mission, Phil says most discipleship plans are either no plan, a plan for scholarship or a plan for membership, but Jesus’ plan is a plan for relationship. Missiologist Jo Saxton adds that imitation requires access to our lives, including our struggles and our journey of repentance.
Following Christ, Phil says, doesn’t necessarily make your life better, but it promises to transform you into Christ’s likeness, which makes you better at life. Jesus’ plan is also a plan for replication. Go means go, not watching while others go, and in John’s gospel Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I’m sending you.” What we have received, we now give. Phil insists there is no guilt involved. He simply wants the church to make more disciples.
Then he gets practical, sharing what Clarity has learned over three to four years of missional communities in the west Twin Cities suburbs. First, members remind each other of their true identity and mission, because nothing destroys the human soul more than forgetting who we are in Christ. Baptized in the name of the Father, we are his children and live as family. As Hugh Halter puts it, God never wanted converts or church attenders, only his family back. Second, they remind each other that “in here is for out there,” learning to listen well, embrace the awkward, love people with different opinions and politics, and speak gospel truth into each other’s lives naturally so they are ready to share it with others.
Third, they use five questions each time they gather: How do you see God at work in your life this week? What has God been teaching you in his word? What kind of conversations are you having with those who are disconnected from God? What good can we do around here? How can we come alongside you in prayer? Each carries an assumption that keeps people accountable to watch for God at work, read Scripture, build friendships with people far from God, do good and depend on God in prayer. Those questions, Phil says, change everything, and the communities become places where people feel prepared, equipped and held accountable to actually make disciples.
