Northland 2.0: Northland's New Mission Statement

Key Bible Verses

• Genesis 1:26–28 (Adam and Eve)
• Exodus 19:4–6 (Israel in Promised Land)
• Jeremiah 29:4–7 (Israel in Exile)
• Matthew 1:21 (Jesus)
• Mark 10:45 (Jesus)
• Luke 4:18–19 (Jesus)
• Luke 19:10 (Jesus)
• John 20:21 (Jesus)
• Matthew 28:18–20 (Church)
• John 20:21 (Church)
• Acts 1:8 (Church)
• Revelation 5:9; 7:9; 21 (End of time)

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Sermon Quotes

From Pastor Josh Laxton

“The WHY we EXIST is founded upon the WHO who brought us into EXISTENCE.”

“Northland’s Mission Statement:  Northland Church exists to glorify God as we participate in His mission of redeeming a people from all peoples by engaging neighbors and nations to be fully alive in King Jesus through the power of the Spirit.”

“God does not exist for us.  We exist for God.”

DIGGING DEEPER

This week we have explored Northland’s new mission statement that states:

“Northland Church exists to glorify God as we participate in His mission of redeeming a people from all peoples by engaging neighbors and nations to be fully alive in King Jesus through the power of the Spirit.”

It is exciting to see how this mission statement biblically describes, explains, and points to Northland’s purpose and intention as we flourish together in the days and years ahead.  (For Biblical references that support Northland’s Mission statement, please see the Key Bible Verses and the Daily Devotional Bible Passage Sections in the other parts of this study.)

Northland’s Mission Statement shares our unique identity and states why we exist, which is to glorify God.  We have the important responsibility to be reflections of God’s glory to our families, our friends, our neighbors and to the whole world.  

Additionally, each aspect and phrase of the mission statement is impactful and demonstrates Northland’s commitment to understanding and completing the mission that God has given to us as His people at Northland.  God wants to redeem and call to Himself a people from all the people who live in the world.  He desires for every person, in every place on this earth, to know and believe that Jesus died for their sins to provide a way for all of mankind to be reconciled to God through Jesus' death on the cross, His resurrection from the grave, and His ascension into heaven.  We have been given the responsibility and privilege of participating in God’s mission as we reach out to those close to us, who are our neighbors, and those far from us, who are the nations, with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Finally, we are all called to be fully alive in King Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 states “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Let us be fully alive, glorifying God as we utilize this power given to each of us, as believers, by the Spirit. Let us be faithful witnesses as we proclaim the message of the risen Christ and demonstrate God’s love to a world that so desperately needs King Jesus.

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WHAT NOT TO MISS

The WHY we EXIST is founded upon the WHO who brought us into EXISTENCE.

     Why do we exist?

• To answer this question, people have been in search of a WHO.
• Need to find out WHO we are and WHO defines us.

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Northland’s Mission Statement:

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• Northland Church exists to glorify God as we participate in His mission of redeeming a people from all peoples by engaging neighbors and nations to be fully alive in King Jesus through the power of the Spirit.

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Keywords in Mission Statement:

• God, Jesus, Spirit (The Trinity)
• Neighbors and Nations (Local and Global)
• Fully Alive (Continuity)

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Unpacking Northland’s Mission Statement on Why Northland Exists

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Northland Church EXISTS to GLORIFY GOD….

• Glory means:  weight, heavy, significance, greatness.
• Worship and Glory are different but they go hand in hand.

• Worship means “to ascribe worth.”
• Ascribe worth to what we see as glorious. (weighty, significant, and great)
• We are created in the image of God, to relate to God, to worship and glorify Him, and we will reflect the glory of God’s weight, significance, and glory in every sphere of life.
• “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  (1 Corinthians 10:31)
• God does not exist for us; we exist for God. 
• We are the motorized vehicle by which God will fill the earth with His glory.  

• Numbers 14:21; Psalms 72:19; Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14

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…as we PARTICIPATE in HIS MISSION of redeeming a people from all peoples….

• We are participants in God’s Mission.
• God’s Mission is from the Beginning to the End—Genesis through Revelation. 

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…by ENGAGING neighbors and nations to be FULLY ALIVE in KING JESUS…

• We cannot engage if we have not been changed.
• We participate in God’s Mission by engaging with people.
• We need to find the best way to engage with others using differing strategies.  
• Engaging included neighbors and nations which include the saved and unsaved.
• Without Jesus we are not fully alive.
• With Jesus we are saved from the penalty of our sin and the power of sin.
• Aim of our engagement is to be FULLY ALIVE in JESUS.

• Discipleship = the process of learning what it means to be human after the image and likeness of Jesus. 

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…through the power of the SPIRIT.

• We cannot engage people to be fully alive in King Jesus on our own. 
• We cannot become fully alive in Jesus on our own.
• We need help! We need power!  We need the HOLY SPIRIT. 

Life Application

Write down Northland’s Mission Statement on a piece of paper or index card or type it out and print it.  Carry it with you and read it at least once a day.  Let it seep into the “who” of who you are as you go about your day.

Northland’s Mission Statement

Northland Church exists to glorify God as we participate in His mission of redeeming a people from all peoples by engaging neighbors and nations to be fully alive in King Jesus through the power of the Spirit.

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Each day this week, be fully alive in King Jesus as you are a part of God’s mission engaging with neighbors and nations around you.  Look for ways that you can reflect God’s glory by helping someone out, by saying a kind word, or by being a tangible reflection of God’s glory to someone God places in your path or someone God puts on your mind. 

Invite someone to come with you to Northland Church. Be a part of Northland’s vision for the future and join in the excitement of all God is doing!

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Small Group Discussion Questions

• What are some ways you can glorify God and reflect His glory to the world around you?
• How can you participate in God's mission at Northland Church?
• Who are the neighbors and nations that God is placing on your heart that you want to engage with this week? What are some fun and maybe even strategic ways you can engage with them?
• What do you look and like when you are "fully alive in King Jesus?"
• In what ways do you need the Spirit to give you power to live out Northland's Mission Statement?

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Daily Devotional Bible Passages

• Monday- Existing to Glorify God- Psalm 29:1-2; Psalm 96:4-9; Revelation 14:7
• Tuesday - Participating in God's Mission- Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Isaiah 6:8
• Wednesday - Engaging Neighbors and Nations- Psalm 96:1-3; Revelation 15:4; Psalm 86:8-10
• Thursday - Being Fully Alive in King Jesus- Romans 6:8-11; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:4-5
• Friday - Experiencing the Power of the Spirit- Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:8; Ephesians 3:16-20

Prayer

Lord, we are excited about Northland’s mission and all you have in store for Northland Church in the days and years ahead. Our heart’s desire is to glorify and honor you in all that we do and say. We are blessed to be able to participate in your mission as we engage with our neighbors and nations who so desperately need to know and believe in King Jesus.  Help us to be fully alive in King Jesus and let us experience the power of the Spirit as we commit our lives to loving and serving you and those around us.

Additional Resources

–Sign up for the Northland Newsletter

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–Join the "An Understanding of Spiritual Gifts" Class 

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–Join the "Essential Guide to Becoming a Disciple" Class