SENT WITH PURPOSE

Text: John 20:19–23

Introduction: Please be finding the gospel according to John. John chapter number twenty. We will look a four powerful verses today. John chapter twenty and verses nineteen through twenty-three.

The Bible says,

John 20:19–23 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. [THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD, PRAISE BE TO GOD ALMIGHTY!]

Take Away: The risen Christ does not merely save His people to sit in safety—He sends them into the world with His peace, His power, and His purpose.

Illustration: The Lifeboat That Forgot Its Mission

In the late nineteenth century, along the treacherous coastline of the northeastern United States, a small lifesaving station became well known for the courage and dedication of its volunteers. These brave individuals faced dangerous waters where storms were frequent, and shipwrecks occurred all too often. Night after night, they launched their boats into violent seas, risking their own lives to rescue those who were drowning. The mission of the station was clear and singular—it existed solely to save lives and provide assistance to those in peril.

As time went on, the station experienced a surge in success. Donations poured in, allowing for renovations that transformed the building. Comfortable furniture replaced the old, worn benches, and the walls were adorned with decorations that created a warm atmosphere. The meeting room was expanded, turning the station into a pleasant gathering place, where volunteers could enjoy fellowship and community, far removed from the dangers of the sea.

However, as the station became more comfortable and successful, a noticeable change began to take place. When storms arose, many members expressed reluctance to risk damaging their boats or interrupting their enjoyable meetings. Instead of launching into the tumultuous waters to save those in distress, they opted to hire others to perform rescues while they stayed inside, enjoying the camaraderie of the station. This shift marked the beginning of a troubling trend.

Before long, the original purpose of the station faded from memory. People began to forget why the station was established in the first place, losing sight of its vital mission. This account, which has been retold in various forms over the decades as an illustration of mission drift, serves as a poignant reminder. A rescue station that no longer engages in rescues has fundamentally abandoned its purpose, losing its way amidst comfort and complacency.

Sadly, churches can find themselves facing a similar fate. I have served in a couple of churches that faced a similar fate because they did what they wanted to do instead of what the Lord wanted done. One church not only killed itself as a church a few years after we left, but became a literal funeral home. It basically buried itself. Another church compromised so badly by falling into the trap of following a devilish type Ahab style deacon and his Jezebel spirited family that the Lord has written Ichabod from a spiritual standpoint across its door post of its building and the Lord has literally departed from that so-called place of worship. You say, Pastor I cannot believe you said that about a church. Well, I say it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God in truth without apology and I will be held accountable for what I say and I have no regrets with preaching the truth. The truth will be known when this world is on fire one of these days.

It is entirely possible to possess beautiful buildings, polished programs, exceptional music, (or horrific music that never glorifies God but only men) and wonderful fellowship while simultaneously forgetting the fundamental reason Christ established His church. Jesus never intended for His church to become a spiritual country club, where believers gather comfortably behind closed doors, insulated from the world and doing whatever in the world it wants to do to make it comfortable and complacent. The church was born for a mission, a calling to reach out beyond its walls.

In John 20, we find the disciples gathered behind closed doors—not out of comfort, but out of sheer terror. Everything they believed seemed to have been shattered by the crucifixion of their leader. Although Jesus had risen from the dead, they had not yet embraced the confidence and hope that comes with the resurrection. They were still grappling with doubt and fear, unable to fully comprehend the victory that had been secured for them.

Into that fearful room walked the risen Savior, and everything changed because Jesus came. This passage teaches every generation of believers that we have been sent with purpose, reminding us that Christ’s presence transforms fear into faith and despair into hope.

I. We Are Comforted by His Presence

John writes, "Then the same day at evening...the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst..." Imagine the atmosphere in that room. The silence was palpable, with each unexpected sound causing waves of anxiety. Every knock on the door raised suspicion, and each disciple wondered if he might be the next to face arrest. Fear had imprisoned them more effectively than any jailer ever could.

Isn't fear still one of Satan's greatest weapons today? It keeps believers silent, inhibiting their voices and actions. Fear paralyzes churches, preventing them from engaging in their mission. It convinces Christians that someone else will step up to share the Gospel, whispering doubts such as, "What if they reject you?" "What if they laugh?" or "What if you fail?"

