"The Ends Of The Earth"
The Missio Dei • Sermon • Submitted
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And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus, here commissions his followers to make other followers of Christ. From every nation tribe and tongue. Interesting to think, that we are the ones who speak the funny language, and have the strange customs, we are the nations in this verse. We are the ones who are born far from God, and without hope. The disciples would need to get the gospel to every nation, and every nation share the gospel throughout all generations, for the gospel to get to you, it would take over 2000 years and from Jerusalem to Wichita, over 6,000 miles… for you who are far from God, to be brought near to him, by the blood of Christ.
Transition: The beginning of this mission for the church is found in the book of Acts. Though, we know it has really been God’s mission for his people from day 1 in the garden. Likewise, in chapter 1, the first 8 verses of Acts give us the outline for the entire book, and will help us understand how in the world the gospel would have gone from these 12 apostles in Jerusalem, to the ends of the earth, and into the homes of you and I. From the beginning is has been… God’s Mission, God’s Kingdom, God’s People to the ends of the earth. And in we realize it is the power of God’s Spirit now working in God’s people, who will see this mission to completion.
God’s Mission, God’s Kingdom, God’s People & God’s Spirit
God’s Mission, God’s Kingdom, God’s People & God’s Spirit
The beginning of this mission for the church is found in the book of Acts. The first 8 verses give us the outline for the entire book, and will help us understand how in the world the gospel would have gone from these 12 apostles to homes of you and I.
The Spirit will make the Mission Possible
The Spirit will make the Mission Possible
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
We know the commission given in , now let’s take a look at how it all began, in .
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
First Book vs. Second Book
Acts 1:6
Began to do and teach....
40 Days and speaking ab out the Kingdom of God
Primary topic… the Kingdom of God
but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Gospel and Kingdom of God
Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,
Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Gospel (Good News) of the Kingdom of God
But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss.
And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.
But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
The Kingdom of God and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The Disciples were not ignorant about Jesus teaching on the Kingdom of God.
“The Kingdom of God” appears 32 times in Luke’s Gospel
Will you at this time “Restore the Kingdom to Israel”
What triggered that responce?
Verse 5 did! He said they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. So, after a few days they met up again and they figured it was time.
They saw a correlation between the pouring out of the spirit upon them and the beginning of the kingdom of God.
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
“And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.
“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land,
“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land,
I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land,
Restoration of the Kingdom & The gathering of all Nations
The Land Hand been Divided into two.
Northern Kingdom Israel
Southern Kingdom Judah
So, three things need to happen to show us the Kingdom of God has come.
Restoration of the Kingdom of Judah (the Christ)
Jesus is the Lion (king) from the Tribe o Judah.
The Land with is Divided must be healed
Judah & Samaria (Gospel units them in Christ)
The Spirit of God must be pour out
Acts 2
The Nations must be gathered
Great Commission
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
I use to think Jesus was giving them something to do in the meantime
You’re not to know the times or seasons that the Father has fixed, but instead just be my witnesses and preach the gospel until the Kingdom gets here.
However, notice the context of the question.
Verse 5, says the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon you not many days from now
Verse 6, a few days had passed and they ask about if the kingdom would be restored now. That is, will we receive the sprit now?
Verse 7, it’s not for you to know the exact time the Father has chosen
Verse 8, But (don’t worry/you’re not going to miss it) You will recieve Power when the Holy SPirit has come upone you, and you will be my witnesses in Jeralem, juda and samaria an to the end of the earth.
You wont miss it, and you wont fail the mission.
The Mission of God, to bring the Kingdom of God, through his people, will be accomplished, though failed by Adam and Eve and failed by Israel under the Mosaic Covenant.
Because, this time the Holy Spirit will come upon them all, male and female, servant and free, to take the good news of the kingdom of God that the King has come, that the King has died, that the King is risen, and the King is redeeming, renewing, and restoring all things from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
Transition: That’s what we are talking about today, as we have been talking about for the past three weeks. The mission of God, to bring the Kingdom of God through his people, by the power of the Spirit, to the ends of the earth.
Which is exactly what he intended to do from the beginning.
“The Ends of the Earth” will Image & Glorify God
“The Ends of the Earth” will Image & Glorify God
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
The mission of God, is to bring the Kingdom of God through the people of God, by the power of the Spirit of God, until the glory of God covers the ends of the earth.
Let me say that again,
God’s mission, is to bring God’s Kingdom, through God’s people, by the power of God’s Spirit, until God’s Glory covers the ends of the earth.
God’s mission, is to bring God’s Kingdom, through God’s people, by the power of God’s Spirit, until God’s Glory covers the ends of the earth.
Who’s mission is it? God’s
Who’s Kingdom is it? God’s
Who does God want to use to accomplish this mission? His people
How is God going to get it done? Not by power, not by might, but by my Spirit saith the Lord.
He wont use your power, but he’s going to use you!
When will we know the mission is over? When His glory fills all the earth.
What will that look like?
It will look like his image bearers in every tribe nation and tongue imaging & worshiping him!
"The Ends of the Earth” will Image God
"The Ends of the Earth” will Image God
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Make followers of me that do everything I command them.
Matthew 28:Make followers of me that do everything I command them.
If your kids were to do everything you say to them, and everything you teach them, then they will look just like you!
We do this with Jesus… we look to him. Image Him. Observe his teachings.
Then call others to do the same… This is discipleship
But, of course, we say: Follow me as I follow Christ!
Because there is still much of my life that needs to better image the King!
“The Ends of the Earth” will glorify God
“The Ends of the Earth” will glorify God
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
By the Blood of his cross
Revelation
assurance for missions
Future…
Just future?
Call to worship ( around his throne)
Think of all the churches in Wichita right now
Think of churches around America… have you lived in another state? Know of others worshiping him today?
Missions trips? churches gathered to worship him?
Made in the image of God, glorifying God!!! Worthy is the Lamb, from every tribe nation and tongue
All the Nations, “Ends of the Earth”, will be Blessed
All the Nations, “Ends of the Earth”, will be Blessed
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
Galatians 3:1
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
Galatians 3:1
so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Ephesians
Genesis
The Ends of the Earth, “who once were far off”, Have Been Brought Near
The Ends of the Earth, “who once were far off”, Have Been Brought Near
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Romans 11:
Listen to me, O coastlands,
and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name.
Ephesians 2:11-
Isaiah
Listen to me, O coastlands,
and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name.
He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver he hid me away.
And he said to me, “You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
But I said, “I have labored in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my right is with the Lord,
and my recompense with my God.”
And now the Lord says,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him;
and that Israel might be gathered to him—
for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength—
he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Listen to me, O coastlands,
and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
1Peter 2:9
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Duet. 7:6-9
Listen to me, O coastlands,
and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name.
He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver he hid me away.
And he said to me, “You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
But I said, “I have labored in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my right is with the Lord,
and my recompense with my God.”
And now the Lord says,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him;
and that Israel might be gathered to him—
for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength—
he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Thus says the Lord,
the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,
to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation,
the servant of rulers:
“Kings shall see and arise;
princes, and they shall prostrate themselves;
because of the Lord, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
Isaiah
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles B. The Commissioning of the Apostles (1:6–8)
Acts 1:8 is a prediction and promise of the way this divine plan will be fulfilled, rather than a command. The rest of the book shows how it happened, first in Jerusalem (chap. 2–7), then in all Judea and Samaria (chap. 8–12), and then to the ends of the earth (chap. 13–28).
he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles B. The Commissioning of the Apostles (1:6–8)
There are three stages in the outworking of ‘the new exodus’ foretold by Isaiah: the dawn of salvation in Jerusalem, the reconstitution and reunification of Israel (signified here by in all Judea and Samaria), and the inclusion of the Gentiles within the people of God. In Acts 13–28, Paul’s activity as a witness ‘before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel’ is highlighted, in accordance with the commission he receives (9:15; cf. 22:15; 23:11; 26:16). As noted in connection with 1:2, there are differences between the apostleship of Paul and of the Twelve, but Luke presents Paul as an authorized witness in his own right. In his ministry the plan of 1:8 is dramatically advanced. Nevertheless, Acts provides only selected illustrations of the way God’s purpose was advanced in the first few decades, and the narrative concludes with the task uncompleted. Readers are left with an implied challenge to continue the work of worldwide testimony to Jesus.