HAPPY NEW YEAR! Day 38. Becoming a World Class Christian (The Purpose Driven Life)

Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind
~ Psalm 67:2

You can either be a world-class Christian or a worldly Christian
v Worldly Christians
§ Look to God primarily for personal fulfillment
§ Saved, but self centered
§ Prayers focus on their own needs, blessings, & happiness
§ Want to use God for their purposes instead of being used for HIS
v World-Class Christians
§ Know they're saved to serve & made for a mission
§ Eager to receive a personal assignment & excited to be used by God
§ ONLY fully alive people on the planet
§ Their joy, confidence, & enthusiasm are contagious because they know they're making a difference

HOW TO THINK LIKE A WORLD CLASS CHRISTIAN
v Shift from self-centered thinking to other centered thinking
§ 1 Corinthians 14:20
□ Children only think of themselves, grown-ups think of others
□ Philippians 2:4
§ Ask Holy Spirit to help you think of the spiritual need of unbelievers whenever you talk to them
□ Your goal is to find out where others are in their spiritual journey & do whatever will bring them a step closer to Christ.
¨ 1 Corinthians 10:33
v Shift from local thinking to global thinking
§ Pray for specific countries
□ Psalm 2:8
□ Prayer is the most important tool for your mission in the world
¨ People may refuse our love or reject our message, but they're defenseless against our prayers
¨ What should you pray for?
◊ Opportunities to witness - Colossian 4:3, Romans 1:10
◊ Courage to speak up - Ephesians 6:19
◊ For those who will believe - John 17:20
◊ The rapid spread of the message - 2 Thessalonians 3:1
◊ More workers - Matt 9:38
◊ Missionaries & everyone involved in the global harvest
► 2 Corinthians 1:11
§ Read & watch the news with "Great Commission eyes"
□ With change & conflict, you can be sure that God will use it to bring people to HIM
§ Go on a short-term mission project to another country
v Shift from "here and now" thinking to eternal thinking
§ This will keep you from majoring in minor issues & helps you to distinguish between what's urgent & what's ultimate
□ 2 Corinthians 4:18
§ So much of what we waste our energy on won't matter even a year from now, much less for eternity
□ DON'T TRADE YOUR LIFE FOR TEMPORARY THINGS
¨ Luke 9:62
¨ 1 Corinthians 7:31
□ What are you allowing to stand in the way of your mission?
¨ Whatever it is let it go!
◊ Hebrews 12:1
◊ Matt 6:20-21
v Shift from thinking of excuses to thinking of creative ways to fulfill your commission
§ Jeremiah 1:7-8
§ You might believe you need a special "call" or a supernatural feeling BUT God has already stated his call repeatedly

Mark 8:35

Point to Ponder: The Great Commission is my commission

Verse to Remember: Psalm 67:2

Question to Consider: What steps can I take to prepare to go on a short-term missions experience in the next year?