Everyone's Mission
Jesus Christ sends each one of us out to bring His gospel into our respective communities. Each of us has unique talents and spiritual gifts, which we can use to reflect the glory of God's character. People are born with the purpose to reflect their own glory, which is an inauthentic purpose. It is through hearing the gospel that one can be born again into a purpose that is authentic for every human being: To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Notice that there are a couple of amazing truths in 2 Corinthians 5:17. First, the position of a believer is in Christ. Jesus Christ is now his Savior, Authority, and Representative. Second the nature of a believer is new. His nature mirrors the nature of Jesus and bears the family resemblance of God's family. Third, the old nature, old lifestyle, old purposes have died. Importantly, the everything about the believer and about His lifestyle has become new. Now, selfish living is inauthentic to his nature. Now, sinful pleasures are distasteful and humanism is flavorless. NEW LIFE has begun! Missions is bringing this message to the masses, one relationship at a time: Satan has come to steal your purpose, your life, your family, and to destroy your soul. Jesus has come that you may have an abundant, purposeful, eternally joyful life. (John 10:10) Kingdom Business We're all here on the planet on the King's business. Kingdom business is our responsibility because each of us is an ambassador of the gospel. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 We're in the business of bringing the message of reconciliation between God and our neighbors, coworkers, relatives, friends, and frenemies. This business looks different depending on the personality, giftings and calling of each believer. However, the message is the same: Be reconciled with God through Jesus Christ and become the righteousness of God. One thing to notice is that a believer becomes righteous, both in position and in process. Learning about this position and applying the process is called discipleship. Discipleship is a wonderfully difficult and organic relationship, wherein you teach someone their position and identity in Christ and give them the tools to live a righteous lifestyle. Jesus said it like this: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 Watch Out! There are a couple of pitfalls to watch out for: 1. Don't build your own kingdom and collect your own disciples. Instead, build Christ's kingdom and equip His disciples. 2. Don't insist on everyone becoming you. Instead, guide each person into a growing relationship with the Holy Spirit through the Word. Business Tips! Here are four tips that will empower you as a Kingdom business person: 1. Realize that you have unique spiritual gifts which have been given to you so that you can reach those that God's assigned to you. Are you a listener? Listen. Are you an evangelist? Evangelize. Are you a parent? Parent. Are you a server? Serve. Are you generous? Give. There is one spiritual gift that I believe everyone can give and that is hospitality. Who are you? Be you and reflect the attributes of Jesus through your speech, purpose, and lifestyle. 2. Be Spirit-filled and abide in the Bible. Have a daily quiet time and learn your Bible. Learn how to listen to the Holy Spirit's leading. Don't become imbalanced. The Bible and the Holy Spirit have equal importance. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have equal importance in your daily relationship with God. Be a believer who is balanced in your theology, practice, and spiritual gifts. From a context of spiritual health, you can grow other healthy self-feeders. They will, in turn, teach others to feed on Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 3. Be confident, loving, and self-controlled. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 4. Teach the whole counsel of God through consistent, methodical, strategic Bible teaching. Don't shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27). Be Intentional Missions isn't complicated. It is showing up and trying to be Jesus through your unique personality and giftings. Let your light shine before men so that they can glorify God in Heaven! Missions is easy to miss, if you aren't intentional about being on mission. Think of yourself as an ambassador for President Jesus. It's His policies that you promote. Think of yourself as a child of your Heavenly Father and learn the family resemblance. Think of yourself as a saint and live a righteous lifestyle. Be you and be Jesus in your community. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15-18
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The SwansonsWe're a family on mission to bring the good news of Jesus to the Philippines. |