PURPOSE
We embrace God’s mission as our own. Because of the grace Jesus has shown us, we embody the truth that we do not exist for ourselves, but for the good of the world. We embrace His mission of not only growing to live and love more like Jesus, but also leading others to do the same.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Mark 12:30-31, Matthew 28:18-20
What Is Our purpose? We were created to bring God
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. —Romans 11:36 (NLT)
How Do We Bring God Glory? Glorifying God requires our
I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. —John 17:14 (NIV)
What Is Our Work/Mission? To be a disciple who
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. —Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed. —James Hudson Taylor
What is a Disciple? Someone who has surrendered their life to Jesus, and is growing to live and love like Him,
Why Do We Drift Out Of Alignment With God’s Purposes?
1. We forget that our time here is short, and that we were made to live forever.
Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. —Psalms 39:4-5
For us this is the end of all the stories… . But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world … had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever and in which every chapter is better than the one before. —C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle
2. Being A Disciple-Maker May Look Different Than You Thought.
A. Our Idea Of Obeying The Great Commission Is Too Limited.
B. Our Jobs Aren’t Either “Secular” of “Spiritual.” We ALL Are Missionaries!
C. We Don’t Have To Wait Until We Reach A Specific Level of Maturity Before Making Disciples.
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. —John 21:3-6
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. —John 21:7-8
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” —John 21:9-12
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” —John 21:15-17
Discussion/Application Questions:
- What stood out to you from this week’s teaching/Scriptures?
Have you ever been confused about your purpose? What are the consequences of pursuing purpose outside of God’s mission and purpose for our lives?
Do you believe that “our time is short, and that we were created to live forever”? How does that effect the way that you live now?
What would you say is the biggest reason why you drift out of alignment with God’s mission of being a disciple who makes disciples?
What is one thing that you will do (or do differently) as a result of what you learned this week?