The Reason

Today will be unusual as I normally don’t do topical messages but every now and then I find it helpful in the life of the church to focus in on one Biblical idea for the sake of emphasis. Over the next 3 weeks we are going to be talking a lot about the mission of the church and evangelism.

Over this next year we want you to experience something profound. The power of Prayer and Gospel intention. We are going to be asking one simple question a lot? Who is your one? Who is the one person that God has laid on your heart with which to share the gospel.

We are not asking you to figure out how to reach the world, but just prays specifically about one.

Then we are going to track Gospel attempts. Next week we will show you how we are going to do that. Then on Sunday May 31, we will officially launch the Campaign “Who’s your one?

Most of us have heard this passage before..

Matthew 28:19–20 CSB

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, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

We all understand that we are to go but have you ever wonder why we are to go? What is the reason that God send us out to do this work?

# 1 - God has always been on mission

When we think of the word mission or missions our minds naturally run to the great commission. We think about evangelism and missionaries but what if that is not the mission of the church? What if I told you that the great commission was not the mission.

Now i can tell some of you are already wandering if I have lost my mind. Others are fearful that what I say next may be heresy.

One of my goals this morning is for you to see yourself differently than just simply a tool to be used for the cause of Christ, that in God’s eyes you are simply a means to an end. I want to reframe the mission so that you see God’s great love in it.

But to get there we must ask a question, that maybe you have never asked before?

What does God really want?

It’s a simple question, but yet a profound one. The answer is not only life changing ,but life giving.

Let me explain. As I read this passage, I want you to visualize it through the lens of a father and his toddler child.

Genesis 2:15–19 CSB

The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.” Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.” The Lord God formed out of the ground every wild animal and every bird of the sky, and brought each to the man to see what he would call it. And whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.

Many of you know last week we were in Orlando, fl. visiting SeaWorld and discovery cove. It was interesting to watch how excited everyone was to be there. But one of the things that everyone was excited about was to watch little Remi’s reaction to all the sea animals she would encounter. No matter where we went, at some point, all eyes would be on Remi with smile on our faces watching her reaction to these animals that she had never seen before. It was joy just to watch her own curious nature be amazed by every little thing.

This is what I see in this passage. God, the father, brining all of the animals to Adam with great joy to watch how he would react and what he would call them. There is very much a familial response going on here that we see in our own families on earth.

Now just after Adam and Eve sinned we see this glimpse into God’s regular interaction with Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3:8 CSB

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

notice God walking with them. Now we realize this is what is called anthropomorphic language. We know that God is a spirit but just because he is not bound by flesh as we are doesn’t mean that there is never any physicality about him as he interacts with a physical creation. In fact the scriptures say they heard him walking., meaning that his supernatural presence interacts with a physical creation. You can deal with that as you choose but notice once again that God is interacting with Adam and Eve. There is a normal interactive relationship that is taking place with them until sin.

Then look at the new testament language.

Galatians 4:4–7 CSB

When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.

So then how does this answer the question “What does God really want?” and how is this tied into the mission of the church?

In the beginning God created two families an angelic one and a human one. We will talk more about this idea in the coming weeks when we do our series on spiritual warfare. But We can see through scripture that God enjoys having his family involved in his work. Sin came in and both part of the angelic race and the human race rebelled against thier father.

Now think about the parable of the prodigal son. His son rebels against him. Asks for his inheritance now. Which is to say to his father I wish you were already gone. Then lives in rebellion

In this parable Jesus describes the father as running toward his repentant son with great joy.

Luke 15:20–24 CSB

So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

He wants to reclaim his wayward family. We as Gods adopted children are to go to the spiritual orphans of the word and proclaim that there is a loving father who has provided for them a way to become the sons and daughters of God.

You see in this parable, this story of a love so strong that even though the son rebelled, no doubt marred the name of his father, lived a disgusting sinful existence, the father was waiting and then running toward his repentant child.

There was no conversation of okay your back, i accept you but now you need to make up for all you did. This isn't the posture of the father instead he celebrates the one who comes home.

We see this same idea in the parable of the lost sheep and lost coin.

This is no ordinary love.

When we understand that this love that was written about is the same love by which God loves us. This is the same love that reached us than the mission is not an obligation but an expression of this love.

So then what does God really want?

he wants his love to be expressed in us to others so that they to may to join his family.

The lost and the reblious are like children on the street who mistrust the sincere desire of a benevolent benefactor. What they need to see is another child who has experience of being brought into the family to show them that the love of God is genuine.

That’s you and me....We are the adopted. We are the one that experienced this amazing grace and love of God. And God uses our testimony and our experience with himself to bring others into the family.

God wants his family...and there is not limited space in the household of the Lord. There are no advanced reservations created. There is no some can come repent and others cannot. His love has been extended to all through his son.

John 3:16 CSB

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

2 Peter 3:9 CSB

The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

There is always room for one more.....His Gospel is open to all and God has chosen his people to go into all the world share the good news that Jesus Christ had made a way for all to who are willing join his family.

The second reason why we go is this

#2 God wants his family involved in His work.

There’s something deeply joyful about watching a child step into the family business. A farmer smiles the first time his son can drive the tractor straight. A carpenter quietly watches his daughter learn how to sand a board smooth. A pastor tears up hearing his son teach Scripture faithfully for the first time.

Why? Because it’s more than learning a skill — it’s carrying on the family name, values, and mission. The father isn’t just looking for help getting work done; he delights in seeing his child become like him.

In the same way, God rejoices when His children begin to take part in the “family business” — loving people, serving others, sharing the Gospel, making disciples, and reflecting His character in the world. The joy is not merely in the task being accomplished, but in seeing His children walk in the family likeness.

Look at Jesus own example in this...

When Mary and Joseph were on there return trip and home and realized Jesus was not with them and went back to look for him.

Luke 2:49 CSB

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked them. “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?”

Ephesians 5:1 CSB

Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children,

Why do you think that God has chosen such familial language. Once you recognize this concept you will see this language everywhere in scripture.

We do these things because we are imitators of our father. Who has handed down to us through Jesus Christ the family work. The work of sharing with the world his work.

So it is in this framework that we are to understand

Matthew 28:19–20 CSB

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, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Do you see the difference between trying the striving to please God and recognizing who you are. We are not working to please God but rather to be like our father.

We join the mission because we are the family of God. The great commission is the means but the intent of God is to reclaim all that was lost. He doesn’t want just a casual relationship with humanity.

So the mission is this....The good news...the gospel is this...

He wants us all as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ.

And he has made away for us to be adopted as children of God through repentance of sin (turning away) and turning to faith in Jesus Christ

So if you have been already adopted it time to tell the other orphans there is a good father.....Will you join in the family work?