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The Mission |
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Few things in life are as defeating as not having a mission or purpose in life. Think about just one day. The days you wake up and know that you have a plan or project are the days you are quick to get out of bed. When you know people are counting on you that day – you’re there! You have a mission On the other hand, every now and then we wake up with no plan, no mission, no real purpose for the day. I don’t mean vacation days when “no plan” is the plan. I’m talking about those times when we wake up, we know we’re about to face the day and have nothing to look forward to and nothing to really live up to…we’re just going through the motions. The difference between the “going through the motions” days and the “quick, get out of bed” days has everything to do with mission – purpose. Ultimately it’s our mission in life that keeps us going. Our purpose for living is what keeps us really alive. This morning I want to talk about just one aspect of that purpose – of our mission and how Jesus’ mission affects our mission. It’s MISSION POSSIBLE. [SKIT: "Ms. Phelps and Mission Possible"] As followers of Jesus we have a well-defined mission, a unique purpose. That purpose is what should get us out of bed every morning. We should jump out of bed ready to see how God has prepared the world in order for us to carry on Jesus’ mission.
Jesus’ mission is
our mission…but just exactly was His mission? Early in His ministry on Earth Jesus defined that mission very clearly. The New Testament book of Luke tells of those early days when Jesus was traveling through Galilee (the northern portion of Israel). Luke chapter four records those early days when Jesus spent a great deal of time teaching in synagogues (Jewish churches) and performing miracles. It tells of Jesus casting out demons and healing all the sick that were brought to Him, no matter what their disease. Then He prepared to leave Galilee. When the people of the region went looking for Jesus, He was gone. Soon they found Him heading for southern Israel (Judea). They begged Him to stay in Galilee and it would have been a pretty good deal. They all loved what He was doing, many believed that He was the Messiah. He could have stayed and been very comfortable where He was. But He wouldn’t stay where it was comfortable. He told them… “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other places, too, because that is why I was sent.” (Luke 4:43) Jesus realized that His Mission was not to sit and enjoy the admiration of a select few. His mission was to share the Good News to as many as possible. Later on in Luke He gets even more specific… “I, the Son of Man, came to find lost people and save them..” (Luke 19:10 NLT/NVC) And in John 10:10, Jesus simply says, “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” Jesus understood that His mission was to share the Good News that those who placed their trust in Him could have eternal life, life in all its fullness. That was Jesus’ purpose. And He carried out that purpose all the way to the cross, into the grave and out of the tomb when He arose from the dead. The Good News is that Jesus died so that our sins could be forgiven. Then He came back to life to prove sin and death had no power over Him. The Good News is that if we accept what Jesus did for us we can have His eternal life. Jesus carried out His mission to the cross and now we as His followers are to carry that mission from the cross. His mission becomes our mission. As we look at that mission and our mission this morning, there are three things we need to focus on this morning. Four truths about our mission: Mission Possible. (1) First, Jesus’ Life Mission Must Be A Part Of Our Life Mission When Jesus took time to pray for His followers, for us, He prayed about that mission. The night before Jesus died on the cross Jesus spent time asking the Heavenly Father to keep us safe while we are in this world and then He asked the Father to help us with our mission… “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.” (John 17:18, The Message) As Jesus prays, he specifically talks about our mission: the same mission that God the Father gave to Jesus when He came to Earth – to share the Good News – Jesus has given us. Jesus’ mission must become our mission. The final words Jesus spoke to His disciples spoke to this mission: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) In Acts 1:8 He simply says, “…and you will be my witnesses” Our mission is to be witnesses of the Good News and in the process we will make followers (disciples) and teach them how God wants them to live. They will proclaim their faith in Jesus by following Him in baptism. Our mission must be His mission. Maybe this is the same point, but let me share it a different way. (2) When it comes to our mission in life – we get to and we have to. Following through on THE MISSION – sharing the Good News is both a privilege and a responsibility. Think of it this way – we get to introduce people to the greatest person in all the universe. Imagine knowing someone really, really important, maybe the most important person in the entire world. Let’s take Tim for example. Tim’s a good guy. But suppose he were even more. Suppose Tim held in his power the ability to make everyone in this room successful, joyful, peaceful and fulfilled. Tim has all that and more, but no one in this room knows Tim except for me. Now I get the privilege of introducing each and every one of you to Tim. Sharon, meet Tim. Michael meet Tim. Sharon, Michael…Tim. Tim…Sharon and Michael. Why don’t you all spend some time getting to know each other (after the sermon of course)? What a privilege I would have to introduce all of you to Tim. Guess what, as great as Tim is (and he is a great man), as good as any of us may be or anyone else for that matter – no one compares to Jesus Christ. He’s God. And we have the privilege of introducing people who really need Jesus – to Jesus. There is no greater privilege in all the world than to introduce people to Christ. On the other hand there is no greater tragedy than to ignore that privilege. Listen to what it says in Ezekiel 3:18, “If you don’t speak out to warn the wicked to stop their evil ways, they will die in their sin. But I will hold you responsible for their death.” That’s pretty drastic. Though people are responsible for their own lives and their own sin, if we who have the answer to their ultimate problem don’t share it – we are responsible as well. The Apostle Paul said it this way: “Telling the Good News is my duty—something I must do.” (1 Corinthians 9:16) It’s our duty to share the Good News, our privilege and our duty! It’s also how I show God that I am grateful for what He’s done for me. “Remember that in the past you were without Christ…You had no hope, and you did not know God. