Embracing Our Mission: Sent with Purpose
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of being "Sent with Purpose," drawing from the biblical narratives of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. These stories illustrate God's heart for mission, emphasizing that from the beginning, God has been about sending His people to reach others. We began by celebrating the generosity of our congregation, which has enabled a team to travel to the Philippines, fully funded to bless and serve. This act of sending is not just a logistical endeavor but a spiritual commissioning, echoing the words of Jesus in John 20: "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
The narrative of Moses serves as a powerful parallel to the mission of Jesus. Just as Moses was sent to deliver the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt, Jesus was sent to deliver humanity from the bondage of sin. Egypt, in the scriptures, symbolizes sin and oppression, and the story of the Exodus is a foreshadowing of the salvation that Jesus brings. Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush and his subsequent mission to Pharaoh highlight the divine empowerment that accompanies God's call. Similarly, Jesus' mission was marked by divine authority and the power to set captives free.
We are reminded that every believer is called to be an ambassador of Christ, tasked with proclaiming the freedom found in Him. This mission is not about our abilities but about God's power working through us. As Moses was assured of God's presence and guidance, so are we assured that God equips those He sends. The call to leave Egypt is a call to repentance and transformation, inviting us to leave behind our old lives and embrace the new life in Christ.
As we commission our team to the Philippines, we are reminded that mission is a collective effort, supported by the prayers and encouragement of the church. We are called to go with boldness, carrying the authority of Christ, and to focus on relationships, expecting supernatural impacts in our daily encounters. This mission is not just about tasks but about transforming lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- Mission as God's Heart: From Abraham to Jesus, God's heart has always been about sending His people to reach others. This mission is not just a task but a divine calling that requires us to step out in faith and obedience. [01:01:59]
- Empowerment in Mission: Just as God empowered Moses with divine authority, He empowers us with His Spirit to accomplish His purposes. Our inadequacies are met with His sufficiency, enabling us to fulfill our calling. [01:06:09]
- Freedom from Bondage: The story of the Exodus is a powerful metaphor for the freedom Jesus offers from the bondage of sin. As Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Jesus leads us out of spiritual captivity into abundant life. [01:12:00]
- Ambassadors of Christ: Every believer is called to be an ambassador, representing Christ and proclaiming His message of reconciliation. This calling is not limited to a select few but extends to all who follow Jesus. [01:15:33]
- Supernatural Expectation: In our mission, we are encouraged to expect supernatural impacts, recognizing that God works through us to bring transformation. Our focus should be on relationships, allowing God's power to manifest in our daily encounters. [01:20:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:00] - Introduction to the Service
- [00:05:00] - Sending Off the Team to the Philippines
- [00:10:00] - Generosity and Support from the Congregation
- [00:15:00] - Theme: Sent with Purpose
- [00:20:00] - Biblical Examples of Mission
- [00:25:00] - The Story of Moses
- [00:30:00] - Egypt as a Symbol of Sin
- [00:35:00] - Jesus as Our Deliverer
- [00:40:00] - The Call to Be Ambassadors
- [00:45:00] - Empowerment and Divine Authority
- [00:50:00] - The Role of the Church in Mission
- [00:55:00] - Expecting Supernatural Impacts
- [01:00:00] - Commissioning the Team
- [01:05:00] - Closing and Part Three of the Service
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Sent with Purpose
Bible Reading:
1. John 20:21 - "Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'"
2. Exodus 3:10 - "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."
3. 2 Corinthians 5:20 - "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' statement in John 20:21 reveal about the nature of His mission and ours? [01:01:59]
2. How did God get Moses' attention in Exodus 3, and what was the significance of the burning bush? [01:06:09]
3. According to the sermon, how is Egypt used symbolically in the Bible, and what does it represent? [01:12:00]
4. What role does the congregation play in supporting the mission to the Philippines, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:20:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the parallel between Moses' mission and Jesus' mission deepen our understanding of God's plan for salvation? [01:06:09]
2. In what ways does the concept of being "sent" challenge our understanding of personal faith and community involvement? [01:12:00]
3. How does the idea of being an ambassador for Christ, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:20, influence the way believers should live their daily lives? [01:15:33]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between divine empowerment and human inadequacy in fulfilling God's mission? [01:06:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt "sent" by God. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [01:01:59]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of expecting supernatural impacts in our mission. How can you cultivate an expectation of the supernatural in your daily life? [01:20:13]
3. Consider the symbolic meaning of Egypt as a place of sin and bondage. What "Egypt" might you need to leave behind in your own life to embrace a new life in Christ? [01:12:00]
4. How can you actively participate in your church's mission efforts, whether locally or globally, and what steps can you take to get involved? [01:20:13]
5. The sermon highlights the importance of relationships in mission work. Identify one relationship in your life where you can intentionally share the love of Christ this week. [01:22:37]
6. As an ambassador of Christ, what specific actions can you take this week to represent Jesus in your community? [01:15:33]
7. Reflect on the idea of divine empowerment. How can you rely more on God's strength rather than your own abilities in your current challenges? [01:06:09]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Missionary Heartbeat
From the beginning of time, God has demonstrated His heart for mission by sending His people to reach others. This divine calling is not merely a task but an invitation to participate in God's redemptive work in the world. The stories of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus illustrate this theme, showing how God commissions His people to step out in faith and obedience. As believers, we are called to embrace this mission, understanding that it is central to God's purpose for humanity. Our participation in God's mission is a response to His love and a reflection of His desire to see all people come to know Him. [01:01:59]
Isaiah 6:8 (ESV): "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.'"
