I. Introduction

A. Illustration – It’s been said that religion is man’s attempt to explain his existence. The “why are we here?” question has been plaguing mankind for thousands of years. And there is only one right answer. Maybe that’s why so many folks don’t find it. I want to start out this morning by sharing several Scriptures that will help us understand why it is that we are here.

B. John 15:8 from NIV – This is to my father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

C. Romans 6:11, 13 from the New Living – So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus. 13 Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.

D. Romans 11:36 – For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen.

E. Romans 15:9 – And he came so the Gentiles might also give glory to God for his mercies to them.

F. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.

G. 2 Corinthians 3:18 – And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.

H. Philippians 1:11 – May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

I. Revelation 1:6 – He has made us his kingdom and his priests who serve before God his Father. Give to him everlasting glory. He rules forever and ever! Amen!

J. Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”

K. Ephesians 3:21 – May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.

L. 2 Corinthians 4:15 – All of these things are for your benefit. And as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

II. Intended for Glory

A. What do all these passages tell us? Mankind is here on earth to bring glory to God. Period. End of discussion. Final answer. We exist to bring glory to God. How do we do that? We bring glory to God by allowing Him to transform us into His likeness. We become fully committed and transformed disciples of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:22-24 – You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. If that isn’t being a fully committed and transformed disciple of Jesus Christ, I don’t know what is! Ephesians 4:15 says, Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. We bring glory to Him by becoming like Him.

B. So since that is the case, what does being a fully committed and transformed disciple of Jesus Christ look like? What are some of the characteristics of someone who is a fully committed and transformed disciple of Jesus Christ? I’ve got some big paper up here on the easel, so I need a scribe. Start listing some characteristics of a committed and transformed disciple of Jesus, and we’ll write them down.

C. If this is what a disciple of Jesus Christ should look like, how do we get there? We become like Christ by spending time with Him and by obeying His will. John 15:14, 21 – “If you love me, obey my commandments… 21 Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them.” And in Philippians 3:10-11, Paul writes, I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Knowing Christ deeply and intimately and obeying Him not just in our deeds but in our hearts – that’s how we become like Him. That’s how we become fully committed and transformed disciples of Jesus Christ.

D. And yet there’s more. Not only are we commanded to become committed and transformed disciples as individuals, we’re commanded to become those disciples as a church and to help others become disciples of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28: 18-20 – Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 28 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.” Or as The Message translates it: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” That’s why we’re here as a church.

E. One book I just finished reading talked about the need to clarify the win. What that basically means is that we’ve got to be clear about what it means for us to win, for us to accomplish what God wants us to do. If we win, this is what means, and anything short means it’s a loss. The book spoke about the need for leaders to constantly keep what a win is in front of the people, and I’ve really dropped the ball on that. Please forgive me for that. I’ll work at doing better at it, and all of the leaders of this church need to work at doing better at it. We’ve got to keep the win in front of us in all of our decision-making, in all of our discussions, in all we do. What is a win for Sodaville Evangelical Church? A win for us is when someone who does not know Christ becomes a fully committed and transformed disciple of Jesus Christ. Anything short of that is a loss. Anything that is not a step in that direction is a waste of time. Everything we do as a church has to be focused on helping people become transformed and committed disciples of Jesus Christ. Everything we do as a church has got to be focused on helping people become like Christ and fully obedient to Him.

F. What does that mean for us as individuals? Everything we do as individuals has to be focused on becoming like Christ and more obedient to Him, and helping others to do the same. If all of us are doing that, we’ll win as a church. If all of us are not doing that, some of us will win as individuals but we won’t win as a church. There are five sub-groupings of how we do this – worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, and service – but all are pointed at making fully committed and transformed disciples of Jesus Christ. So what that means for us is that we’ve got to look at everything we do, from worship service, Sunday School, youth group, accountability groups, Discipleship Training – the list could go on – and clarify and write down how each contributes to making disciples. And we’ve got to clarify how each one of these activities can become more effective in helping people become like Christ and more obedient to Him. That’s hard work, and it requires a great deal of humility and honesty, and maybe even a need to get rid of or change pet programs, but if we’re going to win in God’s eyes, we’ve got to do it.

G. Let me say it one more time: A win in God’s eyes is when we allow Him to use us to make a fully committed and transformed disciple of Jesus Christ. Granted, we’re all at different stages in that journey, and maybe some here haven’t started it yet, but if we’re making progress that’s okay. What matters is that we win in God’s eyes by making disciples who are like Christ and who obey Him wholeheartedly. Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples, and that’s what we’re going to do. Let’s keep the win clear and in front of our eyes at all times, figure out what’s working in the process and what isn’t, figure out what steps are missing in the process, and run with it. We’re here to glorify God by becoming fully committed and transformed disciples of Jesus Christ and replicating the same in others. Let’s do it!

III. Conclusion

A. I’d like all of our church council members, pastor-parish members, and trustees to come forward right now. Let’s spend some time in prayer dedicating ourselves to winning in God’s eyes by making fully committed and transformed disciples of Jesus Christ. Take turns leading out in prayer asking God to help us to accomplish this in our various areas of ministry leadership.

B. Let’s pray together.