Category: On Mission

Mountain of Motivation

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” Matthew 17:1-2 (ESV) If only life was a perpetual mountaintop experience. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be on a constant spiritual high and never come down? Peter, James, and John had a once in a lifetime experience with Jesus on the top of a mountain. Jesus was transfigured before them. Peter wanted to build three shelters in order to stay on the mountaintop and live in the radiance of Jesus’ glory. Jesus used the experience to teach Peter, James, and John the necessity to come down the mountain to meet the needs of people in the valley. In other words, God surprises us with mountaintop experiences to reveal His glory so that we can go into the world to reveal God’s glory to others. Consider the terrain of your spiritual journey. Can you recall the mountaintop experiences you have had with God? Did God reveal His glory to you in those moments so that you would stay in the moment? No! God gave you those special glimpses into His nature and character so that you could go into the valley of life to connect with people in desperate need of God’s salvation. God moments can be difficult to transfer to others. Often, the God moments are for you to be encouraged and strengthened personally. The experience should motivate you to go into the world to declare the message of reconciliation to a world alienated from God. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Bible On Mission Spiritual Disciplines

Making Room for God’s Word

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 23, 2014
5 Comments on Making Room for God’s Word

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 (ESV) Is God’s Word at home in your heart? Your intake of God’s Word will determine your level of living on mission with God. The primary tool of revelation that God uses for His children is the Bible. God reveals Himself through His Word. You can read the Bible. You can listen to the Bible. You can sit under the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.“ 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) Your worship includes the intentional intake of God’s Word. God has appointed and anointed pastors and teachers to communicate His Word in a creative and compelling way. Are you currently sitting under that kind of preaching and teaching? God speaks through human instrumentality. Do you consistently receive a Word from God through the preaching and teaching that you are exposing yourself to? There are many options out there. Make certain that you are connected to a Bible centered and Christ honoring local fellowship of believers led by a God fearing pastor. Don’t compromise on this one. Be sure to find anointed Bible teachers to help you grow in your understanding and application of God’s Word. Make room in your heart for God’s Word! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Discipline On Mission Order

Ordering Your Life

“And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.“ 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (ESV) Strive earnestly to live a disciplined life. What does that look like? It looks like a life that is orderly and balanced. It is a life that is disciplined and focused. Allow these words to be absorbed in your spirit: order, balance, discipline, and focus. Lead a quiet life. Mind your own business. Work with your hands. Maximize your potential and do not be dependent on anybody. That is not to say that you don’t need others. You need others, but your dependency is not to be a result of laziness or passive neglect. What is the goal of a balanced life? Is it to produce personal happiness? Is it to minimize stress? Those are certainly by-products of a balanced life. However, the goal of a balanced life is to be an irresistible influence for Christ in our culture. Your life is to be lived in such a way as to win the respect of outsiders. Those who are outside of the family of God should be able to view your life and be drawn to Christ. Your life should be magnetic and convincing. Do you lack order, balance, discipline, and focus? Maybe you have too many plates spinning. Maybe it is time to simplify your life. Identify and remove the clutter from your life. Create some space. It may be the most spiritual thing you do this week. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Hospitality Lydia On Mission

Exercising the Gift of Hospitality

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 21, 2014
4 Comments on Exercising the Gift of Hospitality

“And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.” Acts 16:15 (ESV) Have you ever been to someone’s house and you felt right at home? After being there you experienced a special touch of love and encouragement. You left feeling better than when you arrived. Now that’s hospitality! When someone rolls out the red carpet on your behalf, you feel valued. You realize that they placed your needs before their own. Their conduct benefited your life and made you feel treasured. After Lydia became a Christ follower, she extended gracious hospitality to Paul and his traveling companions. Lydia rolled out the red carpet to make them feel right at home. She sought to meet their needs and to provide an atmosphere where they could be refreshed. Her ministry of hospitality did not end there. God blessed Lydia’s hospitality and allowed her home to become the meeting place for the church at Philippi. “So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.” Acts 16:40 (ESV) “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” Rom. 12:13 (ESV) During Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, he wrote a beautiful love letter to the church at Philippi. You can read it now by opening the Bible and turning to the book of Philippians. God used Lydia to touch our lives even today through her willingness to be hospitable. Choose to practice hospitality. Look for ways to place the needs of others before your own. Capture moments to demonstrate the value of others. Be hospitable! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Epaphroditus Ministry On Mission

