Our text this morning is Ephesians chapter 5.
Two weeks ago I had the privilege of going to the Social Security office to get a new Social Security card.
! I walk into the office and the Federal Security guard calls me over real politely.
He quietly tells me that the knife in my pocket needs to go back to my vehicle.
I was shocked for a number of reasons.
First, for his request.
Second, that I actually had my knife in my pocket.
I don't usually carry one around.
And third, it's only about two inches long, so I don't know.
He saw the shock on my face and he proceeded to tell me that weapons are not allowed on Federal property.
If you've never been to the Social Security office, the new location in Gainesville, it's in an office building.
Below it is a doctor's office.
The law office next to it is a law office.
So how in the world am I on Federal property?
Because I'm pretty sure the law office and the doctor's office are not Federal offices.
When I walked through the door into the Social Security office, I was stepping into and onto Federal grounds.
That moment, I was on Federal ground.
I was told by the Security guard and there was nothing I could do about it.
I had to abide by his laws.
In all honesty, there's probably signs posted that I didn't see.
I'm sure there are signs posted.
I would make an argument this morning that the same effect should occur when people come in contact with us.
That when they come in contact with us, we should have signs up figuratively that people know exactly who we are, where we stand, and that we are Christians.
We are adopted sons and daughters of the King.
So friend or foe, enemy or acquaintance should know exactly where we stand.
I'm afraid that too often our signs aren't even up.
I'm afraid too often the doorways aren't marked in our lives.
And there's no difference between us and the world, between Christians and the world.
A couple of weeks ago, Nathan talked about six things to look for in a healthy church.
One of the things he mentioned was missional church, to find a church that is missional.
A church that believes that everyone, as Christians, are ministers sent into the world to build the kingdom of God for the glory of God.
I would argue that living missional lives is how the signs stay out.
It's how everyone knows where we stand.
Our doorways are marked.
And people will know exactly where they are and who they are in the presence of.
I am not advocating prideful arrogance because we are adopted kings, adopted sons and daughters of the King.
I'm advocating a sincere life changed by the Gospel.
I would also argue that being missional is not this one thing we do.
It's not this event that we put on or this outreach that we do or this particular Bible study that we study.
It isn't the specific way that you talk or the clothes that you wear or the way that you choose to live a certain time.
Being missional is life.
It is a life that has been changed by the Gospel and is now compelled to love all.
Friend and foe, neighbor and family, enemy and companion.
Missional is our subject this morning.
My goal is for all of us to be moved, convicted and compelled to put up a sign and make ourselves known to the world.
Ephesians 5.1 is our text this morning.
One verse.
And it reads,
Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children.
Let's pray together.
Amen.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done this morning.
I pray that You would speak through me.
That the words that are spoken would not be my words, not my opinions, not my thoughts,
but be Your words to us this morning.
That we would hear Your words and we would follow Your words with obedience, whatever that requires.
Repentance.
A step in being a little more bold.
Whatever that is, God, we would be moved by Your word this morning.
The Gospel has already changed our life.
It's already made us new creatures.
God, I pray that it would change our actions as well.
We would not hinder that from happening.
We ask that You move this morning.
That You would speak to our hearts.
Your Holy Spirit would continue to move in this room and in our gathering.
I pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
So let me define missional for you.
The definition I want to use is from a book entitled Community by Brad House.
He says,
Missional is to participate in the mission of God as a response to the Gospel through proclamation and practice.
So, participate in the mission of God as a response to the Gospel through proclamation and practice.
Before we dig any deeper into the ground of missional living, we must look at the Gospel.
The end of the definition says,
As a response to the Gospel through proclamation and practice.
A missional life lives in response to the Gospel.
The life-changing act of the Father sending His Son to earth to live a sinless life.
Romans 8.3
For God has done what the law we can by the flesh could not do.
By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin.
God the Father sent His Son to earth to be sin, to bear the wrath of God for us, His body, the church.
We are undeserving and in fact we did not desire Him.
He showed us favor for His glory.
He showed us grace.
His grace.
Because He is a merciful and gracious God.
Now, as children of God, we sit here.
We sing songs.
We go to work during the week.
We sit in a classroom.
And because of Jesus, our standing with God is as if no sin had ever been committed.
Because our sin was taken away and given to us was Jesus' righteousness.
Some may say that we were neutral recipients of the grace of God.
That we do good and we do bad and it just kind of evens out.
