Teaching Summary: Defined and Connected
In John 20:21 the resurrected Jesus says: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Jesus was sent on a mission of love—to redeem, heal, and bring life. Now he breathes the Spirit into his followers and sends them as ambassadors of heaven.
How was Jesus sent? John 1:14 says: “The Word became flesh… full of grace and truth.”
If we are sent like Jesus, we must also be full of grace and truth.
Two questions guide us: Who am I? (truth) and How do I stay connected? (grace). The kingdom moves at the speed of relationship. Jesus always showed up in relationships with both grace and truth.
At the well, Jesus names her brokenness with truth but stays connected in love. He speaks with dignity, engages her questions, and reveals himself as Messiah. Because he was defined and connected, her life and her town were changed.
Levi leaves everything to follow Jesus and hosts a feast with “sinners.” Jesus defines his mission: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Yet he does this at the table, sharing food and fellowship. Defined, yet connected.
Jesus declares: “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” But first, he calls Zacchaeus by name and enters his home. Clear about his mission, yet fully connected. Zacchaeus’ life is transformed.
Jesus boldly called out the Pharisees’ hypocrisy (definition) but still accepted their dinner invitations (connection). Even with enemies, he held conviction and stayed present. Jesus didn’t cancel people—he showed grace and truth.
Losing definition means people never see Jesus in us. Losing connection means they never experience his love through us. Holding both means our families, friends, coworkers—and even opponents—encounter the real Jesus.
Paul reminds us in Romans 12 to think with sober judgment, live in harmony, associate with the lowly, and pursue peace. That is living with both definition and connection.
FIVE WAYS TO GROW IN GRACE AND TRUTH
1. Anchor your identity in Christ – “I have been crucified with Christ… Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Without this, we bend under pressure. With it, we can show up with courage and love.
2. Remember every person bears God’s image – (Genesis 1:27)
Seeing God’s image helps us stay connected, even in disagreement.
3. Stay present in love – “Love always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Love doesn’t bail; it stays.
4. Hold conviction with humility – “Always be prepared to give an answer… with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)
The way we carry truth matters. Humility keeps doors open.
5. Trust God with the outcome – “He who began a good work… will carry it to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)
We don’t have to control or convince. We stay faithful and let God work.
Jesus was sent full of grace and truth. And now he says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
To live sent like Jesus, we must be both defined and connected—knowing who we are in Christ and staying present in love with the people around us.
