Why Me?

Why Me?

“The Kingdom of God is forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it!”

The last thing that Jesus Christ said when He left this earth was this:

“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."
-Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

What is the Mission?

To Prepare the Way of the Lord!
To go into all nations
To train up Passionate-Hearted Disciples.

Passionate-Hearted Disciples are those who will give their lives to see the Kingdom of God forcefully advance. This mission is not for the faint of heart. It will cost you everything. But remember, as you go into the world making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them, Christ’s promises He will always be with you.

There are three important questions you need to ask yourself. The answers to these three questions will help you on your journey to accomplishing your mission. When you can answer these three questions yourself, you will grow as a Pasionate-Hearted Disciple. Then you will catch the vision for the mission; raising up other Passionate-Hearted Disciples.

1. QUESTION OF EXISTENCE: WHY AM I ALIVE?

“Why was I born? Was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace?”
-Jeremiah 20:18 (TEV)

“The Lord has made everything for His own purpose.”
-Proverbs 16:4a (GW)

“Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, and settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love.” -Ephesians 1:4 (Msg)

“I WAS CREATED TO BE LOVED BY GOD!”

2. QUESTION OF SIGNIFICANCE: DOES MY LIFE MATTER?

“My work all seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and for no purpose at all.”
-Isaiah 49:4a (NLT)

“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.”
-Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)

“You... scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. The very day was recorded in your book!”
-Psalm 139:16 (LB)

"His plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally."
-Psalm 33:11 (GN)

“MY LIFE MATTERS TO GOD!”

“When this tent we live in—our body here on earth—is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home He himself has made, which will last forever.” -2 Corinthians 5:1 (TEV)

“Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."
-Proverbs 9:6 (Msg)

God sent His only Son Jesus to lay down His life for you.
God clearly communicated your value through the sacrifice of Jesus His Son.

3. QUESTION OF INTENTION: WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?

“Why did you create us? For nothing?”
-Psalm 89:47 (NCV)

"Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding."
-Proverbs 9:10b (LB)

“I FIND MY PURPOSE IN GOD!”

“For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible…everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.”
-Colossians 1:16 (Msg)

“It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for...part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”
-Ephesians 1:11 (Msg)

“It makes no difference who you are or where you're from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open.”
-Acts 10:35 (Msg)

"You (God) created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created."
-Revelation 4:11b (NLT)

“Love the Lord your God... This is the first and greatest commandment.”
-Matt. 22:37-38 (NIV)

You were created to bring honor to God!


Application


1. When did you first know God loved you? Explain:








2. What were the circumstances in your life before you knew His love?








3. Write down your experience of receiving God’s love:








4. What difference has His love made in your life?








5. What does Jesus Christ’s life and sacrifice mean to you? Explain:








6. What do you think God would say about your significance?






7. What is your purpose?






The Kingdom of God is forcefully advancing in you .... lay hold of it!

The Leadership Road Less Traveled



The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.



All leaders are faced with daily decisions - choices whose sum total determine the direction and effectiveness of our lives and ministries.

It seems most important ministry decisions have to do with control.

How, when, and where should we inject our power and influence?

Where do we give slack by granting trust, and where do we reign in and exercise our authority?

Who owns this ministry, this church, this mission?

You? Or Christ?

Frost's lighthearted but profound observations sound the depths of our personal styles of leadership.

As leaders within the Church, we are repeatedly forced to choose between building and strengthening and protecting a hierarchical institution, or building and strengthening and protecting a relational organism.

The hidden cost: with each choice, you are not only choosing your venue, you are choosing the long term fruit of your ministry.

Choose wisely.