What is our mission, our purpose, our primary function? May 9 - PM

Recent movie – “The Passion of the Christ” This text is AFTER the passion Jesus was killed, buried, and raised He taught his apostles for 40 days He gave his apostles – a passion, the power needed, and a plan.

Be my witnesses Acts 1:8 - But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

God’s people need: –Vision – able to plan ahead –Goals – something to aim for –Dreams – reach for something higher SADLY – Today many Christians have no challenge, conviction, commitment

Do you have a “passion” for the cause of Christ? SOLUTION: Challenge yourself with a goal –Faith, deeper study, knowledge –Share, teach, involved, work –Support, encourage

Survey of 50 people over 95 “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?” 3 answers at the top: –I would reflect (think) more –I would risk more –I would do more things that would live after I am dead

What are your dreams, goals and visions for: –Your life? –Your family? –This church? –Your world? Will these thrive or just survive?

How are we going to get it done? We feel so weak and helpless Where can I get the power to see my dreams become reality?

We receive power when we obey the gospel Acts 5:32 - And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Like electricity – the power we need is available We must learn to use the available power to get it done Book – “Plug Into Power” – the power is available, we must plug into the source

How do we go about the task before us? What should we do first? Where do we start? We need to sit down and begin making some plans

Early church had a plan – –Jerusalem –Judea –Samaria –Ends of the earth Personally – –Do you have a plan? –How are you going to reach your world?

This church – –Where is this church headed? –Goals – Aims – Plans – Purpose – Direction –Do you have a 10-year vision for this church? We must plan for growth

Jesus was taken up – apostles just stood and watched Acts 1:9 - Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Now the apostles are alone with a huge job to be done He will come back – won’t He? He will help us – won’t He? He will come back as he left – –In clouds –Suddenly, quickly, no warning

In high school – I earned money for college by mowing lawns A man gave me instructions, showed me the tools – and said he would be back later I hoped I would make some noticeable progress before he returned.

Jesus is coming back! Will the job be done? Do we have what it takes? –The passion –The power –The plans Are you ready for Jesus?