To the Ends of the Earth (2)

Clarifying the Mission

Opening Illustration: A mission statement is supposed to be a clear statement that explains what you are to do… what you are to accomplish. — Our mission statement is to multiply disciples of Christ through the transformation of lives locally (here where we live) and globally (around the world).

Here are some less than great mission statements. —> Do these mission statements help these employees accomplish their mission?

Every believer has been given a mission to accomplish. It’s a Great Commission in which we are expected to fully engage.

I want to make sure that we are able bring some clarity to the mission of each believer and to the concept of missions in general.

Today we are going to begin a 3 week study on missions. This Sunday I am going to set the stage of our discussion by clarifying the mission. Next week we will take a deeper look at “what is missions” and then on Aug. 29th we will have a visiting missionary share with us the details of God’s plan for missions.

As we begin focusing our thoughts on missions, I would like to invite you to open your Bible’s to Acts 1 and we’ll read verses 1-11. Back on May 30th we took a brief look at this Acts 1:1-11. I want to pick up today where we left of as we look at Christ’s commission for His church to go to the Ends of the Earth!

Read Acts 1:1-11

Acts 1:1–11 ESV

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.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

As Jesus gave this commission for the disciples to go and be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth… in verse 9 we are told that when he had said “these things”…. he was lifted up and ascended into heaven.

Have you ever wondered what “these things” were that Jesus said? Sure, it would mean what is recorded in Acts 1…. but there is much more to “these things” than just in Acts 1.

“These things” are Christ’s commands and commissions given to those who belong to Him.

Typically, what is the first word you think of when someone starts describing the Great Commission being fulfilled around the world? —> Missions.

Missions is not fully understood by many people. When you hear: (song) “be a missionary every day”…. or you hear people say “every christian is a missionary”….

we have to step back and ask ourselves…. are those statements actually true? Do those statements reflect in what God has actually called us to engage?

We are going to take a chronological look at the Great Commission today and I am going to use each event as an opportunity to teach a different aspect of missions.

I hope that today is a good start at helping us to Clarify Missions. By the end of the month, I hope that all of us have a better understanding of what missions is…. and a deeper and stronger desire to engage in the Great Commission that God has called us to corporately… and individually.

Let’s start by discerning the difference between two words: Mission and Missions.

I. Mission vs. Missions

A. Mission: What is mission?

Mission is the means by which we engage in worship of God that results in his exaltation!

How do we grasp that mission?

Vision: Revelation 7:9-10 The God given picture of desired future outcomes

Revelation 7:9–10 ESV

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Values: Matthew 5-6 Beliefs that influence decisions and actions

What is found in Matthew 5-6? Be attitudes… and a bunch of other practical instructions about how to live the Christian life!

Mission: Matthew 28:18-20 What we are called to do in order to accomplish the vision

Make Disciples of every nation.....

Let’s further define the mission: The work of God in reconciling sinful human beings to Himself.

Missions is rooted in God’s desire to reconcile sinful humanity to himself.

God is the power behind the mission

God demonstrates sovereignty in His mission (He will accomplish it)

God is the source of the mission (it is not our mission… it is His!!!!!)

Primary and Secondary activities of missions (we will talk more about this next week) — We are only able to keep the primary and the secondary activities of mission in their place when we are able to have a :

Clear view of the mission

Clearly articulate the mission

Clearly prioritize the mission

Mission is:

The means by which we engage in worship of God that results in his exaltation!

God’s Mission is: The work of God in reconciling sinful human beings to Himself.

What about missions. What is the difference?

B. Missions: What is Missions?

Defined: The plan of committed believers to accomplish the mission of God.

Mission is the theological anchor of missions

Missions is the practical implementation of the mission of God.

Practical implications of the mission of God.

Because mission flows from the nature and character of God it cannot be ignored by the church.

Since the mission is of God, He will equip people for the task.

Helps us understand we are under the sovereignty of God - for the glory of God and not self (Phil. 2:3, John 7:18 )

Implies sacrifice - It is worth dying for

The mission of God will succeed because it is God’s mission.

I hope you see the difference between mission and missions. They are different. One is done to accomplish the other.

— We engage in missions so that we can accomplish the mission of God!

Now, let’s look at a few different versions of the Great Commission recorded for us in Scripture to answer some clarifying questions.

II. Clarifying Questions

Laying out the Chronological development of the Great Commission:

There are 5 passages where the Great commission is given, Matthew and Mark a re both accounts of the same event. So, we can see in Scripture that Jesus issued the Great Commission on 4 different occasions and all of them happened within the 40-day period between his resurrection and ascension to heaven.

