What is the church’s mission? Studying the church’s mission is called missiology.
Witness and Light
Where were the disciples to be witnesses of what they had seen and heard? Do we collectively carry on that mission?
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. (Acts 1:8 NASB)
Did they reach every nation, tribe, language and people or must we finish their work?
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people (Revelation 14:6 KJV)
What if those who are sent do not go and preach the good news?
For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:13-15 NKJV)
Is the church’s commission to bring salvation to the ends of the earth?
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth." (Acts 13:47 NIV)
Has the commission changed from the Hebrew scriptures?
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! (1 Chronicles 16:24 ESV)
Where did the commission start?
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47 KJV)
Is it an announcement of peace?
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. (Acts 10:36 NIV)
Under what circumstances was Paul called to begin his mission?
And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting …” (Acts 26:14-18 NKJV)
When the job of announcing the good news is done, will the end come?
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14 NASB)
Who are the ones sent?
A Short Term Mission Trip
Short term mission trips are as old as Jesus sending the 70 or 72. The Greek actually says they were “apostled.” Was going in pairs possible encouragement and protection? Were they sent in anticipation of Jesus’ arrival?
“… the Lord appointed seventy others also, [72 in NIV, NLT, ESV] and sent [apostled] them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.” (Luke 10:1 NKJV)
How big a job are pioneer missions?
The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. (Luke 10:2 NKJV)
What are the dangers?
Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. (Luke 10:3 NKJV)
Although in later missions, people could carry money and changes of clothing, that was not the case here. Was this special training in faith? Why were they not to dilly dally along the way?
Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. (Luke 10:4 NKJV)
Why was peace offered? Was this possibly a test to see if they were welcomed?
But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. (Luke 10:5-6 NKJV)
Why were they to stay in one place? Is mission life work worthy of wages?
And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. (Luke 10:7 NKJV)
When we are not made welcome, do we learn to shake it off and move on?
But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. (Luke 10:10-11 NKJV)
When they returned from the mission field with joy, what did Jesus tell them?
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20 NKJV)
Why Go
Formally or informally, why do we go?
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. (Psalm 96:1-3 NKJV)
Long before many people will hear a preacher, what will they hear out of our mouths?
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:13-14 NLT)
The Great Commission
What is the commission? Jesus gave what many call the Great Commission. What is that all about?
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)
Go: Are we friendly with people outside our churches, or treat them with disdain and no hospitality?
Make: Do we make the effort?
Of all nations: Do we mix culturally?
Baptizing: We baptize in the singular name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Teaching: Teaching what, Jesus and what He taught?
I am with you always: Will Jesus ever leave the new church?
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)
Our combined mission is to be witnesses to the ends of the earth, looking for “lost sheep.” Disciples make disciples, baptize and teach them what Jesus commanded. What parts of prayer, contributions and action for that mission is your part? You decide!
