#kingdomfocused

Our vision – Every Christ-follower a disciple; every disciple a disciple-maker. Our Mission – To worship God, proclaim Christ, and develop fully devoted followers of Jesus who will extend his love to others.

This article is the last in my four-part series concerning Cornerstone’s core values. To date, we have covered Christ-Centered Relationships, Biblical Grace and Truth, and Spirit-filled living. This month…

Core value #4 – Equipping, Sending, Supporting: “Every disciple is called to be a disciple-maker. In this, Cornerstone is committed to equipping every believer to be engaged and actively involved in the Great Commission, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ both locally and globally.”

The public ministry of Jesus lasted for three years. During this time, his disciples learned much as they walked along-side him, watched him, listened to him, and prayed with him. Scripture records Jesus teaching through parables, demonstrating his power through miracles, and his humility through his sacrificial death. Yes, the disciples were afforded every opportunity to grow in Christlikeness, having been equipped by Christ himself. But to what end? For what purpose?

With all that Jesus did among, and said to, his disciples, Scripture records but one instance of Jesus making an appointment to speak with them1, and it was not to witness a miracle, nor was it to hear him teach large crowds. Rather, it was to receive instructions. Or more precisely, an instruction.

The instruction. And if the impact of Jesus calling his one and only meeting was not enough to cause his disciples to heed his words, the fact that his call was post-resurrection most certainly would cause them to show up, shut up, and listen. So, we have Scripture recording the risen Christ, fresh off his VICTORY OVER DEATH ITSELF, calling his disciples to meet with him, what does he say? Matthew 28:18-20 - “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2 And if this command of Jesus was not clear enough, later, back in Jerusalem, he states, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). And, perhaps, to add emphasis to the place and purpose of this command, after speaking these words Jesus BODILY ASCENDED TO HEAVEN, where he now sits at the right hand of the Father, highly exalted, interceding on our behalf, with all power and authority.

So, there it is. The final command of Jesus – make disciples. Be his witnesses. Share the good news with a world in desperate need of God’s grace, love, and mercy. HE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CLEARER. It is because of this command of Christ, that Cornerstone counts among its core values equipping, sending, and supporting every believer to be engaged and actively involved in the Great Commission, making every disciple a disciple-maker.

But there is more.

All of humanity was created to worship God. But across the globe, in Asia, in Africa, in Europe and the Americas, to include Eldridge, Iowa, men, and women of all ages and all races are worshipping false gods. Gods of wood. Gods of stone. Gods of their imagination. They have made sports, wealth, or power their gods. And for even one man to worship someone or something other than the one true God, it robs God of the glory and honor He is due.

It is God alone that should receive our praise. It is God alone that we should worship. And it is because of this that Cornerstone values equipping, sending, and supporting every believer to be engaged and actively involved in the Great Commission, making every disciple a disciple-maker. But again, there is more.

Christ died for the rescue of all people. It is recorded time and time again in scripture.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him, shall not perish but have eternal life”

1 Timothy 2:4-6a, “[God] who desires ALL people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself for a ransom for ALL…”

Christ died for all people, regardless of race, color, creed, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social status, or economic condition, and it is our responsibility, no, strike that…it is our privilege to be the conduit by which the lost are saved.

It is clear, God desires salvation for all people. It is His passion. It should also be ours.

At Cornerstone we take seriously the call to equip the saints to do the work of ministry, sending them out into a world in desperate need of hope, and support-ing all who desire to preach the good news. May we ever be a kingdom-focused congregation, concerned only with the cause of Christ and remain a fertile ground for making disciple-makers.

1 Please do not take my word for it, read the gospels and check it out for yourself. Yes, please read the gospels all the way through. (You will find the call to meet in Matthew 28:10).