Joyful Followers of Jesus

Why does the local church exist? What is our primary calling, our mission? According to the gospels, our mission is to go into all the world and make followers of Jesus (Matt 28:18–20; Mark 16:15). This is known as “The Great Commission.” The question is: what kind of followers? Answer: the kind who delight in God as the greatest treasure in the universe (Psalm 37:4). The kind who joyfully give everything for the treasure of the kingdom (Matt 13:44). The kind who would gladly spend their lives for the sake of others (2 Cor 12:15). The kind who discover what it means to suffer with joy in Jesus (Matt 5:11–12; Heb 12:2; James 1:2). The kind who love being in the presence of God where there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). The kind who are learning what it means to say, “the joy of the Lord is my strength” (Neh 8:10). Joyful followers.