Grace College and Seminary Board of Trustees

Grace College & Seminary is an evangelical Christian community of higher education which applies biblical values in strengthening character, sharpening competence and preparing for service. Winona Lake, Indiana

#1 – (86 million) – #2 – (76 million) – #3 – (74 million) – #4 – (72 million) – #5 – (61 million) – Katy Perry Justin Bieber Taylor Swift Barack Obama YouTube video Also in the top ten are Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Ellen DeGeneres, and Justin Timberlake

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Five Commitments that Define a Christian follow Jesus!

iWill SEEK: passionately pursuing God in all of life!

follow Jesus!

iWill GO: purposely living my life “on mission” for Christ!

John 20:20-22 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

follow Jesus! iWill GO: purposely living my life “on mission” for Christ!

SO what does it mean to live our lives “on mission” for Christ?

Jesus’ ministry of presence Jesus’ ministry of proclamation

His ministry of presence Mark 2:13-17 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

His ministry of presence Mark 2:15-17 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

His ministry of presence Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

His ministry of presence Mark 6:21 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

His ministry of presence Mark 1:29-31 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

His ministry of presence Mark 1:32-34 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

His ministry of presence Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

May 15 – 21 Please see insert in mail boxes and either hospitality center for more info! Got gently used shoes to donate?

If you are going to live life ON MISSION for Christ – then you must engage with people. Reaching out to those around you and serving them, seeking to meet their needs, whatever they might be!

The ministry of presence... serving those in need!

His ministry of proclamation Mark 1:15-16 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

His ministry of proclamation Mark 2:1-2 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.

His ministry of proclamation Luke 8:1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God.

His ministry of proclamation Luke 8:1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the GOOD NEWS of the kingdom of God.

His ministry of proclamation Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

follow Jesus! iWill GO: purposely living my life “on mission” for Christ!

To live “on mission” for Christ we must engage in... The ministry of presence, serving those in need! The ministry of proclamation, sharing the gospel of Christ!

When it comes to engaging in the ministry of presence and the ministry of proclamation, it is NOT “either-or” but “both-and!”

The ministry of presence and proclamation Matthew 4:23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

The ministry of presence and proclamation Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.

The ministry of presence and proclamation Mark 1:39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

The ministry of presence and proclamation “Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary use words.” Francis of Assissi

The ministry of presence and proclamation “Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary use words.” Francis of Assissi “Preach the gospel at all times with your life and your lips!” (by what you do and say!)

Show the gospel through how you live... Tell the gospel by what you say...

“It is not our business to make the message acceptable, but to make it available. We are not to see that they like it, but that they get it.” Vance Havner

2 Corinthians 4:5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

“This gospel is both proclaimed and embodied by Paul. Thus Paul preaches the crucified Christ as Lord (the gospel), and Paul himself lives out the gospel in the service of his hearers—that is, as an embodiment of the gospel in his own Christlike ‘slavery’ to the needs of his people.”

Two action steps (as you strive to live your life “on mission” for Christ!) 1. Sometime between now and the end of this month, perform a “random act of kindness.”

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.

Two action steps (as you strive to live your life “on mission” for Christ!) 1. Sometime between now and the end of this month, perform a random act of kindness. Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Two action steps (as you strive to live your life “on mission” for Christ!) 1. Sometime between now and the end of this month, perform a random act of kindness. 2. Go F.I.S.H.

Go F.I.S.H. Friendly (be positive vs. negative) Initiate (a conversation) Story (Serve) (Tell your God story or serve them) Hope (Give hope through Jesus)

Two action steps (as you strive to live your life “on mission” for Christ!) 1. Sometime between now and the end of this month, perform a random act of kindness. 2. Go F.I.S.H.