Embodying Love and Truth: The Joy of Mission
Summary
In John 17, Jesus prays for His disciples, expressing His desire for them to experience the fullness of His joy. He acknowledges the challenges they will face in the world, asking for their protection and sanctification through truth. Jesus emphasizes that His mission was not only to reveal God but also to save humanity. As followers of Christ, we are called to continue this mission, embodying both love and truth in our interactions with others.
The concept of mission is deeply rooted in being sent, as Jesus was sent by the Father. This mission involves showing the world who God is and offering salvation through Christ. The world often views missionaries negatively, but true mission is about love and truth, not cultural imperialism. When we see someone in need, our love compels us to share the truth that can save them. This is not narrow-mindedness but an intense expression of love.
Mission is essential for joy. Without a sense of purpose beyond ourselves, we lose the joy that comes from being part of something greater. Our culture often prioritizes personal fulfillment over higher causes, leading to a loss of mission and joy. However, Christians are called to a transcendent mission, partnering with God to bring about change in the world. This mission is not only necessary for joy but also requires an encounter with God. When we truly meet God, we are transformed and sent out to bless others.
The power for mission comes from this encounter with God, as seen in the lives of Isaiah and Abraham. God never blesses us without sending us out to be a blessing. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones and becoming vulnerable for the sake of others. The requirement for effective mission is personal holiness. Our lives must reflect the character of Christ, as it is through our holiness that others are drawn to the Gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- Mission is rooted in being sent by God, as Jesus was sent to reveal and save. Our mission involves showing the world who God is and offering salvation through Christ. This is not about cultural imperialism but about embodying love and truth. [03:07]
- True mission is essential for joy. Without a higher purpose, we lose the joy that comes from being part of something greater. Our culture often prioritizes personal fulfillment, but Christians are called to a transcendent mission that brings joy. [13:27]
- The power for mission comes from an encounter with God. When we truly meet God, we are transformed and sent out to bless others. God never blesses us without sending us out to be a blessing, requiring us to step out of our comfort zones. [22:18]
- Personal holiness is crucial for effective mission. Our lives must reflect the character of Christ, as it is through our holiness that others are drawn to the Gospel. Holiness is not just for our sake but for the world's sake. [30:31]
- Christians are called to be radical in their mission, willing to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. This involves living for a higher cause than personal happiness, knowing that true joy comes from being part of God's transformative work in the world. [19:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Jesus' Prayer for Joy
[01:13] - Misunderstanding Mission
[02:40] - The True Meaning of Mission
[03:25] - Ambassadors and Missionaries
[04:20] - Mission to Save
[05:19] - Love and Truth in Mission
[06:46] - The Intensity of Love
[08:07] - Mission and Public Faith
[09:21] - Features of Mission
[10:38] - Joy as a Result of Mission
[12:09] - Jesus' Joy in Mission
[13:27] - The Link Between Joy and Mission
[15:47] - The Loss of Mission and Joy
[19:49] - Christians as Radicals
[21:46] - Power for Mission: Encounter with God
[25:05] - Vulnerability in Mission
[30:31] - Holiness as a Requirement for Mission
[35:01] - Conclusion and Call to Mission
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 17:13-19
- Hebrews 12:3
- Isaiah 6:1-8
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 17:13-19, what specific requests does Jesus make for His disciples in His prayer to the Father? How does this reflect His mission for them? [00:26]
2. According to the sermon, how does the world typically perceive missionaries, and what is the true purpose of Christian mission as described in John 17:18? [02:22]
3. What does the sermon suggest is the relationship between mission and joy, as illustrated by Jesus' own experience? [13:27]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of personal holiness in the effectiveness of mission? [30:31]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' prayer in John 17:13-19 illustrate the balance between being in the world but not of the world? What implications does this have for Christians today? [00:41]
2. The sermon mentions that true mission is essential for joy. How might this understanding challenge the cultural emphasis on personal fulfillment? [13:27]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that an encounter with God empowers individuals for mission, as seen in the examples of Isaiah and Abraham? [22:18]
4. How does the sermon explain the necessity of personal holiness for mission, and what might this look like in practical terms for believers? [30:31]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel called to step out of your comfort zone for the sake of others? How can you take a practical step towards this calling this week? [25:34]
2. Consider the cultural view of personal fulfillment versus the Christian call to mission. How can you align your daily priorities with a higher purpose that brings joy? [13:27]
3. Think about a recent encounter with God or a spiritual experience. How has it transformed your perspective on mission, and how can you use this transformation to bless others? [22:18]
4. Evaluate your personal holiness: In what ways can you grow to better reflect the character of Christ in your interactions with others? What specific changes can you make this week? [30:31]
5. Identify someone in your life who is in need of love and truth. How can you share the Gospel with them in a way that is both loving and truthful? [06:19]
6. Reflect on the idea that mission is necessary for joy. How can you incorporate a sense of mission into your everyday life to experience deeper joy? [13:27]
7. How can you support your local church or community in its mission efforts? What specific actions can you take to contribute to these efforts? [36:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Mission as Divine Sending
Our mission as Christians is rooted in being sent by God, just as Jesus was sent to reveal God and offer salvation to humanity. This mission is not about imposing cultural values but about embodying love and truth. As followers of Christ, we are called to show the world who God is through our actions and words. This involves a deep commitment to love others and share the truth of the Gospel, driven by a desire to see others experience the salvation that comes through Christ. True mission is an expression of love, not narrow-mindedness, and it requires us to step out of our comfort zones to meet the needs of others. [03:07]
"As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." (John 20:21, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the love and truth of God through your actions today? How can you step out of your comfort zone to meet their needs?
