This month our series is entitled: Game Time
Here at Grace Church we use a Baseball Diamond to illustrate the process of making disciples. The bases and basepaths help us to identify, evaluate, and measure our progress. We use four core character qualities that summarize the life of Jesus and the early church.
These qualities are the foundation on which all of one's Christian faith should be established.
1. Loving - God and people wholeheartedly
2. Learning - About Him and His will for your life
3. Living - Purposefully and passionately according to a Kingdom agenda
4. Leading - Others to do likewise

We've already given you the first two character qualities:
Dugout to First (Loving)
A person moves from being lost (not in the game) to a place where they have been saved (in the game) and have made Jesus their Lord and Savior.

First Base to Second Base (Learning)
A person who is developing the character quality of learning is building up their own faith and becoming more like Jesus. This quality is evidenced by a person who becomes a self-feeder and becomes others oriented in their church and community.

We're going to review the six essential steps of a maturing individual and finish up the last two that we didn't cover last week...

G - GOD-CENTERED reaction to the world around us.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 [ESV]

R - RENEWAL of your life and priorities.
Romans 12:1-2 [ESV]

O - OBEDIENCE to the spiritual truths you've already heard.
James 1:22 [ESV]

W - WORD-DRIVEN attitudes and actions.
Psalm 119:9-11 [ESV]

T - TELLING the story.
Mark 5:18-20 [NCV]
This story tells of a man who encountered Jesus that was lost, demonized, and in need of forgiveness and a new life from God. Jesus does this for him!
Practical:
This week, tell His story to a parent, spouse, or child. Tell them about what God did in your life. This is worth talking about!

H - HELPING in our church and community.
Matthew 20:28 [NCV]
A maturing Christian will begin to look for a place to minister in the two areas that God has placed them...Church and Community. Remember that serving is different than ministry. Ministry carries the idea of "using your life to make a spiritual difference in the lives of others" and it may involve some service.
Practical:
This week, help someone in the church or community. Use the opportunity and action as a chance to minister by praying for them and opening the door for a future relationship.

The third key quality of someone who is in the game:
Second Base to Third Base (Living)
A follower of Christ who displays evidence of growth begins to re-orient their life around the Lord's Kingdom agenda. We see this in Mark 1:16-18

- A maturing person leaves their comfort zone willingly.
- They no longer hold onto things of this world for their security and identity.
- They prioritize lost people over their possessions and God's purpose over their own plans.
We were created for something greater than fishing and holding nets. When God saved us, He gave us a new purpose in life and expects that we pursue it passionately.
Mark 1:38-39
Jesus was leading the disciples and they simply had to minister to the people He led them to.
For us, Galilee is our church and community. Jesus is ahead of us, walking across the room and opening the door. We must be willing to get up and follow.

Jesus wants to lead us in our churches, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, sports, hobbies, hospital stays, vacations, shopping trips, and even in the tragedies and disappointments of life.
Today you are living for something and according to someone's agenda.
At the end of life, will it really matter?

Stand in front of a mirror this week and look at your hands...
What are you holding on to that keeps you from living purposefully and passionately for the Lord?
3 choices:
1. "I'll let go"
2. "I'll use this for you"
3. "This thing is more important than you dying for me"