Our Mission Revolves Around the Word of God
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Introduction:
Introduction:
We live in a time of great opportunity and immense responsibility as followers of Jesus. The mission is clear: make disciples of all nations. We are told this will be the result of “going and teaching.” (Matt. 28:18–20).
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
As we pursue that mission, there is one truth that becomes undeniably clear from Scripture: Our mission revolves around the Word of God.
Whether we are sharing the gospel with unbelievers, encouraging believers, or teaching others to follow Jesus—everything centers on God's Word.
Three principles concerning the Word and our mission and end with a clear example of this lived out.
Three principles concerning the Word and our mission and end with a clear example of this lived out.
I. Our mission revolves around receiving and sharing the Word of God.
I. Our mission revolves around receiving and sharing the Word of God.
A. We receive the Word as a gift of God's grace.
A. We receive the Word as a gift of God's grace.
Acts 2:41 “41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The early church was birthed through the proclamation and reception of the Word of God.
This Word is not man’s invention—it is God’s revelation (2 Timothy 3:16).
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, we are to receive the Word eagerly and examine it daily.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
B. We reproduce the Word for the glory of God.
B. We reproduce the Word for the glory of God.
Acts 6:7 “7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The spread of God’s Word and the multiplication of disciples go hand in hand.
Disciple-making is not about spreading our opinions or personalities; it’s about multiplying the life, character, and truth of Christ through His Word.
Key Truth: We are not meant to be only receivers of the Word, but we are to share—listening not just to learn, but to pass it on.
II. Our mission requires formal and relational teaching of the Word.
II. Our mission requires formal and relational teaching of the Word.
A. Some are called to teach the Word formally.
A. Some are called to teach the Word formally.
Acts 6:4 “4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Why is this the case? To help others do the same. Ephesians 4:11 says God gave teachers to the church to equip the saints.
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
It comes with a very heavy caution. James 3:1 warns that not many should presume to be teachers, because teaching comes with strict accountability.
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
The true minister of Christ is one who studies, interprets, explains, and applies Scripture. That is his calling.
Ezra 7:10 “10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”
10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
B. All are commanded to teach the Word relationally.
B. All are commanded to teach the Word relationally.
Matthew 28:18–20 “18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 teaches us to “talk about God’s Word when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Acts shows the early church teaching the Word in homes, along roads, and in everyday life.
Illustration: Teaching your kids to eat or ride a bike happens in relationship, not a classroom. In the same way, teaching the Word happens in daily life.
III. Our mission involves inviting others into a relationships with the Word of God.
III. Our mission involves inviting others into a relationships with the Word of God.
A. The Word should shape every relationship and conversation.
A. The Word should shape every relationship and conversation.
Colossians 3:16 “16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Our conversations should go deeper than weather and sports—we speak life when we speak the Word.
A meal, a walk, an airport conversation—all become sacred opportunities for discipleship when the Word is shared.
B. Bible teaching does not require a pulpit—it requires intentionality.
B. Bible teaching does not require a pulpit—it requires intentionality.
Teaching the Word isn’t limited to Sunday sermons or Bible studies—it happens in the car, on a phone call, in a text message, over coffee.
Every believer can bring the Word into their sphere of influence.
Application Question: We must all take a moment and reflect on our teaching ministry. Who have you invited into a relationship around the Word.
Story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
A powerful Bible story that exemplifies this message—that disciple-making revolves around the Word of God and happens both formally and relationally—is the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26–40.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
1. It shows the Word of God at the center of our mission
1. It shows the Word of God at the center of our mission
The Ethiopian is reading Isaiah 53 but doesn’t understand it.
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Philip doesn’t share his own thoughts—he starts with Scripture and explains how it points to Jesus (Acts 8:35).
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8:35)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
2. It models relational, Spirit-Led teaching
2. It models relational, Spirit-Led teaching
Philip doesn’t teach from a pulpit—he joins the man on the road and has a personal conversation.
It’s informal, but intentional: he walks with him, listens, and explains the Word clearly and compassionately.
3. It leads to immediate discipleship response
3. It leads to immediate discipleship response
The eunuch responds with faith and asks to be baptized on the spot.
He’s not just a hearer of the Word—he becomes a follower of Jesus through one relational, Word-centered interaction.
How This Illustrates the Sermon:
How This Illustrates the Sermon:
The Word is received (the Ethiopian is reading it).
The Word is taught (Philip explains it).
The Word is shared (the Ethiopian goes away rejoicing—and tradition says he brought the gospel to Ethiopia).
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
The evidence from Acts is overwhelming: disciple-making revolves around the Word of God.
This Word is the engine of spiritual transformation, the seed of gospel growth, and the foundation of true discipleship.
So we must ask:
Are we receiving the Word with eagerness and faith?
Are we sharing it in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and friendships?
Are we devoting ourselves not just to learning but to teaching in every relational context?
Let’s be a church that listens to the Word eagerly, teaches it faithfully, and spreads it boldly—because this is our mission.
Acts 6:7 “7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
