I am Commissioned

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Good morning Chapel family. We’re taking this summer to walk through the book of Ephesians, and we’re calling the series Identity. The way we think about ourselves is one of the most important things about us, and Ephesians talks about the most powerful force that can shape our identity. 

This is a message we really need today. There was recently a report about the rise of suicides in our country. In response to that, The New York Times ran an opinion piece by a psychology professor named Clay Routledge. The name of the article was: “Suicides Have Increased. Is This an Existential Crisis?” Listen to what he wrote: 

Many argue that this is a crisis of mental health care, that people are not getting the services they need. The proposed solution is better therapies, more effective antidepressants and greater access to treatment. 

This assessment may be correct. However, the suicide rate has increased even as more people are seeking treatment for depression and anxiety, and even as treatment for those conditions has become more widely available. An additional explanation seems to be needed. 

As a behavioral scientist who studies basic psychological needs, including the need for meaning, I am convinced that our nation’s suicide crisis is in part a crisis of meaninglessness. 

I strongly agree. As our culture has become increasingly secular, more and more people are struggling to come up with any meaning or purpose for why they’re even here. That’s what he means by an “existential crisis”—like, Why do I even exist? And that lack of purpose often leads to depression or despair. Does that resonate at all with your experience? Or the experience of someone you love? 

I’m calling today’s message “I am Commissioned.” Not too long ago, our own Justin Gabriele, husband of Bria, our Chapel Kids Director, finished his training and was commissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard. In other words, “You have a job to do; you have a clear mission.” Many years ago, I was commissioned as Senior Pastor of The Chapel—I was officially charged to lead this church. So a commission is a clear purpose: you have a job; your life counts; other people are depending on you; now go live out your commission. 

So let me just ask you straight up: do you feel like you’ve been commissioned? Do you have a sense of being sent, and that people are counting on you, and you have a role to play in this world? Or…do you lack that clarity? This is a big part of identity, and it’s what today’s passage is all about.  

So—let’s read it together—Ephesians chapter three, the first 13 verses. This is God’s Word for us today… 

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. This is the Word of the Lord. 

Now: your commission, and my commission, are not the same as Paul’s. He had a unique role to play. But you do have a commission. Ephesians 2:10 says God has prepared good works for every believer to walk in. And every God-given commission has some things in common. So I want to look at three of those things today. 

First, Our Commission is Selfless. There’s a loud voice in our culture that says the ultimate goal of life is to fulfill your dreams and express your true self. In other words, happiness is all about you: your freedom; your career; your rights. In complete contrast, Jesus taught that the key to life is to die to yourself. Lose your life, and you’ll find true life. So as Paul explains his commission, he describes it as selfless, in two different ways: 

First of all, it’s It’s for others. Look at verse 1: For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles. In other words, “I do what I do not for my sake, but for the benefit of someone else.” And then look at verse 2: Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you. The reason God gave me this commission—this role in life—was to benefit you. Imagine if you got out of bed every morning, and your first thought was, “Who can I bless today? How can I make someone else’s life better today?” That was Paul’s mindset. 

In Paul’s former life, he had lots of reasons to be focused on himself. He was a highly accomplished Pharisee; he had advanced up the ranks of Judaism…and he was proud of it. But then God stepped in, and Paul describes that moment in verse 7: I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. You probably know the story: Paul was given this powerful vision of the risen Christ; he was blinded and disoriented; and through that crisis he completely reversed course and became a follower of Christ and a leader of the first-century church.  

But look how Paul describes this—he says there was this “gift of God’s grace” that was given to me. And what was the gift he received? To become a servant. Well, that’s a strange gift. The word for “servant” is the word diakonos. It was used of waiters at a table who were ready to do anything the customers asked them to do. So Paul says, “God gave me this great gift: I get to be a servant.” That’s like saying to someone, “I have an amazing present for you: here’s a mop and a bucket—go clean the bathroom!” Doesn’t seem like much of a gift, right? But it is—because you’re following in the footsteps of the one who sacrificed his rights and washed people’s feet, and who said “If you really want to be great, you have to become servant of all.” Imagine if you got out of bed every day and said, “Who do I get to serve today?” 

Now, the specific people that Paul was called to serve were the Gentiles—non-Jewish people. Paul himself was a Jew, but his commission was to serve Gentiles. In last week’s message, from chapter 2, we talked about how Jesus broke down the wall between Jews and Gentiles, and brought them together in the church. Here in chapter three, Paul says, “That was a great mystery that was kept hidden in the past—everyone thought the Messiah was just for the Jewish people, but now it’s been revealed that he’s for everyone.” And he says, “My special calling is to be a servant to the Gentiles. To invite them to be part of the people of God.” 

That was Paul’s calling. Your calling is probably different. But here’s what I can tell you for sure: the reason you’re here; the existential reason you exist, is for others. It’s not about you.  

