Living Our Mission - 1/19/03

            We have been given a mission, sent into the world to be God’s representatives, to be the visible presence of Jesus Christ and to continue His work.  The book of Acts gives us a picture of how the early church carried this out.  Notice that it wasn’t just the apostles but all the disciples.  The same is true today, it is not just the leaders, but all believers. 

The first step is preparing for the mission – being equipped

            Teaching - instruction

            Fellowship - support

            Communion - nourishment

            Prayer - guidance

The next step is the way we live – setting Christ as our Lord

            Using God’s power – wonders and signs

Using our resources – helping those in need

Using our lives – doing good

            Harmony, Sympathy, Love, Compassion, Humility

                        We will sometimes be misunderstood, made fun of, persecuted – do not be frightened.

Martin Luther King Jr. saw the needs around him, the need for justice and human dignity for all people, and devoted his life to working to bring this about.

Our lives also can make a difference.  When we ‘set apart Christ as Lord’ it will show to others that we have a hope

The third step is pointing people to Jesus Christ – always be prepared to give an answer, a defense, with gentleness and respect.  This is one of the reasons that the preparation step, especially the teaching, is so important.  We do not have a right to remain silent, we have a responsibility to speak up.  If God is an important part of our lives, then our conversation as well as our lives will reflect that.

The final step is God’s – God gives the increase.