Finding Our Purpose as a Church – Our Vision

Last week we resumed our series on Purpose to discuss our purpose as a church.  We began with some foundational truths from Ephesians 4:11-16.

1.   God Accomplishes His Work Through the Church.
2.   God Has Gifted the Church to Accomplish his Work.
3.   God Has Ordained that Church Leaders Prepare the Church for His Work.
4.   God Expects Every Member of the Church to Do His/Her Part in Accomplishing His Work.

We also learned that the fundamental purpose of the church is to glorify God in everything that we do.

Ephesians 1:11-12 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

A quick examination of Acts 2:42-47 revealed that the early church directed their efforts to glorify God in three directions –inward in discipleship and fellowship; outward in service and evangelism; and upward in worship.  In this week’s message, we want to specifically apply this to the Boise church as we have historically perceived our purpose/vision.  A few years back we adopted the following vision statement.

“To participate with Jesus in fulfilling His Great Commission in our lifetime, to become and make mature disciples.”

Of course this statement is based on the “Great Commission” Jesus gave to his disciples in Matthew 28:18-20;  Mark 16:15-16;  Luke 24:46-49;  Acts 1:8;  & John 20:20-22.

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “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.”

Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Luke 24:46-49 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

John 20:20-22 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Our vision statement attempts to incorporate this specific charge as the heart of our mission.

Have a Great Week!
Joey