Mission 21 Sunday
LISTEN:
Mission 21 Sunday
Nov 3, 2024
Gateway Mission: Fresh Starts, Great Friends, Real Purpose
God’s plan for all believers:
“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
Since we have been reconciled to God, we are to take the message of reconciliation to people who have not heard it.
God has a specific plan for his followers’ lives:
God tells Jeremiah that He had a purpose for him before he was born: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5).
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul tells us that God also had a purpose for him before he was born: “But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.” (Galatians 1:15-16)
And God also had a purpose for us before we were born and Paul tells us what that is: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Our gifts give us a clue to our real purpose:
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12: 4-12)
We don’t all have the gift of evangelism but we are all called to be witnesses and to testify to what God has done in our lives.
16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.” (Acts 26:16)
The outcome is not your responsibility. Leave the results to God.
Prime Candidates for Reconciliation:
People we interact with on a daily basis
People in need
Needs our partners are addressing:
Abortion-minded women. Over 1,000,000 abortions reported in the U.S. in 2023.
Estimated that 1000 kids age out of foster care every year in Tennessee:
Less than 50% will graduate from high school;
1 in 4 (25%) will be in trouble with the law within 2 years;
1 in 3 (33%) will have an unplanned pregnancy before the age of 19;
20% will become instantly homeless
Single mothers and widows: In 2023, 3 out of every 10 women in Maury County were single-women households; 30,000 women in Williamson and Maury Counties were widowed, divorced, or legally separated (up from 24,352 in 2019 (That’s a 22% increase.)
Williamson County is one of the top 25 wealthiest counties in the nation and yet there are families within 5 miles of Gateway Church living on $10,000 - $12,000/year. 37% of Franklin Special School District children are on welfare.
2023 Vanderbilt Health Poll found that 34% of families with children in Middle Tennessee classified themselves as food insecure. Every month, over 2200 families come to The Well for food.
Barriers to meeting these needs:
Not enough time
The Truth: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all else will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) and “Do not despise these small beginnings for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. . .” (Zechariah 4:10)
I have nothing to offer.
The Truth: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6) and "But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9) and “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
I’m not equipped to do this.
The Truth: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13, KJV) and “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
I don’t know how to get started.
The Truth: "If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him". (James 1:5-6) and
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths". (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Where do I start?
Visit the tables in the Great Room to learn more about current opportunities.
Visit gatewayfranklin.com to learn about and sign up for information about upcoming events.
Contact Georgetta at georgetta@gatewayfranklin.com.