Living Missionally: Transforming Lives Through Christ

 

Summary

Living on mission is not just a call to action but a lifestyle that reflects the transformative power of Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives. As we conclude our series on "Phases," we focus on how to live missionally, both within our church community and beyond its walls. Our vision is to be the healthiest, most influential, multi-ethnic, multi-generational, mission-driven community on the Treasure Coast. Our mission is to connect the entire Treasure Coast to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on my own journey, I shared how my relationship with Janae began with a shared commitment to live missionally. From our first date, where we talked about Jesus and His work in our lives, to our decision to make our lives a mission field, we have sought to use our gifts to connect others to Jesus. However, life changes, like having children, can shift our mission field. Yet, the mission remains the same: to connect people to Jesus, starting with those closest to us—our family.

Living on mission means recognizing that our homes, workplaces, and communities are our mission fields. It involves using the authority and power given to us by the Holy Spirit to push back the powers of darkness. We are not just fighting physical battles but spiritual ones, and we must be intentional in our efforts to live out our faith daily.

Our church partners with various organizations to extend our mission beyond our immediate reach. From Care Net, which supports life-affirming choices, to 4Kids, which provides homes for children in crisis, and Go Build Love, which offers clean water and the gospel globally, we are making a tangible impact. However, we must not lose sight of the importance of living missionally in our personal lives. Winning battles in the world is significant, but we must also win the war in our homes and communities.

Key Takeaways:

- Living Missionally in Everyday Life: Our mission field begins at home. While life circumstances may change, the call to connect others to Jesus remains constant. We must be intentional in making our homes a place where the gospel is lived out daily. [45:08]

- The Power of Prayer and Worship: Prayer and worship are not just spiritual disciplines but acts of warfare against the powers of darkness. They fortify our homes and families, enabling us to stand firm in our faith. [50:38]

- Partnerships in Mission: Collaborating with organizations like Care Net and Go Build Love allows us to extend our mission globally. These partnerships are vital in pushing back darkness and bringing the light of Christ to those in need. [52:22]

- Authority in Christ: We possess the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This authority enables us to fight spiritual battles effectively. Recognizing and wielding this power is crucial in living missionally. [47:39]

- Winning the War at Home: While it's important to engage in global missions, we must not neglect the spiritual battles in our immediate surroundings. Our homes, schools, and workplaces are where we must first live out our mission. [01:03:20]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction and Series Recap
[02:15] - Vision and Mission of TC3
[05:00] - The Role of Community
[08:45] - Personal Testimony: Living on Mission
[15:30] - The Shift in Mission Fields
[20:00] - The Power of Prayer and Worship
[25:00] - Partnerships in Mission
[30:00] - Authority in Christ
[35:00] - Winning the War at Home
[40:00] - Celebrating Our Partners
[45:00] - Call to Live Missionally
[50:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living on Mission

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 6:12 - "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
2. Matthew 25:35-40 - "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
3. James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 6:12 suggest about the nature of the battles we face in our mission to live out our faith? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on spiritual warfare? [47:39]
2. In Matthew 25:35-40, what actions are highlighted as ways to serve others? How do these actions reflect the mission-driven lifestyle discussed in the sermon? [55:57]
3. According to James 1:27, what are the characteristics of religion that God finds pure and faultless? How does this relate to the partnerships mentioned in the sermon? [52:22]
4. How did the pastor describe the shift in his mission field after having children, and what was the new focus of his mission? [45:08]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding our battles as spiritual rather than physical (Ephesians 6:12) change the way we approach challenges in our homes and communities? [47:39]
2. What might be the significance of serving "the least of these" as described in Matthew 25:35-40, and how does this reflect the mission of the church as discussed in the sermon? [55:57]
3. How can the church's partnerships with organizations like Care Net and 4Kids be seen as a practical application of James 1:27? [52:22]
4. What does it mean to have authority in Christ, and how can this authority be used to live missionally in everyday life? [47:39]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current mission field. Is it your home, workplace, or community? How can you intentionally live out your faith in that environment this week? [45:08]
2. The sermon emphasized the power of prayer and worship as acts of spiritual warfare. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer and worship into your daily routine to fortify your home? [50:38]
3. Consider the partnerships your church has with organizations like Care Net and Go Build Love. How can you personally get involved or support these missions? [52:22]
4. The pastor shared a personal story about the shift in his mission field after having children. Have you experienced a similar shift in your life? How did you adapt your mission to fit your new circumstances? [45:08]
5. How can you use the authority given to you in Christ to address spiritual battles in your life? Identify one specific area where you can apply this authority. [47:39]
6. Think about a time when you felt too tired or overwhelmed to live missionally. What practical steps can you take to overcome these feelings and stay committed to your mission? [45:08]
7. Identify one person in your life who may not know Jesus. What is one specific action you can take this week to connect them to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ? [46:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Mission Begins at Home
Living missionally starts with recognizing that our homes are our primary mission fields. It is in these intimate spaces that we first have the opportunity to live out the gospel and connect those closest to us to Jesus. Life circumstances may change, such as having children or moving to a new place, but the mission remains constant. We are called to be intentional in making our homes a place where the transformative power of Jesus is evident daily. This involves creating an environment where faith is not just spoken about but actively demonstrated through love, service, and discipleship. [45:08]

"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children." (Deuteronomy 4:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally create an environment in your home where the gospel is lived out daily? What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your faith to your family?