(show and explain the chart below)

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John 20:19-21 — (Model of missions)

Time: Resurrection Sunday Day 1

Location: Jerusalem

Recipients: 10 disciples (Thomas not there)

Matthew 28:16-10 & Mark 16:14-16 (Mission of Missions)

Time: not certain… Day 20-32

Location: Galilee

Recipients: 11 Disciples & possibly 500 more (1 Cor. 15:6) (wrong chapter printed in handouts)

Luke 24:44-49 (Message of Missions)

Time: Day 40 Ascension Day

Location: Jerusalem

Recipients: 11 Disciples

Acts 1:8 (Method of Missions/ Strategy)

Time: Day 40 Ascension Day

Location: Bethany 2 Miles East of Jerusalem

Recipients: 11 Disciples & possibly 500 more (Acts 1:8)

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A. What model are we to follow? (John 20:19-21)

John 20:19–21 ESV

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

We are to be obedient to Christ’s Great Commission. How do we do it? We follow His model. John 20 gives us the model.

The Father sent the Son into the world.... so that through Him the world might be saved.

We are to do the same thing.

Just as Christ was sent into the world to fulfill a mission. We… born again believers in Christ are to be sent into the world to fulfill a mission.

So, in a way… if you are a Christian.. born again believer in Christ… then you have been commanded by Christ to accomplish the Great Commission locally (where you live) and globally (to the ends of the earth).

As part of this model.... we come to the question of missionaries.

Why do we have missionaries? Who are missionaries?

B. Who are missionaries? (John 20:21; Luke 24:48-49 )

A missionary is a “sent one”.

Our concept of a missionary comes from the word and office of Apostle.

Look at John 20:21 again. What does Jesus say? —> “…I am sending you.”

Let’s look at Luke 24:48-49 as well.

Luke 24:48–49 ESV

You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

To whom was Jesus speaking? (look at our chart… remember? — to the 10 or 11 disciples).

What were the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples called? Apostles.

The word “apostle” means, “sent one”. “To dispatch someone for the purpose of achieving a goal or objective”.

In Jesus’ Great Commission, He “sent” the Apostles out into the world to continue His mission of reconciliation. That responsibility and ministry has now been passed onto us.... His Church.

“A missionary is someone sent by the church from one culture to another as an ambassador of Christ’s kingdom to nurture new believers into gospel centered reproductive churches.” (Phil Hunt)

The calling of a missionary is confirmed by the local church who commissions the person to the God appointed task (Acts 13:1-5).

When we talk about “missionaries”… we are essentially describing the function of the post resurrection apostles.... sent on mission for Christ in the authority of Christ.

We can further clarify “missionary” as someone who is sent “cross-culturally”....

So, a missionary is someone who has been sent out under the authority of their sending church.. for the purpose of reaching a cross-cultural audience with the gospel.

There is a song that many of us sang when we were little. “Be a missionary every day....”

That song is inaccurate.... we are not all missionaries.

(when everything is missions — article we will talk about next week...)

What if I am not a missionary?

That just means that you are “sent” by a local church to minister the gospel cross-culturally?

But, you are still personally obligated to be obedient to Christ here where you are.

Every believer has been commanded to be part of the Great Commission.... Christ’s mission on earth.

You may not be a missionary… but you are still an ambassador.... representing Jesus everywhere you go!

The question you should ask yourself is not “whether” you’ll be part of the mission.

The question is how.

John 20 helps us to understand the model of missions we are to follow. Now let’s talk about the mission. We have to be clear on what our mission is, if we are to be dedicated to accomplishing it.

C. What is our mission? (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-16 )

The mission is clearly given to us in Matthew and Mark. Let’s read those passages.

Mark 16:14–16 ESV

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

What is the mission we have been given?

Preach the gospel (mark) to the whole creation!

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 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.”

What aspect of the mission is highlighted here?

Make Disciples (as we are going… baptizing.. and teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded).

The primary task of the mission is to proclaim/ teach the gospel… all Christ has commanded..

Here is a tricky question.... does the mission involve feeding orphans.... providing medical care.... teaching in a school..... ?

Yes and no. yes… the mission can include those things.... but they are secondary to the primary mission of proclaiming the gospel.

Next week we’ll get into the conversation about primary and secondary roles in missions a bit more. So, if you have questions about that write them down and we’ll get to them next week.

(chart) The model and mission of missions have been clarified. Now, as people are sent… to proclaim the gospel and make disciples.... what is the message of missions?

