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2 CORINTHIANS 3:1-3 (ESV)
1Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
I. MISSION AND MISSIONS (JOHN 17:18, 20:21)
A. Mission is what we are here to do. Missions is one way we complete our mission.
B. Jesus sends the church to do what He did and say what He said until He returns.
II. SENT LIKE LETTERS
A. The church at Corinth were Paul’s letters of recommendation that he was the real deal.
B. The church collectively is the letter of Jesus to the world that He loves them.
C. Letters are written to be sent. Jesus saved you to send you.
III. FUELING STATION OF POST OFFICE
A. If we see the church as a fueling station then we join the church and Jesus for what can be done for us.
B. If we are letters, the church is a post-office, where we come to be sent out to others for them to know the truth of the Gospel.
IV. MISSIONAL LETTERS
A. Missions cannot be compartmentalized. Since we are letters, we are always being read.
B. Missions in community means sending the same letter over & over again, confirming the good news of Jesus.
APPLICATION
1. You matter in the mission of Jesus. Jesus doesn’t need superstars. He needs letters. (Hebrews 11, 2 Cor 12:7-10)
2. Living morally is not the same thing as living missionally.
3. Teach your kids to engage rather than unplug from the culture. (John 17:15-16)
4. Give yourself away the way Jesus gave Himself away.