Grace & The Mission

Mars Hill Church's mission is "Making Disciples & Planting Churches". This week we started with a message from Lead Pastor, Jamie Munson. He started by stating that our mission is one that is a response to God's grace. Then he elaborated on where this mission comes from.

We’ve got work to do, Mars Hill. We’ve got a mission. Jesus left his disciples with two big assignments: go and make disciples of all nations, and be my witnesses in your city, in your region, and "to the end of the earth" (Mt. 28:19; Acts 1:8). In this way, God defines our mission: make disciples and plant churches for his glory. The work is joyful, because we get to see God change people’s lives—including our own.

What does it look like to respond to grace and be on mission? In this season we are calling the church to a few specific things.

• Connect. If you're not in a community group, join one at a connect desk on Sundays or through The City.
• Join. If you're in a community group, consider becoming a member. Talk to your community group leader about how to become a member.
• Steward. All of us are challenged to be more responsible and generous with our time, talents, and resources. This looks different for everyone but what does it look like for you? Serving in a ministry? Helping clean up after a service? Giving more regularly?

All of this is to make us better disciples and to be on mission to make more disciples and plant more churches so more people can meet Jesus.

Where Do You See Grace?

On Tuesday, Preaching & Theology Pastor, Pastor Mark stressed seeing Jesus' grace in our lives.

You should end every day, friends, you should sit at the end of every day, you should just sit down and take a moment to reflect on the evidences of god’s grace in your life in that day. Jesus, where were you? What were you saying? What were you giving? What were you taking? What were you doing? How were you encouraging? How were you exhorting? How were you correcting? What are you doing in me? What are you doing through me? … How are you going to use all of my life to work out for your glory and my good?"

God's Grace Changes Everything

Pastor Scott Thomas, Director of Acts 29, followed that with a great post about how the Gospel of God's grace changes everything.

The grace of God extends down to us, not because we deserve it, but even as we do not deserve it (Rom 5:8). Our works, even attempts at good works are not adequate to contribute to our salvation or sanctification. Once the Spirit regenerates our dead souls, we by faith receive the completed work of Jesus who accomplishes our justification—a declaration of His righteousness on us. As His grace continues to work in our lives, the gospel comes to fruition (Col. 1:6; 2 Peter 1-3-9) in every aspect of our life.

Grace in Action

God's grace is shown in lives and stories so we read two testimonies of people whose lives had been changed by Jesus.

Grace in Song

Lastly, we put out the music from Easter; which was a weekend entirely saturated in God's grace. There were hundreds of baptisms, each a story celebrating the grace of Jesus in their lives. As you listen to the music, you can hear in the background the church cheering as another person confesses Jesus as their Lord and Savior and rises to life. Download the Easter Worship set.

Making Disciples & Planting Churches

The point is Jesus and His grace define and drive our mission. Do you see that grace? If so, how are you on mission? How are you owning the mission that God has given us? All of it is for our joy and His glory.