A Purpose Driven Church
December 28, 2009 by Elder/Minister DeBorrah K. Ogans
Filed under Church
A purpose driven church seeks to fulfill the “Great Commission.” It is motivated from an overwhelming sincere desire to see others come into fellowship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. It encourages its members to spiritually grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ through His WORD. It fosters a healthy environment for developing an ongoing forever-growing intimate relationship with Him through the power of His Holy Spirit. Biblical principles are applied when dealing with life situations.
When you actually begin to implement God’s principles in your daily lifestyle you will see a definite change. A surface relationship is no longer acceptable. An ongoing personal relationship with the Lord will sustain, lead, guide and direct you through your life’s journey. It is virtually impossible to have a true encounter with God that doesn’t have some type of impact. Your desire to live a life pleasing to God increases as you grow spiritually. Your life will have purpose. It is a journey like no other. This is not a journey like the hamster on a treadmill. Just merely spinning your wheels and not ever getting anywhere! Dark old habits, lying, envy, strife, coveting, addictions and heartaches are allowed to come to the surface to actually dissipate in His penetrating yet convicting Light.
A purpose driven Church will teach you that our lives and heart are open and exposed to God. There is absolutely nothing that is hidden from God. Acknowledging, confessing and actually experiencing repentance from sin should become welcomed companions. It does not merely encourage one to enlist in a barrage of activities. God truly is recognized as the central focus. Families are encouraged to foster healthy nurturing home environments. A healthy ministry is composed of healthy families. Being a Christian becomes a lifestyle rather than a weekend activity. This helps the old nature to become continuously harnessed and brought under self-control. God’s illuminating Light begins to brighten your path. His abiding Holy Spirit is there to comfort in sickness, distress or grief.
REPENT!!!
A purpose driven ministry is a place where everyone actually is someone. Not because they have been appointed to a position but because they know without doubt who they are becoming in CHRIST JESUS!
The old, in between and young are equally welcomed. They are encouraged to participate utilizing whatever gifts they have to offer for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom. Mutual respect replaces discriminating favoritism. Manipulation massed as compassion is unacceptable. A cult cliquish mentality is consciously not welcomed. A sincere effort to establish a balanced spiritual Body is indisputable. True freedom in Christ through the knowledge of His WORD is realized. The Elders/Ministers and or Missionaries of God’s flock consciously encourages God centered relationships rather than dictating control and domination. Only God receives the preeminence!
The Church body of a purpose driven Ministry openly recognizes that Jesus Christ is the only “Great Head of His Church.” In many congregations the pastor is often thought of as “the head.” This misconception is abandoned. They know that the Church is actually the Bride of Christ Jesus! John clearly and carefully affirms that he himself was not the Light! That he came to bear witness that Jesus Christ was the Light of the world. John 10 tells us that there will be one Shepherd and one flock. The pastor is actually one of many overseers of God’s flock. They are charged to feed God’s flock with wisdom and understanding through His WORD according to Jeremiah 3.
Although there are many members in the body not one is more important than the other. Each individual is different and their function in the body is different. God puts the members in the body as it pleases HIM! A mature pastor does not feel threatened. He knows His position in Christ. In order to have a healthy spiritual environment we must give God His proper respect. God is a God of order. There CAN ONLY BE; “ONE HEAD!” A secure pastor equips the saints through the WORD. He does not manipulate them to think as he thinks. He always points them to the Lord. This empowers the members to recognize “truth from error.” He abandons the need to mentally abuse or manipulate the congregation. They know GOD IS OMNIPRESENT! He instead encourages the members to be daily lead by the Holy Spirit.
A purpose driven ministry recognizes the need for the saints first to be equipped themselves. This is what strengthens the overall Universal Church. Then they are willing and able to go forth confidently fulfilling His “Great Commission.” A fulfilling effective ministry seeks to acknowledge God in all of their ways. All of God’s children are equally welcomed by sincerely acknowledging all nations. They realize “flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven.” The members should be represented and openly reflected by every walk of life not solely by your name being on a list… God is Sovereign and Father of all.
GOD has but one UNIVERSAL CHURCH!
