South Attleboro Assembly of God

I have had the honor of sharing God’s story, the Good News, in China, Japan, and in Quito, Ecuador. Jesus said, ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8 NIV).’ Here’s what that looks like:

· Jerusalem (E-1) – People like you, same culture and language.
· Judea and Samaria (E-2) – People in your country but of different culture or language.
· Ends of the earth (E-3) – People in a different culture and language.

I was a missionary, but I am not special. Each one of us were made for a mission, a calling, a quest. We are called to be world changers.

Today is the final week of a six week sermon series that follows Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?

· First, we began with The Reason for Everything. It answered the questions, ‘why did God create,’ and ‘why did God create me.’ Our lives have meaning and purpose because God created us in His image.
· Then we looked at worship – You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure – 1. Worship. Loving God back is worship. ‘You [God] created all things, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created (Rev 4:11 NLT).’ We were created to love God back deeply from our heart. Worship is not a musical style but is surprising God with our words, thoughts, and life in a way that pleases Him.
· Then we looked at fellowship – You Were Formed for God’s Family – 2. Fellowship.‘[God’s] unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ (Ep 1:5 NLT).’ Together, we form Christ’s body on earth – and our purpose is derived from the whole and not the individual piece.
· We also looked at discipleship - You Were Created to Become Like Christ- 3. Discipleship. Even though we are all different, God wants us to take on some of his family traits. ‘You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God (Ep 4:24 GWT).’
· Last week we looked at service - You Were Shaped for Serving God – 4. Service.‘For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ep 2:10 NIV).’

Ministry is how you serve the church, Mission is your calling to unbelievers.

Today we are looking at the final of five purpose for our lives – 5. Evangelism - You Were Made For A Mission.

The Purpose Driven Life
You Were Made For A Mission

First, let’s look at what the mission itself.

1. The Mission, 2Ti 4:5.

· We have a Mission Possible: bring people to Jesus. Paul wrote, ‘Work at bringing others to Christ (2Ti 4:5b NLT).’
· Like the TV show and movies, you and I were given a mission by Jesus: ‘In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world (Jn 17:17 MSG).’ We are to continue the ministry of Jesus on earth. We are now Christ’s body. When Jesus was here on earth his physical body told the story of salvation, he healed the sick, and he did many miracles. So too, we are now Christ’s body on earth.
· Unlike the TV show and movies where the tape recording that would dissolve in seconds, our mission was recorded five times in Scripture so that we would not lose it or forget it. ‘As the father has sent me, I am sending you (Jn 20:21 NIV).‘ See also, Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15; Lk 24:47; Jn 20:21; Acts 1:8.

Second, let’s look at your personal mission.

2. Your Mission, 1Co 9:22.

God made you just as you are so that you can reach those around you. You live in a community, work at a job, and have relationships all around you. You merely have to build relational bridges that will carry the weight of the gospel. Paul wrote, ‘Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him (1Co 9:22b TLB).’ In other words, you are fully equipped to build relationships with those around you to share the story of what Jesus has done for you.

· Rick Warren: ‘List five activities and invite other people to join you.’
· Bill Hybels: ‘Just walk across the room.’ Talk to them, do something together.
· Michael Frost: ‘Keep a record of your spiritual conversations.’ He notes that we wear Fitbits and other wearable devices to track our steps or pulse. These devices reshape our thinking to focus on physical health and then changes our behavior. If we record accounts of spiritual conversations in a journal, we will reshape our thinking and behavior to be more missional.

The idea of personal evangelism frightens a lot of people - many choose to not accept it as their mission. They imagine themselves having to become someone they are not. They envision memorizing a lot of scriptures, learning salesman-like techniques, so that they can go out and twist people’s arms. But God made you just as you are for your mission. Perhaps some better word pictures will take away the fear.

· Cooks feed the hungry.
· Life guards rescue the perishing.
· Friends befriend the lonely.
· Fellow students answers the questions of seekers.

