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Mountainview Family, 

 

About seven years ago our staff and elders worked together to develop our mission statement. It became clear to us that Mountainview’s mission as a church body should be Affecting Life Change. While we understood that we cannot actually cause or force anyone to change, we believe in the One who, as our Creator, can cause change in their lives. We decided our mission should be to “partner with God” in what He is doing in our lives and the lives of others. This is how we Affect Life Change. 

 

But our mission statement didn’t stop there. We needed to add a simple purpose statement. We considered what it takes to fully experience life change. We asked the question, “How can we be most effective at Affecting Life Change?” Our answer was, “Through Belonging, Growing and Serving”, which became our Purpose Statement.

 

I remember having a discussion about whether to use “connecting” or “belonging”. While belonging can seem like an odd concept, we decided it was the better of the two concepts. We believe we all want to belong to something. We all desire to be a part of something that is bigger than ourselves. We long for something to give our lives meaning and acceptance. Do you remember your teenage years? Many of us will do almost anything to belong. When we belong to Him the wandering and searching can stop. 

 

(Through) Belonging, Growing and Serving really describes Mountainview’s pathway to discipleship. Our working definition of a disciple is: someone who is with Jesus (belonging), who is becoming like Jesus (growing), and who is doing the things Jesus did (serving). 

 

“With” is perhaps the very best way to describe Belonging. “With” is filled with power because it communicates unity, togetherness, and relationship. “With” means alongside us. “With” is all over the New Testament because it is key to the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus. 

 

Notice how Matthew starts and ends his Gospel account. 

 

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, 

and they shall call his name Immanuel" 

(which means, God with us). ‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

Jesus, as Immanuel, came to earth to be with us, not above us or somewhere generally around us, He became one of us to be with us. Matthew ends this way:

 

And Jesus came and said to them, 

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

No matter where on our journey, if we belong to Jesus, He is with us. We may be flourishing or hurting, rich or poor, joyful or mourning, struggling or surviving - God is still with us. 

 

Why is this so important? I’m thinking of a promise in Revelation 21:2-7. It’s for those who are with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing the things Jesus did (Be About It). Let me leave you with the promise I’m talking about: 

 

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

 

And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

 

I hope you noticed the word “with” showing up several times in this promise. There will be a final completion and Jesus will declare, “It is done”. Those who continue to run to the finish line will be given the water of life. Those who continue to fight regardless of the obstacles will receive the inheritance as sons and daughters. 

 

I hope this gives you comfort and challenges you to Be About It. 

 

Join us this Sunday as we look at another parable of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. 

 

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Tom

 

Sunday Gathering

Our Sunday online presence is still very important because of the limited “in-house” capacity. Please plan to continue joining us online at either 9:00 or 10:40am.  

 

We have capacity for 50 people to gather in person at both 9:00 and 10:40 am. Pre-registration is required and opens every Thursday at 9:00am. Pre-registration will close at midnight each Saturday or when capacity is reached. You can register online by going to mvcclive.com

 

It is very important that you only register if you are fully committed to being present at the time you request.  Once you’ve registered, you will receive email confirmation. If we have reached capacity, you will not be able to register as registration will be closed. Since we are creating a “touchless” experience there is no need to print anything or bring a copy of your email or “tickets”.