Result #3: If We Are Not Careful, Our Sense of Purpose Can Become Skewed.

31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” 33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. (John 4:31-34)

The disciples believed that Jesus’ trip through Samaria was a diversion not needed. Their priorities were out of order as they thought only of their personal inconvenience. His disciples believed His stop along the way was just a break to rest and nothing more. He took this opportunity to teach them about His mission. A mission that was theirs by extension. Jesus had said that the Son of Man has come to “save that which was lost.” Jesus reminded His disciples that He was accomplishing the will of His Father and finishing the work.

Jesus came to the earth for one reason. Did He teach? He did, but it was not His main mission. Did He heal? He did, but it was not His main mission. Did He come to challenge the religiously comfortable? He did, but it was not His main mission. Did He come to inspire the hopeless? He did, but it was not His main mission. Jesus came to this earth to die. He came to give His life a sacrifice and ransom to bring men and women, boys and girls, back into relationship with His Father. The church today has one mission and purpose: the proclamation of the gospel. Missions is the way of doing this by extending the kingdom through hands-on and tangible means. Missions cannot simply be something that we do; rather it must be who we are.

If we are not careful, our purpose can become skewed. If we don’t know and hold to our purpose, the church simply becomes an entertainment center. If we don’t know and hold to our purpose, the church simply becomes a social club. If we don’t know and hold to our purpose, the church simply becomes a shrine to past success. If we don’t know and hold to our purpose, the church simply becomes a building in the town that is no different than any other. Let’s be careful about missions.