Extending Personal Touch Ministry

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 20, 2014
2 Comments on Extending Personal Touch Ministry

“I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.” Philippians 2:25 (ESV) Find a need and meet it. Our world is full of hurt and in desperate need of compassion in action. We need each other. What if we chose to look beyond ourselves and look into the lives of others to discover how we can spread the fragrance of Christ? Epaphroditus existed to bring glory to God by extending personal touch ministry. He simply did what Jesus did and placed the needs of others before his own. Willing to risk his own life, Epaphroditus extended personal touch ministry in Paul’s life. He served Jesus by meeting practical needs in Paul’s life. The Apostle Paul’s ability to aggressively plant churches was enriched by the attentive care of Epaphroditus. As Paul was giving his life away in ministry to the lost and new believers, Epaphroditus was giving his life away in service to Paul. Look for opportunities to serve someone today. Be the hands and feet of Jesus by intentionally extending personal touch ministry to others. Ask the Lord to bring people into your path who have needs you can meet. Your level of joy will increase significantly as you place the needs of others before your own. You will begin to realize how blessed you are and how rewarding it is to find a need and meet it. Go splash some Living Water in Jesus’ Name and for the glory of God. People matter to God and He wants you to demonstrate their value by extending personal touch ministry. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Barnabas Encouragement On Mission

Encouraging Others

“And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.” Acts 9:26-27 (ESV) Everybody needs encouragement. Living in a fallen world can be brutal and depressing. You can get down on yourself so quickly. What a blessing to have someone come alongside you to bring out the best in you! How refreshing when God brings someone into your path to encourage you! God empowers you by His Holy Spirit to extend the ministry of encouragement. You can be an encourager by identifying the activity of God in a person’s life. As you walk with others in their journey of faith, encourage them by sharing specific items you see in their life that adds value to the Kingdom of God. Think of the people God has brought into your life along the way to encourage you in your walk with God. Aren’t you thankful that God cared enough about you to splash Living Water in your life through the encouragement of others? Barnabas existed to bring glory to God by encouraging others to reach their full redemptive potential. His most pronounced assignment was that of encouraging the Apostle Paul in his journey of faith. Paul’s reputation of being a persecutor of the church prior to his conversion did not give him much favor with the people of God. Barnabas was willing to risk major ridicule and rejection in order to stand in the gap for Paul. It’s our turn now! Let’s be dispensers of encouragement! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

On Mission Paul Peter

Sharing the Gospel

“On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles). Galatians 2:7-8 (ESV) One of the many joys in the Christian life for us is recognizing that God still uses human instrumentality in the redemptive process. God chooses to use us in His master plan to bring people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Sometimes God will prompt us to openly share our faith with an individual and allow us to lead that person in the sinner’s prayer. God also empowers our ongoing conversation and conduct to serve as a witness for Christ to a watching world. As Dr. Johnny Hunt says, “People in your community may not read the Bible, but they will read the gospel according to your life.” Peter embraced his calling from God to share the gospel with the Jews. God had anointed Peter for that particular assignment. Peter had a special connection with the Jews and a specific burden to reach them for Christ. Paul identified his personal mission statement as bringing glory to God by preaching the gospel to the Gentiles and planting churches. Paul shared the gospel intentionally and strategically. He focused his life to be on mission with God. Paul simply joined God in His redemptive activity. If you have been saved by the grace of God, then you have been commissioned by God to participate in His redemptive activity. You have a song to sing and message to declare. Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Share the gospel today. Be intentional about knowing Jesus personally and making Him known relationally. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God's Will Jesus On Mission

