The Mission

If you have ever watched any movie, Frozen, Moana, Blues Brothers, any movie at all there is always a mission that the main characters have in that movie.

There is always something that they feel like they are called to do.

And really in almost any of these movies if you look at what they are called to do it almost always has to do with who they are

Because their mission flows out of who they are.

And if you were with us last week we talked about what are identity is and really who we are in Christ.

And whats amazing is how we live flows out of our identity in Christ

How we interact with each-other flows out of our identity in Christ

How we drive SHOULD flow out of our identity in Christ.

Almost everything we do should flow out of our identity as Christians and this is because like we talked about last week God has built us into a dwelling place for His presence.

and really today we are talking about how our mission and calling flows out of our identity.

So today we are going to be in Ephesians 3:1-13 and as I mentioned this is continuing our series called “Identity” where we have been looking through the book of Ephesians and seeing what our identity is,

But we do not want to stop there because the book of Ephesians tells us we have this identiy, but it also tells us because we have this identity this is how we should live.

So I am excited to dive in this morning so once again it is Ephesians 3:1-13 and it says:

Ephesians 3:1–13 NIV

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

I love how this passage starts out because in verse two Paul just tells whoever is reading this letter I am “Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to you”

Basically what he is saying (and I am going to explain this) but what he is saying is I really hope by now at this point in your life you realize how precious you you are to God and what your identity is in Him.

And like I said we talked a little bit about this last week but this is so important to get.

You are precious to God. Did you know that?

I absolutely love the language that Paul uses here, because he says “Assuming you know the stewardship of Gods grace”

You know the word stewardship in this passage is a financial word and today we usually think of stewardship as being responsible with how you spend your money.

But the thing that is crazy about God’s Grace is that God’s stewardship of Grace is actually reckless.

meaning there is know price He is not willing to pay to be in a relationship with you.

Thats why He comes down and dies on the cross for you,

Its like this if you have ever been to an auction everyone is trying to get the best deal and so when they start the bidding everyone starts bidding low so they can pay the least amount of money. Right?

and so if you are bidding on a rusty car that doesn’t run you would probably start bidding and go I’ll $100 for that?

But here is what I want you to get because God, doesn't do that.

But God is they guy who walks into the auction and looks at this rust bucket car worth 100 dollars and goes “100,000 for it!”

And everyone is looking at Him like He is crazy.

But really that is what God does for you, He did not just say I will do as little as I can to be in a relationship with you, but He bought you with His blood and He recklessly pours out His grace in our lives.

And that Grace covers us and changes every part of our life

and so now God does not just buy this rust bucket car and let it rot but He gets this car and fixes it up.

so we are changed, and we live differently.

God’s grace is reckless, and it shows us just how precious you are to God and it changes every part of you.

and like we talked about it has given us a call to live a certain way, but really its going much deeper then this, because look at verses 7-11

Because Paul tells us because of God’s Grace I have a new call and mission for my life.

and Paul actually tells us His mission and call He says (Change)

Ephesians 3:8–10 (ESV)

to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.I want you to notice something because in Paul’s call their is a personal call, but their is also a corporate call.

You know each of us have a personal call in our lives where for some of us its something very specific.

But then that personal call flows into what God is doing in His Church worldwide.

For me I feel like God called me to pastor at this church, but then others God’s call might be more broad.

But in our life God will often call us to do thing and it is important whether the call is broad or specific that know what that call is.

And I love what Paul does here because He makes it clear as day what His call and mission in life is.

He says I am called to preach to the gentiles and tell them about God’s Grace

And really I think it is important for us to have a clear mission and call.

Thats why if you come to our church you will see our mission and vision on the wall when you first walk it.

Our mission is to “Transform Lives for Christ”

And “we exist to see Buchanan and the surrounding communities become the people God created them to be”

And it is so important for us to know what we are called to do because when circumstances change, our call does not.

And look at the final verse (Verse 13)

Ephesians 3:13 (ESV)

13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory

You know Paul was really someone who understood this. Because while He is writing this entire letter, He is in prison for following Christ.

His call looked so different then probably anything He had ever imagined.

And really today I think churches and people around the world are finding them in a similar place as Paul.

Not where we are facing persecution (to the extent of Paul but,

Where are call and mission is playing out differently then how we have ever thought because of this virus.

I never thought I would be a televangelist.

But what I love about this passage is that it tells us it is hard to loose heart when you are rooted in the call and mission God has given you.

because that mission and call can stay the same even when the world changes.

And some of us we have things going on in our life other then this virus and really we are asking God how am I supposed to live this life that you called me to with this happening.

How am I supposed to live this life you called me to with this health issue,

how am I supposed to live out this mission with this financial burden

Don’t you realize my age?

But despite our circumstances God calls us to do His will.

You know this morning I believe there are calls that have been placed in our lives where we are asking ourselves God, how can we make this work.

It feels there is just some sort of barrier that is blocking us from what God want’s in our life.

But I believe that if God calls us to something, He already knows whats blocking us, He knows the obstacles, and really what I think He knows is that there is no way we can do it… Without Him.

This morning I want to end with us asking ourselves where is God calling me?

And what is blocking me?

Because it might feel impossible to carry out the call God has given you,

But what would happen if we said God I can’t do it but I know you can?

What would happen if we leaned on Him this morning?