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Pastor Scott Applegate

“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18 NIV

  • As Christ’s disciples we have been called “out of the world” and set apart for the Kingdom of God (John 16:9, 14).
  • We have been commissioned by Christ to go back “into the world” in order to continue the mission Jesus started during his time on earth (John 17:11, 18).
  • Living on mission means influencing the world around us with the love of Christ, by simply being good neighbors, good friends and sharing the hope we have in Him.

WHY IS LIVING ON MISSION IMPORTANT?

The 5 Great Commissions of Jesus:
(Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, John 20:21, Acts 1:8)

    • Jesus expects me to continue His mission

 

  • Sharing the good news is my responsibility 

 

    • Sharing the good news is my privilege

 

  • Because people are hopeless without Christ 

 

HOW TO LIVE ON MISSION

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:2-6 NIV

1.Be in prayer

“Devote yourselves to prayer…”

  • Living on mission begins with prayer

“…men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons- but they are helpless against our prayers.” J. Sidlow Baxter

  • Missional opportunities are most often birthed from prayer

 

2. Be open 

“…being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message,
so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ…”

  • Initiate relationships
  • Take advantage of your everyday sphere of influence

3. Be a real friend

“Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should…”

  • Be there for others
  • Invest in the person
  • Remember belonging often proceeds believing
  • Invite them to consider the claims of Christ

4. Be authentic 

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt…”

  • Most people who reject Christianity do so not because of Jesus, but because of their experience with Christians. 
  • Don’t be too spiritual
  • Do be salty

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13 NIV

  • Salt heals, preserves, flavors, and creates thirst

5. Be prepared 

“…so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”
1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Today I am affirming and committing that I will be devoted to a lifestyle
of mission by sharing the love of Jesus with the world around me.

Signature: _____________________________________    Date: _______________