C. Missions in the New Testament
Since the Israelites failed to be a kingdom of priests, Christ
provided a way for people from any nation to be a priest. Christ died as a
ransom to pay for sin, and serves as Mediator between God and man. So those who
repent and believe in Christ are forgiven of sin. Since Christians are forgiven
of sin, they can serve as priests who tell others about God.
1. Jesus
It was not the purpose of Jesus to serve as a missionary to the nations
in his incarnation. Jesus focused on bringing the message of salvation to the
Jews. But there were isolated incidents of Christ sharing the Good News outside
the purely Jewish culture. For example, Jesus led Samaritans (Jews who were
inter-married with other cultures) to faith ( see John 4:39-41). Instead of
evangelizing Gentiles, Jesus primarily trained disciples to be missionaries.
Jesus was the ideal model for church planters. He demonstrated how
to make disciples, to evangelize, to preach,to teach, to shepherd his sheep
(care for his disciples). He taught by example, teaching his disciples to
follow his lead.He took his disciples with him, letting them observe him daily.
Jesus instructed his disciples to put into practice what they learned.
2. The Apostles and the Great Commission
The word apostle comes from a Greek word meaning “one sent.” 4 In
the Great Commission, Jesus commanded the eleven Apostles to go and make
disciples of all nations (Matt.28:19). Obviously the Eleven could not do the
entire job, so by implication, the Great Commission applies to all followers of
Jesus.
3. The Apostle Paul
Jesus appeared as a blinding light to Saul of Tarsus (who became
known as Paul), and led him to become the leading missionary to the Gentiles (
see Romans 11:13). Over a period of years, Paul went on three missions to the
Greco-Roman cultures surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Paul spread the
essential message of the Gospel without requiring that Gentiles conform to
Jewish religious practice. Paul set the example for missionaries to focus on
unreached people groups.
20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel
where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on
someone else’s foundation.
21 Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will
see,and those who have not heard will understand.” (Romans 15:20,21 NIV).
Today the vast majority of missionaries are working among peoples
that already have some knowledge of Christ. The great need is for missionaries
to follow the lead of Paul, and go to unreached peoples.
4. Other Christians
After the stoning of Stephen, Christians were persecuted in Jerusalem,
so they scattered throughout Judea and Samaria,preaching the Gospel wherever
they went (see Acts 8:1-4).
Early disciples spread the Gospel as they migrated from Israel.
For example, Priscilla and her husband Aquila were witnesses for Christ in
Corinth (Acts 18:1,2), Ephesus (Acts 18:24-26), and Rome (Romans 16:3).
5. God Promises that Missions Will Succeed.
God will create a new earth.But in keeping with his promise we are
looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2
Peter 3:13 NIV).Christ will return to rule on the restored earth.
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped
out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
20and that he may send the
Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.
21He must remain in heaven
until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago
through his holy prophets. (Acts 3:19-21 NIV).
Missionaries will succeed in taking the Gospel to the whole world.And
this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony
to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matt. 24:14 NIV).
People of every tribe will worship God.
9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude
that no one could count, from every nation,tribe, people and language, standing
before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and
were holding palm branches in their hands.
10And they cried out in a
loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,who sits on the throne,and to the
Lamb.” (Rev. 7:9,10 NIV).
Given that we have a guarantee that missions will be successful,
it is up to us to simply obey the call to mission work. God will enable us to
accomplish all that he wants us to accomplish.
6. Missionaries Will Suffer and be Rewarded.
Missionaries suffer and receive great rewards. When a person is
called to a mission field, he may be persecuted, but he will receive the joy of
following Christ. He may miss seeing relatives, but he will gain a spiritual
family among those who he leads to Christ. He may give up a home, but he will
be welcomed into the homes of Christians on the mission field. He may give up a
job that provides income, and gain an occupation that brings joy and
satisfaction. If a person is called to missions, he will only realize his
potential and receive peace by accepting the call to missions.
29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left
home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me
and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age
(homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them,
persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10:29,30 NIV).
The suffering of Christians builds character and draws Christians
near to God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we
know that suffering produces perseverance;
4.perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not
disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy
Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5 NIV).
7. Assurance for Faithful Missionaries.
Remember who we are: people called to represent Christ.Therefore
let us be humble and obedient.
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life
worthy of the calling you have received.(Ephesians 4:1 NIV). If we avoid
sin—especially sexual immorality and the love of money—God will always be with
us.
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept
pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5Keep your
lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God
has said,“Never will I leave you;never will I forsake you.” 6So we say with
confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.What can man do to me?”
(Hebrews 13:4-6 NIV).
Christ is always with missionaries.
19 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, 20and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the
age.” (Matt. 28:19,20 NIV).
(For details and for free
course visit <www.missionstraining.org>)
