Jesus Is On A Mission
Jesus is on a mission. He was sent by his Father on a grand adventure to redeem and restore all things to his Father’s kingdom. And he invites you to join him, “Come, follow me.”
And, for many Christians, therein lies the mystery: What does it look like to “follow Jesus” in everyday life and join him on his mission?
Does it look like following the rules? Does it look like following religious rituals? Does it look like convincing people of Jesus? Selling people on Jesus? Saving people for Jesus?
No.
The Bible says, “following Jesus” looks like “loving people.”
For instance, in John 13:34 Jesus says, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Ephesians 5:2 says “…live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ” (NLT). In fact, “loving people” is how Jesus says everyone will recognize that we have been trained by him. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
So, if you want to follow Jesus and join him on his mission, it really is this simple: look for people who need a little of the abundant love you have from the Father, and offer it to them. Or, as the Bible puts it, “Love your neighbor.”
Because we are baptized into Jesus (Rom. 6:3), we have Jesus living in us and through us. That means, to the people with whom we live, work, or hang out, you and I are literally the body of Christ. We are Jesus with skin on. We are the way people experience his love in the material world where they live. The love comes from Jesus, but it is experienced through us. From him, to us, through us, to the people around us who need him and his love so badly (1 John 4:19).
That means you get to have fun being the neighbor, co-worker, or fellow student people enjoy having in their life. You get to be the one who smiles and waves, notices and helps, listens and understands. You get to be the one who is quick to listen, slow to become angry, and the first to apologize. You get to be the one who practices hospitality, generosity, and humility. You get to be the reason someone receives some joy, experiences some kindness, or has an advocate.
Dear friends, living a life of love is the best way to live. It is a full, rich, abundant way to live. It is how we join Jesus on his mission. And it works.
What’s next?
I am often asked, “I know the Bible says to love my neighbor, but when do I tell my neighbor about Jesus?” That’s easy: When they ask. At least, that’s Peter’s advice. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you…” (1 Pet. 3:15).
Let me tell you a story. About a year ago, a couple who attended one of our “Joining Jesus” trainings decided they were going to be more intentional about meeting and getting to know their neighbors so that they could do a better job of loving their neighbors.
They began smiling and waving more. They noticed and helped more. They stopped and listened more. They teamed up with other neighbors and started having more cookouts, more game nights, and more birthday parties. And with all this, there came something else. Conversations. The small talk among strangers turned into conversations among friends.
And then one evening it happened. As everyone was enjoying a fire in the backyard, one of the neighbors said to the couple, “We really enjoy hanging out with you and your family. There is just something about you… we always feel good after being with you. You’re Christians, aren’t you?”
And just like that, they were having a conversation about Jesus.
Neither the husband nor wife were theological experts, but they could tell the neighbors why they trusted and followed Jesus. To the neighbors, what the couple shared rang true because of how they had seen them live. The couple wasn’t perfect like Jesus, but they had offered love like Jesus. And the experience of that love made all the difference.
Last May, the children of those neighbors were baptized. Last fall, the whole family joined the church. It’s a cool story. But don’t forget, it all started with a couple becoming more intentional about getting to know their neighbors so they could do a better job of loving their neighbors.
The couple wrapped up their story with this important observation: “We think our neighbors wanted to ask us about Jesus that night because we first took the time to show them Jesus in how we lived.”
Yes. The Bible says that’s how it works. Show them Jesus’ love so they can experience Jesus’ love. And then, when they ask, be ready to tell them why you trust and follow Jesus. When people experience Jesus’ love through you, it opens up their intake valve to be more curious about Jesus’ truth as well. They want to hear more because of what they have seen and experienced with you.
From Jesus, to you, through you, to the neighbors around you who need his love so badly.
Joining Jesus on his mission: It’s simpler than you think and a lot more fun!
And, for many Christians, therein lies the mystery: What does it look like to “follow Jesus” in everyday life and join him on his mission?
Does it look like following the rules? Does it look like following religious rituals? Does it look like convincing people of Jesus? Selling people on Jesus? Saving people for Jesus?
No.
The Bible says, “following Jesus” looks like “loving people.”
