As someone who has spent a good deal of time working in "soul care" over the years, I have frequently asked myself why it is that some Christians struggle in their relationships, with their self-worth, with fear and anxiety or with habitual sin, while others do not. Without oversimplifying these issues, I believe that what is often at the centre of these problems is that people have lost sight of who they are and what they were made for.

Over the past two weeks, we have been going through our Made for More series. So far, we have looked at two essential realities for every Christian: that we are made in the image of God and that we have been made right by God. This week, in the final sermon of this series, Made for More, we will be looking at a reality for all Christians: we are made for mission. I pray that, as we dig into Colossians 1:23, you will be inspired to deepen your commitment to serving Christ and living on mission for him!

Series: Made for More

Message: Missio Dei – Made for mission for God

Text: Colossians 1:23

Nathan Hooper

Harvest Alliston

October 26, 2025

Christ is the message of the mission of God, and so…

…I will persevere in the faith (v. 23a)

Ephesians 2:8-9

Romans 4:20-22

’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus....

“Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,

Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.”

Philippians 2:12-13

Romans 8:29-32

…I will be unshaken by circumstance (v. 23b)

1 Corinthians 3:11

1 Corinthians 2:14

We are secure, not because we hold tightly to Jesus, but because He holds tightly to us.

- R.C. Sproul

If we are to be unshaken by our circumstances, we must:

1. Prepare for spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-12)

2. Stand together in community (Philippians 1:27-28b)

3. Stay focused, labouring for God (1 Corinthians 15:58)

4. Regularly remind yourself of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 77:11-12)

…I will be full of hope (v. 23c)

It is an utter tragedy that the two parts of the Bible that have been attacked so much are the Creation narrative and the future. And it’s not surprising because you need a past to have an identity, you need a future to have hope.

- John Lennox

1 Peter 1:3-5

…I will proclaim Christ to all (v. 23d)

All God’s giants have been weak men, who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them.

- Hudson Taylor

The minister of the gospel is one who knows the gospel, has been saved by the Christ of the gospel, and with joy of heart proclaims the gospel to others.

- The Expositor’s Commentary

Mark 10:43b-45

What if the good life doesn’t come from having the ability to do what we want but from having the ability to do what we were made for?

- Justin Earley, The Common Rule