On Mission

On Sunday we wrapped up our sermon series titled:  "GOT KEYS?"

The final key was:  "Faith in Jesus Christ is not about trying, it's about trusting."  Based on this truth we said that those who have moved from trying to trusting have a responsibility, an obligation, and an imperative to tell others about the one in whom they now trust.

Following Paul's example of how to engage others with the Gospel in Acts 17:16-34, we should consider his strategy and apply it in our context.

1)  We must study our culture.  We should ask what are the barriers (idols) that are preventing our community from connecting with Jesus Christ.

In their book, Vintage Church, Driscoll and Breshears offer the following ideas for becoming a student of culture.

• Watch Television.
• Surf Talk Radio.
• Walk The Mall.
• Pay Attention At The Grocery Store.
• Hang Out At The Magazine Rack.
• Pay Attention To Kids.
• Talk To People.
• Go Online.
• Break Your Routine.

2)  We must be moved to action. Paul took the message of trusting Christ to the synagogue and the marketplace.  He intentionally went where the people were.  

3) We must contextualize the Gospel.

Driscoll and Breshears describe it this way:

"Too many churches are built solely to accommodate religious people, even though their culture and cultural methods of ministry are not welcoming or hospitable to those outside their Christian culture.  Contextualization is about making the church as culturally accessible as possible without compromising the truth of Christian belief.  In this, what is sought is timeless truth and timely methods.  In other words, contextualization is not making the gospel relevant, but showing the relevance of the gospel."

With this in mind, Darrin Patrick adds:

"We must literally consider everything we do through the lens of the unbeliever, always asking the question, "How does this come across to unbelievers?"

4) We must hold out a BIG God!  Paul informed them that there is a God who is not only big, but also near.  He is creator, sustainer, ruler, and judge.

5) We must call people to action.  Based on the fact that God is going to judge us through Jesus Christ we must repent and trust him as our substitute and stop trying to save ourselves.

6) We must trust God with the results.  We are not tasked to save people, just to tell people.  As with Paul, some will mock us, some will want to hear more, and others will believe.  It is for that last group that we must be busy proclaiming the good news about Jesus Christ.

Trust or Try...which way will you go?