A Theology of Missions from Acts

Pastor Greg Stansel Acts 8:1 May 8, 2022

Since Jesus is a missional God . . . we are called to be a missional church. A missional church has a Kingdom focus

II. A missional church is empowered by the Holy Spirit

III. A missional church sees the mission field as local

IV. A missional church sees the mission field as global V. A missional church suffers for the Kingdom of God

Connect

How do you see missions as part of your Christian life?

Study

Point 1: A missional church has a Kingdom focus

READ Colossians 1:9–14

1) Why is it important to remember we have been transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son? When did that transfer take place? How does understanding what Kingdom we are in help us live out Colossians 1:9–12?

Point 2: A missional church is empowered by the Holy Spirit

READ Acts 2:17–21

2) What is the result of the Lord pouring out His Spirit (take note that there are several results)? What does the phrase “in the last days” mean? How do we live today by the power of the Holy Spirit?

Point 3: A missional church sees the mission field as local

READ 1 Thessalonians 1:2–10

3) How does Paul reveal that the Thessalonians church saw their local area as a mission field?

4) Discuss specific ways Hauser Community Church could treat our local community as a mission field. Have someone write down your ideas and put them in Pastor Greg’s box in the office.

Point 4: A missional church sees the mission field as global

READ Matthew 9:35–38

5) What elements do you see here about the global mission? How will you get involved with the global missions we support here at HCC? Take time to pray for our global missionaries.

Point 5: A missional church suffers for the Kingdom of God

READ Acts 14:19–23

6) What does Paul mean in saying, “though many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”? How are you suffering for the Kingdom of God?

Practical Applications

Pray about how you can be involved in missions locally.

Pray about how you can be involved in missions globally.

Pick up a mission’s card on the info wall and earnestly pray for that missionary. You could also contact the office to get the contact info so you can email the missionaries and encourage them.

Pray the passage

Jesus, we praise you as our presently reigning King. You are Lord of lords and King of kings, and to you every knee will bow and every tongue confess that you are Lord.

We ask that you would continue to pour out your Spirit on our congregation so that we faithfully bear witness about your Kingdom to those who do not know you. Give us your power to do your will.

Forgive us for the times we focus more on our kingdom than yours, and we ask that you remove that desire from our hearts and replace it with the prayer, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” In your powerful name we pray, Jesus, amen.

Memorize & Meditate

“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.”

Preparing for next week

Read: John 17:15-16; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 3:23 Ask: questions of the text.

Pray: through text, for Mike Gordon as he prepares, for your heart to hear, for the congregation to hear, for all of us to be obedient.