Who We Are And What We Are About

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Who We Are And What We Are About</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id448.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From the Crowd To The Core"><U><B><IMG SRC="007151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id446.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who We Are And What We Are About (Part 2"><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:stan@stanbaker.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:stan@stanbaker.org"><U>stan@stanbaker.org</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>"Who are We and What Are We About"</B></div> <div> <B>Berean Bible Church, March 21, 2004</B></div> <bR> <div>      In the book <I>Built to Last</I>, co-authored by Jim Collins, they discuss several companies that have thrived over the past several decades. They discuss characteristics that can be learned from these companies. Such companies are impressive. But what is really impressive is the church. The church of Jesus Christ is built to last a lot longer. Jesus said, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt 16:18)! Who wants to be part of something that is here today and gone tomorrow, and doesn't make a difference in between?</div> <div>      Jesus is the boss, the owner, the CEO - it is his work, and we are managers or stewards of his work. Our purpose as a church is to 1) be active, growing, developing followers of Jesus and 2) reach out and invite others to be followers of Jesus Christ. We are followers of Jesus - want to grow and want to tell others. We will eventually "arrive" (when we see Jesus), but there is always more progress to make on both fronts. If you have arrived, you obviously don't need the church, and if you haven't arrived, get involved! Why is it worth it to invest your efforts into the local church? Why is it worth it to be involved, more than just a weekly "religious fix"?</div> <div>      We have a job to do. We are ambassadors or representatives for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9-21). The US Embassy in Moldova has a mission statement, which helps us understand what an ambassador does. "The American Embassy in Chisinau protects and promotes American interests and develops relations with Moldova through contacts with Moldovan government, business, labor, agriculture, media and education leaders." An ambassador lives in a foreign culture. They advocate and protect someone else's interests, not their own. We are representatives of Christ, advancing the purpose and cause of Christ on earth. This is not our home; this is no longer our native culture.</div> <div>      As messengers for Christ, let's be clear about our motivation, and about the message we proclaim.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1. Our motivation (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=2Cor+5:9-16" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>2 Corinthians 5:9-16</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      Paul had to defend himself against those who questioned and opposed his ministry. There will always be dangers, opposition, complacency toward those who work on behalf of Christ. It is going to be difficult, but it will be worth it. Paul was willing to suffer for the sake of telling other people about Jesus. He had a self-less, others-focused ministry - it wasn't about him or his comfort or status or significance as a minister of the gospel. He was not afraid what people would think. What motivated him, in the midst of difficulties and pressures?</div> <div> A. The coming evaluation of our faithfulness.</div> <div>      Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist, awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the paper. It talked about his legacy of developing dynamite and making it efficient to kill people. This troubled him, and he changed direction and even established The Nobel Peace Prize. He said, "Every man ought to have the chance to correct their obituary in midstream and write a new one." How do you want your life to be assessed when it is all said and done? How do you want to be remembered on earth, rewarded in heaven? Live with an eternal perspective (4:18).</div> <div> B. The love Christ has already poured out on us (vss. 14-15). </div> <div>      Respond to his love by loving him in return. Serve him out of gratitude for what he has done for you. Give him your all, because he gave you life.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2. Our message (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=2Cor+5:17-21" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>2 Corinthians 5:17-21</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      Our message is one of new life in Christ, forgiveness of sin, hope, of wisdom for life that helps us make the most of life on earth and life for eternity. Christ died so that our sins no longer count against us. God is giving you an eternal break - he "broke" Christ so he could give you a break from your sin (vs. 19, 21).</div> <div>      Consider the stakes if we don't do what we are supposed to be doing. What if we don't tell others, and represent Christ in this world (vs. 20)? We urge people <I>on behalf of Christ</I>. What if your doctor or lawyer or financial planner or car mechanic no longer worked <I>on your behalf</I>, even while you were paying them? Christ showed us his grace, and we get to share his message, on his behalf.</div> <div>      In cities and towns all over America, there are fire stations, some with paid personnel, others with volunteer personal. They have a job to do when they are called. They don't sit in the comfort of the station or of their own homes when someone cries out in need. They go and do their job. When you needed them, aren't you glad they came? Lost people, even if they don't yet realize it, need a message of hope and love, that only Jesus can offer. And you and I in the church are messengers on behalf of Christ. Let's not sit idly by in the comfort of our churches or homes when so many people need the hope that Christ offers. You are a messenger - share the message.</div> <bR> <div>      We must invite people to Belong, to Grow, and to Serve at Berean. Berean must be a place to belong (to Christ, to other believers), a place to grow, and a place to serve (to make a difference, to advance the cause of Jesus Christ).</div> <bR> <div> <B>Questions for Thought and Discussion:</B></div> <div> 1. There are many examples of leaders who have given direction and purpose to an organization, and that direction has continued when the leader departed. Christ has given us a purpose and goal, and we must clear on our motivation and on the message we share. What are your motives for following Christ? How clear are you on the message? Share the good news with someone else in your small to check for clarity.</div> <bR> <div> 2. It was said that God extended reconciliation to us so that we can become part of his family and his friend? Have you accepted that gesture of grace to become part of his family? If so what are your responsibilities as a good family member and friend of God?</div> <bR> <div> 3. Since we truly are just travelers in this world, we are ambassadors or representatives of Christ. This means that He has chosen us to serve in a specific way. Where has He placed you and what can you do to affect lives for change?</div> <bR> <div> 4. Review the story of Alfred Nobel and his early obituary. Take a moment to write an obituary for your life. What do people see in you? What would they say? Do you like what they see? How can you change to have greater impact for Christ? What one thing can you do starting today to cause others to see your life as an offering to Christ?</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2004, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>