Wayfinding Week 7

Expedition - A journey undertaken by a group of people with a definite objective.

Why we journey - to fulfill the great commandment and the great commission to make disciples who love God and people.

How we journey, how we choose to travel.

• On this journey, we choose to travel with authenticity.
• On our expedition, we choose to travel in community.
• Intentionality - On purpose and with purpose.

I want to explain the importance of intentionality on a universal level, a personal level, and for us as specifically as a church. Let’s start with the universal.

UNIVERSAL BELIEF

There are all kinds of beliefs about our existence. You have world religions like Hinduism and Buddhism who present a fairly fuzzy, nebulous view of life and the world and how and why it exists.

Atheism really leads to a Nihilism - says there is no real meaning or purpose to the universe.

Christianity offers a completely different approach to life and why we exist.

COSMIC LEVEL - GOD IS INTENTIONAL

Not because the universe got lucky and carbon elements found a way to create life.

We believe that when you look at creation- you can see that it has intelligent design.

Repurposed Purpose - It had a purpose, now it has a new purpose.

Isaiah 46:9–10
… I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, [10] declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

God is profoundly and perfectly intentional in all his ways. He does everything that needs to be done to bring about his purposes.

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

There’s a beautiful example from history. The Heidelberg Catechism from 1563 in relation to the providence of God.

“The almighty, everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were, by his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth with all creatures and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed, all things come not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.”

God is sovereignly intentional.

Proverbs 16:4
The LORD has made everything for its purpose…

We see this of course, all through the life of Jesus. Jesus was the epitome of intentionality. He was purposeful. He was deliberate. Every word, every action, every encounter, every moment was with intent. He does everything on purpose and according to his will.

This has massive implications for your life. YOU MATTER

We wholly reject that life is random. Life is not random. You are not here by chance. You do not exist because of nature found a way through a seemingly incomprehensible series of evolutionary events. You are not a clump of cells that exists for a time and then disappears from existence.

Your life has value. Your life has meaning. Your life has purpose. Your story is part of a bigger story. Your life matters and it matters for eternity.

Ephesians 5:15–17
[15] Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

“Be constantly taking heed therefore how accurately you are walking, not as unwise ones but as wise ones.”

Who you are matters and how you live matters. We can live in a way that is wise or we can live in a way that is foolish. The way to avoid foolish living is through intentionality and purpose. By being careful how we walk.

Living intentionally means pursuing the life God has called you to live. Intentionality requires deliberate action. God is intentional and he has called us to be the same.

How I think. What I prioritize. What I value. What I reject. How I spend my time. What I set my heart on.

Being intentional means we are deliberate in our actions. This life is too short and too valuable to waste. Our time is limited and there are all kinds of things that can keep us from living for what matters most. We think about why we do what we do. We do things on purpose and with purpose.

How we raise our children. How we spend our money. How we prioritize your time. How we do this thing we call church.

The same is absolutely true for us as a church.

CHURCH

Many churches are busy doing things. Many are doing good things, but are they busy doing the right things?

"Is it working?” “I don’t know.” “Then why are you doing it?” “It’s what we’ve always done.”

Intentionality helps us maintain focus on what matters most. It helps us prioritize. It helps direct our resources.

The best church leaders have to say no to a lot of good things because we can’t do everything and trying to do everything often means we’re not doing the most important things.

Please be understanding, we simply cannot do what everyone wants to do or how everyone wants us to do it. Can you imagine giving everyone a map and asking everyone to choose a destination?

Trusting that leadership, elder board, pastors, and ministry leaders, every aspect of church life, be it Sunday services, missions, activities, and ministries are planned and executed with a deliberate focus on fulfilling our mission.

CONCLUSION

Adrift
76 days in a lifeboat.
Drifting aimlessly, pushed by the whims of the wind and currents.
Described the night sky at one point as, “A view of heaven from a seat in hell.”

Navigating life with intentionality is like sailing a ship across the ocean with a clear destination in mind. With a set course guided by the stars and a map and a compass, the ship can navigate and reach its intended destination.

Every action moves you closer to your goal. Every adjustment of the sail, every movement of the wheel, every seemingly random movement combines into a purposeful journey.

Not just us an organization, but you as a person.

Life is important and life is short. It’s too short and too important to be anything but intentional.