Mission

Matthew 20:28 NLT For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Whether you refer to it as personal branding, identity, mission, or being an influencer, it is a hot topic and big business these days. You can choose from thousands of books on the topic, hire a personal branding consultant or your own social media expert. All focused on presenting who you are: your skills, the values you present, and the impression you want to leave on others. And this phenomenon is not exclusive to pop culture or film stars. It is front and center with churches, pastors, worship leaders, and celebrity Christians as well.

Jesus was constantly pressured to define himself and clarify who he was, his values, and his plans. His personal branding statement was powerfully summarized in Matthew 20:27-28 MSG “Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be last. That is what the Son of Man is about: He came to serve, not be served.” If we are to be Christ followers, those who have surrendered to the redeemer of our life, we can have no identity apart from what Jesus created and called us into. Our identity can never be what we do but rather whose we are.

Born out of Israel’s cries to “be like all the other nations” (1 Samuel 8:19), Saul was chosen by God to be the first King of Israel. From a humble beginning, his life dramatically changed. “The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you; you will prophesy and be changed into a different person” (1 Samuel 10:6). But Saul soon became consumed with the opinions of others and building his own identity as king. His decisions focused on satisfying his own desires, concerns with what others thought of him, gaining their approval, and even building a monument in his own honor (1 Samuel 15:12). He sought to glorify himself more than glorify God. These choices ultimately cost him everything, including his authority and influence.

Our own nature (our desires, passions, thoughts, and will) does not want to die and it is amazing how hard we fight to keep them alive. Much like Saul, many Christians and the Church have lost our God-given authority and influence in the world because we have sought to build ourselves over that of Jesus. Focused on creating a name for ourselves instead of glorifying the name that is above all names (Philippians 2:9). Surrender of our lives is an absolute requirement for receiving Jesus as Savior and receiving the Holy Spirit as the one who will guide and direct our lives.

Can it be said any more clearly than Paul stated in his letter to the church at Philippi; Philippians 3:8 TPT “To truly know him means letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting in the garbage. It’s all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all his greatness.” We are called to lay down our lives with its passions and desires and to clothe ourselves in the likeness of Jesus. (Col 3:1-14)

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take on the identity, mission, and purpose of Jesus as your own. Laying down your own motivations to be a part of building God’s Kingdom. “Unless you surrender all to me, giving up all you possess, you cannot be one of my disciples.” (Luke 14:33 TPT). Am I living my life to be pleasing to God, creating a legacy centered on Him? Choose to surrender it all today and see what God can and will do. It is impossible apart from Him.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Jeremiah 9:24 NLT But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!

John 6:63 NLT The Spirit alone gives life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Ephesians 4:22-24 NLT Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Colossians 3:1-3 NIV Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Luke 9:23-24 NLT Then he said to the crowd, if any of you want to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

Galatians 5:24-25 TPT Keep in mind that we who belong to Jesus Christ have already experienced crucifixion. For everything connected with our self-life was put to death on the cross and crucified with Messiah. If the Spirit is the source of our life, we must also allow the Spirit to direct every aspect of our lives.

Galatians 2:20 TPT My old identity has been co-crucified with Christ and no longer lives. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, dispensing his life into mine!

Ephesians 4:22-24 TPT And he has taught you to let go of the lifestyle of your former self man, the old self-life, which was corrupted by sinful and deceitful desires that spring from delusions. Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you. And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness.

John 12:24-26 NLT I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

Romans 12:1-2 TPT Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.