The Mission, Our Mission

What’s my purpose?

American answer:

Our Rights: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Modern answer:

Self-actualization (fulfilling one’s potential through personal growth and development)

Modern Epicureanism = Limit pain and suffering, and maximize pleasure

Theological answer:

The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Typical Christian answer:

To know God, love God, worship God, serve God, etc.

I like all of these Christian answers, but I think we struggle sometimes when it comes to finding our place within this big ideas.

What if we started with the end in mind? At the end of my life, what would I like to be able to say about myself that wasn’t a bald-faced lie? I think all of us would like to be like Paul at the end of his life, when he said:

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Think about what Paul says about his life:

He completed the task given to him, in spite of the numerous challenges he faced.

He kept the faith, even in the face of intense persecution.

He looks forward to the heavenly rewards he has been promised.

That’s a life that was lived with purpose!

How can we experience something similar? That’s what the next five sermons will explore.

However, instead of just focusing on our part within each of these, we are going to start by taking a broader view, looking at what God says to the church. Two reasons for doing that:

The dangers of over-individualization within the modern Christian church...

As believers, we are part of “the church universal” and we are also part of a “local church.”

However, most of what is said in the NT is said to the local church; not the church universal or individuals.

Therefore, I believe we are supposed to start with what God calls the church to do, then find our individual purposes from there.

The Mission

What is the mission of the church?

The Great Commission

Read Matthew 28:16-20

Some non-negotiable aspects of the Great Commission:

Active participation in the church.

They were worshipers...

They were doubters...

The church submits to Jesus authority.

The church makes disciples of Jesus.

The church baptizes disciples of Jesus.

The church teaches disciples of Jesus.

The church is assured of the presence of Jesus.

Our Mission

Do our part to participate in fulfilling the Great Commission in Castle Rock, the surrounding communities, and anywhere else God allows us to have influence.

How do we do this?

Commit to being an active participant in the church.

Submit to Jesus authority in all areas of your life.

Do your part to make disciples of Jesus.

Encourage people to follow Jesus through the baptismal waters.

Do your part to teach disciples of Jesus.

Hold tightly to the assurance of Jesus presence.

Help keep the church accountable that we don’t do what Laodicea did.

Revelation 3:20 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.