D. What is our message? (Luke 24:44-49 )

This passage takes place right after the Road to Emmaus event...

Jesus, appears before the disciples and speaks with them and then eats with them (24:36-43)

Luke 24:44–49 ESV

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

The message of the mission comes straight from Scripture.

-Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations...

Christ is the fulfillment of every promise about the Messiah recorded in Scripture....

Christ is the fulfillment of Scripture

Gospel: Christ died, was buried, raised from the dead… and all those (every nation… to the ends of the earth) who repent from their sins… will receive forgiveness of their sins.... through faith in Christ.

That is the message of missions. It is the gospel.

It is not social reform… it is not critical race theory.... it is not feelings driven agendas… or name it claim it empty promises....

The message that must be proclaimed is all about Jesus and how He came to rescue mankind from our sin… and reconcile us with our Holy God and Creator!

If you look back at our chart, we started with the model and then looked at the mission and then the message. Now let’s look at the method of missions. The strategy we are to follow.

E. What is our method/ strategy? (Acts 1:8 )

This is the passage in Acts where we began back on May 30th and this morning. Notice, chronologically, it is the last utterance of the Great Commission before Christ ascended to heaven.

Acts 1:8 ESV

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.”

What must our method/ strategy of missions contain?

First of all our strategy / method of missions must be dependent on the Holy Spirit....

The Apostles were to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them before they began the task of accomplishing their mission.

In Acts 13… we are told that the Holy Spirit said to set aside Paul and Barnabas for the missionary ministry… they were then sent out by the local church at Antioch. Antioch was the first “sending church”!

All that we do must be enabled, empowered, guided, and driven by the Holy Spirit. Which means our hearts have to be right… and our relationship with the Lord must be unhindered by sin if we are to truly hear and be able to follow the Holy Spirit’s direction.

Then, we are to intentionally and strategically go to the ends of the Earth. --- The Earth is a big place… how are we to accomplish that?

Christ gives us some guidance....

As you are going.... you are to complete the mission..... be my witnesses.... where?

Jerusalem: (home town/ where you are)/

Judea: The places around you where the people look like you…

Samaria: The places where the people live aren’t like you…

Ends of the Earth: All places where people live that are like you and aren’t like you.... all over the world..

There is a cultural and geographical spiral that grows outward in this Command to be Christ’s witnesses!

Conclusion/ Application:

We started today by briefly discussing the difference between mission and missions.

We have briefly gone over some answers to some clarifying questions.

Now before we are finished this morning, I want you to consider last more question:

F. What is our end goal? (Romans 1:5; to see the vision (God given picture of desired future outcomes) accomplished Rev. 7:9-10)

What do you think the end goal of missions is?

(to see people saved: Why? so they won’t go to hell? — that’s humanism. I want people to be saved so they won’t suffer.) — That he man-centered thinking and philosophy.

What would a God-centered… Christ-centric philosophy / thinking look like?

Romans 1:1–5 ESV

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

Verse 5.... “for the sake of his name among all the nations,” !!!!

What is our end goal? Why are we go obey Christ’s Great Commission?

Because God’s glory… and holiness… is worthy of our obedience..... so that His name might be glorified among all the nations!!!

Why do we engage in missions?!?!? —> (v. 5) For the sake of His name!!!!!!!! For His glory!!!!!

We engage in missions to see the mission accomplished… and the vision realized.

What is the vision? (remember?) The God-give picture of future outcomes?

Revelation 7:9–10 ESV

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

A great multitude that no one could number… from every nation… from all tribes… and people… and languages.... standing before the throne… and before the Lamb.... praising Christ… and glorifying God forever!!!

That is why we do missions.... so that we are part of God accomplishing this!

Principle to Take Home:

God has called every believer to be completely engaged in His Mission! What is your Response?

We are to be obedient. (even if we don’t feel like it)

Obedience to God and His Word… must come before feelings!

We are to be obedient to Christ not because you want to… or because you are comfortable doing it… not because you feel like it… but because He is worthy of our obedience!!!!

Romans 1:5 says it so well.... Why are we to be obedient? —> For the sake of His name.... to every nation!!!!)

Our Response:

Christ has commanded. How will you respond? —

Live it out! Live out the gospel with your mouth and your movements!

Engage others! Engage those around you with the gospel (word, actions, life, not simply inviting them to church (just coming to church won’t save anyone)… but inviting them to Christ! …)

Who is your one? (challenge everyone to identify their one….

Send & Go! those who will engage those around the world… (We will focus on this aspect much more next week)