You are not called to be a cheesy salesperson, you are called to love others and reflect the best qualities of our awesome God. Perhaps the idea of a movie trailer is a better word picture. A trailer for a movie reveals the best scenes and hints at the plot; it is designed to make us want to see that film. In the same way, when people see the best of Jesus in you, they think to themselves I want what they have.Paul wrote that the church at Corinth was like a living letter, reflecting God (2Co 3:3). Similarly, he wrote to Thessalonica: ‘Your lives are echoing the Masters Word … the news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore – you’re the message (1Th 1:8 MSG)!’ Our lives are the mission.

So far so good, let me give you some reasons why we are to be missional.

3. Why be Missional?

1. We do it because it’s our responsibility, Lk 12:48.

Unlike the Mission Impossible tape that includes ‘should you choose to accept it’ we are not given the option of opting out. When we become Christians we sign up to tell the story of what God has done in our lives. Jesus said, ‘Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater (Lk 12:48b TLB).’ Rick Warren has observed that the other four purposes can be done in eternity. In heaven we will worship God; we will be with our spiritual family; we will continue to learn about God; we will serve God. But our mission can only be done on earth.

· The consequences of our mission will last forever. It is important people’s lives are in the balance. ‘[God] does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives (2Pe 3:9b NCV).’
· There is an urgency to the mission in the Bible: ‘All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all the work comes to an end (Je 20:9 CEV).’

2. We do it because we have been given authority, Mt 28:18-19.

Again, God is not going to send you on your mission unprepared and ill-equipped. He is training you and has given you all the tools you need to fulfil your important eternal mission: ‘Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:18-19 NIV).’ There are real spiritual powers out there. They often hide behind different religions or philosophies, but we have been given authority to advance the kingdom of God.

3. We do it because of history’s trajectory, Is 14:26-27.

God has a plan to bring as many people into his family as possible. But God also has a plan for eternity: ‘I have a plan for the whole earth, for my mighty power reaches throughout the world. The LORD Almighty has spoken – who can change his plans (Is 14:26-27)?’ Just as creation was a part of God’s plan so is the end of time in this realm.

· Someday the Lord will gather all of his people together for eternity. ‘The Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come (Mt 24:14 NLT).’
· Perhaps that day will coincide with what scientists theorize. Astrophysicists say that the universe is expanding and that someday the very elements of creation will reach a point when the elements will no longer be able to hold together. It fits with what Peter says, ‘But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare (2Pe 3:10 NIV).’

When we see the Lord, we will want to do our part. Jude pictures us as ‘snatching them from the flames of judgment (Ju 1:23 NLT).’ That leads us to the main motivation to be a missional Christian.

4. We do it because we love the lost, 2Co 5:14.

We tell the story of God’s good news because we love the people. Paul wrote, ‘For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all (2Co 5:14 NIV).’ It is God’s love for the lost the cause Jesus to come to earth, like the good shepherd looking for the lost sheep. In the same way when we have God’s love for the lost we will sacrifice and seek out the lost.

If you spent any time with foreign missionaries they love to talk about the country they are called to: they will talk about the culture; they will talk about the language; and they will talk about the national church they work for overseas. But if you want to hear a missionaries true motivation asked them about the people to whom they are called.

· William Carey – India. ‘I will go into the pit if you hold the rope.’
· Mark Buntain – India. ‘Lord, I gave, I gave my life for you; but look at what you have given to me.’
· David L. – Afghanistan. ‘I weep over Afghanistan and its people who have been scattered to the far corners of the earth. Tears of sorrow do I weep … my tears flow and my prayers rise for you.’
· Keith T. - Japan. ‘The Holy Spirit whispered in my heart that I was the first person to ever bring that person’s name to God in prayer. I wept.’

Some of you are thinking, ‘I could never be a great missionary like these four men.‘ That’s true. You cannot become them. Perhaps a quote from Corrie Ten Boom will help us keep things in perspective:

· Corrie Ten Boom – the Netherlands. ‘If I cannot do great things for God, let me do small things in the greatness of God.’

You were made for a mission. Peter wrote, ‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1Pe 3:15 NIV).’

Rick Warren believes that people who have been Christian a long time fail in their mission because they forget what it was like to live without hope. Let’s give a reason to all that meet us for the hope we have.