For instance, in John 13:34 Jesus says, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Ephesians 5:2 says “…live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ” (NLT). In fact, “loving people” is how Jesus says everyone will recognize that we have been trained by him. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
So, if you want to follow Jesus and join him on his mission, it really is this simple: look for people who need a little of the abundant love you have from the Father, and offer it to them. Or, as the Bible puts it, “Love your neighbor.”
Because we are baptized into Jesus (Rom. 6:3), we have Jesus living in us and through us. That means, to the people with whom we live, work, or hang out, you and I are literally the body of Christ. We are Jesus with skin on. We are the way people experience his love in the material world where they live. The love comes from Jesus, but it is experienced through us. From him, to us, through us, to the people around us who need him and his love so badly (1 John 4:19).
That means you get to have fun being the neighbor, co-worker, or fellow student people enjoy having in their life. You get to be the one who smiles and waves, notices and helps, listens and understands. You get to be the one who is quick to listen, slow to become angry, and the first to apologize. You get to be the one who practices hospitality, generosity, and humility. You get to be the reason someone receives some joy, experiences some kindness, or has an advocate.
Dear friends, living a life of love is the best way to live. It is a full, rich, abundant way to live. It is how we join Jesus on his mission. And it works.
What’s next?
I am often asked, “I know the Bible says to love my neighbor, but when do I tell my neighbor about Jesus?” That’s easy: When they ask. At least, that’s Peter’s advice. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you…” (1 Pet. 3:15).
Let me tell you a story. About a year ago, a couple who attended one of our “Joining Jesus” trainings decided they were going to be more intentional about meeting and getting to know their neighbors so that they could do a better job of loving their neighbors.
They began smiling and waving more. They noticed and helped more. They stopped and listened more. They teamed up with other neighbors and started having more cookouts, more game nights, and more birthday parties. And with all this, there came something else. Conversations. The small talk among strangers turned into conversations among friends.
And then one evening it happened. As everyone was enjoying a fire in the backyard, one of the neighbors said to the couple, “We really enjoy hanging out with you and your family. There is just something about you… we always feel good after being with you. You’re Christians, aren’t you?”
And just like that, they were having a conversation about Jesus.
Neither the husband nor wife were theological experts, but they could tell the neighbors why they trusted and followed Jesus. To the neighbors, what the couple shared rang true because of how they had seen them live. The couple wasn’t perfect like Jesus, but they had offered love like Jesus. And the experience of that love made all the difference.
Last May, the children of those neighbors were baptized. Last fall, the whole family joined the church. It’s a cool story. But don’t forget, it all started with a couple becoming more intentional about getting to know their neighbors so they could do a better job of loving their neighbors.
The couple wrapped up their story with this important observation: “We think our neighbors wanted to ask us about Jesus that night because we first took the time to show them Jesus in how we lived.”
Yes. The Bible says that’s how it works. Show them Jesus’ love so they can experience Jesus’ love. And then, when they ask, be ready to tell them why you trust and follow Jesus. When people experience Jesus’ love through you, it opens up their intake valve to be more curious about Jesus’ truth as well. They want to hear more because of what they have seen and experienced with you.
From Jesus, to you, through you, to the neighbors around you who need his love so badly.
Joining Jesus on his mission: It’s simpler than you think and a lot more fun!
Rev. Greg Finke and his wife Susan are the founders of Dwelling 1:14. Dwelling 1:14 was created to come alongside Christians who are ready to gain clarity and simplicity about two things: how to join Jesus on his mission as part of their everyday lives and how to disciple more people to do the same. Greg and Susan offer consulting and training experiences for congregations and their leaders.
Visit: www.dwelling114.org
Visit: www.dwelling114.org
Joining Jesus on His Mission
Joining Jesus on His Mission will alter the way you see your life as a follower of Jesus and take you beyond living your life for Jesus to living life with Jesus. Simple, powerful and applicable insights show you how to be on mission and recognize where Jesus is already at work in your neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools. You will feel both relief and hope. You may even hear yourself say, “I can do this!” as you start responding to the everyday opportunities Jesus is placing in your path.
Joining Jesus on His Mission will alter the way you see your life as a follower of Jesus and take you beyond living your life for Jesus to living life with Jesus. Simple, powerful and applicable insights show you how to be on mission and recognize where Jesus is already at work in your neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools. You will feel both relief and hope. You may even hear yourself say, “I can do this!” as you start responding to the everyday opportunities Jesus is placing in your path.
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