Introduction:   Do you need a New Focus? Maybe we need to REFOCUS OUR PASSION also it maybe time to…REFOCUS OUR PURPOSE. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that they would “both do and will do the things which we command you.” referring both to the commandments, which had already been given them by Christ, and those they would received through the Apostle’s ministry. They would not only do them but would continue doing them, see 1Th. 4:1. This was their purpose.  What is our purpose as Believers?  It is basically two-fold:

I.          WE ARE TO GLORIFY GOD

1 Corinthians 6:19-20—“What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”  What did Paul mean when he said God owns our bodies?  Many people Say they have the right to do whatever they want with their own bodies. Although they think this is freedom, they are really enslaved to their own desires instead of the leading of the Holy Spirit. When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit fills our lives and lives in us. Therefore, we no longer own our bodies. This is established by two facts:

1.      Our bodies are members of Christ.  (vv.15-18)

2.      Our bodies are the temple of God.  (vv.19, 20)

If you live in a building owned by someone else, you don’t violate the building rules. Since your body belongs to God, you must not violate His standards for living. What the world seeks in sensuality many Christians seek in carnality. It was the sin of Corinth. It is a blind alley of human hopes. It will lead nowhere but to a broken heart and a blank wall of despair. These verses reveal three facts:

A.        The Presence Of The Holy Spirit. (V.19)

B.        The Purchase Of Christ. (Vv.19, 20)

C.        The Purpose Of Life.  (V.20)

II.        WE ARE TO GO WITH THE GOSPEL

(Matt. 28:19-20). Wherever we go and whatever we do, we are to be a witness for God of the life-changing power of the Gospel. Why? Because 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 tells us, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” Warren Wiersbe said, “The message of the Church today is one of reconciliation: God in Christ on the cross has reconciled the world to himself and is willing to save all who will trust His Son…We represent Christ as we invite the lost to receive Him. What a privilege—what a responsibility! All believers are ambassadors, whether they accept the commission or not”.  We do a disservice to the Great Commission when we refer to it in the singular. On at least five occasions in five locations, Jesus gave His disciples the mandate to evangelize the world.

A.          The Power Of The Great Commission

·         The power of His strength. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).

·         The power of His authority. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ’All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth’" (Matt. 28:18).

B.           The Purpose Of The Great Commission

·         Evangelize the unsaved. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (Matt. 28:19a).

·         Baptize new believers." . . . baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt. 28:19b).

·         Congregationalize the unchurched. "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matt. 28:20).

C.           The Plan Of The Great Commission

·         Go to all nations.

·         Go to all people groups.

·         Go to all persons.

·         Commit to do it!

·         Plan (organize) to do it!

·         Do it!

D.         The Promise Of The Great Commission

·         The promise of His power. (Matt. 28:18, Acts 1:8).

·         The promise of His presence. (Matt. 28:20).

Conclusion:     Benjamin Franklin wanted to interest the people in Philadelphia in street lighting. He did not call a town meeting nor try to persuade the people by talking about it. He acted upon what he considered a good idea. He hung a beautiful lantern on a long bracket in front of his house. He kept the glass polished and carefully trimmed and lit the wick every evening at the approach of dusk. The lamp helped the people see the pavement ahead; made them feel more secure at night. Others began placing lights in front of their houses. Soon Philadelphia recognized the need for street lights.  Be the one today to light up your neighborhood with the light of life. Let it shine. Let your light shine TODAY!