The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren—A Synopsis (continued). Chapter 36—Made for a Mission (pages 281-288) Summary The fifth purpose God would have the believer to understand is his mission. The believer’s ministry is to believers, but his mission is to unbelievers. Past chapters have explained the believer’s first four purposes for his life, to love God (worship), to be a part of his family (fellowship), to become like Christ (spiritual growth), to serve God through ministry (to serve believers) and now, in this chapter, the fifth purpose for the believer’s life is to fulfill his mission (telling others about Christ). The believers mission is both shared (with other believers in the Body of Christ) and unique (specific). The believer’s mission is extremely important for the following reasons: 1. It is a continuation of Jesus’ mission on earth. After a believer comes to Jesus in faith, he is then, by the specific and repeated command of Christ, to go for Him into the entire world and bring the lost to Him. 2. It is a wonderful privilege. The Christian’s mission involves two great privileges: (1) working with God and (2) representing God. It is a distinct honor to partner with God in reaching those who are without Him, and there can be greater honor than being God’s personal ambassador in this world. 3. It is the most important thing that can be done for mankind. The believer must always be aware how hopeless and empty a life without Christ can be; therefore, the grandest gift he can give to any lost person is a clear understanding how he may have a fulfilling life on earth and eternal life by faith alone in Christ alone. Yes, it is important and compassionate to feed and care for those who are less fortunate in the material things of life. This should not be avoided, but absolutely nothing is more important for man than the salvation of his soul. 4. It has eternal significance. A believer is so designed by God to be best suited to reach certain lost individuals. God honors a believer with eternal rewards each time he reaches out to a lost person with the gospel of Jesus Christ, even if God’s salvation is rejected. It is important to share Christ wherever a believer may find himself, at work, at play, at home, on vacation, in church and out of it. Nothing will matter more, because the believer’s mission to bring the lost to Christ will have eternal consequences; his job or career will not. 5. It provides meaning during this life. Nothing provides a believer more joy, satisfaction and fulfillment in this life than the on-going administration of his mission to reach the lost for Christ. For the believer to avoid his mission is to waste his life. 6. It is connected to God’s timetable for history. Christians are more interested than ever before in the return of Christ to earth. Although the exact time cannot be known, there is one thing for certain. God’s timetable is established and it is connect to His outreach to the lost in this world through His Church (the composition of the Body of Christ by every believer). Anyone interested in Christ’s return should be doing everything possible to bring the lost into the fold before that glorious event. The believer will pay a cost to fulfill his mission in this life; he can count on it. The cost will be the abandonment of a personal agenda as the believer accepts God’s agenda for his life. It will also mean less personal attention and more disapproval and/or persecution by “friends,” neighbors and strangers. But nothing is more important to God than “bringing just one more lost soul to Jesus Christ!” This must be the believer’s mission-focus each day of his life. Quotes “God wants you to have both a ministry in the Body of Christ and a mission in the world.” (pg. 281) “Jesus calls us not only to come to Him, but to go for Him.” (pg. 282) “You are the only Christian some people will ever know, and your mission is to share Jesus with them.” (pg. 283) “Jesus has secured our salvation, put us in His family, given us His Spirit, and then made us His agents in the world.” (pg. 283) “The consequences of your mission will last forever; the consequences of your job will not. (pg. 284) “We will have all of eternity to celebrate with those we have brought to Jesus, but we only have our lifetime in which to reach them.” (pg. 284) “The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.” (pg. 285) “If you fail to fulfill your God-given mission on earth, you will have wasted the life God gave you.” (pg. 285) “It is easy to get distracted and sidetracked from your mission because Satan would rather have you do anything besides sharing your faith.” (pg. 286) “There is almost nothing God won’t do for the man or woman who is committed to serving the kingdom of God.” (pg. 287) “If you want to be used by God, you must care about what God cares about; what He cares about most is the redemption of the people He made.” (pg. 288) Scriptures John 17:18; Acts 20:24; Colossians 1:25; 1 Corinthians 12:5; John 20:21; Luke 2:49; John 19:30; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 20; Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19, 20; Ezekiel 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:18; 6:1; 5:20; Acts 4:12; John 9:4; Acts 20:24; 1:7, 8; Matthew 24:36; 24:14; Luke 9:62; 22:42; Romans 6:13b; Matthew 6:33. Conclusion/Comments Besides ministering to other believers, a Christian must fulfill his mission in life. His mission is shared by all believers, which is to reach out to the lost in this world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing is dearer to the heart of God then bringing those of His creation back to Him through Christ. Nothing is a greater privilege or brings more fulfillment for the believer than to bring the lost to Christ. And nothing will accrue greater or more rewards for the believer in all eternity than completing his mission by bringing lost souls to the saving knowledge of and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.