Life On Mission

God the master artist

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God created you to display his beauty in the middle of darkness and a broken world.

Pan and Scan to Widescreen

“Images collectively add up to something when one frame contains many elements, your eyes sees all of them. Some of them peripherally and some of them as a point of focus. And collectively it creates a movie.”

Every believer was called to live a Widescreen life

Some people believe that only Evangelists are the kind of people who can live Widescreen lives.

Moving the camera defensively instead of artistically.

Jesus said:

Matthew 5:13 NIV

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

The movement of Jesus adds flavor to the world. Does your life add flavor to the world? Or like the video said, do you live a Pan and scan life or a Widescreen life?

Pan and scan is all about cutting corners. Living a small life. Going through the motions. Blending in.

God is calling us to live in such way that it represents the power of God at

Living a missional life is not about:

Creating a new program in ministry

Making converts to our faith

Adding numbers to the Gathering

Missional living is about living in such way that our every day lifestyle displays the kingdom of God wherever we go.

When waws the last time your life caught someone else’s attention? Not just your grades or your social media posts but the essence of who you are?

When was the last time anyone asked you, what is going on with you? When was the last time people asked you, I want to know there’s something different about you and I want it.

Artistically vs. defensive lives

This is what Michael Frost calls living questionable lives

What kind of impact can my life make?

There is a two fold approach to this kingdom proclamation.

Peter and Paul were proclaiming the gospel and defending its integrity in an area of polytheism an pagan superstition, hundreds of thousands of ordinary believers were inflitrating every part of society and living the kind of questionable lives that evoked curiosity about the message of Jesus.

These ordinary belivers devoted themselves to sacrificial acts of kindness. They loved their enemies ane forgave their persecutors. They cared for the poor and fed the hungry. In the brotality of life under Roman rule, they were the most stunningly diferent people anyone had ever see. The fourth-century emperor Julian feared they manthg take over the empire. Referring to believers as “Galileans” and the mvoement of Jesus as “atheism” (because of their deinal of the existence of pagan gods) aned believing in their religion to be asickness he penned this directive to his officials:

We must pay especial attention to this point, and by this means effect a cure. For when it came about that the poor were neglected and overlooked by the priests, then I think the impious Galilaeans observed this fact and devoted themselves to philanthropy. And they have gained ascendancy in the worst of their deeds through the credit they win for such practices. For just as those who entice children with a cake, and by throwing it to them two or three times induce them to follow them, and then, when they are far away from their friends cast them on board a ship and sell them as slaves, and that which for the moment seemed sweet, proves to be bitter for all the rest of their lives -- by the same method, I say, the Galilaeans also begin with their so-called love-feast, or hospitality, or service of tables,-- for they have many ways of carrying it out and hence call it by many names,-- and the result is that they have led very many into atheism. . . .

Widescreen life:

Extravagant life: Blessing

People are looking for extravagant people (generosity)

It’s the little choices that will strike those around you to wonder why you are the way you are.

How do you react to challenges? What do people see? God is calling us to be the person who walks the way of Jesus.

Jesus’ practical theology

I love that Jesus gets very practical about how to live a Widescreen life. He is extremely practical when it comes to how to be light and salt:

Jesus is calling you and me to be in an inconvenient situation for the sake of others

Jesus told his disciples:

Matthew 5:38–42 NIV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Kingdom actions:

The gospel is about others first.

When was the last time you went the second mile when no body else would go just so that you would be a blessing to someone else’s life?

Jesus is calling you and me to be in an inconvenient situation for the sake of others

When was the last time you went the second mile when no body else would go just so that you would be a blessing to someone else’s life?

This week, God will mask the opportunity as an inconvenience for you. Will you take on this opportunity?

“Nothing would be more questionable in the first century than a slave who loved his master, or a self-controlled young man, or an old woman who didn’t engage in slander. In other words, this was Paul’s recipe for a questionable life in his time. Our challenge is to fid what similarity questionable lives look like in the twenty-first century.”

Kingdom words:

Colossians 4:2–6 NIV

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

When it comes down to the spoken aspect of their ministries, evangelists are to proclaim, and believers are to give answers.

God’s kingdom is marked by service and kindness!

When was the last time you served someone?

Helping my neighbor move in her new pingpong table into her basement.

Service opens up doors that no other keys can open.

What missional rhythms that intrigues others have you built into your schedule?

Practical steps:

Did you bless (serve) or eat with an unbelieving friend to be salt and light in his life?

The Habit: Did you bless (serve) an unbelieving friend this week?