Can you describe the difference between and participle and a verb? A verb states action, but a participle is a word that describes. So, in our Lord’s commission to His church, “As you are going, make disciples,” He describes His followers as going, and instructs us to make disciples.
The simplest rendering of the mission of the church is to make disciples – committed followers of Jesus Christ. The specifics, however, are multifaceted. Discipleship is honing the craft of walking with God; it includes being trained, sharpening spiritual disciplines, being shaped in Christ’s likeness. One could say that discipleship is living the gospel, or life as worship. As we worship God we sense Him by walking with Him and delighting in Him; then, in the outflow of that walk and delight we love God by serving Him, pointing others to His goodness and perfections with compassion, grace, truth, and humility.
Let me put it in a slightly sharper statement. It is not good to include God in your plans. God calls you to be included and have a specific part in His plan. Here is how the apostle Paul puts it,
“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body”
1 Cor. 6:19-20
The Grace Bible Church vision is: We are an intentional community of grace that loves God, demonstrated by loving people in a culture of discipleship. The word culture describes a common way of thinking and acting – all of us engaged in following Jesus and helping others follow Him. Discipleship is one life coming along side another to walk together Godward.
Our resolve to move in this direction is shown by calling Bobby Locklear to the role of full-time pastor of small groups. Over a decade Bobby has been discipled at Grace, he has been proven and entrusted with leadership; he was ordained by Grace, fulfilled a two-year pastoral internship at Grace, and now you have called him to serve you focused on connections and outreach as point man in disciple making. Please take the time to welcome Bobby and to commit to pray for him and Rachel. Get behind him to support his Spirit-filled passion to love God and His people.
Let’s move out with our faith! Let’s resolve to be the fragrance of Christ to our FRAN and our city.
“Let us expect that God is going to use us.
Let us have courage and go forward,
looking to God to do great things.”
[D.L. Moody]
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