“SHINING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST’S CROSS IN THE WORLD”
Jesus was clearly focused on his purpose: To save the world from the consequences of sin. Over and over Jesus said, “I must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Matt. 16:21; Mark 10:33; Luke 9:51, 18:51). He always kept his life focused on his purpose. Everything he said, everything he did, was in connection with fulfilling his purpose. Many times, Jesus was tempted to lay aside his passion for going the way of the cross. But he did not lose his focus. To the cross he went. And because of that focus, that passion for the souls of the lost, we have reaped the harvest of God’s undeserved grace, the forgiveness of our sins, life, and salvation.
God has given his church a purpose as well: to Proclaim the Gospel to all nations, to all creation, reconciling the world to himself (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, 1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 3: 8-10, John 20:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19), to Administer the Sacraments to believers along with the Word of God and prayer (Matthew 28:19-10, John 20:20-21, Luke 22:17-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, Acts 2:38, 42), to Teach the Word of God and obedience to his commandments (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:42, Ephesians 4:11-16, Colossians 1:28; 3:16, James 1:27; 5:14, Matthew 18:15-17, John 13:35, Galatians 6:10), and to Train Believers for Service to the Body in love (Ephesians 4:11-16, Colossians 1:28; 3:16, James 1:27; 5:14, Matthew 18:15-17, John 13:35, Galatians 6:10, Hebrews 10:24).