“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” – Matthew 28:19
Our Purpose in Missional Living
As we explore missional living, we discover that our purpose as Christians is to reflect God’s love and spread the Gospel. Living missionally means being active participants in God’s mission in our communities and around the world. We realize that each of us has a part to play in sharing the hope of Christ with those around us. This living out our faith goes beyond merely attending church; it involves being the hands and feet of Christ in the world. When we embrace our purpose, we trust that God uses us in His plan to bring others closer to Him.
Matthew 28:19
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” – Matthew 28:19
2 Corinthians 5:20
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20
John 20:21
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’” – John 20:21
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
Isaiah 6:8
“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’” – Isaiah 6:8
The Call to Serve Others
In missional living, we recognize our call to serve others, just as Jesus demonstrated throughout his ministry. Serving goes beyond our comfort zones, challenging us to engage with people from all walks of life. It is in serving that we show the love of Christ in tangible ways. We are called to meet the needs of those around us, providing help and support. Serving not only blesses others but also enriches our own faith journey and draws us closer to God’s heart for the world.
Galatians 5:13
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” – Galatians 5:13
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:3-4
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38
1 Peter 4:10
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Living Authentically in Faith
Living missionally means walking out our faith authentically. We are called to reflect the character of Christ in our daily lives, demonstrating love, kindness, and honesty. Authenticity draws people to us and opens the door to share our faith. When we live out our beliefs without compromise, we can effectively communicate the love of God to those around us. Our actions should mirror our words, making our evangelism genuine and relatable.
Titus 2:7-8
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” – Titus 2:7-8
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
1 John 2:6
“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” – 1 John 2:6
James 2:14-17
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” – James 2:14-17
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Sharing Our Faith Boldly
As we immerse ourselves in missional living, we must be bold in sharing our faith. The Great Commission reminds us to proclaim the Gospel to all nations. Sharing our faith is not just a suggestion; it is a command from Jesus. It can happen in many ways, from casual conversations to intentional outreach. We find encouragement in knowing that the Holy Spirit empowers us to witness effectively, giving us the confidence to speak truth and love into the lives of others.
Acts 4:20
“For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” – Acts 4:20
Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” – Romans 1:16
1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” – 1 Peter 3:15
Matthew 10:32
“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 10:32
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
The Role of Prayer in Missional Living
Prayer is a vital part of living on mission. It connects us to God and strengthens our spiritual vitality as we step out in faith. When we pray, we align our hearts with God’s will and ask for His guidance in our missional endeavors. Through prayer, we gain the courage to act, the wisdom to speak, and the sensitivity to recognize opportunities to serve. Our commitment to prayer fuels our passion for reaching others and equips us for the work ahead.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
James 5:16
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – James 5:16
Colossians 4:3-4
“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison – that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” – Colossians 4:3-4
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Ephesians 6:18
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:18
Impacting Our Communities
When we engage in missional living, we become agents of change in our communities. We build relationships, demonstrate Christ-like love, and meet real needs around us. Being involved in community service, outreach programs, and local missions enables us to show God’s love in practical ways. Our presence within the community creates opportunities to build connections that often lead to deeper conversations about faith. We recognize that sometimes our actions can speak louder than words, and we seek to create positive change wherever we go.
Jeremiah 29:7
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” – Jeremiah 29:7
Matthew 25:40
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” – Matthew 25:40
Proverbs 11:11
“By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.” – Proverbs 11:11
Luke 10:25-37
“He replied, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.’” – Luke 10:25-37
Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14
Final Thoughts
In exploring the concept of missional living, we have seen that it is about engaging with our communities, serving others, and sharing our faith boldly. We have a purpose to fulfill as we live authentically, trusting God to work through us to impact the world. Through prayer and genuine action, we can bring hope and light to those around us. As we continue to embrace missional living, we should be encouraged to take steps forward in our love for others and commitment to God’s mission.
Let’s challenge ourselves to be a part of God’s plan and purpose. We can accomplish great things together, so let us get involved, serve our neighbors, and open our hearts to those around us. If you want to grow deeper in your walk with God, check out our other resources on fulfilling God’s purpose and fulfilling God’s plan.