Are we winning?

rwh19july -  Ep.373 – Run With Horses Podcast –  Are we winning? Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:  https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith

**(24:00)**  Are we winning? As a church? Personally? How are we doing and how do we know how we’re doing?  If we chase the wrong goal and reach it, what have we accomplished? This is the topic of today’s show!

Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is simple in many ways, but potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to grow, to live intentionally and to join in His mission. It’s very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you’re new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”

**(23:00 – 0:00)* *  PART 1 Josh Jones - Bridgewater Church. GARBC Conference 2025 Paul gave up his rights, privileges and preferences for the sake of the gospel. He had a clear goal and he sacrificed to reach it.

1 Cor. 9:19 - For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

V. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Jesus alone has the right to define the win in the Christian life and for His church. The point is to do church well. We have created so many ministries that are just for us, within the church. It is movement without impact for the kingdom. We pay close attention to things that are not mission critical, and sometimes miss the mission altogether. How clear are we about our goal as individuals and as a local church?

Does it seem like we often just do church and hope people come?

How do we think about activity verses effectiveness? Do we consider effectiveness when planning what and how the church operates?

Our goal is not to gather a crowd but to grow the kingdom. How does that affect our decisions and activity as a church family? Equipping people for ministry outside the church walls. Encouraging them to engage in their relational networks.

In the NT church happened as a result of consistent engagement with communities resulting in the gospel being proclaimed and people trusting in Jesus. These people gathered to learn more about their Savior and His mission, to fellowship, to live life in a community with Jesus at the center and to pray with and for each other as they cared for each others needs. This special relationship kept them motivated and encouraged to reach out to others who didn’t yet know Jesus.

How is our church life today different? Should it be?

I believe we have a clear goal, given to us by Jesus. To be like HIm, following HIm as His disciples, and to intentionally engage in His mission of disciple making as we take the message of reconciliation out into every community so that every person will have repeated opportunities to respond to Jesus.  The result is new church families engaged in their relational networks, making disciples. 

We will fail trying, we cannot fail due to inactivity. The mission is too important to do nothing.

Don’t just run drills. Get in the game. The Great Commission defines the win. Be faithful to do your part knowing that God is doing His part.

How do you embrace the mission personally? Are you seeking to be equipped? Gospel. 1-1 disciple making - everyone can do it. Small group disciple making - most people can do it. Shepherd. Large group disciple making - a few can do it. Pastor, etc.

What is your next step?

**(1:00)**  Are you in the game? Don’t be