Day 2: Joy Through Transcendent Mission
True joy is found in living for a purpose greater than ourselves. Our culture often prioritizes personal fulfillment, but as Christians, we are called to a transcendent mission that brings joy. This mission involves partnering with God to bring about change in the world, and it is essential for experiencing the fullness of joy that Jesus desires for us. Without a higher purpose, we risk losing the joy that comes from being part of something greater. Embracing our mission as followers of Christ allows us to experience a deeper sense of joy and fulfillment. [13:27]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What higher purpose is God calling you to today? How can you align your daily actions with this mission to experience true joy?
Day 3: Encounter with God as the Source of Mission
The power for mission comes from an encounter with God. When we truly meet God, we are transformed and sent out to bless others. This encounter provides the strength and courage needed to step out of our comfort zones and become vulnerable for the sake of others. God never blesses us without sending us out to be a blessing, and this requires us to rely on His strength and guidance. As we encounter God, we are equipped to fulfill our mission and make a difference in the world. [22:18]
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)
Reflection: How have you encountered God recently, and how is He calling you to bless others as a result? What steps can you take today to respond to His call?
Day 4: Holiness as a Requirement for Mission
Personal holiness is crucial for effective mission. Our lives must reflect the character of Christ, as it is through our holiness that others are drawn to the Gospel. Holiness is not just for our sake but for the world's sake, as it demonstrates the transformative power of the Gospel. As we pursue holiness, we become more effective in our mission to share the love and truth of Christ with others. This requires a commitment to living a life that honors God and reflects His character in all that we do. [30:31]
"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to pursue greater holiness? How can your pursuit of holiness impact your mission to share the Gospel with others?
Day 5: Radical Commitment to the Gospel
Christians are called to be radical in their mission, willing to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. This involves living for a higher cause than personal happiness, knowing that true joy comes from being part of God's transformative work in the world. A radical commitment to the Gospel requires us to prioritize God's mission over our own desires and to be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others. As we embrace this radical commitment, we experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from being part of God's work in the world. [19:49]
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" (Matthew 16:24, ESV)
Reflection: What sacrifices is God calling you to make for the sake of the Gospel? How can you embrace a radical commitment to His mission in your daily life?
