Sent People, Not Just Saved People

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. You're part of our extended spiritual family, and we're thankful for you.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them

For everyone else, grab your Bible, get comfortable, and get ready for what God has for you today. Today we are starting a brand new journey as we have moved into the new year.

Now, let me set the stage for you real quick. Over the last 2 years we have had a team called the Purpose Discovery Team. Their whole job was to understand who we are as a church, and what we’re doing here. They spent a year learning language and understanding church systems and purpose. Then they spent another year talking through who we are as a church. This wasn’t an effort to change who we are, but to better understand who we are. So…they worked long and hard and discovering this. Then they presented to the Elders various things. Specifically, they presented a new mission statement, a new vision statement, a set of values, and a path to help Christians continue to grow, that’s called a discipleship pathway. Well, the Elders have appreciated their hard work, and so over the course of the next few weeks we are going to talk about all these things.

Today I’m going to present to you a new refreshed mission statement. Now, I know what some of you may be thinking, ‘Why mess with the mission statement? We’ve been faithful for a long time. And you’re right—you have. What I am introducing today isn’t about abandoning our past. It’s about making sure the next generation can clearly see why we exist.

So, this morning, let me ask you a question that sounds simple, but might not be. What did God save you for?

Now, I know many of us could quickly say what He saved us from—sin, guilt, hell, shame. And that’s all true. But if salvation stops there, then the Christian life becomes just a waiting room for eternity instead of a calling.

Over the course of the last few months we have really been looking at what it looks like to be entrusted with various talents…then last month looked at the greatest story ever told—the true story of Christmas beginning with Jesus’ incarnation and leading to his birth in Bethlehem. But heres the thing—Christmas was never meant to end at the manger. It was the beginning of a mission. So this morning I want to look at three things together that will show us that we are not just saved people…but we are sent people. Then, I will share with you the new mission statement for LRBC.

Let’s start here though…

FROM WITNESS TO PARTICIPATION

You see, God never intended us to only witness his story—He invites us to carry it forward. Listen to what happens immediately after the shepherds encounter Jesus—not years later, not after training, not after meetings, but right away.

Luke 2:17–20 ESV

17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Pay attention to this: they didn’t attend a class, they didn’t form a committee or a team, or even wait until they felt ready. They went and told. You see, what they witnessed—naturally turned into participation. That’s becuase

Encounter Leads to Telling Others

When the shepherds encountered God’s presence, and witnessed his promises being fulfilled, they naturally went to tell everyone they came into contact with. The same happened to the disciples, and to those who were healed throughout the New Testament.

When God reveals himself, silence is not an acceptable response. It is never ok to keep God a secret and keep him to yourself.

Let me just challenge everyone here today…if you are at work, and your coworkers know your favorite drink, and your favorite team, and your favorite music, but don’t know about your relationship with God…that’s a problem. Listen, I know what you’re thinking…Billy, you’re a pastor, it’s different for you…what if I told you it wasn’t any different. One of the hardest things I ever did was go buy a Bible for a coworker and go out to eat with him while I shared the Gospel. He didn’t accept the Gospel as truth in his life, I don’t know where he is at this time, but I know he has God’s word, and I know he knew what I held as most important.

There’s something else though. When you never speak of your faith, or you keep it regulated to church, and maybe to home, you know, those walls…then that faith that you have, at best will stall and you will be the same, at worst, it withers and dies…This is what causes people to leave the church because what they say and what they live does not match.

Of course, maybe you would say, Pastor Billy…I’m just an ordinary guy or girl. Well—

Ordinary People Were the First Evangelists

Yeah, shepherds didn’t have some special status that made people look at and listen to them. If anything, shepherds were listened to less than others. Yet they didn’t let that stop them from sharing what they have seen and heard. They took their experience, their encounter with the living God and shared that with everyone that was around.

You see, God delights in using everyday faithfulness from everyday people. You know…people like you.

The shepherds used their joy in meeting Jesus as fuel. They were praising and glorifying God…this was not a private event…it overflowed from their very being!

