Reading Plan:
Acts 2

Our Thoughts:
Knowing what our mission is and staying focused on that mission (as individual believers and as members of the Church) is important. It isn't always easy to do, but it is important! Yesterday we were challenged to reflect on our natural tendency to drift from our mission, to think about things that distract us from leading others in our everyday lives to know, love, and follow Jesus. I have found that while many things fight for my time and attention, knowing "why" this is my mission helps me to stay focused. You see, behind every "what" there is a "why", and that "why" tends to help us stay focused on the "what" - in this case, our mission. Knowing "why" gives us the vision to do "what" we are called to do. Vision fuels action.
In Acts chapter 1, Jesus tells the disciples to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes. Chapter 2 opens with this monumental moment in the life of the early Church. With the disciples gathered, the Holy Spirit descends, and they are able to speak other languages! A crowd soon forms, and the passage tells us that people stood in amazement. Luke describes God-fearing Jews in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven who at that moment were able to understand the disciples in their native languages. What an incredible experience!
All this commotion draws out the curious, and a number of critics and skeptics, too. Luke records their responses in verse 13, "Some, however, made fun of them and said, 'They have had too much wine.'" While this is not the point of today's devotion, it should be noted that any time you attempt great things for God or God begins to work in your life, there will always be critics who discredit the work of God in your life. Expect it, but do not let it discourage you!
Peter begins to address the crowd with a history lesson on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Peter's address has the feel of an epic movie speech. (Think William Wallace in Braveheart.) As his message concludes, the people are moved and want to know how to respond. So, Peter says, "Repent and be baptized..."
Don't miss this! Peter lives out the mission he was given in chapter 1. He bears witness to what God has done; he lays out what it means to become a disciple. Peter is making disciples - he's leading people in the crowd to know, love, and follow Jesus. Peter's a quick learner!
As his message draws to a close, Peter reveals his "why." Check out verse 39, "The promise is for you and your children." This was great news for those who were there that day, but Peter wasn't done. He continues, "and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."
Did you catch that? The promise was "for all who are far off." Peter was telling them that the good news was not just for them or for their children but for everyone!
The Gospel is for everyone, for ALL! Peter gets specific with who "all" refers to - those "who are far off!" What an incredible truth!
You see, not only is our mission the same as the first-century church, our "why" is the same as well! We are to be a church for those "who are far off." At Venture, our vision is "to be a church for the unchurched." We want to be a church for those who have not yet attended, who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus, and those who are not connected to a faith community!
If the Gospel is for all and our mission is to share the good news of Jesus with everyone, Venture Church must be the safest place in the world for anyone - not just for us and our children. This means we must strive to keep an outward focus. This is hard!
We naturally drift toward an inward focus. It is human nature. We like what we like. We want what we want. And, we tend to gravitate toward others who are a lot like us. The problem is that as soon as the Church becomes inward-focused, we forget our "why"! We drift from the original vision, losing sight of those who are "far off." This is the purpose of Jesus sharing the parable of the shepherd who left the 99 sheep to go after the one that was missing (Luke 15:11-32). In that passage, Jesus emphasized that it was the sick who need a doctor, not the healthy (Mark 2:17).
Embracing God's vision to all who come to know, love, and follow Jesus requires us to choose his vision over our preferences and our comfort.
As you head out into the world today - to school, to work, or wherever you might find yourself, ask God to give you a passion to reach those who are far from God.

Questions:
How does understanding God's vision for "all" to come to know, love, and follow Jesus fuel your actions in everyday life?
What causes you to drift toward your own preferences and comfort? How has this prevented you from sharing the Gospel with others in your life?
How can you keep the mission and vision at the forefront of your heart and mind in your everyday life?

Prayer:
Father, thank you for rescuing me from sin and giving me victory over death. I am thankful that you want everyone to know, love, and follow you. Reveal to me the people in my life who are far from you, and give me the courage to invest in their lives. Help me to prioritize your mission and vision above my own preferences and comfort.

Author: Gray Strickland