Reaching the Mark
Jerry N Watts
Ephesians 4:11-16
This year, there was an unspoken goal set in our school to have a strong archery team. Last year we had fewer shooter than we needed, so our leader talked it up. Our numbers increased and with his instruction our competition became fun. Why? Because we WON!! We beat some much larger schools and came in 5th or so in the state. For this year, that mark or goal was realized.
Whether we verbalize them or not, intentionally set them or not, most of us have goals and push toward those goal. We push because, we know, if we don't push, pursue, or focus on reaching a goal, we'll never achieve any of the success we desire.
In this same way, the Lord Jesus has set a goal or goals out in front of His Children. In his later letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, "I press toward the mark, or I pursue as my goal, the prize promised by God's heavenly (upward) call in Christ Jesus." Paul knew that it was important, as a follower/disciple of Jesus, to focus on, pursue, or press on toward being all that Jesus died for Him to be. Such is also for us.
To the Ephesians, his call is for the body known as the church to do the same. His call is for us to reach for the mark, go for the goal, and pursue the prize to accomplish here in this world.
It's easy to talk about how bad the culture is, what the culture needs, and that 'someone' needs to do something, but it's another thing entirely to realize that Jesus put His people and church here, in the culture, to be the salt and the light. Years ago I was in a conference with David Barton of the Wall Builders Ministry, and he was very pointed. "The reason the culture is getting so bad, so dark falls in the lap of the churches and those who are Christian. Here's why? We have retreated from our responsibility of being the voice of morality and truth in the culture."
I said all of this to remind us that Paul assures us that we have been given all that we need to C ...
Jerry N Watts
Ephesians 4:11-16
This year, there was an unspoken goal set in our school to have a strong archery team. Last year we had fewer shooter than we needed, so our leader talked it up. Our numbers increased and with his instruction our competition became fun. Why? Because we WON!! We beat some much larger schools and came in 5th or so in the state. For this year, that mark or goal was realized.
Whether we verbalize them or not, intentionally set them or not, most of us have goals and push toward those goal. We push because, we know, if we don't push, pursue, or focus on reaching a goal, we'll never achieve any of the success we desire.
In this same way, the Lord Jesus has set a goal or goals out in front of His Children. In his later letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, "I press toward the mark, or I pursue as my goal, the prize promised by God's heavenly (upward) call in Christ Jesus." Paul knew that it was important, as a follower/disciple of Jesus, to focus on, pursue, or press on toward being all that Jesus died for Him to be. Such is also for us.
To the Ephesians, his call is for the body known as the church to do the same. His call is for us to reach for the mark, go for the goal, and pursue the prize to accomplish here in this world.
It's easy to talk about how bad the culture is, what the culture needs, and that 'someone' needs to do something, but it's another thing entirely to realize that Jesus put His people and church here, in the culture, to be the salt and the light. Years ago I was in a conference with David Barton of the Wall Builders Ministry, and he was very pointed. "The reason the culture is getting so bad, so dark falls in the lap of the churches and those who are Christian. Here's why? We have retreated from our responsibility of being the voice of morality and truth in the culture."
I said all of this to remind us that Paul assures us that we have been given all that we need to C ...
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