Doing God’s Will

“Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.’” John 4:34 (ESV) God has a mission for you to fulfill. God created you to bloom where He plants you so that you can continue the ministry of Jesus. Your life matters to God. Stay on mission with God. Jesus lived His earthly life to bring glory to God by doing His will and finishing His work. Jesus was on mission with God. His passion was to do God’s will. When the disciples returned with food for Jesus to eat, Jesus clarified that His appetite was to do God’s will. Jesus recognized the clear mission for which He was sent by God to the earth to fulfill. “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 (ESV) Jesus completed His atoning work on the cross to purchase our salvation. He took the full wrath of God for our sin. Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb and rose three days later. After forty days of post-resurrection appearances, Jesus ascended to heaven. On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to indwell the believers as He promised (John 16:7 & Luke 24:49). Now Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). Will you embrace the mission of Jesus by doing God’s will and finishing the work He wants to do through you? There are people who need the love of Jesus you possess. Multitudes stand in need of the gift of eternal life that you have received. Bring glory to God by living on mission with Him. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Intentionality John the Baptist On Mission

Pointing People to Jesus

“And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.“ Luke 1:16-17 (ESV) John the Baptist was clearly on mission with God. He became known as the forerunner of Jesus. John preached a baptism of repentance to prepare the way for Jesus. John also had the distinct privilege of baptizing Jesus when Jesus began His ministry at age thirty (Luke 3:23). John the Baptist’s personal mission statement would have looked something like this: I exist to bring glory to God by pointing people to Jesus. What are you giving your life to? Are you living in such a way as to intentionally point people to Jesus? Hopelessness and despair litter the terrain of life on this broken planet. The vast majority of the billions of people who currently inhabit the earth are completely lost and eternally condemned. Our only hope is the Good News of Jesus Christ. Does your life declare the reality that Jesus is the only way? You bring glory to God as you point people to Jesus. God places you in the display window of life to be an irresistible influence for Christ. People are watching you and observing your conversation and your conduct. They are listening to your life to see if you really possess what you profess. Don’t conceal your identity in Christ. Reveal your new identity by allowing Jesus to live His life through you. Let others see Jesus in you. Live in a way that other people will desire to have the love relationship that you enjoy with Jesus. Point people to Jesus! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Mary On Mission Parenting

Multiplying What You Model

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 14, 2014
116 Comments on Multiplying What You Model

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38 (ESV) Why did God choose Mary to give birth to the Son of God? In His perfect wisdom, God chose Mary because He knew she would willingly make herself available for His use. Mary affirmed her availability by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant.” She honored God by her posture of availability and humility. She demonstrated such a beautiful portrait of being receptive and responsive to God’s will. Mary declared, “May it be to me as you have said.” In other words, she was acknowledging that she belonged to God for His glory. If Mary were to have written a personal mission statement, it would have looked like something like this: I exist to bring glory to God by serving God’s purpose in my generation. Mary modeled full submission to God’s will. She had the unique privilege of rearing Jesus. Can you imagine the magnitude of that assignment? Her servitude was exemplified throughout his earthly life. In one of the darkest moments in Jesus’ life before the cross, Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’” (Matt. 26:39 ESV). Jesus responded to God’s assignment with the same abandonment and surrender that Mary modeled in their home. Jesus was blessed with an earthly mom who made herself completely available for God’s use. She modeled what she wanted to multiply. What is being multiplied through your life? Are those you are investing in becoming more like Christ because of your influence? Are you willing to make yourself available for God’s use and model Christ before a world in desperate need? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Intentionality Jesus On Mission