But if Christmas shows us how witness becomes participation, Easter shows us why. Because after the cross and resurrection, Jesus makes His intention unmistakably clear. That’s becuase…

JESUS SENDS ORDINARY PEOPLE

The risen Jesus doesn’t gather people just for comfort—He commissions them for purpose. That’s what he did with his disciples. Now look, if anyone could be excused for staying hidden, it was the disciples. They were afraid, confused, and uncertain about the future. Their leader was just murdered by the state—they could be next.

This is the first Sunday night after the resurrection. Listen carefully to Jesus’ first words to His fearful followers.

John 20:19–21 ESV

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Listen, Jesus doesn’t shame their fear—He transforms it. Their peace, becomes a purpose. Their gathering together becomes being sent out. What does all of that mean though…Well, first of all

Peace comes before Purpose

Jesus starts with “peace be with you”. Jesus calls the disciples to peace twice before ever commissioning them to be sent out. The same is true for you…Jesus is calling you to peace. I know you’re struggling with anxiety, and stress, and maybe even depression…Jesus is calling you to peace. Now, if Jesus is calling you to peace, then he is also offering you that same peace.

Your anxiety—your fear, doesn’t disqualify you from his sent mission. It calls you to seek Jesus in the midst of it. It calls you to trust Jesus for the peace that you are seeking.

Now, there is a pattern within the Gospel. Something that shows up over and over again.

The Pattern of/in the Gospel Is ‘Sent’

Jesus straight up says, “As the Father has sent me…” Throughout the Gospel we see Jesus sending his disciples, and sending those he heals, and teaches.

Mission isn’t a modern church invention. It’s God’s very nature. There is a latin theological term that I want to introduce here.

now let me explain real quick the Latin language and why it is important theologically. You see, after Christianity spread into the Roman Empire, Latin became the dominant language of Western Christian leaders, councils, theologians, and scholars. As a result, many theological terms were formulated and circulated in Latin so thinkers across different regions could share ideas in a common language.

So, what is the term I want to introduce? It’s “Missio Dei”, which means “The Mission of God”. In other words, the mission of God is to send out witnesses. That applies to you too…

Now, if Jesus sends His disciples, and you, the same way the Father sent Him, then mission isn’t a program we add—it’s an identity we embrace.

This is where mission statements matter—not because they sound good, but because they tell us who we are when no one’s watching. You see…

MISSION IS IDENTITY, NOT ACTIVITY

In other words, we don’t have a mission; we are a people on mission. We’ve been given our marching orders, and sent out into the communities around us, and into the world at large.

Let’s review real quick…These are Jesus’ final marching orders—not just to leaders, but to His church—that includes you as a Christian today.

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The command here isn’t ‘come and sit’, it isn’t ‘come and be fed’, it isn’t ‘this is my time to learn’—it’s ‘go and make.’ The church doesn’t exist for itself. LRBC doesn’t exist for you. I know that’s a hard thing to hear for some, and I know I may have just hurt someone’s feelings…But Scripture is clear folks. Sunday morning, prayer groups, small groups, these are not consumer activities…these are not meant for you to simply come and enjoy, if you are a Christian.

This is the first thing we need to realize and accept. The church does not serve me…it does not serve you…we serve the church.

Now where does all of this come from? Why should you listen to anything I’m saying today? What authority do I have to make these statements? The reality is that

Authority Fuels Obedience

The authority of a statement is what leads to that statement being listened to. For instance, if you are a child and your parent tells you to go clean your room…well, you better go clean your room (or at least hide everything under the bed like I did). They have authority over you, and so obedience is necessary. If your friend comes over and they tell you to go clean your room, you may kind of laugh them off, becuase they don’t have the same authority over you.

The mission of the church rests on Jesus’ authority…not any man’s authority. This matters becuase if Jesus is the authority, it means the church can be faithful even when it’s unpopular. The church can be obedient even when it’s costly. The church can be confident knowing Christ stands with us. It also means that

Going Is Assumed, Not Optional

Baked into the mission is our obedience. There is no path where you are not sent. There is no path where you can trust Jesus with your salvation and then ignore everything else. The mission that Jesus gives assumes movement as a part of normal Christian life.

