The Mission of Pointing Out Jesus (2)

Without mission there is no Christianity. / If anyone is going to believe message of J, they need to hear it. / We must spread GN that JC died for our sins and was raised from dead and now offers forgiveness of sins/freedom of HS to all who repent/believe. / People must be persuaded to come to G and be reconciled to him.

So, are we on mission? / Do we spread the GN? / Or do we keep quiet because we’re afraid people won’t listen? / Do we fear the questions that might be asked? / Maybe we’ve become demotivated because we haven’t seen people saved when we’ve told them the GN? / Is following J so routine for us, we forget there are lost people dying to know J? / Is the problem that as Christians for many years, we don’t know many lost people to tell the GN to? / Or do we hope that our service to G speaks loudly enough we don’t need to actually tell people the GN?

Mission is a Command

We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ. (The Salvation Army’s 9th Article of Faith).

We cannot escape the fact that “continued obedient faith in Christ” includes being on mission. So what does that mission look like?

God

As You Are Going, Point to Jesus

Matthew 28:19 GW

So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

GC. We often see this as a command: J lifting his arm, Go! Tell people about me. Get them to make decision about me. This is urgent! I need you to be passionate about saving the lost.

But much less of a command and more of an encouragement. Only command here is: make disciples. Word most translations translate as “Go” actually means, As/While you are going or “Wherever you go”. As you do whatever you are called to do out in the world, make disciples. / Suddenly mission becomes a lot less about standing on street corner shouting GN at people. / It can be: living as true disciple of J in our family/amongst friends/neighbourhood/workplace/school/college / showing hospitality / forgiving those who hurt us / being generous with money/time / showing mercy and grace - giving people the benefit of the doubt / serving the poor/working for social justice.

J says our central task as the Church is to be united in love for other people/God, reconciling ourselves/others with God/with one another/all creation, through C:

We are a salvation people - this is our specialty - getting saved, keeping saved, and then getting somebody else saved. (General William Booth).

As You Go, Jesus Comes and Stays

Matthew 28:20 NLT

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Being on mission/following J’s encouragement and seeking to make disciples wherever we go may still seem intimidating. / But J does not simply command/authorise/even empower his disciples. / Promises to be with them. / As they go, he comes to them and stays. / He is with them as the divine presence wherever they are/the divine power they need to make disciples/the Wisdom of G they need to live as changed people in a fallen world. / = Climax of new covenant. / As you go out into the world to proclaim the GN in words and with your very lives there is nowhere and no time you will ever be bereft of J’s presence. / He dwells with/in/through you, guarding/guiding you as you live for him.

You

Go Into Your World

So what are you waiting for? / J is already out there/at work in the world. / He’s in our coffee shops/schools/colleges/streets/homes/supermarkets/butchers/parks/theatres/pubs/clubs/swimming pools/football matches/factories/hospitals/offices and anywhere else we find ourselves. / He is inviting you to join him, wherever you go, and to make disciples by pointing him out to those around you. / You don’t have to twist your conversations round to talking about G./worry about saying “magic words” to bring an instant decision. / There will be times when you get opportunity to clearly/deliberately share your faith. / Sometimes we do get the incredible privilege of seeing someone come to a moment of decision. / But many other times, we participate in mission where people are on a long term process of coming to faith. / Here, we can join with G’s work in them by simply giving good advice/a listening ear/an act of kindness/simply being present as another encouragement to them to keep on their journey to faith.

Will you go? Will you live out the gospel message with your words and with your deeds? Will you share and embody the GN to your family, friends, communities and work colleagues? Then go in the strength and the presence of the Lord.

Next Steps

SB 959 - I’ll Go in the Strength of the Lord

I’ll go in the strength of the Lord, In paths he has marked for my feet; I’ll follow the light of his Word, Nor shrink from the dangers I meet. His presence my steps shall attend, His fullness my wants shall supply; On him, till my journey shall end, My unwavering faith shall rely. I’ll go, I’ll go in the strength, I’ll go in the strength of the Lord; I’ll go, I’ll go in the strength, I’ll go in the strength of the Lord. (repeat last line after third chorus) 2 I’ll go in the strength of the Lord To work he appoints me to do; In joy which his smile doth afford My soul shall her vigour renew. His wisdom shall guard me from harm, His power my sufficiency prove; I’ll trust his omnipotent arm, And prove his unchangeable love. 3 I’ll go in the strength of the Lord To conflicts which faith will require, His grace as my shield and reward, My courage and zeal shall inspire. Since he gives the word of command To meet and encounter the foe, With his sword of truth in my hand, To suffer and triumph I’ll go. Edward Turney (1816-1872) Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 30158 Copied from The Song Book of The Salvation Army Song Number 959

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