OUR CALLING TO FULFILL

The mission of our church is specific:
...To proclaim God's Truth (revealed without error in the Bible),
...To evangelize the lost,
...To be faithful disciples--followers of Jesus Christ,
...To example Christ-like love for God and for one another,
...To promote Scriptural holiness of heart and life, and
...To advance Christian virtue in the public square.

In recent months we have become increasingly aware of this fact: It is much easier to state a mission, than it is to fulfill a mission!

To fulfill the mission God has given us, will require specific commitments by God's people.

1. IF THERE IS WARMTH THERE MUST BE LOVE!
If our services are to be noted for spiritual warmth, there must be that "going the extra mile," self-less, hospitable, caring, sacrificial, loyal love.

2. IF THERE IS OUTREACH THERE MUST BE REACH-OUT!
It is not enough to pray that God will send in the lost, we must go to them. Jesus said, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations." (Matthew 28:19ff)

3. IF THERE IS POWER THERE MUST BE PRAYER!
Powerlessness is the inevitable consequence of prayerlessness. Our prayer life must be faithful, consistent, insistent, and persistent!

4. IF THERE IS WORSHIP THERE MUST BE SACRIFICE!
The English word from which we derive "worship" is "worth-ship." It is only when we consider the presence of God greater worth than the fleeting pleasures and treasures of earth, that we can experience true worship. Paying the price of holy discipline, giving our voices and our attention and involvement in worship are vital to experiencing the presense of God.

Those who see the cross, will with Isaac Watts testify, "all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood," and then know the joy and wonder of worship.

5. IF THERE IS CONVICTION THERE MUST BE TRUTH!
The tragedy of our times is that too many preachers fear to tell the truth, and too many in the pews do not want to hear the truth. It is no wonder that there is so little conviction in our services.

6. IF THERE IS PEACE, THERE MUST BE WAR!
Churches that have surrendered to the spirit of the age, to the world, the flesh, and the devil, will never know the peace of God that passes understanding. Only those who have declared war on the enemies of man's soul will know peace.

7. IF THERE IS VICTORY, THERE MUST BE SURRENDER!
Not surrender to the enemy, rather an unconditional surrender to do the whole will of God. Those who testify, "All to Jesus I Surrender" will testify with the songwriter, "Gone is the battle that once raged within, I have peace."

In conclusion we would note that for every soul, and for every church, IF THERE IS HEAVEN THERE MUST BE HOLINESS. The Scripture declares, "Pursue peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." This holiness is not imputed, rather it is imparted by the Spirit of Holiness to all who "hunger and thirst after righteousness."

May God enable His Church to rise up in this late hour, to declare the whole counsel of god, and to be the Church He has called us to be in this generation. Charles Wesley's testimony is our prayer:

A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the skies.

To serve this present age,
My calling to fulfill,
Oh may it all my powers engage,
To do my Master's will.

Arm me with jealous care,
As in thy sight to live,
And O thy servant Lord prepare
A strict account to give.

Help me to watch and pray,
And on thyself rely,
Assured if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.