Dietrich Bonhoeffer described Jesus as “The man for others.” The man for others. And he said as Christians, the only way we really experience God is when we view ourselves as being “for others.” The reason so many of us are unhappy and restless is that we assume our life is about us, and God wants to show us that we are here for others.  

Paul also shows us that a God-given commission is selfless because It’s about Jesus. So it’s for others, and it’s about Jesus. Look at verse 8: Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: (so here’s my mission…) to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ. The thing that Paul was into; the thing that he had to offer to other people; the thing he knew everyone needed…was Christ.  

And don’t you love that phrase, “the boundless riches of Christ”? Like, we will never get to the bottom of it. We will never know all there is to know about Christ. My dad is 85 years old, and he’s been following Jesus for at least 60 years. And when I’m at his house, it’s not uncommon for him to pull out his Bible, which is covered with notes and highlights, and show me some new thing he just saw in his devotions. Did you ever see this before? And I say, “Well, of course I did, father. I’m a pastor—I know everything.” Not at all! I discover new stuff all the time, and my dad—at 85 years old—is still going deeper into the boundless riches of Christ. 

So Paul says, “That’s what I’m preaching: the endless depths of Christ!” But then look what he says in verse 9: and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery… To “make plain” literally says “to shine the light on.” “To make it clear.” So…wait a minute: is the message of Christ boundless—like you can never fully understand it? OR, is it something you can make plain? The answer is yes. The gospel of Christ is both simple and deep. Next week, at Chapel Kids Camp, there will be five-year-old kids who hear the gospel message, and understand their need, and put their trust in Christ as their Savior. The message is simple enough for a five-year-old to grasp. And yet, 80 years later, that same 5-year-old—even if she walks with God every day of her life, will still be discovering new depths to who Jesus is and how much he loves her. Just like my dad. Because the message is both simple and inexhaustible.  

So…I don’t know what commission God has given you, but I know he’s calling you to live a life that’s selfless. He wants you to view your life as being for others, and about Jesus. What does that look like? 

Well, it looks like keeping our eyes open to the people around us, and believing that what they need most is found in Christ. Sometimes, those are what I call “platform” moments. Like for me, now, I’m literally standing on a platform, talking about Jesus. Last week we talked about the actor, Chris Pratt, who stood up at the MTV Movie awards and surprised everyone by talking about Jesus. Or Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one golfer who uses his platform to give credit to Jesus. Maybe God has given you a platform to use for that purpose. Use it—be humble; be tactful; but use it. 

More often, it’s less dramatic. A Chapel guy told me he was at the gym recently, and some guy was wearing a t-shirt with an interesting slogan on it. So he said, “Hey—that reminds me of something my pastor said last Sunday.” The guy said, “What did he say?” And they started talking, and the guy said, “I’m going to come and check out your church.” It means listening to the guy at the coffee shop, or the cashier, or the woman next door, and realizing that you are there for them. And then taking a risk by offering to pray for them, or inviting them to church, and knowing they might say “no,” but it might turn out to be a turning point in their life.  

You know, we look at Paul the Apostle, and we say, “He’s in a different league than I am.” But here’s what we have in common with Paul: God commissions us to a life that’s for others, and about Christ. What a compelling thing to live for. 

Okay second, Our Commission is Significant. God has called us to do something that makes an actual difference in the world. And that’s true on two levels. 

First, our commission has Eternal significance. Look at verse 10: His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. Guys, I need you to stretch your minds to take in this concept: through the church—through the unity of Jews and Gentiles and Africans and Asians and Latinos and every tribe, tongue and nation, joining together to in the name of Christ, we are demonstrating the wisdom of God—and do you see whom we are demonstrating it to? To the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” In other words, the unseen spiritual world of angels and demons that are all around us. They are looking at the church—and learning something about God’s wisdom.  

Paul Downing said it like this: 

God uses us to display something of Himself that even heavenly beings can’t see apart from us. Through the rainbow of his church…God reveals the various colors of His infinite wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. Angels and demons alike observe sinners becoming saints, the selfish becoming selfless, and factions becoming family. 

When the good angels look down and see us loving, worshipping, and serving God, they are compelled to say to God, “We can’t compete with that. We worship and serve You whom we see. But those redeemed humans don’t see You and, by faith alone, love, worship, and serve You anyway.” Then, the demonic angels look at us and, for the same reason, are compelled to say in frustration, “We can’t defeat that!”  

So, brothers and sisters, let’s make it our intent to live for God’s intent. In so doing, we glorify God, impress angels, and intimidate demons. Not a bad gig!  

So here’s the promise: if you accept your commission, to live a life that’s for others and about Christ—however God calls you to live that out—you will be part of this cosmic demonstration of God’s wisdom that impresses angels and intimidates demons. Your commission has eternal significance. 