On Your Way

“Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.” Luke 13:22 (NIV) In the final six months of His earthly ministry, Jesus stayed on mission with God. Embracing the reality of His impending sacrifice for the sins of the world and enduring the agony of the cross, Jesus continued to travel and teach. Jesus extended personal touch ministry as He remained focus on the mission of seeking and saving the lost. As Jesus did life on the dusty roads, He made room for others. We spend so much of our time on our way to the next activity or event. Think about how many times each day you find yourself on your way to fulfill a commitment or to meet a deadline. There are so many tugs on your time and attention. As you are on your way, God wants you to make the most of that transition time. Maybe you are on your way to work or on your way to school and you decide to maximize the travel time by praying for others. You could use your daily commute to quote Bible verses or to sing songs of worship and praise to God. Be creative in how you use your time when you are on your way. Instead of viewing time sitting in a doctor’s office as a waste of time, capture those moments to read God’s Word or to text message notes of encouragement to others. Allow God to use you to be a blessing even during times of transitioning from one event to another or from one meeting to another. Keep the main thing the main thing. Staying on mission with God is a perpetual discipline that requires sensitivity to God’s activity. God wants to do a work in you so that He can do a work through you. Give God room to work! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Intentionality Jesus On Mission

On Your Way

Evangelism Obedience On Mission

Mountain of Motivation

“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” Matt 17:1-2 (NIV) If only life was a perpetual mountaintop experience. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be on a constant spiritual high and never come down? Peter, James, and John had a once in a lifetime experience with Jesus on the top of a mountain. Jesus was transfigured before them. Peter wanted to build three shelters in order to stay on the mountaintop and live in the radiance of Jesus’ glory. Jesus used the experience to teach Peter, James, and John the necessity to come down the mountain to meet the needs of people in the valley. In other words, God surprises us with mountaintop experiences to reveal His glory so that we can go into the world to reveal God’s glory to others. Consider the terrain of your spiritual journey. Can you recall the mountaintop experiences you have had with God? Did God reveal His glory to you in those moments so that you would stay in the moment? No! God gave you those special glimpses into His nature and character so that you could go into the valley of life to connect with people in desperate need of God’s salvation. God moments can be difficult to transfer to others. Often, the God moments are for you to be encouraged and strengthened personally. The experience should motivate you to go into the world to declare the message of reconciliation to a world alienated from God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Bible On Mission Spiritual Disciplines

Making Room for God’s Word

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 23, 2010
55 Comments on Making Room for God’s Word

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Col 3:16 (NIV) Is God’s Word at home in your heart? Your intake of God’s Word will determine your level of living on mission with God. The primary tool of revelation that God uses for His children is the Bible. God reveals Himself through His Word. You can read the Bible. You can listen to the Bible. You can sit under the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 (NIV) Your worship includes the intentional intake of God’s Word. God has appointed and anointed pastors and teachers to communicate His Word in a creative and compelling way. Are you currently sitting under that kind of preaching and teaching? God speaks through human instrumentality. Do you consistently receive a Word from God through the preaching and teaching that you are exposing yourself to? There are many options out there. Make certain that you are connected to a Bible centered and Christ honoring local fellowship of believers led by a God fearing pastor. Don’t compromise on this one. Be sure to find anointed Bible teachers to help you grow in your understanding and application of God’s Word. Make room in your heart for God’s Word! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Discipline On Mission Order

Ordering Your Life

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thess 4:11-12 (NIV) Strive earnestly to live a disciplined life. What does that look like? It looks like a life that is orderly and balanced. It is a life that is disciplined and focused. Allow these words to be absorbed in your spirit: order, balance, discipline, and focus. Lead a quiet life. Mind your own business. Work with your hands. Maximize your potential and do not be dependent on anybody. That is not to say that you don’t need others. You need others, but your dependency is not to be a result of laziness or passive neglect. What is the goal of a balanced life? Is it to produce personal happiness? Is it to minimize stress? Those are certainly by-products of a balanced life. However, the goal of a balanced life is to be an irresistible influence for Christ in our culture. Your life is to be lived in such a way as to win the respect of outsiders. Those who are outside of the family of God should be able to view your life and be drawn to Christ. Your life should be magnetic and convincing. Do you lack order, balance, discipline, and focus? Maybe you have too many plates spinning. Maybe it is time to simplify your life. Identify and remove the clutter from your life. Create some space. It may be the most spiritual thing you do this week. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Hospitality Lydia On Mission

