Several years ago, I shared with the church a list of ten Scripture passages that identify the work of the church. In many ways, these are a primer for what a church ought to be attempting for God and the manner in which we should attempt this work. I, for one, need to be reminded of the basic task of the church and our relationship to God through Jesus Christ. Here’s the list for you. Read the passage. Meditate on it. Ask God how he wants you involved in his world.

(1) Revelation 4:11; God is our creator. We offer him our loyalty and worship him as Lord.
(2) Revelation 5:9-10; Christ ransomed sinners through his death. Sin separates people from God and mars their relationship with him. Christ made restoration possible and makes Christians to be a kingdom of priests.
(3) Psalm 119:105; For direction and guidance, we turn to God’s word.
(4) 1 Peter 4:10; God expects every disciple (100 %) to use the gifts given to her or him in God’s kingdom’s work.
(5) Matthew 6:33; Seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and God assures us that we will receive everything we need.
(6) Zechariah 4:6; God’s kingdom work advances through the power of God’s spirit and not human resources.
(7) John 8:31-32; Disciples abide in God’s word. As they do, they know Christ and imitate him. In imitating Christ, he frees disciples from sin.
(8) Luke 19:10; Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. His work is our work.
(9) Matthew 20:26-28; Disciples serve as Christ served. We do not long for others to serve us but to offer ourselves in service to God.
(10) Romans 12:1-2; Disciples are transformed in Christlikeness by God’s mercy and grace. Both individual disciples and churches reject conforming to the world as they are daily being transformed and changed.