The same is true for the church. Solomon said, “without a vision the people perish.” What is our vision? Are we pulling in the same direction? What are the signs that help us recall the vision when things are not as clear? Who’s providing the vision we have?
Vision - We exist to spread a passion for the love of God in all things for the joy and unity of all people through Jesus Christ. (Modified line from a book I read by John Piper.) To fulfill this vision we need to do the following:
- Take the passion we have for God to reign over all things and share it with others. Make sure that we are allowing him to reign in us as we share.
- Promote unity in the Spirit in the bond of peace until we all come into the unity of the faith.
- The life that we live should be lived with joy. Joy only comes from a life that is not focused on us, but on God and others. Sacrificial love will prevent us from becoming too focused on ourselves. Our mansions in heaven do not have mirrored walls. Despite what the culture tells us it’s not all about us.
- Christians are supposed to be nice. Sometimes being nice keeps us from sharing our faith with those who may disagree. The nice thing, the loving thing to do would be to tell others that Jesus is the only “way” to the Father. All other ways, that is, religions, materialism, self indulgence will not lead to joy and happiness. Jesus Christ and the crucified life that he lived will.
- Reconcile ourselves to anyone who will reconcile. (Through Jesus Christ)
Sign – The cross of Jesus is the sign that helps us remember the vision. Thoughts about the cross: - The cross is the crowning act of the sacrificial life that Jesus lived. Had he not lived the sacrificial life the cross would be meaningless. If Jesus would have been self-indulgent the cross would not draw anyone.
- Jesus asked us to take up our cross and follow him.
- Those who stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion have followed him.
In a world without leadership and vision we need to fulfill our vision and sacrificially give our lives for the cause of God. The God of heaven has set up a kingdom and he’s looking for citizens to join him in it. Let’s allow him to have his will in our lives. Let’s glorify him through the ordinary (work, love, friendship, community). The light of his glory, displayed through ordinary men and women will draw all people to him.
6 comments:
Hey Rob---
I love the content of what you've got fleshed out here: the sacrificial love, unity, joy, take up your cross, etc. I'd give my life to that in a heartbeat!
There's just something about your vision statement itself that sounds like you copied it from a John Piper book or something (tongue in cheek here). I guess for me it's the word "supremacy". I know God is supreme, but that language just evokes images of the KKK and white supremacy (maybe you're working against the grain with that wording because any kind of supremacy any secular person has ever heard of has sucked - they would naturally be suspicious of God's 'supremacy'). Rather than just point out a potential issue and move on, I'll part ways with a simple alternative. I'd swap out 'love' for 'supremacy'. That is God's mode of supremacy isn't it? Bottom-up rather than top-down? I'll give my life to "spread the passion for the love of God in all things for the joy and unity of all people through Jesus Christ". But I'm not sure I would walk down the street to "spread a passion for the supremacy of God". (Not that I don't believe He's supreme, the language just trips me up.)
pk - I see your point. Because I have given God that place in my life I didn't make the association with the more negative aspects of the word. Love is a far better word to covey what God desires to have spread. It wasn't the supremacy of God that was shed abroad in our hearts, but the love.
I'll make the change.
In the last 2 years, I have been challenged by this very thing. To find those that have the same personal "mission statement", ie.most of my friends in Christ believe in a restored church. Even people that I am not personally closely related to, believe in a restored church. Now....one of the exciting aspects of serving God and reaching for that high calling in Christ Jesus, is the journey. What a fascinating journey it is! God is such a creative and all inclusive God that we cannot fathom it all, so for me, I keep asking Him, "how should I do this, Lord?" How do I walk this walk today? What part of you and your plan will be real and alive just today Lord that will take me one step closer. Then when you find others asking the same thing....and you come together and Jesus takes all these pieces and puts together the puzzle, just for one day or one week, then we are on our way!(embody the company, Lord!) Praise God! With a ministry that follows God allows Him to have His way and a ministry that continues to seek Him, a true ministry, there is not a doubt in my mind that we can live a life, a victorious life in Him and move on out with Him! (Oh, brother, I'm writing a book. sorry)
I love you and I love your life of being "sold out to Him" Praise God!
We are so blessed! Just one other thing. The other day I asked a dear someone if they think I am crazy because I am so "out there" right now. They said, "no. I just think that you have had so much and you're spoiled and just can't be satisfied". I thought about that for a moment and I said, "Absolutely". I have had so much that I am convinced that I really can have it all! Bro. Steve has been telling us and telling us these things for the past 2 years and I am "getting it"!
FYI: I'm just trying to be an ordinary woman letting the light of His glory shine through. If this is just an "intellectual" blog spot you can delete my comments. I won't take it personal.
Libby, I loved your comments this morning. Anyone who can have that kind of energy before 7:00 AM is certainly welcome to post on my blog. I wouldn't say it's an intellectual blog. For that you'll have to check out some of the others I link to. They are more thought provoking. Please keep reading and commenting - I now have two readers!
The ability to share with others the hope that is within us is truely rewarding inwardly. God made us with a desire to express our love and his love through us to others and I can see that you are fulfilling that purpose in your blog. I have heard you speak under the annointing of the Holy Ghost and really appreciate what God can do with a soul that is yeilded to Him. I just wanted to encourage you in your efforts. Also just because only a few make comments about your blog does not mean that only a few read your blog.
Love ya brother.
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