Exercising the Gift of Hospitality

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 21, 2010
61 Comments on Exercising the Gift of Hospitality

“When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.” Acts 16:15 (NIV) Have you ever been to someone’s house and you felt right at home? After being there you experienced a special touch of love and encouragement. You left feeling better than when you arrived. Now that’s hospitality! When someone rolls out the red carpet on your behalf, you feel valued. You realize that they placed your needs before their own. Their conduct benefited your life and made you feel treasured. After Lydia became a Christ follower, she extended gracious hospitality to Paul and his traveling companions. Lydia rolled out the red carpet to make them feel right at home. She sought to meet their needs and to provide an atmosphere where they could be refreshed. Her ministry of hospitality did not end there. God blessed Lydia’s hospitality and allowed her home to become the meeting place for the church at Philippi. “After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.” Acts 16:40 (NIV) “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13 (NIV) During Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, he wrote a beautiful love letter to the church at Philippi. You can read it now by opening the Bible and turning to the book of Philippians. God used Lydia to touch our lives even today through her willingness to be hospitable. Choose to practice hospitality. Look for ways to place the needs of others before your own. Capture moments to demonstrate the value of others. Be hospitable! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Epaphroditus Ministry On Mission

Extending Personal Touch Ministry

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 20, 2010
52 Comments on Extending Personal Touch Ministry

“But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.” Phil 2:25 (NIV) Find a need and meet it. Our world is full of hurt and in desperate need of compassion in action. We need each other. What if we chose to look beyond ourselves and look into the lives of others to discover how we can spread the fragrance of Christ? Epaphroditus existed to bring glory to God by extending personal touch ministry. He simply did what Jesus did and placed the needs of others before his own. Willing to risk his own life, Epaphroditus extended personal touch ministry in Paul’s life. He served Jesus by meeting practical needs in Paul’s life. The Apostle Paul’s ability to aggressively plant churches was enriched by the attentive care of Epaphroditus. As Paul was giving his life away in ministry to the lost and new believers, Epaphroditus was giving his life away in service to Paul. Look for opportunities to serve someone today. Be the hands and feet of Jesus by intentionally extending personal touch ministry to others. Ask the Lord to bring people into your path who have needs you can meet. Your level of joy will increase significantly as you place the needs of others before your own. You will begin to realize how blessed you are and how rewarding it is to find a need and meet it. Go splash some Living Water in Jesus’ Name and for the glory of God. People matter to God and He wants you to demonstrate their value by extending personal touch ministry. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Barnabas Encouragement On Mission

Encouraging Others

“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.” Acts 9:26-27 (NIV) Everybody needs encouragement. Living in a fallen world can be brutal and depressing. You can get down on yourself so quickly. What a blessing to have someone come alongside you to bring out the best in you! How refreshing when God brings someone into your path to encourage you! God empowers you by His Holy Spirit to extend the ministry of encouragement. You can be an encourager by identifying the activity of God in a person’s life. As you walk with others in their journey of faith, encourage them by sharing specific items you see in their life that adds value to the Kingdom of God. Think of the people God has brought into your life along the way to encourage you in your walk with God. Aren’t you thankful that God cared enough about you to splash Living Water in your life through the encouragement of others? Barnabas existed to bring glory to God by encouraging others to reach their full redemptive potential. His most pronounced assignment was that of encouraging the Apostle Paul in his journey of faith. Paul’s reputation of being a persecutor of the church prior to his conversion did not give him much favor with the people of God. Barnabas was willing to risk major ridicule and rejection in order to stand in the gap for Paul. It’s our turn now! Let’s be dispensers of encouragement! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