The law tells us that we were actually in overdrive, driving the opposite direction of God.
Running from Him as sinners in rebellion of Him.
We weren't just undeserving.
We were guilty and deserving of the full wrath of God.
And He showed us grace by sending His Son for us.
God the Father has sent His Son.
And in John 20, 21, it says that Jesus then sends us.
He says, as the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.
Not just His apostles.
Not just the disciples.
But all Christians are sent.
We are sent in the world, as Romans 8 tells us,
as ambassadors of Jesus, as ambassadors of the Gospel.
This is missional living.
In response to the Gospel.
From the Gospel.
Out of the Gospel.
Because of the Gospel.
This is missional living.
Ephesians 5.1 says,
Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children.
I want to unpack the second part of the verse first.
As beloved children.
We are beloved children because of the Gospel.
Romans 8.15 says,
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons,
by whom we cry, Abba, Father.
Ephesians 1.5 says,
He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1.5 says,
Through Jesus Christ.
For what part?
His entire life.
Sinless.
Perfect sacrifice for us.
Turn to Hebrews 9.10.
I'll show you something really quick,
and then we'll come back to Ephesians.
Hebrews 9.10.
Chapter 9, verse 11.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest for the good things that have come,
then through the greater and more perfect tent,
not made with hands,
that is, not of His creation,
He entered once for all into the holy places,
not by means of the blood of goats and calves,
but by means of His own blood,
thus to securing an eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls,
and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of heifer,
sanctify for the purification of the flesh,
how much more will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit,
offered Himself without blemish to God,
purify our conscience from dead works,
to serve the living God.
Now, what I want to show you is,
in verse 12,
He says He entered once for all.
Once and for all.
Look at verse 12.
Or, I'm sorry, not verse 12.
We just read that.
Verse 26 in chapter 9.
For then He would have had to suffer repeatedly
since the foundation of the world,
but as it is, He has appeared once for all.
Verse 28.
So Christ having been offered once
to bear the sins of many.
Chapter 10.
Verse 10.
And by that,
will we have been sanctified
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ
once for all.
And again, in verse 12.
But then Christ had offered for all time
a single sacrifice for sins.
You have been adopted once and for all.
It is over.
You're always part of the family.
You will not be let go.
You will not be discarded.
Once and for all.
It is finished.
You are a child of God.
And Ephesians 5.
1 says,
A beloved child of God.
And nothing will change that.
We are children of God.
And we are to imitate God
as children of God.
I started thinking about my kids
and the imitation of me
that they do.
They do it.
If you don't have kids yet,
here you go.
I've got an experiment for you.
Parents, try this at home.
See how long it takes.
Siblings, older siblings,
try this.
And then when you have kids,
try it.
Do some goofy dance move
and see how long it takes them
for them to add it
to their repertoire.
It will happen.
I've seen it.
It will happen.
It won't take long.
Kids and children
imitate their parents
for the good
and for the bad.
Children also trust their parents
and are in complete
dependence of them.
They're dependent
for all their needs.
You don't see a four-year-old
shopping for groceries,
but they have them.
You don't see a ten-year-old
shopping for insurance,
but they have it.
You don't see a fourteen-year-old
shopping for a house,
but they live in one.
Guys, we are beloved children of God.
We must be dependent on Him
and Him alone.
Children also are nurtured
by their parents.
The love and support they need
is there from the parents.
The touch and feel they need
is there.
Let me take a moment here.
Some of you don't have parents.
Some of you haven't received
nurture from them
in a really long time.
Maybe your dad has never said,
I love you.
Maybe he's never hugged you.
Maybe your mom has never
complimented you
or told you that she loves you.
Maybe you never have had
real parents.
Be comforted.
Be comforted
because this verse
is for you.
As beloved children,
He loves you
and He wants to nurture you.
He wants to hold you
and take care of you.
Your Heavenly Father
can and will
fill that void.
Allow Him to heal you.
Allow Him to be
your nurturing Father.
Allow Him to heal you.
Let go of whatever
is hindering you
from that happening.
Children are taken care of
by their parents.
and we are taken care of
by our Heavenly Father
as beloved children
imitate God.
So how do we imitate God?
Without digging down deep,
we know there's some things
that we just can't do.
We can't redeem
a people.
We can't forgive sins.
That is where the Gospel
comes into play.
That is where the Gospel
works.
I looked at just
the book of Ephesians.
Just one book.
And I went through
and I marked
what God does.
If we're going to
imitate Him,
let's see what He does.
So real quick,
kind of a quick run through
of Ephesians.
Six chapters.
In chapter 1, verse 3,
God blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing.
chapter 1, verse 4,
He chose us in Him
to be holy and blameless.
Chapter 1, verse 5,
He adopted us as sons.
Verse 7,
He redeemed us
and He forgives us.
Verse 11,
He has given us
an inheritance.
Verse 17,
He gives us a spirit
of wisdom and revelation
in the knowledge of Him.
He makes it possible
for us to know Him.
In chapter 2, verse 4,
He is rich in mercy.
He is merciful.
Also, verse 4,
He has great love.
Verse 13 of chapter 2,
He gathers His children close.
Verse 14,
He is our peace.
He unites.
Verse 16,
He is peacemaker.
Verse 22,
He continues to work.
In chapter 3, verse 2,
He is the giver of grace.
Chapter 3, verse 8,
He is bearer of unsearchable riches
in Christ.
Verse 19 of chapter 3,
He has love that surpasses knowledge.
Chapter 4, verse 1,
He calls.
Verse 7 of chapter 4,
He is the giver of grace.
Verse 16 of chapter 4,
He is the head of the body
and He makes it grow.
This is what God does.
Verse 21 of chapter 4,
He is truth.
Verse 32,
He forgives.
Chapter 5, verse 2,
He has made a sacrifice for us.
Verse 8,
He is the giver of light
so that we can walk in light.
Chapter 5, verse 23,
He is the Savior.
Verse 29,
He cherishes the church.
Chapter 6, verse 4,
He disciplines and He instructs.
Verse 8,
He is the giver of good.
Verse 10,
He is strong and mighty.
Verse 24,
He has an incorruptible love.
Now there's 65 more books in the Bible
that we should go through
and figure out what God does.
Because that's just one of them
and it's a daunting list.
How in the world can we imitate God?
The answer is by being missional.
In response to the Gospel.
Missional.
The definition is to participate
in the mission of God
as a response to the Gospel
through proclamation and practice.
See, our message,
it can redeem.
We can forgive because of the Gospel.
We can love because of the Gospel.
And when we do so,
we live in response to the Gospel.
So that list there that I just ran through,
that's what God does.
That's what God does.
So then,
what is His mission?
In other words,
why does He do those things?
God's mission can be summed up by,
God's mission is to be glorified
by making Himself known.
So how does He accomplish this?
God's mission,
be glorified by making Himself known.
Well, He accomplishes this
by sending Jesus
to redeem His people,
to build His clean kingdom
and to glorify the Father.
And then by Jesus sending us.
Jesus sending us,
as we read in John chapter 20.
Matthew 28,
verse 18 through 20,
is the Great Commission.
These are our marching orders.
Verse 18 of Matthew 28 says,
All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to Me.
Go therefore and make disciples
of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe
all that I have commanded you.
And behold,
I am with you always
to the end of the age.
These are our marching orders.
We are sent into the world.
And this go here
is in our going.
Or as we go,
as we walk,
as we work,
as we sing,
as we talk,
make disciples.
The good news here
is we see this list.
We've read through that list
of Ephesians
of what God does.
We see this Great Commission.
The good news is
that we don't have to do
anything new.
We don't have to create
a new program
to reach the lost.
All we have to do
is join God
in what He's already doing.
Join Him
on His mission.
He's already working.
He's already making Himself known.
We have been invited
to join Him.
We join God
by living missional lives.
By imitating Him
out of the Gospel
and not for the Gospel.
Out of the Gospel,
not for the Gospel.
The definition was
in response to the Gospel
by proclaiming
and practicing
the Gospel.
The church is the messenger.
The universal church.
Not Christ's family church.
Not Church of Dahlonega.
Not First Baptist of wherever.
The church.
The big church.
Capital C.
Is the messenger
of salvation.
Not the means
of salvation.
So we proclaim
the message
of salvation
to the world.
God sends us.
Jesus has sent us.
And we proclaim
the message
of salvation.
In Luke chapter 4
verse 43,
Jesus says,
I must preach
the good news
of the kingdom
of God
to the other towns
as well.
For I was sent
for this purpose.
Jesus was sent
to preach the good news.
The good news
about Himself.
And we then
are sent
to preach
the good news
of Jesus.
As John chapter 20
verse 21 says,
As the Father
has sent me,
Jesus speaking,
even so
I am sending you.
So as the Father
has sent me,
I then am sending
you out.
We are to imitate
God by joining
Him in His mission.
By joining Him.
See,
missional is not
this new idea.
Missional is not
this new buzzword,
although it is
a buzzword.
It is a popular
word to speak
in Christian circles.
Missional is
the command
of God.
It is the way
that we must,
must,
live our
lives.
So then,
how do we live
missional lives?
How then do we
live missional lives?
First of all,
by being intentional
in proclaiming
and practicing
the Gospel.
Here is why
I chose
the word
intentional.
See,
we have been
given a new
life as Christians.
But as
Romans 7
taught us,
we still have
the same
corrupting
thoughts
and desires.
And Romans 8
tells us
that we have,
we no longer
are condemned,
but we still
sin.
So we have
the sin
and the corrupting
thoughts and
desires still
in us.
We're battling
it in us.
So missional
living requires
intentionality.
We have to be
intentional and
determined
to live it out.
We have to make
a point to be
missional.
have to be
disciplined,
to be determined
and to be devoted
to being
missional.
We have to
continually remember
that we are
the sent ones.
We are sent
with a purpose.
We are invited
by God
to join Him
in what He
is already
doing.
That He's
already doing.
He has
invited us
to join Him.
This,
right there,
that right there
should ease
some of our
fear and our
uncertainty.
We join God
in what He's
doing.
We then
imitate Him
and live
missional lives
in response
to the Gospel.
So here,
at Christ's
Family Church,
one of the ways
that we are
intentional is
by meeting
in community
groups.
We meet in
community groups
during the week.
The purpose
of community
groups is not
to have a
mid-week
Bible study.
Even though
that's good.
It's not
to meet
together
and fellowship
over food.
Even though
that's good.
It's not
to meet
and bear
one another's
burdens.
Even though
that's good
and that
happens.
The main
purpose
of community
groups is
to reach
the community
for Jesus.
To minister
together
to glorify
God
by making
Him known.
We have
three community
groups right now.
We have
two in
Dahlonega
and one
down in
Gainesville.
We want
to make
the communities
we are
in better
in response
to the
Gospel.
We want
all of
Christ's
family
church
to proclaim
the Gospel
and live
it out.
We want
all of
Christ's
family
church,
every person
in this
room,
to be part
of the
community
group,
so that
we can
better the
community
because of
the Gospel
and for
the glory
of God.
We want
to make
an impact
in our
communities,
not for
Christ's
family
church,
not for
our name,
but for
His name,
for His
glory.
Each group
is praying
for ministry
opportunities
to serve
the community.
We're
looking for
opportunities
to see where
God is at
work,
to see where
we can
join Him,
where can
we minister
to people
who are
in need.
We want
to love
the people
of Dahlonega,
love the
people of
Gainesville,
and
surrounding
areas of
those
to make
God
known.
Big
tasks.
Big
tasks.
But we
serve a
bigger God.
And He
has called
us to
join Him
on His
mission.
And He
will enable
us to do
exactly what
He wants
us to do.
We just
have to
trust and
obey.
If I
say
Metropolitan
Tabernacle,
you guys
know what
I'm talking
about?
No.
Metropolitan
Tabernacle
is the
church that
Charles Spurgeon
preached and
was pastor
for over
40 years
in London,
downtown
London.
In the
1800s,
the Industrial
Revolution was
coming through.
And listen to
some of the
problems that
London faced.
The Industrial
Revolution began
in the United
Kingdom in the
latter half of
the 18th
century.
And by the
1850s,
its effects
pervaded
England.
In this
period of
great
industrialization,
people left
their farms
and small
towns and
flocked to
London,
Manchester,
and other
cities.
As people
congregated in
vast numbers,
the old
infrastructure of
London lacked
the capacity and
resources to
attend to the
needs of the
new crowds.
The influx of
people into
London meant
not only a
spike in
laborers and
factories,
but also the
number of
under-resourced
women,
children,
orphans,
and widows
exploded in
London.
The city was
in crisis.
The leaders
didn't know
what to do.
They saw the
mountain of
needs that
confronted them
from every
angle.
Thus, in the
1850s, a lot
of London
churches did
what a lot of
American churches
have done during
the last 30
years.
They fled the
cities.
These churches
moved their
locations to the
outskirts of
London.
Now, we
don't deal
with overpopulation
here in
Dahlonega and
Gainesville.
We don't deal
with the
Industrial Revolution
coming through
our area.
But like
Metropolitan
Pabernacle,
they had a
decision to
make.
We have a
decision to
make.
Are we going
to be
intentional and
live in response
to the
gospel, or are
we going to
ignore the
needs of
people and
ignore God?
This is our
decision to
make.
We ignore
problems.
We stub our
noses sometimes.
When are we
going to get
involved?
When are we
going to live
intentional,
missional lives?
Are we going
to fear the
growing gay and
lesbian culture
because we
don't know how
to love them?
Are we going
to ignore the
growing drug
culture?
Or are we
going to fight
it and love
those who
are in the
middle of
it?
Are we
going to
embrace the
art culture?
Are we
going to
just be like
most churches
of the last
century and
ignore it?
These are
questions that
we have to
ask and
answer because
we are in
Northeast Georgia.
Are we
going to live
missional lives
that are
intentional,
that are in
response to
the gospel?
Read what
Metropolitan
did.
Metropolitan
Tabernacle
pastored by
Charles Spurgeon
decided we're
not going to
do that.
We're going
to stay
here.
We see
this as an
opportunity
for the
gospel.
Metropolitan
Tabernacle
looked at the
needs of the
people in the
city and
began to
engage in
helping them
with their
problems.
The problems
of the
desperately
poor were
the most
pressing,
so Metropolitan
Tabernacle
leaders created
almshouses for
people who
lost their
jobs and
needed time to
get back on
their feet.
The poor
houses in
London operated
in terrible
conditions,
but the
almshouses of
Metropolitan
Tabernacle
provided a
crucial
alternative.
The church
also built a
large number
of homes for
the elderly
where they
would care for
them and
help them die
with dignity
and peace.
The church
created an
orphanage where
they educated,
cared for,
and fed
thousands of
orphans.
they created
homes for
single mothers
who had lost
their husbands
and helped
them find
employment.
Metropolitan
Tabernacle
started a
school for
pastors from
rural areas to
receive a
theological
education and
help clothe and
provide books
for these
impoverished
pastors.
They started
programs for
businessmen to
use their
entrepreneurial
efforts to
expand the
kingdom through
their businesses.
Now listen to
this.
Metropolitan
Tabernacle's
influence spread
so quickly
throughout the
poor and all
the way up
to the
class ladder
to the
aristocracy.
It got to
the point that
if Metropolitan
Tabernacle had
shut down at
any point during
that decade of
grappling with the
problems of the
Industrial Revolution,
the city of
London would have
been crippled.
They would have
grieved the
loss of the
Tabernacle.
Can you imagine
serving the needs
of the city,
being so attuned
to the common
good for the
sake of the
gospel,
that your city
would grieve
if you picked
up and
left?
Are we going
to live
intentional lives
in response to
the gospel?
Another way of
living missional
life is having
ownership of the
gospel and the
mission of God.
Have you ever
rented a car
and found
yourself treating
it worse than
you would your
own?
You get in it
and the first
thing you look at,
and this might
just be the
guys.
You get in it
and you look at
it and you
look and see
how far the
speedometer goes.
120, 125,
what are we
looking at?
And then you
say, let's see
what this baby
will do.
We do this
because it's
not ours.
We don't have
ownership of it.
We don't care
as much about it.
We don't think
about it as much
and we certainly
don't live for it.
It's the same
with the gospel
and the mission
of God.
If the gospel
and the mission
of God are just
religious activities,
if they're just
things that we
do that just
happen on Sunday,
there's no
ownership.
If there's just
another activity
on our list
of responsibilities,
there's no
ownership.
You abuse it,
you ignore it,
and you don't
live for it.
But if,
if you have
ownership,
you take care
of it,
you love it,
you cherish it,
like your car,
you baby it,
and very seldom
do you floor it.
You find yourself
caring for it,
wanting to take
care of it,
cherishing it,
because it's yours.
Well,
I'm here to tell you
that the gospel
and the mission
of God is yours.
It is yours
and it is mine.
Ephesians chapter 1.
Flip back to
Ephesians chapter 1
real quick.
Ephesians chapter 1
verse 3.
It says,
Blessed be the
God and Father
of our Lord Jesus
Christ,
who has blessed
us in Christ
with every
spiritual blessing
in the heavenly
places,
even as He chose
us in Him
before the
foundation of the
world,
that we should
be holy
and blameless
before Him.