Quotes
"I have given them your word and the world has hated them for they are not of the world anymore than I am of the world my prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one they are not of the world even as I am not of it sanctify them by the truth your word is truth as you sent me into the world I have sent them into the world." [00:00:36]
"Mission means to be sent and Jesus right there tells us that not only is he a person in Mission but that anyone who comes into contact with him also become People in Mission this particular passage gives us two perspectives on mission two ways of understanding it right off the bat first of all a mission or a missionary is someone who is sent to show something." [00:02:57]
"Jesus was not only a missionary because he was sent to show God but secondly he didn't just come to bring truth he came to bring Truth for a reason what was that reason secondly Jesus is sent as a missionary he's sent to save because he says I Sanctified myself that they may be truly Sanctified he came to make broken people whole he came to make sinful people holy." [00:04:13]
"Imagine somebody you love and you see in them symptoms of a sickness that you once had and you know it's lifethreatening and you know what you had to do in order to get treated and to be saved and you see that person will not listen to the to to reason because you can tell that they don't think they're sick they're writing it off they're denying it so what do you do what happens to you you start to make your case don't you you start to persuade you start to tell them about your own experience." [00:05:25]
"Jesus says father I say these things that they might hear and have joy now when he talks about these things he's talking about everything he's been talking about in John 17 and if you look carefully you'll see that all the things that Jesus is talking about is his mission verse four you've given me I've completed the work you gave me to do verse six I've revealed your name verse 13 I'm coming to you I'm about to die Everything Jesus is talking about in John 17 is his mission." [00:10:57]
"Jesus Christ as soon as he addressed the prospects of this mission was filled filled with joy Jesus Christ here in verse verse 13 says to the father I say these things what are these things his mission I'm telling my my brethren about this mission that they might have the same joy that I've got do you see what this is saying the lack of joy in your life is due to a lack of mission human beings need Mission you're built for Mission there is a relationship there's a link a tight link between joy and sness father I want them to have this Mission I want to send them on Mission so that they might have the fullness of my joy." [00:12:56]
"Christians are the only ones with an intellectual Paradigm that enables them to sing a song like If I Had a Hammer with Integrity because we know that the ideal has become real that God himself Jesus Christ has opened the cliff in the pitiless walls of the world and he has said I'm bringing down the life of Heaven into this world to change it and I want you to be part of the army I want you to be part of my work I want you to be my co-partners and you work with me and you will see people's lives change from the ground up that's a mission a Transcendent reality a Transcendent thing something to die for because you know that it's going to Triumph and you're going to be part of it whether you die at the age of 20 or you die at the age of 80 that's a mission." [00:20:00]
"Jesus Christ says what as you sent me so I send them what made Jesus a man in Mission the father what makes you a man or a woman in Mission the son anybody who's actually met Jesus met God for and and seen who they really are is completely changed if you think your religion is the Private Matter you haven't met him God never pulls you in to bless you without sending you out let me give you two examples the first one is Isaiah Isaiah comes comes into worship on the Sabbath like any of you he comes up to the temple to worship on the Sabbath we're told in Isaiah 6 and he is shocked and he is traumatized because like most of you the last person he expected to meet on the day he went to worship was God." [00:21:54]
"God says I will bless you but he never blesses you except to make you be a blessing to somebody else and the only way to be a blessing is to get out get out you see for Abraham he was told you have to get out leave your familiar land leave your family and go to a place that I will show you what he's really getting out of is not so much his country but his security God has said I want to you I want you to move out in order to in order to be a blessing you're going to have to get out of the familiar you're going to have to become vulnerable there is no way that God will ever bless you he'll never call you into to bless you without sending you out to be a blessing and the only way to be a blessing is to get out." [00:25:02]
"According to this text is your personal Holiness one thing I never noticed in all the years of of knowing this text and even preaching on it 10 years ago I preached on through it I never noticed something verse 17 18 and 19 how they are in relationship to each other verse 17 says Jesus says to the father sanctify them in the truth Thy word is truth and verse 19 says I'm all out to make them Holy Verse 18 says and I send them into the world in Mission now why in the world would Jesus Christ put a a verse on Mission sandwich in between two verses on how much he has committed to our Holiness the answer is they're not two different ideas." [00:29:18]
"You're supposed to be Christian friends you are supposed to be holy you're supposed to be like Jesus right you're supposed to in character have his courage and at the same time his sweetness his integrity and at the same time his boldness his humility and at the same time his uh his compassion you're supposed to have all of these things why why are you supposed to grow in personal Holiness some says for jesus' sake yeah but here it also says for the world's sake get yourself together pull yourself together why because God Jesus Christ says it's your personal wholeness and Holiness that is necessary if the world is to be helped for the world's sake I want you to be holy." [00:30:05]
"Some of you say ah if I could just get them to come to church to Listen to A good sermon people aren't interested in Preachers anymore you know what if they even do come let me tell you why they're not interested in sermons they're interested in life and living they're interested in in Holiness they are even if they come and they hear a good sermon I can feel the inspection right away what they really want to know is does this guy live it they're not interested in TV spots they're not interested in good books they're not interested in articulate eloquent uh defenses of the faith they're not interested in good sermons and why should they be even here it says they're not going to be they're interested in life they want to know you're a Christian are you Kinder than other people does it help you think better are you less snobbish than other people can you handle the pressure can you face death is there a Poise is there an equinity about you is there a gentleness that I can't see anywhere else I'm not interested in sermons I'm interested in living everybody is and people's lives will be changed by your wholeness their Brokenness will be healed by your wholeness." [00:33:32]
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