On Mission Paul Peter

Sharing the Gospel

“On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.” Gal 2:7-8 (NIV) One of the many joys in the Christian life for us is recognizing that God still uses human instrumentality in the redemptive process. God chooses to use us in His master plan to bring people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Sometimes God will prompt us to openly share our faith with an individual and allow us to lead that person in the sinner’s prayer. God also empowers our ongoing conversation and conduct to serve as a witness for Christ to a watching world. As Dr. Johnny Hunt says, “People in your community may not read the Bible, but they will read the gospel according to your life.” Peter embraced his calling from God to share the gospel with the Jews. God had anointed Peter for that particular assignment. Peter had a special connection with the Jews and a specific burden to reach them for Christ. Paul identified his personal mission statement as bringing glory to God by preaching the gospel to the Gentiles and planting churches. Paul shared the gospel intentionally and strategically. He focused his life to be on mission with God. Paul simply joined God in His redemptive activity. If you have been saved by the grace of God, then you have been commissioned by God to participate in His redemptive activity. You have a song to sing and message to declare. Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Share the gospel today. Be intentional about knowing Jesus personally and making Him known relationally. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God's Will Jesus On Mission

Doing God’s Will

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” John 4:34 (NIV) God has a mission for you to fulfill. God created you to bloom where He plants you so that you can continue the ministry of Jesus. Your life matters to God. Stay on mission with God. Jesus lived His earthly life to bring glory to God by doing His will and finishing His work. Jesus was on mission with God. His passion was to do God’s will. When the disciples returned with food for Jesus to eat, Jesus clarified that His appetite was to do God’s will. Jesus recognized the clear mission for which He was sent by God to the earth to fulfill. “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 (NIV) Jesus completed His atoning work on the cross to purchase our salvation. He took the full wrath of God for our sin. Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb and rose three days later. After forty days of post-resurrection appearances, Jesus ascended to heaven. On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to indwell the believers as He promised (John 16:7 & Luke 24:49). Now Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). Will you embrace the mission of Jesus by doing God’s will and finishing the work He wants to do through you? There are people who need the love of Jesus you possess. Multitudes stand in need of the gift of eternal life that you have received. Bring glory to God by living on mission with Him. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Intentionality John the Baptist On Mission

Pointing People to Jesus

“Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:16-17 (NIV) John the Baptist was clearly on mission with God. He became known as the forerunner of Jesus. John preached a baptism of repentance to prepare the way for Jesus. John also had the distinct privilege of baptizing Jesus when Jesus began His ministry at age thirty (Luke 3:23). John the Baptist’s personal mission statement would have looked something like this: I exist to bring glory to God by pointing people to Jesus. What are you giving your life to? Are you living in such a way as to intentionally point people to Jesus? Hopelessness and despair litter the terrain of life on this broken planet. The vast majority of the billions of people who currently inhabit the earth are completely lost and eternally condemned. Our only hope is the Good News of Jesus Christ. Does your life declare the reality that Jesus is the only way? You bring glory to God as you point people to Jesus. God places you in the display window of life to be an irresistible influence for Christ. People are watching you and observing your conversation and your conduct. They are listening to your life to see if you really possess what you profess. Don’t conceal your identity in Christ. Reveal your new identity by allowing Jesus to live His life through you. Let others see Jesus in you. Live in a way that other people will desire to have the love relationship that you enjoy with Jesus. Point people to Jesus! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Mary On Mission Parenting

Multiplying What You Model

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 14, 2010
51 Comments on Multiplying What You Model

“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:38 (NIV) Why did God choose Mary to give birth to the Son of God? In His perfect wisdom, God chose Mary because He knew she would willingly make herself available for His use. Mary affirmed her availability by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant.” She honored God by her posture of availability and humility. She demonstrated such a beautiful portrait of being receptive and responsive to God’s will. Mary declared, “May it be to me as you have said.” In other words, she was acknowledging that she belonged to God for His glory. If Mary were to have written a personal mission statement, it would have looked like something like this: I exist to bring glory to God by serving God’s purpose in my generation. Mary modeled full submission to God’s will. She had the unique privilege of rearing Jesus. Can you imagine the magnitude of that assignment? Her servitude was exemplified throughout his earthly life. In one of the darkest moments in Jesus’ life before the cross, Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt 26:39 NIV). Jesus responded to God’s assignment with the same abandonment and surrender that Mary modeled in their home. Jesus was blessed with an earthly mom who made herself completely available for God’s use. She modeled what she wanted to multiply. What is being multiplied through your life? Are those you are investing in becoming more like Christ because of your influence? Are you willing to make yourself available for God’s use and model Christ before a world in desperate need? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Jesus On Mission Strength

