Clear Mission, Deep Commitment

When the mission is clear and compelling, deep commitment comes natural. I remember watching the “Band of Brother’s” series and being amazed by the ferocious commitment these men had to one another and to their mission of resisting the Nazi forces. Such commitment caused some of the men who had been wounded to leave the hospital and rush back to the battle-line before their wounds healed. Others chose to stay in combat even when they had a chance to return home safely.

They didn’t do this for the money or the fame. They did it because their mission was clear and compelling therefore their commitment was deep.

Jesus has given a very clear and compelling mission to the church - to lead people to life in Him. His exact words were “Go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19). This mission is about seeing people’s lives radically transformed by Jesus as they find life in him.

I am so honored to be apart of a group of people at Life Church who are passionate about Jesus’ mission. Your deep commitment to this mission inspires me and creates in me a deep well of gratitude.

The new year of 2012 stretches out before us and I am thrilled as I think about what Jesus is going to do through us for His mission in Lancaster.

Fired Up

Christians get fired up for all kinds of crazy stuff. Some are fired up to get their candidate elected. Some are fired up to keep the 10 Commandments monument in the courthouse. Others are fired up to keep ‘messy’ people at an arms length. Some are fired up to judge others. Still others are fired up to hide their own screw ups.

I think Christians should be fired up. But let me suggest 2 things to be fired up about:

Jesus
Fired up for Jesus because he is zealous for us - and even though we screw up, he rescued us... Not because we’re awesome, but because of his mercy and through simple faith in him. (Titus 3:4) Getting murdered on a roman cross was his way of saying - “your a big deal to me.”

Good Deeds
We are the beneficiaries of the best deed ever preformed, Jesus’ death on a cross. We should live in response to that. People in our city should be talking about the Christians. They should think, “Wow! those people are so helpful. Sure, all they talk about is Jesus, but they’re kind, patient and help everybody out.”

Its hip and cool to talk about Jesus and do nice things this time of year. But lets be Christians who are Fired Up all year about Jesus and good deeds.

Morality or Mission?

When Jesus came he clearly told us he was on a mission. That mission was to seek and to save lost and broken people (Lk. 19:10). The most religious people of Jesus’ day (the Pharisees) were not focused on mission but on morality.

Jesus’ mission was not to make us moral - it was to save us. Growing in positive qualities like love, patience, joy, etc (what the bible calls ‘fruit of the Spirit) is a very good thing - but it is a by-product of Jesus’ work in saving us.

We all have some seriously jacked up parts of our lives - we always will. And one day Jesus will bring us a full and complete redemption. But until then, we should be on mission with Jesus helping as many people as possible begin a life with Him.

Someday we will stand face to face with Jesus. On that day what will be most fulfilling is not how high you got your moral meter, rather it will be the people whom you influenced - in one way or another - to place their faith in Jesus. I hope there will be many of these people around you on that day.

New Invite Cards Are Here!

Here is a sneak peak of our brand new invite cards. They make it so easy to invite friends to church. Grab a couple this Sunday in the back!

Grace draws a crowd

There is a discussion going on today about whether or not churches are supposed to attract people. My answer to this question is an emphatic YES! DUHH! Churches should be a place that people are drawn to. People who are hurting, confused, looking for direction, hope and people who want to make a difference in the world should be drawn into our churches. 

So what is it that draws them? Why would they come? Is it because you have a good band, rockin’ music, free coffee or some sweet stained glass windows? These things can help but it should rather be because Jesus is alive and his grace is at work in your church.

Grace draws a crowd - and Jesus is full of grace. Everywhere Jesus went he drew crowds. And when these crowds gathered, he spoke truth and offered grace.

If our churches focus on Jesus and his message of grace and truth - we will draw a crowd because Jesus and His grace are very attractive.