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ’s death.” (Ephesians 2:12-13) How can we do anything less than share the Good News after He has done so much for us? It’s just plan selfish to keep the Good News to ourselves. His mission is our mission. THE MISSION our privilege and responsibility. Another thing… (3) THE MISSION Is God’s Only Plan For Reaching This World We’re it. God has no other plan for reaching other people than His followers. And unless we follow through with THE MISSION people will never come to Christ. Listen to what Romans 10:13-14 tells us. “Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved. But before people can ask the Lord for help, they must believe in him; and before they can believe in him, they must hear about him; and for them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them” That’s a powerful statement: “Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.” It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done. If you are willing to ask Jesus to be your Boss and Forgiver He will save you from your condition apart from God. You can be what the Bible calls “saved”. But look at the steps… Anyone who calls will be saved. But before they call they have to believe. But before they believe they have to hear. But before they hear someone has to tell them. No one can call on Jesus until someone carries out THE MISSION of telling them about Him! THE MISSION is God’s plan for people to hear about Him. You can look through the entire Bible and you will find no other pattern, no other means that people come to Jesus except through someone else sharing the Good News with them first. That’s God’s plan. People are lost without Christ and they need us to lead them to Him. We are God’s only plan for telling other people about Him. One final thought. (4) THE MISSION is our greatest source of joy and happiness. There are many things in this life that have brought me joy. I have many friends who bring me joy – just knowing them. When I met Terrie and she became my wife, that seemed like the happiest moment in my life. Then she gave me five wonderful children, four who are still here today and one who is in heaven. When I looked into each of their eyes, I can’t describe the joy that it brought me. And then to watch them grow into such wonderful young people – my joy continues to grow. Others things have brought me joy. But there is no greater joy in all the universe than knowing that my witness has brought someone to Jesus and they are going to spend eternity with Him partly because I followed through with THE MISSION. And I’m not alone. Jesus talked about joy in heaven. Listen… “I tell you there is much joy in heaven when one sinner changes his heart.” (Luke 15:7 ICB) There’s a party in heaven every time someone comes to Jesus and makes Him their Boss and Forgiver. The Bible talks about that joy in 1 Thessalonians 2:19, “For you are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will be proud of when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. Jesus mission must be part of our mission. We have the privilege and responsibility to be a part of that mission The mission is God’s only plan for reaching this world. And it is the ultimate source of joy and happiness. One of these days I’m going to be walking through heaven and Carmelito is going to run up to me and give me a hug. Carmelito died when he was in his early twenties, a tragic death. But twelve years earlier Carmelito had come to church and I had had the opportunity to tell him about Jesus. And though his death here on earth was tragic – his eternity with Jesus is anything but – it’s heaven! One of these days I’m going to get to sit and talk to my Mom who lead me to Jesus. She’s in heaven now, but one of these days I’m going to get to tell her thanks one more time for making sure I knew about Jesus. How about you? Who’s going to be looking for you when you get to heaven? Who are you going to celebrate with? I know getting involved with THE MISSION may seem a little intimidating. We always assumed sharing the Good News should be left for the professionals, the “Billy Grahams” of this world. We don’t think we know enough or have experienced enough to share the Good News. Just remember – you are an expert at what God has done for you – and that’s a pretty good start. I love what the Apostle Paul boldly shared near the end of his life… In Acts 20:24 he says, “I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus—the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness.” Carry out THE MISSION – THE MISSION of sharing the Good News. Nothing is more important, nothing is more urgent. As we close this morning there are really only two responses to THE MISSION. The first response is for anyone who has yet to accept the Good News. You may have heard the message of THE MISSION over and over and thought about it many times. But you still have not made it personal. You’ve yet to take that final step that says “I definitely accept the Good News into my life. I make Jesus Christ my Boss and I accept His forgiveness for my sins.” If you have not yet accepted the Good News, this morning is a good time to take that final step. Simply pray this prayer with me, “Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I need Your Forgiveness. I accept Your forgiveness. And I make you the Boss (the LORD) of my life.” If you prayed that prayer and meant it, then you can also pray this one, “Thank you, Jesus, for honoring Your Word and giving me Your eternal life. I will live for you as You give me the power to do so.” That’s the first response. However, if you have already made that initial commitment to Christ you need to take the next step and join THE MISSION. You need to get active in sharing the Good News. That doesn’t mean you have to go plowing down your neighbor, it means as God gives you the opportunity, you will simply share what He has done in your life. Over the next few weeks we will be sharing more about how to get involved in THE MISSION. But for now, just telling Jesus that you are willing is great place to begin. Maybe a dedication prayer like this one would be a good start: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me Your eternal life. I now want to be an active part of Your Mission. I want to share Your Good News in any way I can with the people You are bringing into my life. I may be scared. I may not understand all the details, but I commit to simply sharing as I can with others. And I trust You to give me the wisdom and the words as I share. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of representing You to people who really do need You. AMEN.
NLT -
New Living Translation (c) 1996
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(c) Paul Newell 2003 FamilyFellowship Church P.O. Box 465, Beaumont, CA 92223 |
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