A Multiplying Mission & Message

The Mission and Message: Sharing Hope in a Dark World

This past week, especially, we have seen and felt the heaviness of sin and the darkness of this world: from the stabbing of a Ukranian refugee in North Carolina to the beheading of an Indian immigrant in Dallas to the the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It is exactly into this darkness that Jesus stepped to bring us hope – and that hope is the mission and message He has given us to take to the world desperately in need of it!

Three Essential Truths for Today

Before diving deeper, let’s establish three foundational truths:

Our world is desperately in need of Jesus
We have the life-changing news our world needs
This world is not our home, but we’re called to seek the good of the city where God has placed us

These truths frame our understanding of the mission we’ve been given as followers of Christ.

What Does Colossians Teach Us About Our Mission?

In Colossians 1:24-29, Paul outlines a powerful framework for understanding our mission as believers. He begins by making a startling statement: “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake.” (v. 24)

This seems counterintuitive. Who rejoices in suffering? Yet Paul understood something profound – his suffering for Christ encouraged others to hold fast to their faith. When we suffer for our faith and remain steadfast, it strengthens others around us.

How Can Suffering Encourage Others?

Throughout history, we’ve seen how the suffering of believers has led to the expansion of God’s kingdom:

William Carey endured seven years of hardship in India before seeing his first convert, yet today the church in India is thriving
Mehdi Dibaj spent nearly 10 years in an Iranian prison for his faith, refusing to recant despite torture. In 1977, there were only 2,700 evangelical Christians in Iran; today there are around 55,000 evangelical Christians in Iran!

This past week we witnessed how Charlie Kirk’s faith has led to encouraging boldness among Christians and caused non-Christians to consider the Bible, Jesus Christ, and attending church for the first time. Charlie’s widow, Erika, shared in her press conference on Friday the call to “make heaven crowded” – a beautiful picture of the mission we all share.

What Is Our Message to the World?

Paul describes himself as a “steward” of God’s word, responsible for making it “fully known.” This message was once a mystery “hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.” (vs. 25-26)

What was this mystery? It was that God would come in human flesh, that the promised Messiah would be a servant king – not a conquering political leader – who would lay down his life for his people. No one expected Emmanuel – God with us!

Many people today have misconceptions about God:

They expect Him to be distant
They expect Him to be angry
They expect Him to demand more from them

The gospel reveals that God is close, loving, and, in his abundant grace and love, has done everything needed for our salvation through Christ.

Who Is This Message For?

Paul makes it clear in verse 27-28 that this message is for “everyone” – not just some people. Jesus is good news for everyone, regardless of background, nationality, or past mistakes.

As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” We are now “ambassadors for Christ,” entrusted with this “message of reconciliation.”

How Do We Share This Message Effectively?

Paul tells us he “toils” and “struggles” in this mission – it’s not easy work (v. 29). But he does it “with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” That power comes from Christ in us, a truth for each who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and been made new through Him!

What is it that we’re toiling and struggling for? To share the message of the good news of Jesus Christ. How and where we do this is as varied as we

Some might host block parties
Others might lead Bible studies at work
Some are discipling their children in this season
Others might share one-on-one with friends

The roadblock many of us face is thinking, “I’m not qualified” or “I’m not like [insert effective evangelist].” But the truth is that your unique personality, circumstances, and where God has you are exactly what qualify you to reach specific people that others couldn’t.

Life Application

As we consider what we’ve learned from Colossians about our mission and message, here are some practical ways to apply this to your life this week:

Identify your unique mission field: Who has God placed in your life that needs to hear about Jesus? Your workplace? Your neighborhood? Your family?
Embrace the possibility of suffering: Are you willing to face rejection, ridicule, or worse for the sake of sharing the incredible news of Jesus with others? Remember that your steadfastness in suffering can encourage others!
Look for multiplication opportunities: How can you help others experience the community and encouragement you’ve found? Could you help start a new small group or Bible study?
Trust Christ’s power in you: Remember that you don’t share the gospel in your own strength but through “his energy that he powerfully works within” you.

The mission is clear: to proclaim Christ. The message is powerful: reconciliation through Jesus. The goal is beautiful: to make heaven crowded. Will you join in this mission?