There was a conversation in Scripture about faith and works. You see, as a Christian, you are saved by faith…not by works. However, what James says is that if you are a Christian, then you will desire to work for the Lord. That was true then—and that is true now. Of course Jesus also promised to be with us throughout all of this. Jesus’ very presence in our lives, sustains the mission he sent us on. When he says, “I am with you always” he is guarding against burnout and fear. What does that mean if you feel burnt out today? Well…maybe you are trying to do things in your own strength verses relying on the strength of the one who sacrificed himself on the cross and left the tomb empty.

So if this is true about Jesus, and this is who the church has always been, then the question isn’t should we be on mission—it’s how clearly are we living it?

For years, our mission statement has said: To know Christ, to be like Christ, to be Christ’s body.

That’s good. It’s biblical. And we’re not rejecting that mission—we’re refining it for clarity and movement as a church, because going is not optional. So…here is what the Purpose Team and the Elders have prayed over and put together for us as a church. Our new, refined, mission statement is

To know Christ—Grow in Faith—Go make Him known

You will see the core essence of our original mission statement is in tact. We are simply updating and refreshing the terminology. Here’s what this means practically.

To Know Christ is to have saving relationship with Christ. This is not simply to know Christ existed mentally…There is a saving relationship that has occured here.

To Grow in Faith is to continue forming your Christian identity and maturing to be more Christ like.

To Go make Him known is to remember our mission is being sent out—not staying within these walls. Our very mission as a church forces us to go out to those who don’t know Christ. This informs everything we do.

Listen…we are not just a church that gathers—we are a church that goes!

At Leaf River Baptist Church, we exist to know Christ, to grow in faith, & to go make him known.

Now, Before we leave today, we’re going to come to the Lord’s Table together. And that’s intentional. Because communion is where saved people remember why they are sent people. We also all have our connection cards on the chairs that you sat on. These cards are important because it’s through these cards that we connect to each other, and with God. It’s through these cards that you have shared things like, a desire to live for the Lord—a commitment to put God first again—a question about what it means to follow God. These are all real connections that have been made.

So every time we have communion we have an opportunity to connect in written form. This morning I have two questions for you to consider.

#1. As an act of prayer, will I commit to living as a sent person—joining God’s mission through LRBC?

I want you to consider one of three responses, and I want you to be honest…

☐ Yes, with God’s help ☐ I’m open, but nervous ☐ I’m not there yet, but I’m willing to pray about it

#2. What needs to change in me so I can live this mission faithfully?

That ones harder isn’t it…This one calls you to be more honest about your heart motive behind everything you do. This one calls on you to make a commitment to become who God has created you to be. Honest…humble…and ready. Let’s take a moment to go ahead and fill out these cards.

PAUSE (20-30 seconds)

Now this morning we will do as we have done frequently. Everyone will come up and receive the elements of communion from the table here. There is also a table in the back for those who are there. As you come up, you will place your card in the basket and then go back to your seat to partake in communion together…but also alone…you and God.

This morning I want you to remember what communion is all about.

It is the bread that reminds us that Jesus’ body was given for us as a willing sacrifice.

The cup reminds us that His blood was poured out for us to bring us into right relationship with the Father and to send us out to the world.

So, if you’re here today and you trust in Jesus, this table is for you—not because you’re perfect, but because you’re His.

And if you’re still figuring that out, you’re welcome to sit and reflect on what following Jesus actually means. Then as you leave in a moment, you can drop your card in the basket in back. No pressure.

But here’s the thing, communion doesn’t end at the table. It ends when we stand up and go back into the world as His sent ones.

Let’s pray:

“Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your body given for us and Your blood poured out for us.

As You were sent by the Father, send us now— into our homes, our community, our daily lives.

Shape us into a people who know You, grow in faith, and go make You known.

We offer ourselves to You here this morning. Amen.”

Closing encouragement after song

This week, pray for one person by name. And if God gives you a natural moment, don’t hide your faith—just speak honestly. That’s how sent people live.