The Tension Bridge

Big Idea You’ll be on mission for God IF AND ONLY IF you are reflective. = Mission IFF Reflection (IFF)

What is our mission? Matt 28:16-20  16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

What is our mission? Matt 28:16-20  16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

“The Weight of Glory” by C.S. Lewis “It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities [indeed one or the other is an eventuality], it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them,

“The Weight of Glory” by C.S. Lewis that we should conduct all our dealings with one another… all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit.” -- C.S. Lewis, “The Weight of Glory”

What is our mission? Acts 20: 22-24  22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

What is reflection? Reflection is: Seeing well

Reflection is seeing well… Mark 8:11-21  11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.  14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

Reflection is seeing well… 16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied.

Reflection is seeing well… 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

What is reflection? Reflection is: Seeing well Being redirectable

What is reflection? Reflection is: Seeing well Being redirectable Remembering 1 Samuel 7:12  Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

What is an Ebenezer?

Mission Needs Reflection Seeing well increases our effectiveness Being redirectable keeps us on target

“The Silver Chair” by C.S. Lewis

“The Silver Chair” by C.S. Lewis Puddleglum the Marshwiggle

“The Silver Chair” by C.S. Lewis The Castle of Harfang

Competing Missions Image Physical Appearance Pleasure Making Money Getting the Next Thing Entertainment Being Respected by People Physical or Social Comfort

Mission Needs Reflection Seeing well increases our effectiveness Being redirectable keeps us on target Remembering empowers mission

Remembering Empowers Mission 2 Timothy 1:5-8  5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 

Reflection Needs Mission The Dead Sea 1,388 feet BELOW sea level 8.6 times MORE SALTY than the ocean Has NO MEANINGFUL OUTLET

Big Idea You’ll be on mission for God IF AND ONLY IF (IFF) you are reflective. = Mission IFF Reflection

Mission IFF Reflection Do you need to lean into true reflection? Ask heart level questions and be open to conviction Have your eyes open to see well the world and people around you as God sees them Remember what God has done in your life to inspire you Do you need to lean into the mission of God's Kingdom? Pursue one person with the intentional goal of having influence in their life Begin praying for people around your life with the mission in mind Read “Organic Disciplemaking” and get a vision for what making disciples could look like