1. God’s pursuit of his glory and my joy are not two pursuits, but one
- John 12:27, 1 Peter 3:18, Psalm 16:11
- God sent Jesus to glorify the father because we trample on it every day
- He died so that we might have everlasting joy in His presence
2. I must not minimize or diminish my joy in God, but pursue it with all of my heart
- I conquer sin by a superior superior satisfaction in Jesus- we sin because it feels good
- We can’t be christians by ‘should nots’ but by the biggest ‘want to’ of pursuing joy true joy in Jesus
ONE MISSION: Joyfully and sacrificially declare and demonstrate that the glory of christ is more precious than life. And help all people discover that their only hope is in Christ’s death and resurrection for everlasting happiness.
- Our mission is not living, or staying alive
Breaking down our life mission statement:
1. Declare
- 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
- With our words
- Sometimes by giving up our lives
2. He is better than life
- Luke 21:12-18 “12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers[a] and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.”
- If we ever get arrested for being a christian, we are on assignment
3. Demonstrate
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 “1We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.”
- The glory of Christ has made me more happy than the removal of affliction or poverty
- 1 Peter 2:12 “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
- We hope people will see our lives and see Jesus
4. To all people
- Revelation 5: 9-10 “9 And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”