From the Pastors
“Sent…with a Purpose”
(2021-22 Ministry Year Theme)
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38).
As we look to the year ahead, we reflect upon the question, “What kind of church does Jesus want us to be?”
We are "Sent…" - Reflections from the Gospel of John
Sent with a purpose (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 9:4; 14:24)
Sent with forgiveness (John 20:21-23)
Sent into the world (John 17:15-18)
The word “sent” appears repeatedly within the Gospel of John—not only on the lips of the author, but on the lips of Jesus as well. It emphasizes the theme throughout the Gospel of the intentionality and purposefulness of Jesus’ ministry. The arrival of Jesus at this time and in this place was no mistake. It indeed was an act of grace. At just the right time, the Father sent his Son to fulfill the long-awaited hopes not just of Israel but of all humanity. As Jesus was sent into this world at the word and the will of the Father, so also were Jesus’ disciples sent into the world with purpose and intent. Jesus does this even to this day, sending us out with a purpose in mind. The question is, “Do we live within that purpose?”
Many dream big dreams for themselves and thereby overlook the everyday opportunities that lie right in front of them because God must be calling them to something greater. Others, however, allow themselves to buy into a lie that they will never amount to much and thereby miss the exciting opportunities that God is calling them to. How do we gain both a God-sized vision and a Jesus-sized humility? Jesus did not send us to gain glory and attention for ourselves nor did he send us to let life pass us by as if we have nothing to offer.
Too often we convince ourselves that pastors and missionaries and church workers are the only Christians who are sent with the purpose and intention of God. The truth, however, is that God has sent you with purpose into your own unique vocation and set of relationships and responsibilities. For it is within those day-to-day callings that he has sent you to do “BIG” things. Only you can love and serve your family and friends the way that you can. Only you can give yourself to your job or hobbies or volunteer opportunities in the way that you can. Too often we are searching and questioning and asking, “God, what do you want me to do with my life?” Sometimes the answers are much closer to home than you realize.
When I think about what it means for Jesus to have sent us into the world with a purpose, I can’t help but think of this old story that I heard many years ago: “When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.”
Thanks for being a part of the people of God here at Calvary! May God bless our efforts together as we serve the southside of Indianapolis.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Kurt Ebert