Finding His Strength

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13 (NIV) Jesus is the person God uses to empower us. You can do all things through Christ. He is your strength. He is your sustenance. He is your energy. Your relationship with Jesus is the most vital relationship you will ever have. Your love relationship with Christ is the dynamic link to doing God’s work, God’s way. Stay connected to Christ through an abiding relationship (John 15:5). Nourish your soul through continuous communication with the One who died sacrificially and rose supernaturally to bring you life abundant and eternal. As you walk with Jesus, you will be able to do what Jesus did. He will empower you to be on mission with God just as He was on mission during His earthly existence. God created you to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. However, you cannot do what Jesus did without the strength He provides. Even on your best day, you are not fit for kingdom work without kingdom power. Your energy level will not suffice for the agenda God has for you to fulfill. To do the supernatural work of God, you will need the supernatural strength Jesus provides. Through Christ, you can do anything! Through Christ, you will experience the strength to keep you in the center of God’s will and to keep you on mission with God. As you obey His Word, Jesus will empower you to touch lives for eternity. Your investment of time and energy in serving the purposes of God in your generation will be rewarded one day. Keep serving! Keep operating in the strength Jesus provides! Fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:7). Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God's Agenda Jesus On Mission

Staying On Mission

God's Will Jesus On Mission Purpose

Identity (4)

“All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” Luke 4:28-30 (NIV) Jesus communicated to His hearers in the synagogue that a prophet is not accepted in his hometown. He was implying that many would miss the fact that He was the Messiah and forfeit the benefits just as many in Israel did not enjoy the benefits of the ministry of Elijah. The people were so furious with Jesus that they tried to throw him down the cliff. Jesus’ popularity in His hometown was not very positive! Your identity is not based on what people say about you. Your identity in Christ is based on what God says about you. You are shaped by God’s hand. Your destiny is determined by the loving provision of your Heavenly Father. In the midst of opposition and being misunderstood, you can stand firm in the security of your identity in Christ. “‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.’” John 15:16 (NIV) “‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.’” John 15:18 (NIV) Find a place of solitude and begin to eliminate the voices of falsehood and tune in to the voice of Truth! Speaker and author, Beth Moore, likes to say, “God is who He says He is. God can do what He says He can do. I am who God says I am. I can do all things through Christ. God’s Word is alive and active in me. I’m believing God!” Now listen for God’s voice and allow Him to affirm your identity in Christ. Remember who you are in Christ! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

God's Will Jesus On Mission Purpose

Identity (3)

“All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son?’ they asked.” Luke 4:22 (NIV) Jesus shared from Isaiah 61:1-2 in the hearing of those in the synagogue and identified Himself as the fulfillment of that prophecy. The people spoke well of Him. Amazed at Jesus’ gracious words, they tried to reconcile His professed identity by asking, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” The people were confused. Their understanding of the coming Messiah did not position them to anticipate a carpenter’s son from Nazareth as the Messiah. The humanity and humility of Jesus did not line up with their view of the Messiah. They were expecting a mighty military leader with position and prominence who would restore Israel. As followers of Christ, we can identify with His dual identity. Though virgin born, Jesus had an earthly father and a Heavenly Father. We too have an earthly father and our Heavenly Father. “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:16 (NIV) “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.” Heb 12:10 (NIV) “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1 (NIV) Your identity in Christ is formed and fashioned by your Heavenly Father. God has created you for His glory. You are God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10) and you belong to God (I Pt. 2:9). If you ever forget who you are in Christ, look up! You are a child of the King! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