Illustration: I had someone tell me recently that they would not leave an ungodly “so-called” church because they feared the consequences if they did leave. I am not going to let the devil create a fear in my heart, soul, mind, or body.

Notice something remarkable: Jesus does not wait until they muster the courage to face their fears before He appears. He comes to them while they are still afraid. The first words spoken by the resurrected Christ are not ones of correction or condemnation. He doesn't ask, "Why are you hiding?" or "Why aren't you witnessing?" Instead, He simply says, "Peace be unto you."

Only Jesus can speak peace into the depths of panic and turmoil. The peace that Jesus offers is not merely an emotional calm; it is a profound reconciliation with God. It embodies the confidence that sin has been conquered, the assurance that death has been defeated, and the certainty that nothing can separate us from God's love. In this moment, fear is dispelled by the presence of the risen Savior.

Then, Jesus does something profoundly personal. He shows them His hands and His side, revealing the scars that remain. These scars are not a sign of ongoing suffering but serve as a permanent testament that redemption has been accomplished. The wounds that once represented death have now become evidence of victory and life. As a result, the disciples' fear is immediately transformed into joy, and the presence of Jesus completely alters the atmosphere of the room.

Today, churches do not primarily need better marketing strategies, nor do they require larger budgets to thrive. What they truly need is the unmistakable presence of the risen Christ. When Jesus is in the midst of His people, fear gives way to faith, weakness transforms into strength, and discouragement is replaced with hope. Everything changes when Christ is present, and before He sends anyone into the world, He first comforts them with His presence.

You cannot effectively represent someone you do not consistently walk with. Mission always begins with communion, establishing that deep connection with Christ which empowers believers to fulfill their purpose.

II. We Are Commissioned by His Purpose

Jesus repeats His greeting: "Peace be unto you." Following this, He delivers one of the greatest missionary statements found in Scripture: "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." These words redefine the identity of every believer, emphasizing that Jesus did not merely save us from something; He saved us for something significant.

Notice the comparison that Jesus makes: "As the Father sent Me..." How did the Father send Jesus? He came intentionally, with purpose. He came sacrificially, offering Himself for the sake of others. He came compassionately, reaching out to those in need. He came obediently, fulfilling the mission entrusted to Him. He came seeking those who were lost, and now Jesus says, "I am sending you the same way."

Consider what this meant for those disciples. Just days earlier, they had fled in fear. Peter had denied Christ, and Thomas had been doubting. None of them had demonstrated remarkable courage in those moments. Yet, despite their imperfections and failures, Jesus chooses to send them. This should serve as a source of encouragement for every believer today, as God has never had any other kind of servant.

The church often thinks of missions as something managed by a committee (which is not even biblical), but Jesus views missions as the core identity of every disciple. Every believer is a missionary in some capacity, whether it is across oceans, across streets, or within various contexts such as classrooms, hospitals, factories, construction sites, boardrooms, neighborhoods, retirement communities, ball fields, or coffee shops. While the location may change, the mission remains constant.

The church is not merely a destination; it is God's deployment center. Every Sunday should resemble a commissioning service, where we gather to worship, learn, and encourage one another. Then, we scatter into our communities, carrying the Gospel with us. Unfortunately, too many Christians ask, "What can the church do for me?" The more pertinent question is, "What does Christ want to do through me?"

Illustration: I think I said last week, many people go to church on Sunday and leave and believe they hear the Lord say, “Ya’ll come back next week, ye hear.” That’s not how it works.

The Great Commission was never given to a building; it was entrusted to believers. Every conversation becomes an opportunity, every relationship transforms into a mission field, and every ordinary day can become an avenue for kingdom work. We have been sent with purpose—a purpose that drives us to share the truth of the Gospel with those around us.

Illustration: I had a woman tell me one time the reason she went to her church is because of their big beautiful building. That church as I said is now a funeral home. Time-out: If you are going to church because of the building or because you are afraid of some old Ahab demon-board leader that has a family that operates with a Jezebel Spirit, then you are at either the wrong church or going for the wrong reasons and may want to do a spiritual checkup.

