Mission starts by owning where you are in your family, neighbourhood, workplace and friendship group and then…
- Beginning in Prayer: Conversation with God about what we are doing together
- Listening and Learning: Discovering the truth that is beyond your current understanding
- Eat WITH People: Engaging with people on their terms
Begin in Prayer + Listen and Learn + Eat with People = SERVE NEEDS
- Serving needs: Living God’s Love and Justice (Grace and Truth) where the world is in pain
Serving needs is reflecting the Glory of God in a hurting world
[31] So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. [32] Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— [33] even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NIV
Serve Needs – Begin in Prayer = Burnout
Jesus knew how to say no.
[35] Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. [36] Simon and his companions went to look for him, [37] and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” [38] Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” [39] So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Mark 1:35-39 NIV
We need to be able to withdraw in prayer and not be determined by other agendas
When we work we are most god-like, which means that it is in our work that it is easiest to develop god-pretensions. Un-sabbathed, our work becomes the entire context in which we define our lives. We lose God-consciousness, God-awareness, sightings of resurrection. We lose the capacity to sing “This is my Father’s world” and end up chirping little self-centered ditties about what we are doing and feeling.
Peterson, Eugene. Christ Plays In Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology (Function). Kindle Edition.nts (Function). Kindle Edition.
We also need to let go of our own agendas
Galatians 5:16-17 NIV
[16] So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
We are to serve in such a way that people outside the church are blessed
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:11-12
Serve Needs – Listen and Learn = Religion
[13] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. [14] For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13-14 NIV
We are to serve using all our resources
Ephesians 4:28-29 NIV
[28] Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
The needs of others are to be our focus rather than our own needs.
[23] “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. [24] No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV
Serve Needs – Eat with People = Pride
[25] Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. [26] Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25-28 NIV
Jesus always worked with people rather than doing things to them… he invited their partnership even in their own healing.
Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.
Matthew 12:13 NIV
He allowed people to make choices for themselves
[21] Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [22] When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Matthew 19:21-22 NIV
You can’t truly say yes until you can say no.
[37] “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [39] Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:37-39 NIV
See also: Matt 10:37-39, Matthew 16:24-26, Mark 8:34-38, Luke 9:23-26, Luke 14:26-27, Luke 17:33, Luke 18:14, John 12:24-26
Saying Yes to Jesus means saying no to setting our own agenda.
But if we are to be kingdom-announcers, modeling the new way of being human, we are also to be crossbearers. This is a strange and dark theme that is also our birthright as followers of Jesus. Shaping our world is never for a Christian a matter of going out arrogantly thinking we can just get on with the job, reorganizing the world according to some model that we have in mind. It is a matter of sharing and bearing the pain and puzzlement of the world so that the crucified love of God in Christ may be brought to bear healingly upon the world at exactly that point. Because Jesus bore the cross uniquely for us, we do not have to purchase forgiveness again; it’s been done. But because, as he himself said, following him involves taking up the cross, we should expect, as the New Testament tells us repeatedly, that to build on his foundation will be to find the cross etched into the pattern of our life and work over and over again.
Wright, N.T.. The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is (pp. 188-189). (Function). Kindle Edition.
Everything we do in service is grounded in the future we look forward to…
[56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:56-58 NIV
Living Beginning in Prayer, Listening and Learning, Eating with People and Serving Needs will provoke questions.
But in your hearts revere 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15-16
We will discuss how we respond to the questions next week
Small Group Questions
- Mission begins where we already are — in our family, neighbourhood, workplace, and friendships. What are some real needs you see in the places where you spend most of your time?
- The pattern described is beginning in prayer, listening and learning, eating with people, and serving needs. Why do you think serving is meant to grow out of these relationships rather than starting with a project or program?
- Serving without prayer can lead to burnout. Why do you think prayer helps us stay healthy and focused when we are trying to serve others?
- Jesus withdrew to pray and did not allow other people’s expectations to control his agenda (Mark 1:35–39). What might it look like to let prayer shape the way you serve others?
- Serving without listening and learning can become religion rather than love. Why is it important to understand people and their situation before trying to help them?
- Jesus said greatness comes through serving others (Matthew 20:25–28). How is this different from the way the world usually thinks about influence or leadership?
- Jesus often invited people to participate in their own healing or change (Matthew 12:13). Why might it be important to serve with people rather than doing things for them?
- If Christians were known in their community for serving people with humility, generosity, and love, what impact do you think that would have on those who are not part of the church?