Being a missional Christian is simply following the way of Jesus, who was the greatest missionary. The Bible tells us that he came from heaven to earth to die for a lost and dying world. The following scriptures reveal how the mission of God was fulfilled through Jesus Christ and how we are called to continue and complete the Missio Dei in our culture:
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34)
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 5:30)
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38)
“I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” (John 7:29)
“And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” (John 8:29)
“We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4)
And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (John 12:44-45)
“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.” (John 12:49)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (John 13:20)
“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)
“For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.” (John 17:8)
“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18)
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
A few weeks back I wrote about connecting with suburbanites during the summer. I mentioned participating in cultural events, being servants through things like coaching sports, and having hospitable events like cookouts. With 5 full weeks left we still have a lot of great opportunities to connect. I’ve noticed in my life and in the life of my family that 5 tools have stood out this summer as helpful for connecting with our neighbors. Here they are for you. I hope you’ll add to the list.
1. Invite Cards — My church, Doxa Fellowship, just recently had some branding work done and immediately had some invite cards created. If your church doesn’t have them, I highly recommend getting some done. They are simple, attractive business cards with key church info. On ours we have the church name, website and email on the front and our Sunday location and time, including a map, on the back.
I felt it when I woke up this morning. After my drive from Georgia I felt it. After my third wipe-out on the kneeboard I really felt it! An ache and pain in my right hip (Okay - my right “cheek” to be specific!) that modulates between searing and tolerable. But it is always “there”. Paul said it true, “our outer self is wasting away” - to that I can attest. Is having this constant ache “healthy”?
Sandee: Jordan, Nichole and Brett keep focus on God and be in His Word. Praise the Lord for the comfort He continues to provide in stressful times. Leya- personal problems.
Herb & Jo: Thank you Lord for our health, safe travels and answers to our prayers.
Susan F.: Please pray for two very difficult decisions that I need to make. That I will consider the right things and make the right choices to God’s glory. Thanks and praise for Alais’ continue recovery and for all the loving and giving people that are helping the family deal with difficult times.
Nancy: Ask the Lord to give Tom a wonderful, relaxing vacation this week with his family (and Stephen) at the Lake house. Pray for continued recovery and strength for Jonathan as well as decisions that need to be made regarding school in the fall. Janna needs peace and strength in the Lord this week.
Eloise: Please Lord send your might Holy Spirit to work in Pam and Trent’s hearts to draw them to your Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for answered prayers, peace in my heart, and enough of all I need.
John D.: Thank you for my wonderful family. Pray for the 99 people living at the women’s homeless shelter where my company renovated two emergency rooms. May those women keep or find faith in the Lord in these hard times. Pray for a personnel problem that is creating backlash issues for me personally. May God fight this battle!
Julie: Thank you Lord for being the Light of my life and thank you Lord for filling my heart with Your Love.
Barbara B.: Praise for a wonderful time of refreshment with my family this past month. Prayer for Edgewood Ranch staff training this week: 1) New filling of the Spirit of God. 2) Unity. 3) Encouragement.
Deborah T.: Thank God for a certified kitchen. Pray for guidance for Deb & Jim.
Lindsey: Pray for a good completion to her Missions Internship in Indonesia this week and a safe journey home next week. Pray for Whitney to look to God for all she needs in her new job in Auburn, Alabama.
Maurice: I am thankful for the cross which leads me to salvation, a loving fellowship at my church, and an ever ready help in time of need.
Anon.: Thanks for calmness and being surrounded by people with positive attitudes. Pray for people who are less fortunate.
“Every plant must have both soil and root. Without both of these there can be no life, no growth, no fruit. The root is ‘peace with God’; the soil in which that root strikes itself, and out of which it draws the vital sap, is the free love of God in Christ. ‘Rooted in love’ is the apostle’s description of a holy man.
The secret of a believer’s holy walk is his continual recurrence to the blood of the Surety, and his daily intercourse with a crucified and risen Lord. All divine life, and all the precious fruits of it, pardon, peace, and holiness, spring from the cross. All fancied sanctification which does not arise wholly from the blood of the cross is nothing better than Pharisaism. If we would be holy, we must get to the cross, and dwell there; else, notwithstanding all our labour, diligence, fasting, praying and good works, we shall be yet void of real sanctification, destitute of those humble, gracious tempers which accompany a clear view of the cross.”
“Imagine that your prayer is a poorly dressed beggar reeking of alcohol and body odor, stumbling toward the palace of the great king. You have become your prayer. As you shuffle toward the barred gate, the guards stiffen. Your smell has preceded you. You stammer out a message for the great king: ‘I want to see the king.’
Your words are barely intelligible, but you whisper one final word, ‘Jesus, I come in the name of Jesus.’ At the name of Jesus, as if by magic, the palace comes alive. The guards snap to attention, bowing low in front of you. Lights come on, and the door flies open. You are ushered into the palace and down a long hallway into the throne room of the great king, who comes running to you and wraps you in his arms.
The name of Jesus gives my prayers royal access. They get through. Jesus isn’t just the Savior of my soul. He’s also the Savior of my prayers. My prayers come before the throne of God as the prayers of Jesus. ‘Asking in Jesus’ name’ isn’t another thing I have to get right so my prayers are perfect. Is it one more gift of God because my prayers are so imperfect.”
—Paul Miller, A Praying Life (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress 2009), 135
“Howl and Wail!” “Your riches will eat your flesh like fire!” “You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter!” Whew! James lays down some of the strongest rebukes in the Bible against the oppressive rich. And though He is taking up the prophetic mantle on behalf of his poor brothers who are being oppressed, we in the affluent west need to hear his words ourselves.
Remember, God never condemns money. Rather hard work and providing for oneself and family is commended. But prosperity has a way of twisting our souls in upon themselves and skewing our perspective. Like Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings”, wealth becomes “My Precious” and we cling to it until it consumes us.
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1. Invite Cards — My church, Doxa Fellowship, just recently had some branding work done and immediately had some invite cards created. If your church doesn’t have them, I highly recommend getting some done. They are simple, attractive business cards with key church info. On ours we have the church name, website and email on the front and our Sunday location and time, including a map, on the back.
