And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
8. WE ARE SOLEY MOTIVATED TO POPULATE HEAVEN
We live and breathe the Great Commission and will do anything short of sin to see people accept the gift of Jesus in their lives!
When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17
"The church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital for sinners." Ann Landers
➡ WE UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY PERSON MATTERS TO GOD.
He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9
Luke 15:1-7
➡ WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE MUST BREAK A FEW RULES.
Matthew 12:9-14
When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
➡ WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.
When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:1-5
9. WE PASSIONATELY PURSUE THE VISION
God has given us a big vision that is much bigger than ourselves and we are passionate about creating a culture that desires to see that vision become reality.
God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10
•
FIND JESUS
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. John 10:10-11
•
WE WILL GO FROM ATTENDERS TO INVITERS.
•
FIND FREEDOM
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalms 34:18
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble; A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10;12
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16
•
WE WILL COMMIT TO AN AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY
•
FIND PURPOSE
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG
•
WE WILL DISCOVER OUR UNIQUE DESIGN
•
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:24
•
WE WILL PARTNER WITH EACH OTHER TO POPULATE HEAVEN.
Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
