November is a big missions month for our church. We are currently gathering gifts for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) and have a team preparing to leave for Nicaragua at the end of the week. So I thought it a good time to discuss why we as believers should value missions.
What we learn from Scripture about missions…
1) MISSIONS IS FROM THE MIND OF GOD
From the beginning, we learn that God’s interest is not for one single nation, but for the nations. In Genesis 12:1-3, God enters into a Godless culture, picks a pagan in a wicked city from a Godless family (Josh. 24:2), and blesses him so that through him the nations will be blessed. God says,
What we learn from Scripture about missions…
1) MISSIONS IS FROM THE MIND OF GOD
From the beginning, we learn that God’s interest is not for one single nation, but for the nations. In Genesis 12:1-3, God enters into a Godless culture, picks a pagan in a wicked city from a Godless family (Josh. 24:2), and blesses him so that through him the nations will be blessed. God says,
2 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. 3 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.
Although this was not fulfilled in Abraham’s lifetime and has not yet come to fruition with us, Scripture teaches that one day all the families of the Earth will be blessed because of the person and work of Christ. Though this clearly does not refer to every single person, Revelation 7:9 teaches us that in the end there will be a multitude of people from every nation, which no one can number, who will stand before the throne and enjoy the blessings of the Lord’s gracious rule.
2) MISSIONS IS A MANDATE FOR THE CHURCH
In Matthew 28:18-20, Christ gives His Great Commission to the church. Four times in this passage, He uses the word “All” to clarify this task.
First, Christ says He has “All Authority.” This simply means He has absolute right over both Heaven and Earth—therefore, what He says goes.
Second, He says the church should make disciples of “All Nations.” Once again, although there are no Gentile believers or churches at this time, we see God’s heart is for the nations.
Third, Jesus says the church should be teaching converts “All that He Commands.” Here He calls for His followers to invest in new believers, teaching them how to live under His Lordship.
2) MISSIONS IS A MANDATE FOR THE CHURCH
In Matthew 28:18-20, Christ gives His Great Commission to the church. Four times in this passage, He uses the word “All” to clarify this task.
First, Christ says He has “All Authority.” This simply means He has absolute right over both Heaven and Earth—therefore, what He says goes.
Second, He says the church should make disciples of “All Nations.” Once again, although there are no Gentile believers or churches at this time, we see God’s heart is for the nations.
Third, Jesus says the church should be teaching converts “All that He Commands.” Here He calls for His followers to invest in new believers, teaching them how to live under His Lordship.
Finally, Christ assures His followers He will be with them “All the Days.” He has not (nor will He ever) abandon His followers, leaving the task to them alone, but promises to be with them always.
3) MISSIONS IS THE NECESSARY MEANS FOR WORSHIP
The third reason we should emphasize missions is because “you and I were made for worship,” and worship is what is lacking in our world. On page 17 of his book “Let the Nations Be Glad,” John Piper states, “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because Worship doesn’t…When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But Worship abides forever.”
3) MISSIONS IS THE NECESSARY MEANS FOR WORSHIP
The third reason we should emphasize missions is because “you and I were made for worship,” and worship is what is lacking in our world. On page 17 of his book “Let the Nations Be Glad,” John Piper states, “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because Worship doesn’t…When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But Worship abides forever.”
