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The church is a group of transformed follower of Jesus, who perceive themselves to be the Body of Christ in their local community and to the nations, and live as such.

This is a definition of church.  Help me interact with it and let me know what you think about this.

I believe if we as followers of Jesus are going to be a part of making our city good we also need to do our part to stay focused on the mission.  The mission is to glorify our Father in heaven.  Yesterday I wrote about our need to connect with another, same sex, friend for the purpose of being ourselves.  Everyone needs this.  I need this so bad.

A number of you contacted me and shared how you want this kind of person in your life and that I am lucky to have a person like this.  Let me be honest, I am just finding this again.  You see a couple of years ago my dear friend moved to pursue Jesus in another area of the country.  It damaged me for sure.  Then just this year another dude I was close with moved away too. And let me tell you it SUCKED!

I have not wanted to let another friend in close to me just for the fear that they would move away.  But, let me tell you I needed to push past this self made fear and pursue authentic relationships where I am asking other men the hard questions and men are asking me the hard questions in return.

I came across this as a guide for time together with a trusted friend.  A friend who is concerned with you becoming more like Jesus.  You take time and each answer these questions and then seek Jesus in prayer for each other.  Hope this helps you in some way.

Neil Cole:

1. What is the condition of your soul?

2. What sin do you need to confess?

3. What have you held back from God that you need to surrender?

4. Is there anything that has dampened your zeal for Christ?

5. Who have you talked with about Christ this week?

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So much is going on in my life right now I can’t really verbalize it all.  But, one thing I do know is that Jesus is up to something in my life.  He is doing a work in my life.

As the scriptures say, ” ¹⁷ Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another.” http://ref.ly/Pr27.17

I had an outstanding time today with a friend. You see all too often we forget to have meaningful relationships. Relationships were we can just talk openly and honestly. Where we can confess sin. Where we don’t have to have it all together. That was one of those meetings today for me.

If you don’t have someone, of the same sex, where you can put all walls and facades down and away; I encourage you to ask Jesus for such a friend.

I have been doing a ton of research for tomorrow’s sermon.  In all honesty I was looking forward to Epic Church’s Porn Sunday.  I was thinking it would be fun to talk about something so taboo.  But in all reality porn and lust are destroying, yes DESTROYING, the life Jesus has created for us.  We think we know best.  We think we can “handle” our sin.  You know what - we don’t handle sin, sin handles us.  It is only by the power of Jesus that we are able to flee from sin.  Not because we remove it from our lives but because Jesus takes it away.

Isn’t that the Gospel message?  Not that we did anything, but that because of a deep unfathomable love Jesus has taken all of the crap of our lives and lives everywhere upon himself so that we may experience freedom.

Enough is Enough.  Lust and Porn are so entrenched in our culture.  I can’t even begin to think how or where to start to reverse the tide, but I tell you this - my life will be focused on Jesus and I will fight to the death for my purity.  Purity with Jesus.  Purity in my marriage.  Purity in my relationships.  I must allow Jesus to work within me and though me.

What are you going to do?

The next three posts will focus on what Epic Church, and our lives for that matter, must focus.

Focus 1 - Our Focus Must Be On Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 12)

Epic Church must focus on Jesus Christ.  As I prepare my sermons to the church I love so much I always ask myself this question, “How will this sermon glorify Jesus and allow Him to be the focus of our time together?”  (John 17) This too is the focus of all decisions regarding all things Epic Church and all things Team Rasmussen.  To be honest, sometimes I feel like I fail, just being honest.  Without a doubt, if Jesus is not the focus of our lives and church, we will fail.  And fail BIG TIME.

It sounds kind of silly to write a post or even say out loud that Jesus must be the focus of our church.  I mean it should go without saying.  Right?  Well, one would think so.  It would be like a baseball game without a hot dog, or a church planter without a Mac, chili without beans.  You get the point, just sounds totally ridiculous.

I see all sorts of churches put their focus on something other than Jesus.  At times in my life have been focused on other things rather than Jesus.  Some churches put their focus on doing good things, giving a lot of money, building the best worship service, having the coolest artwork, having the best music and the list can go on and on.  But, we must - let me say it another way; WE MUST have Jesus as our central focus in all we do.  (Matthew 6:33)

This does not negate the need for other things to compliment our focus but they must not be the driving force behind what we do.  It must be Jesus.

The message of the Gospel and person of Jesus will permeate all we do as Epic Church.  Jesus lived a perfect life, died a gruesome death, fulfilled scripture, has given us hope, a future, a purpose, a heaven, and the list could go on and on.  (1Cor 15)  Because of Jesus we have Epic Church.  Because of Jesus we have a story.

What does it look like for a church to be focused on Jesus?  (Acts)
I have been asking this question for months.  What does Epic Church look like when it is focused entirely on Jesus Christ?

For Epic Church when we focus on Jesus we will see radical life-change and authentic community.  (Acts)

Look out for number two tomorrow.

Tuesday is the big TTT for the Tour de France. Listen for my predictions at the end.  Dinner tonight was awesome with the Epic Church team.  Tonight was a reminder of why I love church planting and leadership.  I know Jesus has called me and my family to church leadership and it has been a blessing to used by Jesus in our city and in His church.

OH YEAH!!!  And I got to hang with a member of Stand By Red 5.  He hooked me up with a FREE CD.  This band is HOT!  Check em out at: http://www.myspace.com/standbyred5 You can follow them on Twitter too at: http://twitter.com/StandbyRed5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4_1RFJo8xE

Again I am reading more of Mark Driscoll’s book, Death by Love.  It has been a super good read thus far.  Focused on Jesus whole heartedly and it has been good to catch this side of Driscoll.  He is very pastoral and compassionate, yet leading with Jesus and calling people to Jesus.  Good Stuff.  We are almost to Plano Texas.  We will be staying there for a day or so then home to Tucson.

It was cool to check out Epic Church online today until their feed went down.  I am excited for the near future of Epic Church.  There is a lot of work to be done but one thing is for sure, we cannot loose sight of Jesus or the power of the cross.  We must all be willing to submit to God’s authority and repent of our sin and wickedness in order to be conformed more to the image of Jesus.

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Sitting in the Starbucks tonight studying for class and working on my sermon for Epic Church two weeks from now, titled: Growing a Movement.  This picture came to mind as I see the people coming and going.

The church used to be the focal point of any community, the tallest building and the soul of the city.  Only 50 years ago, it was the place where neighbors and near neighbors came together at least once a week.  Today churches can be difficult to find in the city where the skyline is dominated by banks and business buildings.  Still, the search for purpose goes on and the hunger for spiritual wellbeing is as great as ever.  As it says in Jeremiah 29:7 - “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

It begs me wonder, what am I doing to on Jesus’ behalf for the welfare of the city?  And what I am doing, is it enough?  Maybe it is enough but could I be doing it better?  And who could be doing it with me?  Our communities have real problems, real hurts, real needs and as cliche as it sounds, Jesus is the answer.  The question is though, how am I being Jesus to my community?

How are you being Jesus to your community?

I received this video from a friend, DJ Jenkins.  He posted it on Facebook today and doesn’t know I am reposting it here.  But, Dj, thanks for sharing this video with us.

John Piper is a wise pastor with a gentle heart, talks kind of like a grandpa, and a deep love for scripture and Jesus Christ.  And although I do not agree with everything he talked about on this video, I enjoyed the end with the focus on the gospel.  With a focus on Jesus.  A focus on the Kingdom of God.  Reminds me, “seek first the Kingdom of God and everything else will be added.”

Check out this video: