Character Growth Through Our Mission In Life | Bella Vista Church of Christ

Character Growth Through Our Mission In Life

Randall Caselman
Bella Vista Church of Christ
3/16/97 am

Character Growth Through Our Mission In Life


Reading — Matthew 28.18-20 - 2 Corinthians 5.19-20 & Acts 20.24

Our Sunday morning series in on growing in character.
• Lesson one was that we must make the decision to grow, today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time.
• Then we said, God provided an environment that encourages such growth, the church family.
• Lesson three said, to grow in character, we must cultivate good habits.
• Then last week, we noted that we must find our place in ministry, putting our talents, our God given gifts to work in His Kingdom.

This morning we want to conclude this series by noting that character growth is a result of our finding our mission in life, a mission that matters.  A mission is not just a duty or a task, a mission is: A dream, A vision, A purpose That which drives us to become the people and person that God wants us to be. Our mission is what makes us what we are in life.

The question this morning is, what is your mission in life? To get an education? To get a better job? To make more money? To retire?

Some people’s greatest mission is as shallow as buying: A fancy car, A dream home, Or fashionable clothes. I’ve got to tell you this morning, these kinds of missions lead to: Disappointment, Discontentment, and something less than fulfillment in life.

God has placed us here to have a greater mission. People who make an impact know what they’re here for. They have a dream, a vision, a goal. They know what really matters in life. Truth is this morning, we’re not ready to live until we know what’s worth dying for.  So, the lesson this morning, Character Growth Through Our Mission In Life.

When we become a follower of Jesus Christ, God gives us a new mission. It’s called the Great Commission.  Today we’re going to look at this mission for two reasons. First, because some of us have forgotten it. And second, for those who are considering becoming baptized believers.

• Jesus gives us this mission in Matthew 28, Go 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 obey everything I have commanded you. And I am with you always, to the end of the age.

• Our scripture reading in 2 Corinthians says, We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his appeal through us. You see, the Gospel good news has been placed in earthen vessels, in us. If: Our children, Our family members, The community, And the world are to be saved, We must take this mission seriously.

• Paul explains his commitment to this mission in Acts 20, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. What is that task Paul? The task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

You see, life doesn’t count unless we complete our mission; unless we do what we were created to do.  If we complete the task God has given us, then life really matters. LIFE IS SUCCESSFUL

Well, what is our mission?
First, our mission is to bring others into God’s family. Listen to Romans 10.13-14, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone teaching them? Did you catch the progressive logic here?

• How can people call upon the name of the Lord, unless they believe?
• How can they believe unless they hear?
• And how can they hear, unless someone tells them

Jesus tells His disciples in Acts 1.8, You will be my witnesses. A witness is an individual who tells what they know. There’s only one qualification of being a witness — that we have knowledge to share. We don’t have to know a lot about the Bible and theology to be an effective witness. Paul says, every Christian is a witness, an ambassador. We call this the Great Commission. Jesus tells his disciples and us this morning, we must go everywhere and tell everybody. This is our mission regardless of our career or vocation, be it: Executive, Truck driver, Doctor, Nurse, Student, An accountant, Or carpenter. We are to use that career to tell others about Christ. A non-witnessing Christian is a contradiction of terms. Our mission is to tell other people about Jesus and how to become a member God’s family.

The motive for this mission is love... Love for God and love for other people. John 3.16 tells us that, God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 2 Peter 3.9 says, The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. You see, God never made a person He didn’t love. Everybody matters to God: Rich — Poor, Black — White, Young — Old, Educated — And uneducated, Socially elite — Or common folk. That’s why this church should never stop growing. As long as there’s one person who doesn’t know Christ, God wants that person, whoever they are, to come to know Him. God wants everyone in His family. You see, because God cares then we must care. Paul says, the love of Christ compels us. Church, the first step in fulfilling our mission is to simply to love and, care about people.

I can tell you why some of us, and why some churches, are not evangelistic; they don’t love and care for people. Its just that simple. If we have the cure for cancer and the rest of the world is dying and we keep it a secret, that’s a crime. If we have a surplus of food in our house and our next door neighbor is starving, that’s a crime. If we have the gospel and know how to save men, women, boys and girls from hell and don’t share it, that’s a crime. We must know this morning, that to know Jesus and be a participant of His salvation and then not to share it is a sin. Our mission is to share God’s love. Our motive is love for others.

The message of our mission is good news. In Mark 16.15-16 Jesus tells us, Go into all the world and preach the gospel — THE good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Did you catch it... Into all the world? Our mission is to share this Good News in our world. Our world includes:
• Those at work,
• Those at school,
• Those we go to the mall with,
• Those we play golf with,
• It even includes those we may not even know... Those we have yet to meet.

You see, our world is everywhere, all around us. Evangelism is not just something we pack a suitcase for. Sharing the good news is to be a part of our daily routine.
What is the Good News? Notice, three things that God offers through His Son Jesus.

FIRST, GOD OFFERS FORGIVENESS.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace... For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord... There is now, there fore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. God says; I will forgive everything you’ve ever done wrong. I will give you a clear conscious. I will wipe out the past, give you a new start, a fresh approach. I will hold no sin against you. Does this sound like something people need today?

GOD OFFERS FULFILLMENT.
Jesus said, I have come so that you might have life and have it to the fullest. Note that Jesus didn’t say, I came that you might have. A religion, A ritual, Some stiff ceremonies, More rules and regulations added to the Law. Christianity is not a religion, but a life. What kind of life? Life at it best. Christianity is the best life God has to offer in this world. Question! Do you think people today are looking for this fulfillment in life? Absolutely!

GOD OFFERS FREEDOM.
John 8.36 tells us, when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. As I talk to people in a counseling situation, the phrase I hear a lot is; I feel trapped, I can’t break free from this sinful habit. I can’t break free from this memory. I can’t get rid of this terrible guilt. The Good News is, Jesus sets us free. Free from guilt. Free from resentment. Free from bitterness. Free from boredom. I gotta tell you folk, if you are bored as a Christian, something is seriously wrong. There is much to do, there is work on every hand. Free from the expectations of others. Free to be what God wants me to be. God wants to make us free. The more we let Christ into our life the freer we become. Indeed. Indeed! The Son sets us free.

Think of it: Forgiveness, Fulfillment, Freedom. That’s what everybody is spending their time and energy trying to find. And we have the answer! Perhaps the reason we don’t share the gospel is that we’ve forgotten how good the Good News really is! We tend to think that most people are as happy as we are, they’re not. Look at the world, Read your newspaper, Watch the ten o’clock news. People are not happy, they need this good news of forgiveness, freedom and fulfillment.

Fourthly this morning, we need to consider the method. How do we share this good news? Two ways: Live it and talk it.

First, we must live it, demonstrate the Good News.
Listen to Jesus from Matthew 5, the Sermon On The Mount, You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, it is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out. You are the light of the world. Like a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Do you know what Paul says in Titus 2.10? Show that you can be fully trusted, so that in every way you will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive to others. We are to be the salt of the earth. We are to be the light of the world. We are to live in such a way that the gospel will look attractive to those about us. Is our life attracting anybody to Christ? Is there anybody interested in becoming a Christian because of us? If not, we had better check out our life-style. Something is wrong

The fact is we’re being watched, whether we like it or not. We’re being watched by the people in our own world: Our children, Our spouse, Our parents, Our neighbors, Our boss, Our employees, Our students and teachers. We’re being watched by all the those we associate with. They need an expression of God in a personality they can relate to... That’s you and me. Know this, there are some people that will never be reached unless we do our part in demonstrating Jesus before them.

I don’t want to get to heaven one day and have to explain to God why somebody else used my life-style as an excuse for not coming to Christ. We’re talking about where people are going to spend eternity - heaven or hell. The fact is, our life is either drawing people to Christ like a magnet, or turning them away... Repelling them. No wonder scripture tells us to be careful how we live. We are the salt of the earth... We are the light of the world.

Second, we must share it verbally.
First Peter 3.15 says, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. No: We’re not suppose to hit them over the head with a Bible. Or say, your going to hell unless you believe as we do! That’s not what reaches people. Peter says, Do it with gentleness and respect. What reaches people is a demonstration of genuine love and concern for their souls. Jesus saw people and need and the bible says, He was moved with compassion.

That’s why I like our involvement in Medical Missions. These mission teams are a true demonstration of: Love, Compassion, And caring concern. I commend all those going, especially our teenagers.

Have you ever heard anyone excuse themselves from evangelism by saying, I don’t talk to anyone about God, because my life is my witness? Think about the egotism in such a statement. They are saying, I have attained such a level of perfection that people automatically look at my life, fall down and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. By just looking at me they’ll exclaim... What must I do to be saved Get serious!

God’s going to hold us responsible for communicating verbally the good news. Too many of us are Arctic River Christians — frozen at the mouth. No, not everybody is called to be an evangelist. But everyone is called to be evangelistic.... A witness... To tell what we know. We are called to be audio/visual Christians. Called to: Talk the talk, And walk the walk.

Well, how? How can I become more evangelistic?

First, by prayer. Make a list of those who you would like to see obey the gospel. Put that list on the mirror where you shave or put on your makeup. Every time you see their name, ask God for three things: One, that He open their heart to the gospel. Two, that He open an opportunity for us to share the good news with them verbally. Three, that He will give us the courage to make proper use of that opportunity. God holds us responsible for all those we meet. In fact, He very well could have providentially brought them into our lives for the express purpose of our becoming an effective witness to them.

Secondly, build a bridge by listening and caring. The key word in sharing our faith is relationship. You see, everybody is hurting someway. The key to being effective in sharing the Good News, is to become a good listener. Eventually one of those: Hurts, Needs Or interests Is going to come up, and we can show how Jesus is the answer. But remember, we’ve got to live it and then we’ve got to share it.

Thirdly, invite them to church. Anybody can do this, a new born Christian or one who has been in Christ for 50 years. Easter is coming, and everybody goes to church somewhere on Easter. RIGHT? Invite them to come with you. After the service, take them out to lunch and say, What did you think? Just talk, Be human, Be open, Be genuine, Take off the mask. What impresses people is when they see we’re struggling with the same things they’re struggling with, but somehow we’ve got some help and that help is God living in us.

Number four, we can be more evangelistic by supporting foreign missions. Have you given any thought to becoming personally involved in foreign missions? Maybe go to Honduras with Doug Or to South America. Right now our Elders are looking for someone to go to Colombia. To the Ukraine with Denny Kruse or Stan Bryan. Some from Rocketdyne are living in a few weeks. Gospel Tracts International is looking for a lady Bible teacher to go to Russia this July. How about joining sojourners, or working in WBS. Still others cannot go, but can support monetarily those willing to go. Praise God that our Eldership provides numerous opportunities for each of us to be involved in foreign mission if we are willing

Well, some things in life are too important NOT to share. One of them is the Good News of Jesus. What if nobody had ever shared with you? What if you’d never heard? Church, our mission in life is critical. There is no greater purpose, no greater mission in life. This mission will have eternal consequences, both for us and those we meet. If you want your life to count, invest it in bringing people to Jesus.

“Lead me to some soul today,
Teach me, Lord, just what to say;
Friends of mine are lost in sin,
And cannot find their way.
Few there are who seem to care,
And few there are who pray;
Melt my heart and fill my life,
Give me one soul today.”

If you’re not a child of God, the good news is that you can be: You must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, through Jesus His Son. You must be willing to repent of your sins and strive to live for Him daily. And you can enjoy total forgiveness in the act of New Testament baptism, immersion in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Perhaps we are here and need the prayers of the church to help us be more evangelistic, to be more cognizant of the who are lost.  Or maybe you’re here as a baptized believer and you are looking for a church family that will help you become a more effective witness.

Determine today to grow in character.

Written By

Bella Vista Church of Christ

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