7B JOURNEY TO THE CORE

Last week we started looking at the five circles of Christian commitment as defined by Rick Warren. We looked at the first three so far: The community; the crowd; and the congregation. This week we move inward to the fourth circle.

We might call this, ‘the land of vision.’ It is here the view of God becomes clearer and we get our first glimpse of the real magnificence. We begin to wonder what it might be like to be over there; right next to Him.

In this land, people have a growing hunger for discipleship. At this level, there is a desire to live in such a way that we are not encumbered. We have a focus, and a lifestyle that propels us to the next region.

1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray…”

There is a profound shift in the heart of the people who reach this land. It is a shift from ‘me’ to ‘You, Lord.’ There is a shift from, “Lord, how can I get You to give me more?’ to “Lord, how can I give more of me, to get closer to You?” And how does Jesus answer?

2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.

When people ask here, Jesus answers plainly. “Do it exactly like this. Acknowledge your Father for everything that He is. Start preparing for your real home. Use these ways I’m teaching you to commit to a deeper relationship, and higher maturity.”

There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

‘The core’ is the highest land and the brightest vantage. It is as clear a view as we get while we are in these bodies. But the most ironic thing happens here- As much as we want to stay, we are compelled to leave. We are moved to descend the mountain for the deep valleys where there are people who need to know. We are sent back to the outer rim where people need to hear the simple invitation all over again- “Come and see.” But now, the invitation comes with authority, because we’ve been there.

As we talk about “the committed” what kind of spiritual traits would you expect to see in such a person?

When we commit to do thinks EXACTLY like Jesus- at least in form, if not quality- what kind of things are we committing to?

What is the difference between asking God for help and asking God for Himself?

What was your greatest “mountaintop experience?”

What did you want to take back to the world from that experience?

How do we bring the experience of the inner circle to a resistant, even hostile world?

As we look at the five circles, where do you feel you fit in the arrangement?

How do you (or anyone else) move inwardly in these circles?

COUNTING THE COST

6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-- not of the letter but of the Spirit …the Spirit gives life.

Well folks, it’s here we that become competent ministers. It is here the Spirit of God, blossoms our human hearts, minds, and souls with all His purpose. It is here that full life… real life begins.

[But] no one can be my disciple who does not carry his own cross and follow me. ``But don't begin until you count the cost.

Jesus tells us with all certainty- each of us is capable of completing the journey, but before you ever start, realize the cost. Each region reaps wonderful rewards, each region beckons us to the next, and each region requires a new level of commitment. That is what it takes to reach the core.

And in reality, as we gather here, not all of us are at the same place in the journey. But even so, God says we journey together. His design is that we help each other along the way. The church is meant to aid us on this journey. But we need to know this: only a church with clear and balanced purposes is capable of helping.

Is your church equipped and motivated to help you move inward in the circles? Why, or why not?

Are you equipped and motivated to help others move inward in the circles?

What does it mean to carry your own cross and follow Jesus? What kind of things are our “crosses”?

In your life, what do you feel are the costs of your commitment?

Do those costs dissuade you? Why or why not?

WHAT ABOUT US?

Please realize this is a life or death question. Today is the time to start if you’re not. It starts with meeting Jesus face to face.

Clarity, purpose, power for living, is here- but it demands something- that we move! -That we take tangible steps to grow… then take another, and another. Don’t be the same person next year that you are today. Don’t let this be the same church. Here is a basic truth of God’s plan: we are not meant to stay the same; we are meant to become more.

Salvation is free, but maturity has its price. Ultimately, it cost all the old things- for all the new things- old values for new, old treasures for the one that never decays. -And-

4. As a church, are we willing… do we want to become a gateway to that mountain? …A collective designed for one purpose- sending people to ‘the core’?

Do we show it in the way we govern ourselves, the focus of our teaching and discipling, the nature of our worship? In every activity- are we pointing toward the core?

In 1976 I was starting my second year in college. I had been involved in martial arts and looked to anything that smacked of eastern religion for direction. I was a folk musician and began following the principle; no performance should be done with a straight mind. And at a hinge point in my life –at a precipice of which I wasn’t even aware- God sent some of His young servants my way. And I am HERE because they were THERE. And God used circumstances to lead me to a certain church. And this church just happened to minister to college kids like me, and they equipped me to start this very journey. And I am HERE because they were THERE.

Every now and then I wonder where I might be if God hadn’t reached me through those servants. Perhaps I would have fallen into a spiral of drugs or alcohol. Perhaps I would have lost the wife I’m blessed with. Perhaps I never would’ve met her. Maybe I’d be estranged from my beautiful children, or they might never have come to be. My life might have been destroyed in a million different ways I can’t even imagine… But I do know this: every Christian in this room could ask the same questions. ‘What if that special servant… that special fellowship hadn’t been there for me? Where would I be now?’

And I guess that leads me to another line of questions: I wonder- How many transformations God plans to do from here? How many saved marriages, how many lives redirected, how many young people called, how many miracles never even imagined- how many, has God planned from here? And if we refuse, who then… who will serve,?

Who in here is willing to become the blessing they once received? Who in here is willing to count the cost, and go? –To the core; and to the outer rim- If you are one, it is time to respond. It is time to commit. -Because, lives are waiting out there.

In your personal story of salvation- what key people come to mind? How did they play a part?

Imagine no one brought Christ into your life- what kind of life do you think you might be living right now? How would you be different?

When you think of the purpose of this church- to where do you think it should be reaching out? Is it?

Where should you be reaching? Are you?

Do you feel you are being propelled to the next inner circle, or hindered?

What do you feel is the main factor in your situation?

In general- what helps or hinders people?

Is the cost too high? Why or why not?