Made for Mission

Misunderstandings about Christianity?

1. People choose Christianity because they prefer Christianity over other religions.

implications:

If there is a religion that teaches something I personal like more, I will choose that one.

Like shopping for cereal.

Nuance:

Christianity does stand out amongst the other religions. But that’s not why we follow Jesus.

Christianity is a conceptually great religion, but that alone isn’t a good enough reason to be Christian.

2. People choose Christianity because it helps them become a better person.

Implication: If there is something else that motivates me to become a better person, I will choose that.

Nuance:

God does empower us to become more and more godly (sanctification), but that alone isn’t a good enough reason to become a Christian.

3. People choose Christianity to give them hope and peace.

Implication:

If I don’t feel hopeless or like I am lacking peace, I must not need Jesus.

If I find something else that makes me feel hopeful or peaceful, then I might choose that.

Nuance:

I believe Jesus is the only thing that gives real hope and peace; but the feeling of hope and peace is still not the reason I follow Jesus.

Following Jesus will give you peace, but that alone isn’t a good enough reason to be a Christian.

4. People choose Christianity because they are religiously inclined.

Implication: If I’m not religiously inclined, it’s not for me.

Nuance:

I wouldn’t say I check many of the boxes as one who is religiously inclined. Yet I am a Christian. Hmm.

“If I were born in a Muslim country, I’d be Muslim. If I were born in a Buddhist culture, I’d be Buddhist. I was born into a Catholic family and so I use Catholicism as a platform to influence others.”

So what is the proper reason for becoming a Christian?

1. Because you know we have a deadly illness called sin.

John 3:14 NIV

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,

2. Becaus Jesus is the cure for that disease.

John 3:15 NIV

that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

3. Because you believe in that cure enough to receive it.

John 3:16–17 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

4. Because there is no other alternative for salvation.

John 3:18 NIV

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

5. Because you believe this is true, and you have a commitment to the truth.

John 3:21 NIV

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Think back to the 4 misunderstanding people have about Christianity now:

I’d prefer the idea of another religion: If it doesn’t correspond with reality, that’s called denial.

I’ve found another way to become a good person: Even if you have, becoming a good person won’t take away the issue of the deadly disease of sin. It won’t cure the problem. It’s just a little make-up over an infected wound.

I found hope and peace elsewhere: If you are really condemned before God and destined for eternity in hell, the hope and peace you have are only temporary. What matters is where you will spend eternity.

I’m not religiously inclined: This clearly isn’t about being religiously inclined or not; it’s about reality.

If we really believe this, how could we not share Jesus with others?

"Sir, if I believed what you and the Church of God say that you believe, even if England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would crawl over it, if need be, on hands and knees and think it worthwhile living just to save one soul from an eternal hell like that!" - Charles Peace

God is sovereign and powerful. He is going to save people, not us.

But he has given us the responsibility Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NIV

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.”

Jesus was willing to die to save sinners.

Here’s what Paul said Acts. 20:22-24

Acts 20:22–24 NLT

“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Once we understand the bottum line reason for becoming a Christian, then we begin to understand a proper perspective for the mission Christ gave the Church.

Next week, we will learn how to go about living on mission.