4,8 What is Our Purpose?
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What Is Our Purpose?
What Is Our Purpose?
Over 2000 years ago, a small group of ordinary men turned the world upside down in an extraordinary way. A movement that started with eleven men grew to over 3000 people in a day. The number continued to grow year after year. But, the question we may ask is “How did that happen?”
Over 2000 years ago, a small group of ordinary men turned the world upside down in an extraordinary way. A movement that started with eleven men grew to over 3000 people in a day. The number continued to grow year after year. But, the question we may ask is “How did that happen?”
The answer is that they
“Knew their Mission”
“Knew their Mission”
they went, I think they got out of the “cheap seats” and wanted to get on the front line and “make a Difference”.
They WENT! They heard the clear call from Jesus and they responded!
They went and the world was changed.
They went and the world was changed.
Sometimes it seems that our life is like a bucket of marbles—just one in the midst of many, not real sure of what we are doing or how we will accomplish our utmost mission. Do yo know what your mission is in this world?
In order for us to understand our mission, I think we need to do some ground work:
God’s Mission
God’s Mission
If we are to understand God’s mission, we must read His Word.
If we are to understand God’s mission, we must read His Word.
By the way, His word is not just a lot of facts put in one book—rather, it is an incredible story about God.
a)Creation
a)Creation
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
—He called it very good vs31. In the midst of His creation is a man and woman, very different, because they were created in His image and likeness (vs26-28). They were entrusted with managing the world God created, making families, working to enhance the garden (2:!5).
—He called it very good vs31. In the midst of His creation is a man and woman, very different, because they were created in His image and likeness (vs26-28). They were entrusted with managing the world God created, making families, working to enhance the garden (2:!5).
They are spiritual, moral, social and cultural beings who were to use the totality of their being to please God.
They are spiritual, moral, social and cultural beings who were to use the totality of their being to please God.
b)The Fall
b)The Fall
1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
—they decided to turn against their creator. Instead of loving and obeying God supremely, they disobeyed Him and believed the lie of Satan.
—they decided to turn against their creator.
Instead of loving and obeying God supremely, they disobeyed Him and believed the lie of Satan.
Being cast from the garden represented the fact that things were no longer how they were supposed to be.
Adam and Eve no longer had a right relationship with God.
Adam and Eve no longer had a right relationship with God.
c) Redemption
c) Redemption
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
This is the first peek at the Gospel. Throughout scripture, we see more and more about the Redeemer—Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect life, died on a cross, rose from the grave, rising as a victor, having fully paid for our sins.
This is the first peek at the Gospel. Throughout scripture, we see more and more about the Redeemer—Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect life, died on a cross, rose from the grave, rising as a victor, having fully paid for our sins.
d) Restoration
d) Restoration
This will take place when Christ returns.
This will take place when Christ returns.
When He returns, He will invite us to live with Him—.
Israel’s Mission
Israel’s Mission
Between the garden of Eden and Golgatha, the story focuses on Israel’s attempt to redeem itself from all the consequences of sin. When we read the OT, we read about kings, queens, deserts, wars, horses, donkeys, big fish, etc.
But, what was Israel’s mission?
1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
—God came down to a pagan named Abraham and promised him that he would bless his descendants so that his descendants could pass on the blessings to other nations. His descendants, Israel, were to be a conduit of blessings. Later, God promised Moses and Israel that he had chosen them to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation who would display his glory ().
—God came down to a pagan named Abraham and promised him that he would bless his descendants so that his descendants could pass on the blessings to other nations. His descendants, Israel, were to be a conduit of blessings. Later, God promised Moses and Israel that he had chosen them to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation who would display his glory ().
God’s primary promise was that the Savior would come from within Israel. He would be an eternal king (2 King 7:12-16), a suffering servant ().
God blessed Israel
God blessed Israel
by giving them a set of laws, instructing them how to live. The law showed Israel how their love for God could shine through personal, social, culture and political lives.
Every aspect of Israel’s life mattered to God-
God intended Israel to:
God intended Israel to:
-direct their worship upward to Him, trusting Him to direct them as a nation.
-look inward at their life as a nation, making sure they loved each other, reflecting God’s love
-look backward to remember God’s plan for them—to live in harmony with God
-look forward to the time when He would send Jesus, to save them from their sins
-look outward on the nations, making their own personal and national lifestyle so attractive that the nations would want to worship their God.
Israel’s mission was supposed to line up with God’s mission! God’s mission is to redeem a people to Himself and to restore His creation which has been marred by sin.
God wanted Israel to live its life in such a way that people would want to be saved by their God.
Jesus’ Mission
Jesus’ Mission
His mission picks up where Israel’s left off. God fulfilled his promise to Israel by sending Jesus to be the Savior. Yes, Jesus was perfect in every way-the divine Savior.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
He taught perfectly! He lived perfectly! He ministered perfectly! He ministered through words and deeds.
He taught perfectly! He lived perfectly! He ministered perfectly! He ministered through words and deeds. While on His mission, this is how he lived:
While on His mission, this is how he lived:
While on His mission, this is how he lived:
Miracles
Miracles
why miracles? they revealed the nature of His salvation, the type of kingdom He was announcing.
