Building a Missions Mindset: The Call for All Believers
Building a Missions Mindset: The Call for All Believers
In the tapestry of faith, there's a thread that weaves through every believer's journey – the call to mission. It's not reserved for a select few, but a divine invitation extended to all who follow Christ. This mission mindset isn't just an add-on to our faith; it's intrinsic to our very identity as Christians.
The prophet Joel spoke of a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all people. "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." (Acts 2:17-18)
This prophecy marked a radical shift from the Old Testament era, where the Holy Spirit was bestowed selectively upon prophets, priests, and kings. Joel's words heralded a new age where God's Spirit would indwell all believers, regardless of age, gender, or social status. This promise found its fulfilment on the Day of Pentecost, where 120 believers were filled with the Holy Spirit – a clear demonstration that the time Joel spoke of had indeed come.
But why this outpouring? Acts 1:8 provides the answer: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit empowers us not for our own glory, but to be witnesses for Christ, extending His kingdom to the farthest corners of the world.
This mission isn't an optional extra for the super-spiritual. It's woven into the very fabric of our salvation. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."
The moment we accept Christ, we're not just saved – we're commissioned. We become ambassadors of His kingdom, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. Our lives become the medium through which God makes His appeal to the world.
But how do we cultivate this mission mindset? It starts with aligning our thoughts with Christ's. As Philippians 2:5-8 exhorts us, "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
This mindset is a choice we make daily. Romans 8:5-8 presents us with two paths: "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." One leads to death, hostility to God, and rebellion; the other to life, peace, and pleasing God.
Our daily challenges and crises reveal which path we're on. Are we reacting based on our natural, carnal desires, or are we responding in alignment with the Holy Spirit's guidance? Our mindset – the principles, values, and life philosophy we've internalised – determines our responses.
To build a mission mindset according to God's heart, we must:
Building a mission mindset isn't about adding another task to our Christian to-do list. It's about recognising that we are all called to be on mission with God, empowered by His Spirit to be His witnesses in an ever-widening circle of influence. It's about aligning our hearts with God's heart for the lost, and allowing that alignment to shape our priorities, decisions, and actions.
As we navigate our daily lives, let's challenge ourselves: Are we living with a mission mindset? Are our thoughts and actions aligned with the Spirit's desires, or are we defaulting to our natural inclinations? Are we actively seeking opportunities to be Christ's ambassadors in our spheres of influence?
Remember, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit wasn't just a historical event – it's a present reality for every believer. We have been empowered to be on mission with God. Let's embrace this calling, allowing it to transform not just our actions, but our very mindset. As we do, we'll find ourselves part of a grand narrative that stretches from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, participating in God's redemptive work in the world.
The mission field isn't just overseas – it's in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Every interaction is an opportunity to embody Christ's love and share His message of reconciliation. As we cultivate a mission mindset, may we become ever more aware of these divine appointments, ready to be used by God in His ongoing work of drawing all people to Himself.
Let's step into each day with the mindset of Christ, eyes open to the mission field around us, hearts attuned to the Spirit's leading, and lives ready to be poured out in service of God's kingdom. For in doing so, we fulfil our highest calling – to be living testimonies of God's transforming love to a world in desperate need of hope.
Credit:
This blog was created from a sermon "Building Mission Mindset" preached by Dr Dotun Adeboye, Corporate Training Director, Christian Missionary Foundation, Nigeria
In the tapestry of faith, there's a thread that weaves through every believer's journey – the call to mission. It's not reserved for a select few, but a divine invitation extended to all who follow Christ. This mission mindset isn't just an add-on to our faith; it's intrinsic to our very identity as Christians.
The prophet Joel spoke of a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all people. "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." (Acts 2:17-18)
This prophecy marked a radical shift from the Old Testament era, where the Holy Spirit was bestowed selectively upon prophets, priests, and kings. Joel's words heralded a new age where God's Spirit would indwell all believers, regardless of age, gender, or social status. This promise found its fulfilment on the Day of Pentecost, where 120 believers were filled with the Holy Spirit – a clear demonstration that the time Joel spoke of had indeed come.
But why this outpouring? Acts 1:8 provides the answer: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit empowers us not for our own glory, but to be witnesses for Christ, extending His kingdom to the farthest corners of the world.
This mission isn't an optional extra for the super-spiritual. It's woven into the very fabric of our salvation. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."
The moment we accept Christ, we're not just saved – we're commissioned. We become ambassadors of His kingdom, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. Our lives become the medium through which God makes His appeal to the world.
But how do we cultivate this mission mindset? It starts with aligning our thoughts with Christ's. As Philippians 2:5-8 exhorts us, "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
This mindset is a choice we make daily. Romans 8:5-8 presents us with two paths: "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." One leads to death, hostility to God, and rebellion; the other to life, peace, and pleasing God.
Our daily challenges and crises reveal which path we're on. Are we reacting based on our natural, carnal desires, or are we responding in alignment with the Holy Spirit's guidance? Our mindset – the principles, values, and life philosophy we've internalised – determines our responses.
To build a mission mindset according to God's heart, we must:
- Cultivate a heart that searches for the lost, just as God called out to Adam, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9)
- Be preoccupied with the task of mission, as Jesus was. He understood His purpose and was focused on it until the end. "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." (John 4:34)
- Have concern for the salvation of all people, not just those like us. Jesus' ministry extended beyond the Jews to Gentiles, and He predicted people would come from all nations to His kingdom. (Luke 13:29)
- Develop a sense of urgency for the Great Commission. Jesus emphasised the immediacy of the task: "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4)
Building a mission mindset isn't about adding another task to our Christian to-do list. It's about recognising that we are all called to be on mission with God, empowered by His Spirit to be His witnesses in an ever-widening circle of influence. It's about aligning our hearts with God's heart for the lost, and allowing that alignment to shape our priorities, decisions, and actions.
As we navigate our daily lives, let's challenge ourselves: Are we living with a mission mindset? Are our thoughts and actions aligned with the Spirit's desires, or are we defaulting to our natural inclinations? Are we actively seeking opportunities to be Christ's ambassadors in our spheres of influence?
Remember, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit wasn't just a historical event – it's a present reality for every believer. We have been empowered to be on mission with God. Let's embrace this calling, allowing it to transform not just our actions, but our very mindset. As we do, we'll find ourselves part of a grand narrative that stretches from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, participating in God's redemptive work in the world.
The mission field isn't just overseas – it's in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Every interaction is an opportunity to embody Christ's love and share His message of reconciliation. As we cultivate a mission mindset, may we become ever more aware of these divine appointments, ready to be used by God in His ongoing work of drawing all people to Himself.
Let's step into each day with the mindset of Christ, eyes open to the mission field around us, hearts attuned to the Spirit's leading, and lives ready to be poured out in service of God's kingdom. For in doing so, we fulfil our highest calling – to be living testimonies of God's transforming love to a world in desperate need of hope.
Credit:
This blog was created from a sermon "Building Mission Mindset" preached by Dr Dotun Adeboye, Corporate Training Director, Christian Missionary Foundation, Nigeria
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