3A WRESTLING WITH PURPOSE

WHAT MAKES A “CHURCH”; A CHURCH?

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE A HEALTHY CHURCH?

A church by Biblical definition, is a spiritually based group of people… they are a fellowship filled with multiple gifts. But if things should fall out of balance, there is a danger here. Multiple gifts can lead to multiple directions. A church out of balance easily becomes a perpetual tug of war. In trying to go everywhere, it goes nowhere. In trying to do everything it does nothing- or at least nothing of eternal consequence.

Of course, in any fellowship, a certain number of functions have to be going on at any given time. But the activities of that church will go on in one of two ways:

1) Each person or interest group will see their particular ministry as the main thing. And there will be a mentality that says in effect, ‘I don’t care what anyone else says, I’m doing this.’

2) Everyone sees their ministry in the church like an instrument in an orchestra. Each is different, each playing a different part, but all enriching the same glorious tune.

46 And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple… with gladness and singleness of heart,

it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them…

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

The hope of this church is to move ahead in meaningful growth. Over the past year there are people here who have grown a lot. There is understanding and ability that was not here a year ago. The hope is; by this time next year, we will be - as a group and individually - far more than we are at this moment. –That by this time next year, there will be greater understanding, and there will be even higher aspirations and inspiration. There will be more challenges met, more demons conquered, and more weaknesses left behind. By this time next year there will be greater impact. Just imagine… What new faces might we see by this time next year… what testimonies might we hear? What miracles might happen as we move ahead?

OVER THE PAST YEAR OR TWO, WHAT STRIDES HAVE YOU SEEN IN THIS CHURCH?

WHAT STRIDES HAVE YOU SEEN MADE IN ANY INDIVIDUALS?

WHAT GIFTS HAVE YOU SEEN AT WORK IN THIS CHURCH?

The parade of passages we’ve just read teach the same Biblical principle over and over again:

Meaningful movement does not occur without unity. Real movement grows in a spirit of consensus. And that kind of spirit is only born through one thing: a common, collective purpose.

In the Purpose Driven Church study, Warren hits five key parameters for the church. And the rest of the study is based on these five things. Each church needs to grow …

Growth in these dimensions cultivates a healthy fellowship. And a healthy fellowship will strive to an overriding, collective purpose. And here’s where we realize our hope-

When a fellowship, collectively aspires to a common destination- look out! It will be filled with people who are ‘moving ahead.’

This is a great starting point. And it certainly provides us with a wonderful groundwork, but it is also a broad groundwork. And that raises some serious questions:

WHAT KIND OF THINGS STRENGTHEN UNITY IN A CHURCH?

WHAT KIND OF THINGS DESTROY IT?

How do we find that overriding purpose through which we can filter everything we do? How do we find that purpose that makes us a people of one accord- not just busy, but inspired… and relevant?

The truth is- we are perfectly capable of analyzing our world and ourselves. We are capable of coming up with our own noble purpose. In fact, in the past, we have had board retreats where we contemplated the community in which we live and what kinds of things we might do here. And some of the insights were very good.

But here’s the thing- we can search the Bible from cover to cover, and nowhere do we find God’s servants coming up with their own purpose. Even Jesus didn’t do that! About His own purpose, He said this:

30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

From the manger to the cross- everything in the life of Jesus fell in line with an overriding- principle purpose- to rescue us, as His Father willed- no deviations, no wasted time- only a purpose of eternal significance.

Imagine what would happen if this fellowship was galvanized by that clarity of purpose. Here’s a statement: God knows exactly what we should be doing. (Is there anyone in here who thinks that’s true?) So, if we could somehow know what God is thinking- we could be right on track. But how can a human mind know what God is thinking? Is it even possible?

9 … as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--

10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

The collective purpose of this or any other fellowship is the product of one thing- revelation.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE, WHEN A CHURCH GETS AHEAD OF GOD IN THEIR OWN PURPOSE, INSTEAD OF HIS?

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE WHEN A CHURCH IS ALIGNED WITH GOD’S PURPOSE?

AS INDIVIDUALS, AND AS A CHURCH, HOW DO WE PUT OURSELVES IN THE BEST POSITION TO SEE WHAT GOD REVEALS?