Know Jesus. Know Yourself. Live the Mission
Know Jesus. Know Yourself. Live the Mission.
This past Sunday was a gift.
We gathered, worshiped, prayed, gave, laughed a little through announcements, and then had the privilege of hearing from Reverend Dr. Eric Spangler, Area Director for Free Methodist World Missions in Asia. Eric and Virginia have served faithfully for many years, and it was a joy to welcome them and hear what God is doing across Asia through the Free Methodist Church.
As we continue walking through the Gospel of Matthew together—learning more about Jesus and what it means to follow Him—Eric brought us a timely and deeply important word:
Know Jesus. Know yourself. Live the mission.
That phrase has stayed with me.
Because before mission is about activity, strategy, travel, programs, or church growth, mission begins with Jesus. If we do not know Him rightly, we will not represent Him faithfully. If we misunderstand who Jesus is, we will misunderstand who we are and what we have been called to do.
Eric reminded us that Jesus is not merely a great teacher, a moral example, or a religious figure among many. Jesus is eternal. Jesus is fully God. Jesus is the Son. Jesus is the Word made flesh. Jesus is God with us—fully divine and fully human. Jesus is the Christ: prophet, priest, and king. Jesus is Lord, risen and reigning, calling us not simply to admiration but to allegiance.
That matters.
It matters because the church is not built on vague spirituality. Our hope is not anchored in sentiment, tradition, or religious preference. Our hope is fixed on the person of Jesus Christ—who was, who is, and who is to come.
And when we know Jesus more clearly, we begin to know ourselves more honestly.
Peter writes:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
—1 Peter 2:9
That is who we are in Christ.
Chosen. Royal. Holy. His.
Not because we earned it. Not because we are impressive. Not because we finally got our act together. But because of the mercy, grace, and love of God revealed in Jesus.
And that identity comes with purpose.
We are called to “proclaim the excellencies” of the One who called us out of darkness. In other words, we are called to bear witness. We are called to live the mission.
For some, that may mean serving across the world. For others, it may mean walking across the street. It may mean inviting a neighbor to dinner, praying with a coworker, sharing the hope of Jesus with a family member, or simply being present with someone who is hurting.
One of the most powerful reminders from Sunday was that mission often looks like faithful presence. Eric shared stories of pastors in Myanmar traveling dangerous roads to encourage believers in the middle of instability and violence. Their presence mattered. Their obedience mattered. Their willingness to go because they belonged to Jesus mattered.
That challenges me.
Because if Jesus is truly Lord, then our lives are not our own. Our schedules, our resources, our comfort, our relationships, our words, our homes—all of it belongs to Him. And the question becomes: How does Jesus want to use what He has entrusted to me?
At QFMC, we often talk about our mission as:
Belong. Believe. Bear Fruit.
Sunday reminded us that bearing fruit is both local and global. It happens in Quincy, in our homes, in our workplaces, in our schools, and also through our prayers and financial support for brothers and sisters serving around the world.
The mission belongs to God. But by His grace, He invites us to participate.
So this week, I want to encourage you to sit with three questions:
Do I know Jesus as He truly is, or only as I have imagined Him to be?
Am I living out of the identity He has given me?
Where is He inviting me to live the mission this week?
Maybe there is a conversation you have been avoiding.
Maybe there is someone you need to forgive.
Maybe there is a neighbor you need to notice.
Maybe there is a missionary or ministry you need to support.
Maybe there is a renewed surrender Jesus is asking of you.
Whatever it is, don’t wait.
Know Jesus.
Know yourself.
Live the mission.
This past Sunday was a gift.
We gathered, worshiped, prayed, gave, laughed a little through announcements, and then had the privilege of hearing from Reverend Dr. Eric Spangler, Area Director for Free Methodist World Missions in Asia. Eric and Virginia have served faithfully for many years, and it was a joy to welcome them and hear what God is doing across Asia through the Free Methodist Church.
As we continue walking through the Gospel of Matthew together—learning more about Jesus and what it means to follow Him—Eric brought us a timely and deeply important word:
Know Jesus. Know yourself. Live the mission.
That phrase has stayed with me.
Because before mission is about activity, strategy, travel, programs, or church growth, mission begins with Jesus. If we do not know Him rightly, we will not represent Him faithfully. If we misunderstand who Jesus is, we will misunderstand who we are and what we have been called to do.
Eric reminded us that Jesus is not merely a great teacher, a moral example, or a religious figure among many. Jesus is eternal. Jesus is fully God. Jesus is the Son. Jesus is the Word made flesh. Jesus is God with us—fully divine and fully human. Jesus is the Christ: prophet, priest, and king. Jesus is Lord, risen and reigning, calling us not simply to admiration but to allegiance.
That matters.
It matters because the church is not built on vague spirituality. Our hope is not anchored in sentiment, tradition, or religious preference. Our hope is fixed on the person of Jesus Christ—who was, who is, and who is to come.
And when we know Jesus more clearly, we begin to know ourselves more honestly.
Peter writes:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
—1 Peter 2:9
That is who we are in Christ.
Chosen. Royal. Holy. His.
Not because we earned it. Not because we are impressive. Not because we finally got our act together. But because of the mercy, grace, and love of God revealed in Jesus.
And that identity comes with purpose.
We are called to “proclaim the excellencies” of the One who called us out of darkness. In other words, we are called to bear witness. We are called to live the mission.
For some, that may mean serving across the world. For others, it may mean walking across the street. It may mean inviting a neighbor to dinner, praying with a coworker, sharing the hope of Jesus with a family member, or simply being present with someone who is hurting.
One of the most powerful reminders from Sunday was that mission often looks like faithful presence. Eric shared stories of pastors in Myanmar traveling dangerous roads to encourage believers in the middle of instability and violence. Their presence mattered. Their obedience mattered. Their willingness to go because they belonged to Jesus mattered.
That challenges me.
Because if Jesus is truly Lord, then our lives are not our own. Our schedules, our resources, our comfort, our relationships, our words, our homes—all of it belongs to Him. And the question becomes: How does Jesus want to use what He has entrusted to me?
At QFMC, we often talk about our mission as:
Belong. Believe. Bear Fruit.
Sunday reminded us that bearing fruit is both local and global. It happens in Quincy, in our homes, in our workplaces, in our schools, and also through our prayers and financial support for brothers and sisters serving around the world.
The mission belongs to God. But by His grace, He invites us to participate.
So this week, I want to encourage you to sit with three questions:
Do I know Jesus as He truly is, or only as I have imagined Him to be?
Am I living out of the identity He has given me?
Where is He inviting me to live the mission this week?
Maybe there is a conversation you have been avoiding.
Maybe there is someone you need to forgive.
Maybe there is a neighbor you need to notice.
Maybe there is a missionary or ministry you need to support.
Maybe there is a renewed surrender Jesus is asking of you.
Whatever it is, don’t wait.
Know Jesus.
Know yourself.
Live the mission.
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