God's Will Jesus On Mission Purpose

Identity (2)

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’” Luke 4:17-19 (NIV) As Jesus stood up in the synagogue to read, He was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and then He found the place from which He wanted to read. The passage Jesus read was what we now know as Isaiah 61:1-2. Jesus identified the ministry that He was anointed to employ. He identified the focus of His ministry as preaching the good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for the prisoners, proclaiming recovery of sight to the blind, releasing the oppressed, and proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. “Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” Luke 4:20-21 (NIV) Isaiah prophesied some 700 years before Christ was born that the Messiah would be anointed for this particular ministry. Jesus affirmed that He is the fulfillment of that prophecy. Have you been the recipient of the ministry of Christ? Has your character and conduct been transformed? Now that you know Jesus personally, you are commissioned to embrace His ministry to bring others into His family. The ministry of Christ on earth is now your ministry. You may be the only Jesus others see! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

God's Will Jesus On Mission Purpose

Identity (1)

“He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.” Luke 4:16 (NIV) You make room for what you value. When you value participating in the ministry of your local church, you will make room in your life for that ministry. If you value short-term mission trips, then you will make room in your annual calendar of events to go on a short-term mission trip. Whatever you value will receive your time, energy, and attention. Whatever you value will be a guarded priority in your life. Jesus valued the weekly worship experience in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Saturday). The synagogue had been a consistent part of His life for thirty years at this particular point. After His baptism and 40 days of temptation in the desert, Jesus returned to Galilee and went to His hometown of Nazareth. As was His custom, He went into the synagogue. Much of Jesus’ identity was connected to the synagogue. He had grown up being exposed to the reading of Scripture each Sabbath in the local synagogue. On this day, He stood to read. He participated in the flow of the service and contributed to the experience. You are the sum total of your habits. In other words, you will become what you habitually invest your life in. You are in the process of becoming who you are in Christ. Value weekly participation in the local church. Value connecting with God in worship with other believers. Value weekly interaction with other believers in a small group Bible study. Make it your custom to grow in your love relationship with Jesus. Your identity is found in Christ. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

God's Will Joining God On Mission Purpose

Joining God (5)

“The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” Acts 11:29-30 (NIV) God blesses generosity. You cannot join God in His redemptive activity and employ a stingy mindset. You cannot be selfish and effectively join God in His redemptive activity. Joining God involves being generous with your resources just as God has been generous toward you. The church at Jerusalem was instrumental in birthing the church in Antioch. Now the mother church in Jerusalem is in financial need and the daughter church in Antioch responds by generously meeting the need. The grace of God was evidenced by the sacrificial and spontaneous generosity exhibited by the church in Antioch. Sir Winston Churchill is noted for saying, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” What are you currently giving to fund the Lord’s work? Are you sacrificial in your giving? Let’s make a life by bringing the life of Christ to a dark and decaying world through our generosity. Placing the needs of others before our own is the first step! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

God's Activity God's Will Journey On Mission

Joining God (3)

“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Acts 11:25-26 (NIV) Why did Barnabas need Saul? It would have made more sense for Barnabas to go back to Jerusalem and get Nicolas, one of the early deacons who happened to be from Antioch. Instead, Barnabas searched with intensity to locate Saul in order to bring Saul into the journey of what God was doing in the church in Antioch. Barnabas was very familiar with the calling God placed on Saul’s life. “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’” Acts 9:15-16 (NIV) “When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.” Acts 9:26-27 (NIV) Barnabas included Saul in God’s activity in the church in Antioch. Partnering in ministry, Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers for a whole year (Acts 11:26). Can you imagine sitting under the teaching of Barnabas and Saul for a year? The Christian life is not a solo flight. God wants you to bring others into the journey. Right now there are people in your sphere of influence who would benefit greatly by joining God in His redemptive activity as a result of your invitation. Be willing to search for them just as Barnabas searched for Saul. We do better together! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor