Commissioned to Make a Difference: Understanding Your Purpose in God's Kingdom
Commissioned to Make a Difference: Understanding Your Purpose in God's Kingdom
In a world that often pulls us in many directions, it's vital to remember that as Christians, we have been given a clear purpose. We are commissioned by God to make a difference in our world - not just across oceans, but across streets.
What Does It Mean to Be Commissioned by God?
The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is clear: "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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Jesus begins this commission by stating that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" - setting the stage for the importance of what follows.
This isn't just a suggestion - it's a command with a promise attached: "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Jesus gives us both the responsibility to go and the assurance that we're never alone in our mission.
Acts 1:8 further clarifies this commission: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the gospel everywhere - starting in our own communities.
Why Do So Few Christians Live Out Their Commission?
There's a troubling reality we must confront: Most people believe God is real, but few people live like it. We might intellectually accept the Great Commission, but do we actually live as though we're commissioned?
This disconnect happens for several reasons:
Romans 8:11 reminds us of our true identity: "The spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you." The same power that conquered death dwells within every believer. This should radically change our perspective of who we are and what we're capable of doing.
What Can We Learn from David About Leading Our Hearts?
In 2 Samuel 23, we find a powerful story about David that teaches us three crucial principles about living out our commission:
1. Keep Your Heart in the Right Place
David was in a stronghold, thirsty, and casually mentioned wanting water from a specific well. Three of his mighty men broke through enemy lines to get it for him. But instead of drinking it, David "poured it out before the Lord," saying he couldn't drink what had been obtained at the risk of men's lives.
This teaches us that we must honor God before we honor any other desire or person. David refused to indulge his physical thirst because he recognized something more important was at stake.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
2. Have a Heart for Others
David's refusal to drink the water wasn't just about honoring God - it was about honoring the sacrifice of his men. He couldn't casually consume what had cost them so much.
This principle extends to how we view our commission. We don't share the gospel or serve others to make ourselves look good. Matthew 6 warns us not to practice our righteousness to be seen by others. Our giving, serving, and witnessing should flow from genuine love for others, not a desire for recognition.
Jeremiah 29:7 instructs us to "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." When we genuinely care about the well-being of our communities, we'll naturally fulfill our commission.
3. Lead Your Heart, Don't Follow It
David didn't follow his natural desires - he led his heart according to God's priorities. Proverbs 23 instructs us to "be wise and direct your heart in the way."
We don't follow our hearts; we lead them. We direct them toward God's truth and priorities. This means keeping the mission in front of us, protecting our hearts from discouragement, and regularly reminding ourselves of our identity in Christ.
Life Application
The challenge before us is clear: Will we live as commissioned people or comfortable Christians? Here are some practical ways to apply this message:
Ask yourself these questions this week:
Remember, you're not just saved - you're commissioned. God didn't save you to tame you but to empower you to make a difference in your world, starting right where you are.
In a world that often pulls us in many directions, it's vital to remember that as Christians, we have been given a clear purpose. We are commissioned by God to make a difference in our world - not just across oceans, but across streets.
What Does It Mean to Be Commissioned by God?
The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is clear: "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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Jesus begins this commission by stating that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" - setting the stage for the importance of what follows.
This isn't just a suggestion - it's a command with a promise attached: "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Jesus gives us both the responsibility to go and the assurance that we're never alone in our mission.
Acts 1:8 further clarifies this commission: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the gospel everywhere - starting in our own communities.
Why Do So Few Christians Live Out Their Commission?
There's a troubling reality we must confront: Most people believe God is real, but few people live like it. We might intellectually accept the Great Commission, but do we actually live as though we're commissioned?
This disconnect happens for several reasons:
- We've become comfortable in our faith
- We fear rejection or ridicule
- We don't fully grasp the power we've been given
- We prioritize the praise of people over the praise of God
Romans 8:11 reminds us of our true identity: "The spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you." The same power that conquered death dwells within every believer. This should radically change our perspective of who we are and what we're capable of doing.
What Can We Learn from David About Leading Our Hearts?
In 2 Samuel 23, we find a powerful story about David that teaches us three crucial principles about living out our commission:
1. Keep Your Heart in the Right Place
David was in a stronghold, thirsty, and casually mentioned wanting water from a specific well. Three of his mighty men broke through enemy lines to get it for him. But instead of drinking it, David "poured it out before the Lord," saying he couldn't drink what had been obtained at the risk of men's lives.
This teaches us that we must honor God before we honor any other desire or person. David refused to indulge his physical thirst because he recognized something more important was at stake.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
2. Have a Heart for Others
David's refusal to drink the water wasn't just about honoring God - it was about honoring the sacrifice of his men. He couldn't casually consume what had cost them so much.
This principle extends to how we view our commission. We don't share the gospel or serve others to make ourselves look good. Matthew 6 warns us not to practice our righteousness to be seen by others. Our giving, serving, and witnessing should flow from genuine love for others, not a desire for recognition.
Jeremiah 29:7 instructs us to "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." When we genuinely care about the well-being of our communities, we'll naturally fulfill our commission.
3. Lead Your Heart, Don't Follow It
David didn't follow his natural desires - he led his heart according to God's priorities. Proverbs 23 instructs us to "be wise and direct your heart in the way."
We don't follow our hearts; we lead them. We direct them toward God's truth and priorities. This means keeping the mission in front of us, protecting our hearts from discouragement, and regularly reminding ourselves of our identity in Christ.
Life Application
The challenge before us is clear: Will we live as commissioned people or comfortable Christians? Here are some practical ways to apply this message:
- Examine your priorities: Ask yourself, "Am I living for the applause of people or the applause of nail-scarred hands? Am I trying to make a name for myself or make the name of Jesus famous?"
- Serve beyond your comfort zone: Consider how you might serve others with no expectation of recognition. Could you bless a server during typical church hours? Could you pray for another church in your community?
- Create reminders of your identity: Just as David kept Goliath's armor in his tent to remind himself he was a giant-killer, what could you place in your home or workspace to remind you of who you are in Christ?
- Lead your heart daily: Make intentional choices that align with God's priorities, not just your feelings or desires.
- Pray for revival beyond your walls: Ask God to move powerfully in your entire community, not just in your church.
Ask yourself these questions this week:
- What am I doing when no one is looking that demonstrates my commitment to Christ?
- How am I using the power of the Holy Spirit to witness in my "Jerusalem" (my immediate community)?
- What steps am I taking to lead my heart rather than follow it?
- Am I becoming more like the person God has called me to be each day?
Remember, you're not just saved - you're commissioned. God didn't save you to tame you but to empower you to make a difference in your world, starting right where you are.
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