Mission

Introduction

Most companies have a tagline to make name recognition easier and to encapsulate the companies purpose with their name. Let’s try a few to see if you know the connections:

Nike — Just do it.

Capital One — What’s in your wallet?

Burger King — Have it your way.

Bounty — The quicker picker-upper.

Federal Express — When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.

Hallmark — When you care enough to send the very best

M&Ms — The milk chocolate melts in your mouth, not in your hand

Many of these same companies have mission statements. These are short sometimes pithy statements designed to convey the company’s purpose so that all employees know their roles and goals in a broad sense. Let’s try these mission statements and see if you know the company.

To be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. — Amazon

To refresh the world…To inspire moments of optimism and happiness…To create value and make a difference. — Coca-Cola

We save people money so they can live better. — Wal-Mart

And then there are those mission statements that maybe leave us scratching our heads a bit:

“Utilize the power of Moore’s Law to bring smart, connected devices to every person on earth. — Intel

To be one of the world’s leading producers and providers of entertainment and information, using its portfolio of brands to differentiate its content, services and consumer products. — Disney

to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport by bringing compelling mass market electric cars to market as soon as possible. — Tesla

A company does not come up with a mission statement overnight. Time, energy, and contemplative thought is given to create a statement that captures the mind of employees and those who view the company externally. Some things work well and other things do not. But the attempt to capture in a short and concise way how a company will operate and its broad goals for commerce. What would be the mission statement for those who are following Jesus? Today we are going to look at what has been called the Great Commission. It is Jesus’ statement to the disciples before his ascension and in many ways it is our mission statement for life.

Intention and Goal

Jesus’ statement is not difficult to understand. The difficulty lies in implementing. The greater difficulty beyond implementation is how each person is to fulfill his or her role in that mission. Just before Jesus ascends into heaven he has one final set of instructions for them. This statement is expressly given as a goal statement. Jesus declares that all authority resides in him. Following his death and resurrection, Jesus has been completely revealed as the Christ. He is the chosen one of God. All things are now completely and fully under the authority of Jesus. This doesn’t mean that evil was stopped for all time but that evil does not have the final word about one’s standing with God. Jesus overthrew Satan and with that brought a remedy for evil — forgiveness and salvation.

With full authority now belonging to Jesus, he commissions his disciples to carry on his work. The ministry of Jesus did not end with him. His ascension was not the end. Now others are to carry on his work. These disciples are told to go and make disciples of all nations. The work of Jesus was never to be limited to the Jews alone. Jesus spoke of the Gentiles being brought into the kingdom during his ministry. Jesus spent time with non-Jews to bring them closer to God. Now the disciples are to carry on this mission as well. All people are welcome to draw near to God. The word for “go” is used in a variety of ways throughout the NT. Here is carries the idea of wandering from place to place. It is the idea that as the disciples go about life they are to remember their mission. Go and make disciples. For these disciples they will not stay in one place for very long. They are going to be wanderers. Their specific mission is to go to various places and in their going their main purpose is to make disciples.

We are not wanderers in the same way but the mission is the same. Wherever we go we go with making disciples in mind. Just as it was the disciples role, so it is ours. You go to work tomorrow and you will do your job, but your mission is not make the company money or to make money yourself. Your mission is to make disciples. Most companies do not want or allow conversation about a number of matters because it has the potential to disrupt business. But making disciples can be done in a variety of ways

Pray for your co-workers and do not be afraid to allow them to know that you are doing so. Listen to co-workers who share the challenges of life and take that as an invitation to pray for them and to share that you are going to do that.

When others complain, you will find a way to express a view that uplifts and encourages. I’m not saying be a Pollyanna that always sees the good but to acknowledge that in this challenge and often unfair situation that you are committed to trying to do your job well. Maybe begin to sing softly Jesus Loves Me and see what happens.

Share with your co-workers in tangible ways. Give simple gifts of baked goods or a bookmark that includes a quotation from a secular source that endorses God’s view or provide a DVD that reveals God’s nature in this world. See Bob Forrest for suggestions.

Our interaction with people gives us opportunities to demonstrate that our purpose in this world is not merely to make it to retirement and get out of the rat race. Nor is our purpose to find the best vacation site or the best restaurant or the best cup of coffee. Nothing wrong with retirement, vacations, restaurants, and coffee but our mission in this world is far greater. We are here to help people see Jesus.

Notice briefly that when Jesus arrived at the mountain that the disciples worshiped him but some doubted. The word for doubt doesn’t mean faithlessness. It means uncertainty. This is the human condition. Jesus is getting ready to leave. The disciples worship but there is uncertainty. We know life in one way and then we must learn it in another. Uncertainty. An opportunity presents itself and we see it and we know it and we are uncertain. Do I speak? Do I frown and show disapproval? Do I remain silent and trust that God can use my silence? And then suddenly the opportunity is gone and you recognize that doing nothing was not the best option. When Jesus spoke the words to go, he was speaking certainty to uncertain disciples. You will go. You will speak. You will make disciples. Do not allow your uncertainty to speak for you. I am with you. I have authority. I commission you. I am with you. Uncertainty is common. Mission looks beyond uncertainty. Invitation.

Follow Jesus

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