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Welcome to Life Series, a podcast from Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church. Where we gather together to experience cause love and grow in that love and give that love back to each other.

Speaker 0:33

Our main scripture passages will be Acts 11, 19 to 26, and Matthew 28, 19 as we explore what it truly means to live out God's mission. Every community is shaped by the way people live, think, and work together. The people who serve in our community influence our culture, our safety, our education, and even our daily routines. Government leaders create laws and make decisions that guide society. Educators shape how students learn and grow. The media informs us about events and issues that affect our lives. Business owners provide goods, services, and employment. Law enforcement officers protect citizens and uphold justice. Religious leaders offer spiritual guidance and organize service to others. These are only a few examples, but one thing is clear. People in positions of influence are often held to a higher standard because of the influence they carry. Christians fall within this sphere of influence. And whether we hold a formal, formal, formal title or not, the name Christian alone places us in a position of spiritual visibility. Many believers faithfully participate in church attendance, Bible study, outreach, prayer, evangelism, and service. Yet activity alone does not define our identity as Christians. Have you ever paused to understand what is the Christian's mission? My topic tonight is our Christian mission. Before we can understand the true mission of a Christian, we must pause and ask: what does it truly mean to be a Christian? This understanding becomes the foundation for everything that follows. I want to give you a brief historical context. The word Christian first appears in Acts 11, 26, when Barnabas and Saul ministered in Antioch. And I will read from the message version. They were there a whole year meeting with the church and teaching a lot of people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. Antioch was one of the largest and most influential cities in the Roman Empire and a home to a significant Jewish population. After Stephen's death, believers in Jerusalem and Judea faced intense persecution and fled to other regions such as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. However, those who went to Antioch began speaking to the Greeks about Jesus. The gospel spread rapidly, and the Jews and Gentiles alike believed, and scripture says, that the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number of who believed turned to the Lord. Acts 11, 21. As this diverse community of believers grew, the people of Antioch needed a name to describe this new group whose life was centered around Jesus Christ. Thus, the term Christian, followers of Christ, was born. Before Antioch, the followers of Jesus were known as disciples. That said, the name Christian continues to represent not just religious affiliation, but a way of life centered around following Jesus Christ. As such, whether we carry a formal religious title or not, the title itself influences people to look for specific qualities and responsibilities. Qualities such as integrity, compassion, humility, consistency, and Christ-like characters. The question becomes: do we hold ourselves to the standard that the Christian name represents? Reflect on that for a moment. To be a Christian is to follow the teachings of Christ, accept the gift of grace and salvation, and to live in a way that reflects his character to the world. Now that we understand how the Christian name came about and the weight it carries, we must examine. If we are, if this is who we are, then what is expected of us? And what does a Christian's life and mission look like in practical everyday terms? When we carry the name Christian, we carry more than a title. We carry an identity, as mentioned, and reflects Christ Himself. The early believers in Antioch were called Christians because their lives clearly resembled the life and teachings of Jesus. Acts 11, 26. This is where sometimes we fall short, but the expectations remain today. The expectation scripture gives us to love God wholeheartedly. Jesus described this as the greatest commandment when he said we must love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. Matthew 22, 37. This is the foundation of Christian living. Our mission begins not with what we do, but with love. A Christian's life is anchored in devotion to God, devotion that shapes our decisions, values, and priorities. Flowing from this, Jesus also taught us to love others deeply. The second greatest commandment, Matthew 22, 39. He added that the world would recognize his disciples by the way we love one another. John 13, 35. Love is not just an emotion, it is the visible evidence of our faith. It shows up in how we treat people, how we speak, how we forgive, and how we respond to others. Jesus also taught us that our light should shine before others so that they may see all good works for the glory and glory and glorify, sorry, our Father in heaven, Matthew 5, 16. This means our character should mirror his or compassion or integrity or humility or patience. People must be able to look at our lives and see glimpses of Jesus. Paul urges us, urges believers to be imitators of God and to walk in love. Ephesians 1 to 2. It reads, Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. Love like that. That is from the message version. We are also expected to obey God's word. Jesus said, If you love me, keep my commandments. John 14, 15, reminding us that obedience is an expression of love, not legalism. James reinforces this command by urging believers to be doers of the word and not hearers only. James 1 22. Christians are called to align their lives with scripture even when it challenges us or calls us to change. God also expects his people to grow