Mission Style Home

Matt 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

There is a particular style of architecture known of as ‘mission style’. As-in, “that is a ‘mission-style’ home.” When you look at a ‘mission-style’ home it is very recognizable because it holds certain distinctives of design which are common only to mission-style homes. They have a similar kind of earthy, cottagy, woody look, and are commonly seen on the west coast of the United States and almost nowhere else. Inside, generally speaking, they are also filled with mission-style furniture. You know the look. It is instantly familiar.

In Matthew 28, Jesus was telling us – no – commanding us to make sure our spiritual homes are recognizable for their mission-style of architecture and furnishings as well.

There should be no doubt about what you are about, if you are truly a follower of Jesus Christ.

On Christmas Eve, at the conclusion of our service, we watched in warm rapturous joy as the glow of the small candle fires overcame all the darkness present in our part of the universe. Light is like that. It has an amazing quality. It has complete power over darkness. When one wants to drive out darkness, all that is necessary is to present light. Of course, this is a powerful illustration of the ministry of Jesus Christ – but it is also an illustration of the ministry of Jesus Christ through us.

This is what Jesus is commanding in Matthew 28, in the passage known of as ‘The Great Commission.’ We often think of mission work as that performed by ‘missionaries’ on foreign shores. But missionary work is simply extending the Light of Christ to another person, and that takes place no matter where you are – and Jesus is saying it should be an identifying quality of your life. Everyone looking on should be able to see it and know it for what it is: Mission-style living.

How many people know you are a Christian? We are identified by so many things. American. Man or woman. Adult or youth. Hair color. Height. Weight. Eye color. Republican or democrat, or other. Dolphins fan, or other. Good cook, or not. Whatever. We are completely comfortable with being identified with everything we are in the world. It’s who we are. What about Christian? Can people look at you and tell? How so?

- Pastor Bill