Lesson 2 Review: God’s Mission to Us: Part 2

 

Introduction

The theme, that of God as a God of mission, is the connecting thread of human history, it demonstrates God’s purpose for humanity and it runs throughout scripture. Furthermore, it consolidates divine restoration of God’s image in His fallen children (compare with Col. 3:9, 10; 1 John 3:2). God’s mission is to enable us to have a real and lasting relationship with Him, it is to restore the broken relationship caused by sin. The mission of God also functions as the background through which we should see and understand God’s Word to us. Reading the Bible, we see a God who is intentionally reaching out to us, hence we find the basic elements of God’s mission in the Scriptures.

How can we understand that mission finds its origin in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Everything Christ did was either for or from His Heavenly Father (see John 4:34, John 5:30, John 12:45). Jesus received the mission from the Father even before the creation of the world (compare with Eph. 1:4, 1 Pet. 1:20). The Son created the world (John 1:3), and at “the fullness of the time” (Gal. 4:4, NKJV), God demonstrated His love by sending the Son here (John 3:16, 17). The Son came, died on the cross, and conquered death. Then, sent from the Father, the Spirit came here (John 14:26, John 16: 7), convicts the world (John 16:8-11), and today continues the mission of the Father and the Son by empowering and by sending God’s people out for mission (John 14:26; John 16:13, 14).

How should the understanding that mission finds its origin in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shape our mission?

‘We learn from this that the mission is not ours. It belongs to the triune God. As such, it will not fail.’

What are the three aspects of the basic components in Matthew 28:16-20?

(1)    Jesus commands His disciples to go to Galilee to be with Him (Matt. 28:16, 17);

(2)    Jesus comes to them, declaring His authority and sovereignty (Matt. 28:18);

(3)    Jesus then commissions His disciples to a specific task-namely, make disciples-(Matt. 28:19, 20); and finally,

(4)    Jesus promises to be with His disciples until the end (Matt. 28:20).

What is the primary focus of the Great Commission?

Disciple-making is the primary focus of the Great Commission.

What can we draw from Matthew 28:16-20?

Jesus’ power, authority and sovereignty come from His victory attained at His resurrection. Hence, Jesus commands us to make disciples. This commission ends with Jesus’ promise of continuous presence with His followers. The message to be conveyed is intended for the whole world, with no geographical, social or ethnic limitations.

What are the realities of the everlasting gospel?

The gospel is the good news of grace offered to all through Jesus Christ who came to our world, lived a sinless life, died as a substitutionary sacrifice to bear the penalty of our sins, was resurrected, lives in Heaven, was exalted and today intercedes for us in the Heavenly Sanctuary. Jesus will soon fulfill the greatest promise of returning in majesty and glory, and ultimately, after the millennium to establish God’s kingdom on earth (John 14:1-4, Acts 1:11, Rev. 21:1-4). These are all realities of the eternal gospel.

The proclamation of the judgment [Rev. 14:6, 7] is an announcement of Christ’s second coming called the everlasting gospel. Thus the preaching of this gospel is shown to be an essential part of the gospel message.

What are the parallels between the everlasting gospel [Rev. 14: 6, 7] and God’s mission to us?

The fact that this gospel is eternal is remarkable. There is only one gospel that can save us. It will remain the same until the mission of God is accomplished. Those who believe and live it in obedience will be rewarded. The commission is to make honest good fully-devoted loving disciples. Disciples who are focused on all biblical elements of discipleship (Luke 9:23; John 13:34, 35; 2 Cor. 5:17) with an ultimate purpose: being prepared and preparing others for the second coming of the Master, Jesus Christ.

Who are the instruments for the fulfillment of God’s mission?

Those who faithfully represented God’s character and, in obedience, followed His purposes. Those who have accepted God’s invitation to be partakers of His grace.

What was God’s original purpose for His people in the Old Testament?

God’s purpose for His people was that through them the surrounding nations would know God’s mission. This was on the basis of faith and obedience. The strategy was that of attracting the surrounding nations to Israel.

What was God’s mission strategy in the New Testament?

The strategy for letting people know about God’s mission involves God’s people going out to the world to let them know, instead of the world coming to God’s people.

What is the mission of the church?

The mission of the church is to save perishing sinners; this is why the church exists.

What is the connecting point between the everlasting gospel [Rev. 14:6, 7] and Matthew 28:19,20?

The connecting point is the “where” of the mission. They read: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matt. 28:19, NKJV), “those who dwell on the earth-to_every nation, tribe, tongue, and people_” (Rev. 14:6, NKJV; emphasis added).

What is the influence of the gospel?

The influence of the gospel is to unite the saved in one great brotherhood. Accepting the one model, Jesus Christ, national prejudices and jealousies will be broken down.

What are the three geographical areas Jesus had in mind when He said “ ‘You will be my witnesses’ ” (Acts 1:8, NRSV)?

Area 1: “ ‘You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem.’ ”. Our Jerusalem is our home. At the time the disciples were in Jerusalem, hence, we begin witnessing at home, with family, with neighbors, with friends.

Area 2: He then continues: “ ‘in all Judea and Samaria.’ ”. This includes those who are in some ways close but distant from us. This could be people who speak the same language that we speak or have the same culture, we are to further witness to them.

Area 3: Beyond this Christ says: “ ‘and to the end of the earth’ ” (NKJV). God’s mission calls us to reach individuals from all places, nations, people groups, languages, and ethnicities. This is our ultimate place of mission.

In Conclusion,

God’s mission for us will be well accomplished when we preach the gospel to every individual irrespective of place, culture, language or ethnicity. The church’s mission is to preach the gospel, and indeed God is with us. I pray that we take God’s purpose for us as it should be in Jesus’ name.