What Do I Want More than Anything

We're reaching a lot of people at Vertical Church. So many of the people who are coming to VC are people who just would not go to a regular church. This was and is our target - people who believe in God but feel like outcasts in church or as we normally say it: to help people who don't like church meet God.

Reaching people. Leading them to Jesus. Watching Him save them from their sin and from themselves. This is priority #1 and over the past 7 months we have seen many people give their lives to Christ.

But that's not all we're about. It's just the beginning.

What we want more than anything is to lead people to become passionate about Jesus so they can lead others to Jesus. Passion for Jesus is love for Jesus. It's growing in grace, it's learning about God, His thoughts and His ways. It's becoming a disciple of Jesus. Disciples do something with their knowledge and they help others to learn about the Savior. People who love Jesus help others love Jesus.

Here's a very easy to read paraphrase (the Message) of 1 Peter 1:13-17 which nicely sums up what we're interested in helping you achieve:

^13-16So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

 ¹⁷You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

God wants you to win in the area of holiness. Do you believe that? It's true. He's calling you to holiness but contrary to popular thoughts, holiness isn't tied to church attendance, giving, dress, the kind of music you like/listen to, denomination... Holiness is a heart attitude. As it says above, it's an energetic life blazing with holiness (isn't that awesome?!?)

So I wonder, who's ready to get holy? Are you as ready as I am to begin to learn more about suceeding in life with God? The countdown is on and this weekend we will begin a new series titled "Real Holiness" in which we will look at the life that God is calling us into, Vertical style. 

By the way, you've NEVER seen a Vertical service like you will experience this weekend. That's not hype - it's the straight up truth. You'll see.