God works through ordinary people whose lives overflow with his love in their daily existence. That’s what God did on that first Pentecost and that is what God still does today. If you ask people how they came to faith, they might refer to a particular worship service, revival, or event; however, typically they will name a person – a friend, colleague or family member who inspired them or encouraged them to know Jesus for themselves. That is what is means to be an everyday missionary.
To share the Good News of Jesus
in our everyday ordinary lives
empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told the disciples, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
Being ‘sent as Jesus’ means at least three things:
Being sent to be with others.
Being sent for the sake of others.
Being sent for the transformation of others
Jesus was constantly aware of the opportunities each day provided to share the Father’s love with someone he met, whether visiting friends’ homes, at ‘social events’, when having time off, or even when traveling from one place to another.
He did not ‘do’ mission. His whole life was mission.
Jesus was the ‘Holy One’ in an unholy world. He was not led by the culture, but rather engaged with the culture. Jesus defined normal discipleship as being a choice to live as a servant of God for the sake of others.
Every disciple of Jesus is called to be an everyday missionary, sent into the routines of daily life to seek out those God created opportunities to serve those they meet with God’s love, in word or deed. Jesus’ life under the anointing of the Spirit meant that people’s lives were transformed. The Holy Spirit changes lives as people see and respond to Jesus in us.
Being sent as Jesus means engaging with everyday life believing that God has sent us to this place at a time to meet these people for his purposes. It means being present in everyday life as a servant of God for the sake of others and praying for a fullness of the Spirit so that He might overflow through us in all circumstances.
BrianY ~ excerpts from sermon “Everyday Missionary” based on the Preaching Inspire resource.
Brian and Misty are Inspire Missioners based in Louisiana with their daughter Sarah. They fund-raise support for their day-to-day living costs and ministry expenses. Click here to read more of their reflections and adventures.