In His miracles, He showed His power over nature, demons, sickness and death. When He calmed the sea, He revealed He is God who created the seas, but also controls the sea.
When He healed the leper—He proved that he was the Great Physician.
Hospitality
Hospitality
Teaching
Teaching
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He fellowshipped with the Father and relied on the Holy Spirit to accompany Him in ministry. Jesus taught the truth about His Father, explained the nature of His kingdom, explained salvation.
Death and Resurrection
Death and Resurrection
His mission was unique!
His mission was unique!
The primary thrust focused on the atonement He achieved through His crucifixion and resurrection.
With His words He announced that He was the Savior. With His deeds, He gave a preview of what type of salvation He provided—one that would one day culminate in a new heaven and earth, one in which there would be no more sin and no consequences of sin.
Our Mission?
Our Mission?
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Make disciples of all nations!
How is this relevant for us today?
Our mission is to make disciples of every nation, including our own!
Our mission is to make disciples of every nation, including our own!
Our mission is to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit.
Our mission is to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit.
Our mission is to teach them the words of Jesus.
Our mission is to teach them the words of Jesus.
Our mission is to equip them to bring the whole of their lives in line with God’s intention for them.
Our mission is to equip them to bring the whole of their lives in line with God’s intention for them.
We have set in the “Cheap Seats’ long enough!
We have set in the “Cheap Seats’ long enough!
When 61% of a group surveyed say there is NO such thing as the Holy Spirit, and about the same number say there is no such thing as Satan.
-Nearly half of the population believes that Jesus committed sin while He lived on earth.
-We are suffering from “syncretism”- blending of a variety of perspectives into an entirely new and heretical mixture of faith views, and we call it Christianity. The spirituality of many Americans is in name only!
-We desire EXPERIENCE more than we desire KNOWLEDGE
-We want choices rather than absolutes
-We lean to “preferences” more than we lean into TRUTH!
-We seek comfort more than we seek growth!
-Faith, Worship, Church, etc—today, it must come on our terms or we simply reject it!
-We have enthroned ourselves as the ultimate rulers of our experience and destiny.
-We are the “new” Pharisees!
For many people today:
-there is no grand purpose to life
-there is no value in focusing on the future
-there are no absolutes
-there is no omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God.
Core values are all about ourselves:
-minimize long term commitments
-let your feelings be your guide
-have fun
-stay in good health
Families:
-25% of our marriages have ended in divorce
-Cohabitation is on the rise
-More and more children are being born to unwed mothers
Have we forgotten that God had and has a Mission?
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Jesus will PREVAIL!
Jesus will PREVAIL!
Jesus will PREVAIL!!
Nowhere in Scripture do we read that a “congregation” or an “organization” must endure forever!
The only thing that Jesus came to preserve was the souls of people.
The only thing that Jesus came to preserve was the souls of people.
—not culture, not religious institutions, no families, not religious traditions or anything else.
Moses knew that God had chosen the Israelites to carry out His work in the world. He also knew that forgetting God’s commandments could jeopardize that work and even their very lives. He tells them to be certain about who they are—to keep themselves in line with God.
It’s precisely this point that Paul emphasizes about God’s plan in
17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. 23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
: God is about the resounding “yes.” Yes, God has affirmed us. Yes, God has chosen us. Yes, we are the receivers of His salvation. We are called—not some of us, but all of us.
God is about the resounding “yes.” Yes, God has affirmed us. Yes, God has chosen us. Yes, we are the receivers of His salvation. We are called—not some of us, but all of us.
The best way to make your “yes” be a yes and your “no” be a no is to align yourself with God’s great calling upon your life.
The best way to make your “yes” be a yes and your “no” be a no is to align yourself with God’s great calling upon your life.
The best way to make your “yes” be a yes and your “no” be a no is to align yourself with God’s great calling upon your life.
The best way to make your “yes” be a yes and your “no” be a no is to align yourself with God’s great calling upon your life.
Commandments only get us so far; identity in Christ and the Spirit’s work in us will take us where we need to go.
We obey the Great Commission using both Words and Actions!
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Roman 10:14
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Getting Out of the Cheap Seats
Getting Out of the Cheap Seats
direct our worship upward to Him
direct our worship upward to Him
trusting Him to make us more like Jesus.
trusting Him to make us more like Jesus look inward at our family live and church lives, seeking to love one another in a way that reflects God’s love point backwards to God’s design for the world, where humanity once had a right relationship with God, with each other and with the world live in such a way that our lives point forward so when Jesus returns, we will be expecting Him Focus outwards on our city, other nations—
Look inward at our family life and church lives, seeking to love one another in a way that reflects God’s love.
Look inward at our family life and church lives, seeking to love one another in a way that reflects God’s love.
Look backwards to God’s design for the world
Look backwards to God’s design for the world
, where humanity once had a right relationship with God, with each other and with the world.
Live in such a way that our lives point forward
Live in such a way that our lives point forward
so when Jesus returns, we will be expecting Him
, we will be expecting Him
Focus outwards
Focus outwards
on our city, our neighborhoods, our state and all nations.