Back to the Future: Service & Mission

We are continuing our mini-series, “Back to the Future,” with the idea that sometimes we must go back to go forward. God’s basics are a firm foundation that we must revisit wherever God is leading us in the future. In this message, we are looking at service and mission. In the Great Commission, Jesus said to His disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19a). However, much of the American Church falls short of evangelizing all nations. Instead much of the church is focused on training people how to make a Sunday morning production, taking care of church facilities, teaching, and listening to sermons. However, the Church falls short of living with radical generosity towards the poor, evangelizing ethnic neighbors, and reaching a post-modern world. The Church is supposed to be like an aircraft carrier ship (not just a cruise ship). The aircraft goes on a mission and then returns to the ship to prepare for its next mission. In contrast, a cruise ship produces shows to keep people happy. The Great Commission commands followers of Christ to engage in service and make others disciples. When you are engaging in service and making disciples of others, it encourages you. Service includes loosening the chains and untying the cords and yoke of injustice, sharing your food with the hungry, and sheltering the poor wanderer. Then your light will shine like the noonday (See Isaiah 58:6-10). Pastor Leedah Wong is the pastor of a church that meets in his family home. In the family home, they invite refugees, the homeless, and single moms. Every step to love the poor is a step closer to God. Joy, peace, laughter, purpose, and meaning in life come from Jesus. Jesus washed the feet of the poor. This house church, Restore 22 (R22), lives out the instructions in Luke 14:12-24: When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.