It’s Our Turn
Dr. Chris Montgomery
Matthew 28:18-20 | May 31, 2026
We exist as a local church to fulfill the great commission by living the great commandment.
1. See Jesus Clearly
2. Seek Jesus Together
3. Serve People Boldly
(Psalm 90:17) May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us and establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.
(Psalm 145:4) One generation commends your works to another, let them proclaim your mighty acts.
Two Obvious Questions: 1. Am I willing to let God use my hands? 2. What does “let God uses my hands” mean?
Three Options:
1. Commissioned
2. Noncommissioned
3. Decommissioned
What does a commissioned Christian do?
1. People who are commissioned by God own the mission of God.
(Luke 9:62) Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
2. We circle up so we can reach up: We reach up to God in worship and prayer
(Lamentations 3:40-41) Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven…
3. We circle up so we can reach out: We reach out to others in groups.
(Galatians 6:2) Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
4. We circle up so we can reach down: We can reach down through works of mercy and justice.
When we were willing to let God use our hands, He makes us a promise.
(Isaiah 41:13) For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says, do not fear; I will help you… (Matthew 4:19–20) Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people. At once, they left their nets and followed him.
What am I willing to let go of to follow Jesus the way He is wanting me to follow him?
5. It takes commitment to live a commissioned life.
40ish Days of Prayer
Week 3 (June 1-June 7)
What if…We prayed.
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer... Acts 1:14
Each day of the week will have a prayer focus. Pray through the full Prayer Guide and use the focus to anchor your day in prayer. Spend a little more time there. Reflect on it throughout the day.
Connected Through History
“Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare thou those who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, General Confession)
Wesleyan Insight
“God sees and knows the inmost of the heart… There is no darkness in which we can hide from Him. Knowing this, we need not hide our grief from Him either — He already sees it.” (John Wesley, “The Omnipresence of God” sermon)
Grounded in the Word
Daily scriptures, called “Watchwords,” were used by the Moravian 100 Year Prayer Movement (1727) to guide and to ground the prayers and the meditations of the heart throughout their day.
Monday, June 1: Adoration/Consecration (Who God is/Offering ourselves)
Watchword: Isaiah 44:6-8
Practice: Meditate on God’s glory. Ask God to make Him first in your life.
Tuesday, June 2: Lament (Honest grief)
Watchword: Jeremiah 5:21-31
Practice: Grieve that God’s people have turned away from God and to worldly things.
Wednesday, June 3: Confession (Honest before God)
Watchword: Psalm 51:1-19
Practice: Confess where you struggle. Ask Him to renew a right spirit within you.
Thursday, June 4: Supplication (Bringing our need)
Watchword: Romans 8:32-35
Practice: Spend time thinking about how Jesus Himself is interceding for you. Do you have a struggle that feels too big, too hard, or too shameful? Go to Him with it.
Friday, June 5: Intercession (Standing in the gap)
Watchword: Acts 16:25-32
Practice: Pray for those physically incarcerated and those who are spiritually in bondage to sin.
Saturday, June 6: Imprecatory (God’s justice)
Watchword: Galatians 1:6-9
Practice: Pray against those who are preaching false gospels and leading Christians astray.
Sunday, June 7: Thanksgiving/Blessing (What God has done/Speaking God’s favor)
Watchword: Psalm 1:1-6
Practice: Thank God that He gives favor to the righteous. Pray this blessing.