We concluded last month hammering home the first part of our vision statement…To passionately Seek a Relationship with Jesus Christ. Before wrapping up the second message in the Back to Basics series, John mentioned the remainder of the vision statement briefly before turning his attention to the purpose of Refuge Church. To begin the month, we’ll focus on that simple, yet eternally profound purpose- to make disciples.
In my passionate pursuit of this purpose, I’ve heard many takes on the issue. But John’s definition of a disciple sums it all up succinctly. “A disciple,” he shared, “is someone who gives up everything to get one thing.” And this was merely the first shot in a punch combination, as he asked the question, “Are you one?” And then finally, the knockout punch. “The vision wreaks of the purpose,” he concluded.
Besides catching my ear because of the statement’s literary hook, it packs unrelenting truth. The vision and the purpose go hand in hand. We can’t, for example, passionately seek Jesus… and refuse to make disciples by failing to share that relationship. We can’t grow and mature as a spiritual body …without making disciples. And on and on down the list. You get the message.
So, here we are. In a moment, I’ll put the pen down and you will be finished reading my note. And we’ll be left with yet another decision. Will you listen to John’s message, Jason’s music, pray, throw money in the basket, study your Bible, read your LifeTogether devotional, and do nothing with it other than saying it was a good service, sermon, song, or reading material? Continue to sit, soak, and sour?
Or will you cry out to Yahweh, who loves you more than you can ever think or imagine? Will you tell him you can’t do it in and of yourself but that you’re willing. Willing to give everything to seek him, to buy into his vision and accomplish his purpose. To go, grow, and glow?
Sparked by the fire of the Holy Spirit and fueled by prayer, lets us put the rubber (of making disciples) on the road (of the Great Commission). Press on…