In love,
He predestined
us for
adoption as
sons through
Jesus Christ
according to
the purpose
of His will,
to the praise
of His glorious
grace with which
He has blessed
us in the
Beloved.
In Him,
we have
redemption
through His
blood,
the forgiveness
of our
trespasses
according to
the riches
of His grace,
which He
lavished upon
us in all
wisdom and
insight,
making known
to us
the mystery
of His
will,
according to
His purpose
which He
has set forth
in Christ
as a plan
for the
fullness of
time to
unite all
things in
Him,
things in
heaven and
things on
earth.
It is
personal.
This
salvation,
this adoption
is personal.
It's just
not an
activity.
No one
is adopted
without it
being personal.
Britain,
my oldest
is adopted
and it
has been
personal.
Her life
has been
affected by
her adoption
for the
good.
Let's be
honest.
it is
personal.
But,
we cannot
believe the
gospel without
being moved
to action
by it.
We cannot
believe the
gospel without
being moved
to action
by it.
See,
we know the
commandments of
God.
We know the
love that God
has for us.
And in turn,
we're supposed
to have for
others.
We know
these things.
We know
God's mission.
And because
we do,
we must
act.
In the book
Community
that I quoted
earlier,
it says,
when our
hearts beat
in rhythm
with His,
we begin
to see His
mission and
are ready
to take
ownership
of it.
I see it.
Do you see
God's mission?
Do you see
why He's doing
what He does?
Why He
redeems a
people?
to glorify
Himself by
making Himself
known.
Ownership is
marked by a
get-to
sacrifice and
not a got-to
out of duty.
Ownership is
a get-to.
We get to be
part of God's
mission.
We get to
join Him.
We get to
love people.
We get to
live the
gospel out for
others to see.
We get to
be on mission
with God.
We get to
join Him in
the work that
He is
already
doing.
There is
not a
got-to
attitude in
ownership.
It is a
get-to
sacrifice for
His glory
and His
name.
Own the
truth of
God and
get in the
game.
It is
real and
it is
personal.
Here's some
good news
though.
Here's some
really good
news.
God has
created us
for His
good work.
Ephesians
chapter 2
verse 10.
For we
are His
workmanship
created in
Christ Jesus
for good
works which
God prepared
before Him
that we
should walk
in them.
Not only
has God
created us
for His
good work,
we are
equipped for
His good
work.
Chapter 4
verse 11
and 12.
And He
gave the
apostles,
the prophets,
the evangelists,
the shepherds,
and teachers
to equip the
saints for the
work of the
ministry,
for building
up the
body of
Christ.
Not only
has God
created us
for this
work,
not only
has He
equipped us
for this
work,
but He
empowers us
and compels
us through
the gospel.
Again,
Ephesians
chapter 3
verse 20
and 21.
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.
God has
created us
for His
work.
He equips
us for His
work and
He empowers
us for His
work through
the gospel.
There is no
reason to
fear.
There is no
reason to
worry.
There is no
reason to
doubt.
There is no
reason to
question.
He has
created us
for His
work.
He has
equipped us
for His
work and
He empowers
us for
His
work.
It is
why the
verse 1
of chapter
5 says
and walk
in love.
We can
walk in
love because
He has
equipped us,
created us,
and empowered
us to be
able to do
just that.
Missional is
participating in
the mission of
God as a
response to
the gospel
through
proclamation
and practice
that is
missional.
We join
God in
His
mission,
on His
mission.
We don't
create a
new mission.
We join
Him in
what He
is already
doing.
That is
missional.
When we
are living
missional
lives,
by imitating
God,
people will
know.
Like when I
walked into
the Social
Security office
and I was
told I was
on federal
ground.
Nothing I
could do
about it.
I just
knew.
I guess.
I was
told and
I knew.
I was on
federal
property.
People will
know immediately
we're living
missional
lives.
You're
a Christian
on mission.
On God's
mission.
That is
being
missional.
Being
missional
begins and
ends with
the gospel.
We are
sent from
Him for
Him.
We have
been chosen
for His
mission,
for His
glory and
His name.
God.
See,
the gospel
compels
us.
It empowers
us.
And it
is the
message we
share.
Let us be
on mission
with God
and for
God.
That is
missional.
Let's pray
together.
Let us
desde