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's mission today, and who in your life might God be calling you to reach out to with His love?
Day 2: Empowered for Purpose
God's empowerment is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative, as seen in the story of Moses. When God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, He equipped him with divine authority and assurance of His presence. Similarly, Jesus' mission was marked by divine empowerment, enabling Him to fulfill His purpose. As believers, we are reminded that our inadequacies are met with God's sufficiency. He empowers us with His Spirit to accomplish His purposes, assuring us that we are never alone in our mission. This divine empowerment is a source of strength and confidence as we step out in faith. [01:06:09]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate, and how can you rely on God's empowerment to overcome these challenges today?
Day 3: Liberation from Spiritual Bondage
The story of the Exodus is a powerful metaphor for the freedom Jesus offers from the bondage of sin. Just as Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Jesus leads us out of spiritual captivity into abundant life. Egypt symbolizes sin and oppression, and the deliverance from Egypt foreshadows the salvation that Jesus brings. This freedom is not just a release from sin but an invitation to live a transformed life in Christ. As believers, we are called to embrace this freedom, leaving behind our old lives and stepping into the new life that Jesus offers. [01:12:00]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel spiritually bound, and how can you seek Jesus' freedom in that area today?
Day 4: Ambassadors of Reconciliation
Every believer is called to be an ambassador of Christ, representing Him and proclaiming His message of reconciliation. This calling is not limited to a select few but extends to all who follow Jesus. As ambassadors, we are tasked with sharing the good news of Jesus and inviting others into a relationship with Him. This mission requires us to live lives that reflect Christ's love and grace, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel. Our role as ambassadors is a privilege and a responsibility, calling us to be intentional in our interactions with others. [01:15:33]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of reconciliation, and how can you be an ambassador of Christ to them today?
Day 5: Expecting the Supernatural
In our mission, we are encouraged to expect supernatural impacts, recognizing that God works through us to bring transformation. This expectation is rooted in the understanding that God's power is at work in our daily encounters, enabling us to make a difference in the lives of others. As we focus on building relationships, we create opportunities for God's power to manifest, leading to transformation and growth. This supernatural expectation challenges us to step out in faith, trusting that God will work through us in ways beyond our understanding. [01:20:13]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: How can you create space in your life for God to work supernaturally, and what relationships can you invest in today to allow for His transformative power to be evident?
Quotes
"Throughout scriptures, Egypt is often referred to and used as a symbol of sin and bondage or a symbol of the world system that holds people, what? Holds people in captivity, holds people in oppression, holds people in bondage, held the Israelite nation into what wasn't but became slavery. Yeah? So all those familiar with the story, I'm pretty much speaking to the situation as it was for the nation of Israel." [01:02:22] (45 seconds)
"And just as God sent Moses to lead his people out of slavery, here's the mirror, Jesus, our great deliverer, was sent to lead us out of slavery, sin, bondage, everything that mirrors what the nation of Israel was in. So let's explore some of those parallels in relation to being on mission today in downtown Emeralds and today extended a little to, under our mission statement, touching nations." [01:03:37] (46 seconds)
"In 2 Corinthians 5 it says, Now then, we are ambassadors of Christ, as though God was pleading through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. Every believer is called now to be an ambassador. Two or three people have heard it. Every believer is called to be an ambassador. God's representative pleading with the world to come to Christ." [01:11:43] (37 seconds)
"And I touched on it earlier, but I want just a little bit of emphasis here in it. That God empowers those that He sends. In Exodus 4, it says, Now go, and I will help you speak, and I will teach you what to say. This is God in the whole dialogue between God and Moses. And He brings a lot of clarity right there. Now go, and I'll help you speak." [01:14:06] (26 seconds)
"In many ways, we'd say, today the church is the modern-day Moses, and we are called to confront Pharaoh, the spiritual forces that hold people in bondage and captivity, and we must declare to them the freedom that is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. To be convincing in that argument, you must first experience. And it's important that we come to the revelation of what freedom in Christ really is." [01:20:47] (38 seconds)
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