Day 2: Prayer and Worship as Spiritual Warfare
Prayer and worship are powerful tools in the spiritual battles we face daily. They are not merely religious practices but acts of warfare against the powers of darkness that seek to infiltrate our homes and communities. Through prayer, we invite God's presence and power into our lives, fortifying our families and enabling us to stand firm in our faith. Worship shifts our focus from our struggles to God's sovereignty, reminding us of His authority over all things. By prioritizing these spiritual disciplines, we equip ourselves to push back against the darkness and live victoriously. [50:38]

"Do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate prayer and worship into your daily routine as acts of spiritual warfare? How can these practices help you stand firm in your faith amidst life's challenges?


Day 3: Extending Our Mission Through Partnerships
Collaborating with organizations like Care Net and Go Build Love allows us to extend our mission beyond our immediate reach. These partnerships are vital in pushing back darkness and bringing the light of Christ to those in need globally. By joining forces with others who share our vision, we can make a more significant impact and reach communities we might not be able to on our own. However, while these partnerships are essential, we must not lose sight of the importance of living missionally in our personal lives. Our global efforts should complement our local mission fields, ensuring that we are faithful in both. [52:22]

"For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building." (1 Corinthians 3:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively support or participate in the mission partnerships your church is involved in? What steps can you take to ensure that your personal mission aligns with these broader efforts?


Day 4: Authority in Christ
As believers, we possess the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This authority enables us to fight spiritual battles effectively and live missionally. Recognizing and wielding this power is crucial in our daily lives as we seek to connect others to Jesus. It is not by our strength but through the authority given to us by Christ that we can push back the powers of darkness and bring about transformation in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Embracing this authority requires faith and boldness, trusting that God will work through us to accomplish His purposes. [47:39]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues.'" (Mark 16:15-17, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to exercise the authority given to you in Christ? How can you step out in faith and boldness to fight spiritual battles and live missionally?


Day 5: Winning the War at Home
While engaging in global missions is important, we must not neglect the spiritual battles in our immediate surroundings. Our homes, schools, and workplaces are where we must first live out our mission. Winning the war at home involves being intentional in our efforts to connect those around us to Jesus and creating environments where faith can flourish. It requires us to be vigilant in prayer, steadfast in our witness, and committed to living out the gospel in every aspect of our lives. By focusing on these local mission fields, we lay a strong foundation for broader impact. [01:03:20]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to win the spiritual battles in your home and community? How can you be more intentional in living out your mission in these local contexts?

Quotes


The mission is simply to connect the entire Treasure Coast to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. And so that's where we're going. And then week two, we talked about, hey, these are the anchors for our soul. These are the things that we believe that we will hold tightly to. These are the doctrines and the theological truths of God's word that we are going to anchor our lives in as a community. [00:39:11] (28 seconds)


Your mission field is your house. That is your greatest mission field. That is where you are right now. It may not be at a school. It may not be at a coffee shop, but you got three people in your house that you need to be connecting and pointing to Jesus every single day. [00:45:56] (18 seconds)


At the end of the day, right, like the text of scripture tells us like, hey, we are not fighting against flesh and blood, right? We are fighting against rulers and demons and principalities that are not of this world. And today we're going to talk about like our mission partners who we as a church. [00:47:25] (20 seconds)


We have so many partners that we collaborate with to push back against the powers of darkness all throughout the Treasure Coast. And so we're going to share them with you. We're going to share them with you this morning. And I would encourage you as you leave today to go and talk to them in the lobby and to see how maybe you can get more engaged. [00:50:56] (19 seconds)


And so it's great if we are winning battles out there, but we need to win the war where it is of utmost importance. And so win the war in your home. Push back the power. Push back the powers of darkness in your school. Push back the powers of darkness in your neighborhood. Push back the powers of darkness in your community and on your job and in your cubicle and at the coffee shop. [01:03:20] (21 seconds)


I pray, Jesus, that we would know and understand and walk like and talk like and live like the same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us. And I pray that we would fight back the powers of darkness wherever we are. Help us live on mission, Jesus. We love you and we thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. [01:04:06] (19 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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