Pastor Mark visits 9 of 14 Mars Hill churches, seeing God’s work and asking what mission looks like for each. Being on mission means having the Father’s heart, then going to work with him. Just like the Apostle Paul, we become all things to all people, doing whatever we can to reach as many as possible. What does it mean to be a missionary—not just a Christian—in the city where God has placed you?

The Bible is our highest authority. And we begin with the assumption that if we disagree with the Bible, it’s because we’re wrong. Okay? We begin with that assumption.

Because here’s the bottom line. Everyone has something or someone that is the highest authority in their life. Some of you say, “Well, this is what I think.” Well then, the 3 pounds of meat between your ears, that is your highest authority.

If it’s not an idea that originated with you, then you do not believe it has merit, or you may find a teacher, or a spirituality, or a philosopher, or a world view, or an ideology, and you will say, “That’s my highest authority.”

And what we are saying is, over the course of thousands of years, through 40-some authors, God has written a book, and that book is truthful.

[…] The Bible is about Jesus. And to have a relationship with him is the centerpiece of the Bible. And to really understand the Bible means we get to know Jesus better.

And the more we get to know Jesus better, the more the Bible starts to make sense. But just like any friendship or relationship, it takes time and investment to get to know that person that you’re in relationship with, learning about them, spending time with them.

We all have our convictions. We all have our preferences. Some of us hold them very publicly and personally and passionately. And the truth is we’re all exclusive about certain things. But here’s the distinction with Christianity.

Christianity is exclusive and inclusive. In fact, Christianity is the most—I’ll just say it. It’s the most exclusive and the most inclusive religion. It’s exclusive, because the only way to have a relationship with God is through Jesus Christ.

He says, “I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” He’s real clear, and we killed him for it, and then he rose from death and said, “I told you.”

But Christianity is also very inclusive, because you know who’s welcome to come to Jesus? Vegans and meat eaters, Republicans and Democrats, men and women, rich and poor, young and old, black and white, American, non-American.

Everybody’s welcome to come to Jesus. And so Jesus is very inclusive. He welcomes everyone to turn from sin and trust in him.

Being on mission with God is really having your Father’s heart and then going to work with your Dad.

That’s all that we mean by mission: to love who he loves, to serve who he serves, to pursue who he’s pursuing, as he has pursued you and I.

As we are on mission here in Rainier Valley, as you are on mission here in Rainier Valley, people are going to push back. “What authority do you have?” See, I don’t have any authority, but there is one who has all authority, and he sent me. He sent me to tell you about him.

My résumé, not impressive. His, unbelievable.

“I think mission is all about inviting people to know Jesus and to know us. So, we extend hands of friendship. We build bridges. We get to know folks.

“And that doesn’t mean we drop a gospel bomb, you know, every other word on them, but we’re developing friendships. We’re hoping that that makes them curious about who Jesus is, so we can introduce them to God.

That’s why we’re here. We want everyone to know Jesus and know us in and through and all around that.“

- Pastor Tim Smith, Mars Hill Portland