The Outer Mission

First, we needed to revive the great conversation about the formation of the soul; God has given each one of us the responsibility to "grow in grace" (2 Pet. 3:18). This is not something we can pass off onto others. We are to take up our individualized crosses and follow in the steps of the crucified and risen Christ.

Second, we needed to incarnate this reality into the daily experience of individual, congregational, and cultural life. "Action follows essence," reminds us that our action is always in accord with the inward reality of our heart.

We are to do the work of God in a congregational setting.

Getting Gods people into fellowship- if I am longing to know Jesus and follow Jesus and serve Jesus and be formed into the image of Jesus—then I am powerfully drawn toward anyone and everyone who is seeking to know Jesus and follow Jesus and serve Jesus and be formed into the image of Jesus.

Getting Gods people connected- We stay within the given church structures and develop little centers of light within those structures. And then we let our light shine!

Getting Gods People to those who need Jesus- being torn loose from all earthly attachments and ambitions, and amor mundi, our being quickened to a divine but painful compassion for the world. We deepen in our compassion for the bruised, the broken, the dispossessed. We ache and pray and labor for others in a new way, a selfless way, a joy-filled way. Our heart is enlarged toward those on the margins. Indeed, our heart is enlarged toward all people, toward all of Creation.

Discipleship

Matthew 8:18-27 reminds us that true discipleship is following the orders of Jesus without excuses. If I say I will follow then I must count the cost. Jesus reminded the scribe that sacrifice is a part of discipleship. Personal interests cannot come first when following the Lord. On the journey there will be storms that arise from what appears to be out of nowhere but Jesus commands us not to fear but to have faith. When our trust is in the Lord to lead us we will be amazed at what things the Lord can do.

John Paton said " Nothing so clears the vision and lifts up the life, as a decision to move forward in what you know to be entirely the will of the Lord."

The Inner Mission

He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion (Phil. 1:6). The inner mission is God at work in us to complete us in Christ. We must remember we were the 1 sheep that the shepherd went after leaving the 99. The inner mission is about you and God's desitiny for your life.

Here are 3 things to keep in mind.

1. Accept it. God will not let you God.
2. Expect it. God will be at work on your behalf to complete His mission in your life.
3. Perfect it. God expects us to do our part in the inner mission by yielding our will.

Be conformed (Rom. 8:29), Be transformed (2 Cor. 3:18), Be formed (Gal. 4:19), into Christlikness.