Damascus Road Ministry

This is the purpose of fellowship. The Bible is very clear that following Christ is not just a matter of believing. It also includes belonging.

The Christian life is not a solo act. God has given us the church as a spiritual family for our own benefit.

Ephesians 2:19  says, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; "

This is the goal of discipleship. God wants every believer to grow up to become like Christ in character. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul gives us several specific areas where we are to model the character of Christ: “ Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Notice that maturity is not measured by one’s learning but by one’s lifestyle. 

A third responsibility of every Christian is service. God expects us to use the gifts, talents, and opportunities he gives us to benefit others. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

God intends for every believer to have a ministry. At Damascus Road, I am very up-front about this expectation when witnessing to unbelievers. We don’t “bait and switch.” I tell unbelievers, “When you give your life to Christ you are signing up to minister in his name for the rest of your life."  

This is the church’s purpose of evangelism. Once we have been born again, we become messengers of the Good News to others. It’s part of the job description for every believer.

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 says, "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

We each have a mission on Earth and part of it includes telling others about Christ.

In Acts 20:24, Paul said, "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

Psalm 34:3 says, "O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together."

We are called to worship God. There is an inborn urge to worship in every human being. If we don’t worship God, we will find a replacement.

One may worship his job, his family, money, a sport, or even himself. That’s why the very first commandment says, “Thou shalt have no other god’s before me.” "