Do you ever wonder what the purpose of our church is?  I mean, why all the labour and fuss; why all the prayer meetings, days of fasting, sermons and worship services?  Why all the giving? And going on mission trips?  Why all the church planting and multiple locations?  Why all the programs for children, students and adults?  Why all the Bible study and board meetings?  Why all these weekly updates from me?  You get the idea…

Well, wonder no more!  The purpose of our church was clearly declared by Jesus in the Scriptures when He said, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28: 18-20)

These revered words of Christ have long been referred to as ‘The Great Commission’.  It is a direct mandate from our Lord.  There is no wiggle room here.  In them, Jesus has clearly declared that the purpose of ALL churches is to be one and the same; MAKE DISCIPLES.  That’s it; pure, clean and simple.  Make disciples of all people, everywhere on earth, near and far.

To do this, we must be intentional and outward focused – Jesus tells us to ‘go’.  Let’s be active – up and at it.  As we go, we speak and live our faith, pointing people to Jesus as Saviour and Lord.  We are also told to ‘baptize’ those who believe, so that private decisions to follow Jesus can be made public and so that the work of Christ in our life and the union with His people be made clear, visible, defined and accountable.  Baptism plays a similar role in the life of a believer as does the wedding ceremony in the life of a couple – it is a public and official rite of passage declaring love, commitment and fidelity in relationship.  And finally, Jesus says we are to make disciples by ‘teaching ‘ people to live the Jesus way.  Teaching is not for head knowledge, it is for life change.  The goal of all Christian education is life transformation in conformity with the truth that Jesus taught and modelled.  Therefore, making disciples and being disciples is a matter of becoming obedient (from the heart) to the commands of Christ in all of life.

So there you have it.  That is the purpose of our church here at RockPointe.  The phrase we use to express this mission is, ‘Helping people to know and follow Jesus’.  And that’s what all the labour, prayer and fuss is about around here.

So where are you in this mission?  Is your life dedicated to knowing and following Jesus?  Are you involved in ‘going, baptizing, teaching’ to make other disciples?

The Great Commission is an invitation to the most important thing that is happening on earth.  It is also an invitation to a fantastic adventure.  Don’t miss it friend!

Sincerely,

Pastor Brent