DNA Sermon series #3 What is our Purpose?
DNA Who we are as a church Sermon series #3
ABC May 30, 2021
WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE? WHY DO WE EXIST?
Mark 1: 37-39, 16-18
INTRODUCTION:
DNA is the code of life that defines who you are—and the church, ABC, has one too. Our DNA describes the CENTER of who we are as a church. Over the course of this series, we will be looking at God’s plan for the church, why ABC exists, what we believe, details of our DNA and how we are going to get there.
REMEMBER: the church began in the heart of God and exists for the glory of God. God began His church to manifest His glory to the whole world.
I’m often asked what my vision is for ABC and that is sometimes not an easy question to answer. I don’t want to be so specific that it becomes overwhelming and I don’t want to be so generic that it doesn’t say anything. I also don’t want to confuse things that I want to see done with things that God says MUST be done. For example, I want to see the parking lot striped, or yankee candles in every bathroom versus souls being saved and lives changed forever!
This morning, I want us to see what our vision and purpose statements are. These are vital to the DNA of our church. Our vision statement is what we hope to see for the future of our church while our mission statement becomes the lens that we view everything that we do through.
ABC Vision statement: We hope to see every MEMBER LEARN the Bible to LIVE the Bible.
ABC Mission statement:
We exist to help PEOPLE get from WHERE THEY ARE to WHERE GOD WANTS them to be.
BIG IDEA:
God has placed us here to make a difference.
BODY:
I. GENERAL TRUTHS THAT DIRECT OUR PURPOSE AND JUSTIFY OUR EXISTENCE Mark 1:37-39, 16-18, Matthew 28:18-20
Note: Before we get to our vision and mission specifically, we need to remind ourselves of some general truths that help to direct our path. There are some things that go beyond CULTURE and will always stand the test of TIME.
A. Sin is Raging and the World is Broken
B. People are Hurting All men…
C. Jesus is the Only Hope …seek for thee.
D. The Truth is the ONLY Way to Jesus Let US go…
E. The Church is God’s Chosen Vessel to Win the World- Great Commandment and the Great Commission
HOW CAN WE DO WE IT?
II. ABC VISION STATEMENT James 1:22
Note: Remember, the vision is what we hope to be in the future. Solomon says where there is no vision the people perish, Proverbs 22:18. Our vision is very simple, and we look at these words closely, “We hope to see every MEMBER LEARN the Bible to LIVE the Bible.” This was born out of what I kept hearing from people that came to ABC. “I have never been to a church that uses the Bible as much as y’all do.” That’s so SAD for other places but GREAT for us! We place a high premium on God’s Word here! 3 key words…member…learn…live.
A. Member-we hope for every person that enters our doors CONNECTS with Jesus and with us as their church family.
B. Learn the Bible-Psalm 119:11, Ephesians 6:17
C. Live the Bible-the world needs to see Jesus born out in our lives! We are to be mirrors of the truth!
III. ABC MISSION STATEMENT Acts 9
Note: Our mission statement keeps us on track. It is the lens that we view everything we do through, and the Bible has given us great direction on this because, the Great Commission, tells us exactly what we are supposed to do! We have this statement that you have heard me preach and mention quite often because it tells us why we do what we do. Why do we do LOL? Why do we do JAM? Why do we even sing the songs that we sing? Why do we hope to see future churches rise up from us? We EXIST to HELP PEOPLE get from WHERE THEY ARE to WHERE GOD WANTS them to be. Let’s examine the words closer…
A. We Exist…God established ABC in Lafayette, LA—a light surrounded Saul
B. Help People…people regardless of race, ethnicity, financial level, educational level, broken homes, drug addiction, whatever…people are hurting and need Jesus!—Saul was the WORST and God reached Him
C. From Where They Are…it doesn’t matter where you are on your journey. We are ALL on a journey…you may be a full-blown atheist, hurt by church before and trying to make a comeback, seeker, new convert, out of church for a while, clinging to faith, old timer, some timer or first timer!—Saul was blind but incredibly knowledgeable of the Bible but he needed Jesus! When you find out where you are you can…
D. To Where God Wants Them to Be…I don’t know much but I know that God loves you where you are but refuses to let you stay there!—Saul became Paul…saved, baptized, joined to church, learned the Bible, became a disciple, served and became God’s chosen vessel to the world! What can God do with you?
NEXT STEPS:
• Never allow a day to pass without taking time to pray for ABC
• Never speak with anyone without saying a word of praise about ABC
• Commit to memory the Vision and Mission Statements of Acadiana Baptist Church
CONCLUSION:
It is God’s Will for every life for a person to be SAVED, SCRIPTURALLY baptized and to JOIN His Church…where are you along that journey?