HOLY AMBITION (Brian MacMillan)

Introduction

  • Ryan Macmillan speaks about the concept of holy ambition in the context of church planting and the relationship with Jesus and the church.

Holy Ambition to Know Jesus Deeply

  • Central thesis: We need to have a holy ambition to know Jesus deeply.

  • Key scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

    • Verses breakdown:

    • Verse 7: "But whatever were gains to me, now consider loss for the sake of Christ."

    • Verse 8: "What is more, I consider everything loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord."

      • Emphasis on the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

      • Comparison of everything else to garbage in relation to knowing Jesus.

    • Verse 9: "Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ."

      • Introduction of the concept of righteousness through faith, rather than law.

    • Verse 10-11: "I want to know Christ… becoming like him in his death, and so somehow attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

      • The ambition to fully participate in the life and work of Christ.

  • Paul's Focus: Knowing Jesus is the most important thing in life.

    • Everything else is secondary and seen as unworthy compared to the relationship with Christ.

    • Personal Reflection: Macmillan compares the pursuit of Jesus to his early ambitions in marriage, illustrating the need to maintain zealousness in relationships.

Personal Anecdote on Marriage

  • Marriage example: Macmillan reflects on his relationship with his wife and the early passion now being tempered with complacency over time.

    • Challenges:

    • Misunderstandings and disagreements can create emotional walls.

    • Complacency can develop over time due to routine and life’s stresses.

    • Call to Reflect: How complacency in relationships parallels complacency in the spiritual walk.

    • Challenge to the Audience: Ask if pastors and church leaders have become complacent or merely tolerant of their relationship with Jesus.

Holy Ambition for the Church

  • Second Ambition: We must have a holy ambition for the health and well-being of the church.

  • Key scripture: Ephesians 4:11-15

    • Leadership roles: Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers.

    • Purpose: To equip the people for works of service and build up the body of Christ.

  • Spiritual Growth:

    • The aim is to grow in faith and knowledge, moving towards maturity.

    • The goal is unity in Christ and stability against teachings and deceit.

  • Reflection for Pastors:

    • Do pastors still genuinely like the people they are serving?

    • The importance of loving one's congregation despite challenges and frustrations.

  • Facing Challenges:

    • Difficulty in maintaining love and focus for the church amidst discouragements.

    • Need for perseverance and grace to carry on effectively in ministry.

Holy Ambition for the Lost

  • Third Ambition: We need a holy ambition for the lost.

  • Key scriptures: Romans 15:20 and 1 Corinthians 9:19-22

    • Ambition: Paul’s ambition to preach where Christ is not known.

    • Becoming All Things: Paul’s adaptability to reach different groups of people for the sake of the Gospel.

  • The Reality of the Mission:

    • Every church is called to grow and reach the lost.

    • The urgency of evangelism cannot diminish; the spiritual state of the world is dire.

  • Personal Experience: Macmillan shares events indicating a newfound curiosity for faith among people, emphasizing the shift in community interest in Christ post-pandemic.

  • Active Response Required: Churches must consent to the call and be proactive in outreach efforts as many are searching for meaning.

Conclusion

  • Call to Action: Churches must adopt a holy ambition that flows from a genuine love for Christ and His mission.

    • It is crucial to re-engage with the spiritual health of oneself, the church community, and the mission field.

  • Balance in Ministry: Emphasizes that ambition should not cause burnout but should exist within healthy boundaries.

  • Final Reflection:

    • Ask the congregation if they are spiritually alive and ambitious for the Lord.

    • Importance of spiritual healing to reignite passion for ministry and outreach.

  • Vision for Future:

    • Encourage development of more gospel-centered church plants in under-served areas to meet the needs of lost souls.

  • Final Thought: Embrace the call for holy ambition in all aspects of the church community and personal faith.