In this sermon, we will reflect on what it means for the Church to be "Missional."

One of the things that we notice in reading Paul's letters is that he is deeply committed to preaching the gospel. This word "gospel" or "good news" is very specific: The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ is the Jewish Messiah, fulfilling Israel’s story, that he lived, died, rose from the dead and that He is the Lord of the world. And we are invited to participate in this new world.

Though we have said this in a small, compact statement, the gospel is expansive. It speaks to formation, reconciliation, justice, and reaches out to every issue facing our world.

In this sermon, we will look at 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, and we notice that for Paul, proclaiming the Good News is not all of it. "Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well" (vs. 8).

Those who carry Christ's message are to proclaim the good news, and are called to give their lives. Of course, this kind of self-giving is squarely in the pattern of Jesus who "loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2).

As we take this next step as a Church, what might it mean for God to form us as a people who do not just preach the Gospel, but give our lives for the world he has called us to?