Ask yourself is your current place of ministry purpose driven? What is its purpose? Is it to merely solicit funding to maintain the building? Is to grow in numbers? Is it so you can be the biggest and best in your neighborhood or zip code? Is it to equip the saints? Is it to restore families? Is it spiritually sound? Is it to enlighten others no matter what their color or culture is; and introduce them to Christ? Do some things need to change? Is it actually filling the “Great Commission?”
CHRIST JESUS died ON THE CROSS AND HE AROSE WITH ALL POWER so we might be FREE to LIVE FOR GOD! Not to be bound by the traditions of man… That we individually as well as collectively represent Him on earth. We as believers are to apply and embrace the truth and principles of His Word within our own daily lives. We are to encourage others to do the same “Saved” or unsaved. Making others feel comfortable in sin is NOT loving them… We can call upon Jesus as Savior and Lord 24/7 wherever we are. Christ Jesus and He alone is the only one to walk in the flesh and actually completely conquer sin in the flesh. Therefore as long as God has any of us on this side of Heaven it is to improve, grow in His grace “walking in the light” toward perfection in Him! He is our perfect example and Savior. He imputes HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS to us as we walk in obedience.
” Even now the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD without the law is manifested being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Even the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD which is by FAITH of JESUS CHRIST UNTO ALL AND UPON ALL THEM THAT BELIEVE; FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. ALL have sinned and come short of the Glory of God” Romans 3 This is the great equalizer.
Each and every one of us needs Christ Jesus as our Lord an Savior. His precious blood is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He is worthy of all the glory and the honor. Just know your freedom has been purchased by His death on the cross. He arose with all power to also make this known to all the principalities and lesser powers… HE IS LORD! He bestows upon us His precious Holy Spirit, His Comforter to help us.
God’s resources are inexhaustible and available to us. However we must seek Him above all else and walk in obedience to His Word. That is if we want to enter into His Kingdom. John tells us ” that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Which means it’s right here! There is nothing in the world that even compares to what God has to offer. This goes far beyond the material. Know without a doubt as His child “He will never leave you nor forsake you.” It is only through CHRIST JESUS that you can become PERFECT! For it is in Him you can become complete!
A purpose driven ministry will encourage you to do your homework. Do you want to be Blessed? Well, Psalms tells us that we will be blessed if we; “meditate upon His Word day and night.” Life brings joys, sorrow and grief, with much spiritual warfare. We must realistically be prepared. How much of your time is really spent in prayer and meditation? Why not commence to bathe in the warmth of His Word? It has miraculous cleansing and healing power. God has the ultimate design for your life. How will you know what it is if you don’t spend time with Him?
Acknowledging God, as Creator is optional from the world‘s perspective. This is why it is very important that God becomes the focal point of our worship services. Rather than focus on your pain or sorrows focus upon HIM! Instead allow the Lord the opportunity to deliver you and lighten your burdens. We live in the world but we are not supposed to be like the world! “It is in Him we live and move and have our being.” His principles of balance and harmony are indispensably visible. His towering height less enormous firmament is a constant reminder of His awesome omnipresence. His grace displayed adorns the sky in the form of tender clouds. Suspended high above like soft billowing cotton. His magnificent creation is vociferously speaking all throughout the world! Although His omnipotent power is ever present He won’t force His way into your life.
A purpose driven ministry actually implements and embraces Biblical principles. The praise and worship harmoniously complement one another. It should ultimately be a place where the children of God can unload; refuel, recharge, and leave refreshed and ready to proclaim the Gospel. To not return Sunday after Sunday burdened and shackled. There home life becomes or can become continually improved as well as they daily invite the presence of the Lord.
In a Purpose Driven Church when and if desired unbelievers are readily encouraged to choose adoption into the “Family of God.” The main focus of a purpose driven ministry is committed to reconciling souls to Jesus Christ. We as His children can actually become His ambassadors! An ambassador is sent to fulfill a duty. Ask yourself? Are you growing in the grace, wisdom and understanding of the Lord? Or are you stagnate? Are you fulfilling your duty? Or are you simply going along with the program for acceptance? Is Christ really the center of your ministry? Is it your purpose or is it GOD’S PURPOSE?
It is important to know where you are in the LORD! If CHRIST JESUS returned today are you ready?
P4CM Presents Ready or Not by Featured RHETORIC Poets Ezekiel & Janette..ikz