spiritually. Faith is not meant to be stagnant. Peter encourages believers, grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Second Peter 3, 18. Spiritual maturity develops through prayer, study, worship, and consistent pursuit of God. We must also serve others. Jesus recognized this when he said he came not to be served, but to serve. Mark 10 45. And Peter reinforces this teaching when he said that every believer had been given gifts to use for the benefits of others. First Peter 4 10. Service is not an optional activity, it is a core expression of Christ-like living. Yet another expectation is that we must be holy. God calls his people to be holy because he is holy. First Peter 1 16. Paul urges believers to not conform to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of all minds. Romans 12 2. Holiness, thus, does not mean perfection, but it does mean being set apart, choosing to live in a way that honors God. And I will repeat that. Holiness does not mean perfection, but it means being set apart, choosing to live in a way that honors God. Forgiveness, which is central to a Christian's life, is often difficult, but it is a powerful testimony of God's grace at work in us. Paul instructs believers to forgive as the Lord forgive. Colossians 3, 13. Finally, we are expected to persevere in faith. Jesus said that those who endure to the end will be saved. Matthew 24, 13. The Christian journey is not always easy, but scripture encourages us to run with endurance the race set before us. Hebrews 12, 1. Perseverance reveals trust. Trust that God is with us, strengthening us and guiding us through every season. Believe me when I say these are just some of what people expect from the ones who carry the Christian title. With all these expectations and demonstrating these Christ-like characteristics, what then is our mission? Our great mission is to embrace the call to share the gospel. Jesus commissioned us to go and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28, 19. This, my friend, was not given for pastors alone. It was given for every believer. It was given for you, it was given for me. As the followers of Jesus did in Antioch, they began speaking to Jews and Gentiles alike, who were believers and non-believers. Barnabas and Saul supported that mission when they stayed in Antioch an entire year. To do so, Peter reminds us to always be ready to give an answer for the hope we have. 1 Peter 3, 15. Being ready means that we must honor Christ as Lord because hope begins in the heart. Live visibly, hopeful lives, because people notice and ask. Know the word of God clearly because you can explain your hope. Prepare intentionally because it requires discipline. Answer in gentleness and respect because it reflects Christ's character. Stay anchored in Christ because hope remains steady in trials. We are called to be witnesses of Christ whether we go and wherever we go, and these expectations form a picture of what it means to live as a follower of Christ. They are not burdens meant to weigh us down, but invitations to life, to live a life shaped by love, character, and a mission of Jesus. So I ask you, who do you want to encourage in your daily path? Let us not be hearers of the word, but doers. Let us follow the example of Christ to encourage our communities and help others to receive the gift of salvation. Before I close, I want to leave you with a moment of reflection, something personal, honest between you and God. If someone were to observe your life this week, your words, your choices, your attitude, your responses, would they see Christ in you? Not perfection, not performance, but evidence, evidence of love, growth, and a heart that belongs to Christ. Take a moment and ask yourself, where is God calling you to grow? Where who is God calling you to love? What part of your life needs to better reflect Christ? And who in your daily path is God inviting you to encourage or reach with the hope of the gospel? This reflection is not meant to condemn but awaken. It is an invitation, each of us need to realign our identity with our mission, to live in a way that honors the name we carry, Christian. As we prepare our hearts in prayer, let us honestly examine ourselves, acknowledge our shortcomings, and ask God to help us to grow. May He strengthen us on this journey as we influence both believers and non-believers alike, pointing them toward the gift of salvation that has been graciously promised to us. As we pray, Father, we thank you tonight for your word, for your truth, and for the privilege of carrying the name Christian. Thank you for calling us, saving us, and inviting us into a mission that is bigger than ourselves. Lord, help us to love you with all our heart, soul, and mind. Help us to love others the way you love us. Shape our character so that our lives reflect Jesus every place we go. Give us the courage to obey your word, the desire to grow spiritually, and the humility to serve others with the gift you have given us. Strengthen us to live wholly, set apart lives. Teach us to forgive as you have forgiven us. And when the journey becomes difficult, give us the endurance to keep running the race set before us. Most of all, God, ignite us into a passion to share the gospel, to speak boldly, to love deeply, and to shine brightly so that others may come to know the hope we have in you. Tonight, Lord, this word we take, let this word take root in our hearts. Let it transform us, guide us, and send us out with purpose. May our lives bring glory and honor to your name. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you for joining us tonight. I invite you to join us next Wednesday for another Refuel Broadcast as we continue to celebrate this month's series titled Mission. God bless you.

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Thank you for worshiping with us today. If you'd like to go deeper in your work with Christ, we invite you to contact us at 284-442-4222 or email.