How to help change this planet

The world needs changing, but most Christians will pass their whole life here without altering anything very much. That’s a tragedy, because Jesus wants us to be world-changers. How can you make sure you have the maximum impact and make your life truly worthwhile… all the way through?

The key verse: John 20:21: Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

This is what Jesus said to his disciples as soon as he saw them again after his resurrection. Not a word about their failure and desertion. Nothing about how for the first time in history a man had come back from the grave. The important thing now was that they had a job to do…and it was to be taken just as seriously as the task Jesus had been given by his Father.

Three vital facts

FACT ONE God is a God of mission, and calls us into his activity

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s dealings with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, and the prophets, show that he’s a God of mission who wants to reach the whole world and wants to use his people to do so.
The crucial moment in God’s mission plan was when Jesus came to earth and gave himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He rose again because death was defeated and a way back to God was possible for human beings. But then the risen Christ said to us, “I’m sending you…”
So the main reason we’re here on earth is to demonstrate God’s glory through our lives, to work for his kingdom’s standards in our society, and to invite other humans into the relationship that God longs to have with them.

FACT TWO Mission includes justice – a heart for the poor

The Bible is full of reminders to God’s people to take care of the defenceless and marginalised – the widow, the orphan, the strangers and foreigners who don’t belong. God’s law insists that unless we do that, we can’t expect to be blessed ourselves.

12 When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. 13 Then say to the Lord your God: “I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them. 14 I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while I was in mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor have I offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the Lord my God; I have done everything you commanded me. 15 Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us as you promised on oath to our ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Deuteronomy 26

The prophets made it clear that what God wanted in society was justice, equality and love. Amos claims that God is saying, “Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
Jesus championed the poor and lowly, associating with people that the religious leaders thought were beneath them, and meeting the needs of the downtrodden and afflicted. His followers caught the style from him, and right from the beginning you find the Christian church is a massive force for social good:

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2)

So we should never fall into the trap of thinking that our mission is just about spreading the gospel and encouraging people to believe it. Christians are supposed to be good news on every level. Paul reminded the Thessalonians that when they had become Christians, “we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). What are you doing to show people the love of God in practical action?

FACT THREE Mission includes spiritual liberation: heralding the gospel

But we need to show people that our transformed lives are just a signpost pointing to out Heavenly Father. He’s the one who has changed us, and can change them too. It’s tragic if we start taking the credit for ourselves! Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others in such a way that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
You might feel daunted when you read that our job is to “preach the gospel” – you may not feel like a powerful preacher! But the Greek word is kerussein, which just means “to herald forth” – to make a noise about it. There are many ways of doing that!
And so we need to be prepared for the job. Can you explain the basics of the Christian message to outsiders? Can you show them where the Bible says these things? Can you defend what you believe against common objections? Can you tell your own story? Peter told the early Christians, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15).

WHERE NEXT?

Go to the review to check you understand and remember

Go to points 4 and 5 for additional teaching

Go to another three important Bible passages on this topic

Go back to the main resources page to do something completely different