Our Purpose and Our Mission

Our Purpose and Our Mission

By Estelle Nazary

Our Purpose:

1.      We were planned for God’s pleasure.

2.      We were formed for God’s family.

3.      We were created to become like Christ.

4.      We were shaped for God’s ministry.

5.      We were made for God’s mission.

Our Mission:

We are sent to tell and to make disciples/teach.

SENT                                                   "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:18

TELL                                                   solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21

MAKE DISCIPLES/TEACH                     "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always , even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

God is working in the world.  He wants us (His children) to join Him.  He wants us to have:  a ministry in the body of Christ and a mission in the world. 

Our ministry is our service to believers. 

Our mission is our service to un-believers. 

There are two basic parts to our mission. 

            1.  A responsibility we share with every Christian.

            2.  An assignment that God has given only to us.  (No one else can do this.)

Some other aspects of our mission:

·         Our mission is to continue Jesus’ mission. 

"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:18 

The Lord has called us first, to come to Him, then to go for Him.  If we are a part of God’s family, our mission is not optional, it is required.

·         Our mission is a privilege. 

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 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. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain -2 Corinthians 6:1

It is a great honor and a blessing to see God work spiritual miracles through us.  Things that are impossible for us to do. 

·         Our mission is the most important thing we can do for anyone. 

If we had a cure for cancer or some other terrible disease, and kept it a secret, we would be considered a criminal.  We have the greatest cure in the world and sharing it with others is the single most important thing we can do for anyone.  Of course, if we gave someone a pill that cured their disease, they would have to accept it, and take it before it did them any good.  It would profit them nothing if they just looked at it, or put it in their pocket.  The same is true when we do share the truth about God’s love and provision for someone’s life.  They must accept it, and apply it in their life before it does them any good. 

·         Our mission has eternal importance.

Nothing else we can ever do for anyone will matter as much to them as helping them to find a right relationship with God.  We should be alert to the people who God places in our paths that He wants us to tell about Him. 

·         Our mission gives our lives real meaning.

Our most important possession is our time.  He alone knows how much of it we have on earth.  God allows us to vary the amount we have by how we use it.  My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Proverbs 3:1-2

We waste a lot of our time on insignificant things, selfish things, temporary things that only pertain to this life.  I’m guilty.  I wasted most of my first 20 years on myself.  Then, Christ intervened.  He called and I finally answered.  He showed me my need to have a right relationship with Him.  I responded by believing and receiving and accepting what He had done for me long before I was ever born.  Only then could I even please God.  (and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8)

Now I know that spending time on things that have eternal importance not only pleases Him, but gives real meaning to my life.  (For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident ; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

So, if we commit ourselves more deeply to our mission in life, (God’s plan and purpose) He has promised to commit Himself to:

o   Providing our needs

"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will wear for clothing?'  "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33

o   Giving us peace and contentment

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

o   Providing the power we must have to accomplish His will

            I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8

Only we, ourselves can limit what God wants to do through us, in our church, and in this area.  We must cooperate with Him, which means we have to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, (Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1), willing to deny self, giving up our rights, our plans, our goals, in order to take up our cross and follow Him.  The greater our sacrifice, the greater our rewards in this life and the life to come!!!