And at the same time, your commission has Everyday significance. If you have a hard time wrapping your mind around the concept of rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, don’t forget what the gospel does for people in their everyday lives. Verse 12: In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. That’s what Jesus came to do. He came to knock down the wall that separates people from their Creator. So now, all who believe get to approach God with freedom and confidence. I think of my friend Jake, who said, “You know, I grew up thinking that prayer means reciting the Our Father a couple of times a week. It was all ritual.” But through hearing the Bible taught at The Chapel, he came to realize that God is a Father who wants to hear from him all day long. It revolutionized his spiritual life.  

So if you accept your commission, to live a life that’s for others and about Christ, you will be helping people who are disconnected from God, and people who are stuck in ritual, to approach God with freedom and confidence. Man, if you can help one person do that, you’ve done something so significant. 

I can’t tell you the number of people who’ve said to me, “Pastor Dave, I’m so tired of my job, because we do business and we make money, and I’m successful…but I don’t feel significant.” And Jesus is inviting you to approach your life in a way that will make you truly significant.  

So just like Paul, our commission is selfless; it’s significant. And then, last thing: Our Commission is Hard. No other way to say it. This kind of life is hard. Did you notice how Paul identified himself at the beginning of the chapter? I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus. He might have meant that in a spiritual sense—like he viewed himself as being captive to do the will of Christ. But I think he meant it very literally. Because a he wrote this, he was sitting in a Roman prison. And then look at the very last verse of today’s passage—verse 13: I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. Here’s the reality: from the moment that God commissioned Paul to carry the message of Christ for the sake of others, the suffering in his life increased. His suffering is well-documented: he was stoned, he was shipwrecked, he was hunted, he was imprisoned. Because he was living out his commission, his life got harder. 

And you say, “Well that’s depressing.” Paul didn’t view it that way. Because every time you hear him talk about his suffering, he always comes to the same conclusion: It is so worth it. He doesn’t deny the pain; he doesn’t have a sick enjoyment of pain; but because of the glory of the mission, he realizes that the pain is well worth it. So he tells his readers, “Don’t be discouraged about my sufferings!”  

Maybe you say, “Well, that’s just Paul. That doesn’t apply to us.” Nice try. When he was in that Roman prison, Paul also wrote his letter to the Philippians, and he told them this—Philippians 1:29…For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. If we choose to believe in Christ, and live out his commission, that decision will entail suffering. So if you’re living for your own pleasure, you will bail out quickly. If you’re living for Christ, you’ll keep serving and the hard things will drive your roots deeper into Christ.  

Last month The Chapel sent a mission team to help plant churches in Cali, Colombia. And one of the Chapel women on the team told me about the barrage of difficulties that happened to her as she was getting ready to leave for the trip: her car got hit and she had to pay for the repairs; she was driving a rental car and she got stopped by the police because they thought she was driving a stolen car; then just before they were about to leave, the political situation in Colombia got really tense—there was an assassination attempt on one of the presidential candidates; then there were bombs set off right in Cali, where they were going. It felt like a coordinated attack from the enemy to stop her from going. But she pressed through it, and she said, “I felt complete peace doing God’s work.” 

Walking in our commission is hard, but it’s always worth it. 

A friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer in his 50s. And it was a long battle. For years, his life was consumed with traveling to and from New York Presbyterian Hospital to receive blood treatments. So he literally would spend a half a day in the hospital, three times a week. And every time I checked in with him, he would tell me about the nurses and the technicians and the doctors that he was getting to know by name. And how, as they sat there, he would ask them about their lives, and their families. He would tell them his story, and his faith, in a very natural way. And he would tell me about the nurses that he prayed for—him, the cancer patient—praying for them! And as a young pastor, I was so inspired by his example. Because this was a man who knew his life had meaning. His commission was clear. And he viewed even his suffering as a path to live out his commission.  

I don’t know what this might look like for you. Maybe you are receiving cancer treatments, and it’s just hard. Maybe you are thinking about going to Colombia, or Kenya with a Chapel team, and you’re seeing all the obstacles to making that a reality. Maybe you’re trying to honor God with your marriage, and it’s really hard. So here’s the question: as you’re in that situation, how do you view your identity? If you look at your life as primarily for your pleasure and fulfillment, you’ll look for a way out. You will act quickly to alleviate the discomfort. But what if you viewed yourself as commissioned by God? Placed in that spot not primarily for you, but for the good of others? You’d probably complain less, and pray more, and stick with whatever God is calling you to do. 

Guys, our culture is dying for lack of purpose. People don’t have any idea what they’re here for, and it’s leading to depression and despair. And Jesus is the answer. He came to this earth and lived a life that was selfless and significant and hard. And now he says to us, “Follow me.” 

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