III. We Are Controlled by His Power

Illustration: In the last church I served as a pastor, I will just say it as boldly as I can from a testimony standpoint, but we had a deacon that has always controlled the churches money, the music, the ministries, the mission, the members, their minds, the peoples minds, meetings, motives, morale, mandates, and I could go on and on. That’s one man’s church, not God’s church. I mean something is wrong when they never can keep a pastor. Look, I am not trying to bash, I am using this as an example and testifying to the fact I have seen with my own eyes what can happen in a cult like environment when all of the people in a church are intimidated by one man and his family. God bless any individual or pastor that ever walks through such doors of a place again. Listen, I am just preaching the truth today and the Spirit is leading me to say what I am saying.

Verse 22 says, "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." This is one of the most beautiful pictures in Scripture. Jesus does not simply assign responsibility; He provides the ability to fulfill that responsibility. God never calls us to accomplish His mission through human strength alone.

The same Spirit who empowered Christ's earthly ministry now empowers His church. Without the Holy Spirit, preaching becomes mere speeches, teaching becomes just information, music turns into performance, service leads to exhaustion, and evangelism feels like intimidation. However, with the Spirit's presence, lives change, hearts soften, chains break, and souls are saved. Churches awaken to their mission when they are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The disciples who once hid behind locked doors in John 20 would soon stand boldly in Jerusalem, proclaiming Christ before thousands. What changed? It was not their personalities, education, or resources that transformed them; it was the Holy Spirit who turned fearful followers into fearless witnesses.

Jesus then declares, "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them..." It is crucial to understand that Jesus is not granting believers the authority to personally forgive sins; only God has that power. Instead, believers are given the privilege of proclaiming the message through which forgiveness is received. When we faithfully preach the Gospel, we announce God's terms of forgiveness to the world.

Those who receive Christ experience forgiveness, while those who reject Him remain under condemnation. What an incredible responsibility this is! The greatest message on earth has been entrusted to ordinary people like us. We carry news that the world desperately needs to hear. People search everywhere for peace, purpose in careers, identity in achievements, hope in possessions, security in politics, and fulfillment in pleasure. Yet, only Jesus can forgive sin, reconcile sinners to God, conquer death, and offer eternal life.

If we truly believe that, how can we remain silent? The world does not simply need another opinion; it needs another witness. The church has not been called to entertain culture, but rather to engage it with the transformative power of the Gospel. We are ambassadors of the risen King, and every believer carries the greatest news ever told.

Conclusion

Let’s return to the story of the lifesaving station. Imagine a violent storm approaching the coast, with lightning flashing across the sky and waves crashing with unbelievable force. Far offshore, a ship strikes hidden rocks, and men, women, and children are thrown into the freezing water. Some cling desperately to broken pieces of wood, while others cry out for help, their voices carried away by the howling winds.

Inside the beautifully renovated lifesaving station, the members hear the cries for help. They look through the windows and see the desperate need unfolding before them. Then, someone quietly says, "It's dangerous out there." Another replies, "We've already done enough." Someone else suggests, "Perhaps another station will rescue them." But one elderly volunteer stands up, determined to make a difference. He walks toward the weathered rescue boat that had once been used countless times.

As he unties the ropes, he looks back and poses a crucial question: "If we won't go...why are we here?" That question reverberates through every generation of the church. Why are we here? Not merely to occupy pews, enjoy fellowship, or maintain traditions. We are here because Christ has risen, because sinners still need a Savior, because eternity is real, and because Jesus said, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

The disciples eventually unlocked those doors. Peter preached at Pentecost, John proclaimed Christ across Asia Minor, and Thomas carried the Gospel east. The church spread throughout the Roman Empire because frightened disciples became faithful witnesses. The same risen Christ still stands in the midst of His church today. He continues to speak peace to fearful hearts, breathe power through His Spirit, and send ordinary believers on extraordinary missions.

One day, we will stand before Him. He will not ask how comfortable we were or how impressive our buildings became. Instead, He will inquire about what we did with the mission He entrusted to us. May we never become a church that forgets why it exists. Instead, may every member leave this place determined to live as one who has truly been sent with purpose.

Take Away: The risen Christ does not merely save His people to sit in safety—He sends them into the world with His peace, His power, and His purpose.

Illustration Reference:

Theodore O. Wedel, "The Parable of the Lifesaving Station," adapted from Evangelism—The Mission of the Church to Those Outside Her Life, The Ecumenical Review, October 1953.