God’s Plan and Purpose (Part-5)

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Plan your mission. Happy reading!)

We have been talking about God’s Plan and Purpose for quite some time now. And today I would conclude it with the fifth purpose that God has in store for each one of us. As we see His wondrous plan, and understand His purpose- in us, for us and through us, we must align our lives more and more to fulfil those things that are revealed to us. We can go after it with a passion for God and His purposes.

The fifth purpose that I want to share today is found in Matt. 28:18-20.

And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Yes, this is the Great Commission; Not only did Jesus invite all saying, “Come to Me” (John 7:37) but He also said GO FOR ME! We have been created for a MISSION. And that mission is to represent our Lord Jesus on this earth; GO for Him. Jesus wants us to be His spokesperson, His ambassadors, reconciling the people of this world to Him. This is a great privilege given to us; it is not given to the angels and other heavenly creatures, but to ALL BELIEVERS.

Our going out for Him is not based on assumption, or presumption, but is based on this great commission; we are SENT out by Jesus into the nations of the world and with His authority we GO.

John 20:21 says “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And our mission statement is reconciliation- reconciliation between God and man. Jesus came from heaven to do the reconciliation between God and the sinful man, by paying the price of sin-even death on the cross; and we are called to reconcile God and man by preaching the remission of sins (salvation) in the name of Jesus, appealing to those who would listen. 1 Cor 5:20 goes like this: Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Mission with Words

For He {God the Father} made Him {Jesus} who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor. 5:21). This is our preaching, this is the word of reconciliation. Many people cannot see or hear from God directly, but they can see us and hear us speak the word of reconciliation. Beloved, lo He is with you always; and therefore you must fulfil your MISSION. Romans 10:14 says: How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Mission with Compassion

We are in these interesting times, living a fast-paced and busy lifestyle. I know each one of us have our own schedules, agenda- a plan that we would want to fulfil, for that day. And in our rushing about, we tend to ignore the people in need around us, and do our ‘own thing’. 

My mind goes back to the parable of Jesus about the Good Samaritan: Here was a man wounded by robbers and almost dying right on the road. Yet, there was the Levite and the Priest who pass him by on the other side. Maybe they too had their schedules and agenda, and were busy fulfilling them. But then, there was the Samaritan, who had compassion on the wounded traveller. Of course, the Samaritan too had schedules (who doesn’t!), and that is why he told the inn-keeper that he will make further payments on his return. 

Now, what is important in mission is compassion. That is why we say PASSION FOR GOD and COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE. It is good to have passion for God; but to fulfil the great commission we also need great compassion for His people. The Pharisees got it all wrong, when they thought that all they were doing and did was to fulfil God’s law. Jesus chides them in Matt. 9:13 saying: “But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy {compassion} and not sacrifice…”

You are going to miss out on one of God’s purposes, if you do not “go and learn” compassion. If our believing in Jesus is true, then God’s love has already been poured out into our hearts. Paul says in 2 Cor. 5:14 “For the love of Christ compels [controls] us…”

Mission with Essence

We, as believers, ought to be under His influence- and Christ’s love should control us. Jesus is the light of this world (John 8:12). But Jesus also said to His disciples on that day, in the Sermon on the Mount: You are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). We are called to be the visible influence to those around us in darkness. Matt. 5:13 says that we are also the salt of the earth; and it is the invisible influence that we leave in others.

The Bible also talks about believers being the fragrance of Christ (2 Cor. 2:15). These spiritual qualities of having (salt) the essence, showing (light) the essence and spreading (fragrance) the essence-of Christ in us, must mark the life of every believer.

Mission with Due Diligence

Peter encourages us: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. (1 Peter 3:15)

Paul says: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes… (Romans 1:16)

Jesus said: I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:4)

If you are a youth, time and health are in your favour; and the mission can take wings as you move about. For in old age, though your spirit will be willing, the flesh may become weak. We, in India, have freedom now to preach the gospel- it is still day here; and so we can work the works of Jesus, who sent us on this great commission. There may come a night time, even before Jesus’ return, when no one can work.

Mission with Discipline and Goal

Paul says: Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. (1 Cor. 9:26)

If you do not have the discipline within you, your fighting would be vain- just beating the air. If you do not have a goal, your race is bound to end sooner than later. That is why it is important to find your purpose in God.

Think about your close relatives and friends; people who have not heard of the remission of sins in Christ Jesus and who have not been reconciled to God. We, as His disciples, have been commissioned just to be His mouth-piece. In this commission we are in, we must move with compassion, and work with diligence, and aim for the crown of completion. God is with us; He has given us authority, for we are His ambassadors. He will make all the arrangements for our stay and travel here- Surely He will make a way.

Let me quickly recap on the FIVE purposes of God for each one of us:

1. We have been created FOR HIM, and for His pleasure. Therefore our lives must revolve around Him, just as the planets revolve around the sun. Our primary purpose here is to a God-centric life.
2. We are created to BECOME LIKE JESUS. We are being changed from sinful human race, and are being renewed and transformed day by day to conform to the image of Christ Jesus. Every person, and every situation and every trial in our lives are driving us toward this purpose for which we were created.
3. We have been created FOR HIS FAMILY of God’s children. We are not alone; we are called for fellowship with one another in the body of Christ. Love for God is demonstrated by our love for one another. We ARE family because of Jesus.
4. We have been created FOR SERVICE. We have been ‘shaped’ to serve God with all that we have. And that includes our spiritual gifts, our heart’s passion, our abilities and talents, our personality and every painful and joyful experience.
5. We are created FOR a MISSION of reconciliation of those lost to our one God in Christ. Having a passion for God and a compassion for the people, will help us go the full way in fulfilling God’s mission in our sphere of influence. Being His mouth-piece, we must work with diligence and aim for completion.

Many of God’s children accomplished and fulfilled their purpose in their generation. But let me read to you what Jesus said in John 17: “I have glorified You on the earth, I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (John 17:4).

Have a balnced view on ALL of God's purposes (and not just one or two; even some churches are guilty of concentrating on one or two of God's purposes). May God give us a revelation of His purposes for our lives, and may we live a purpose driven life and finish our work here on earth. And finally, we want to hear these words from our Master: Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of the Lord. Amen.