Missional Christianity
As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.
(John 20:21, ESV)
As Christians, we don’t DO mission; we join God on mission, for mission originates and flows from God the Father. God is a missionary God, and He is on mission to create a people for His own glory with whom He will dwell in a new heavens and earth for all eternity. Jesus is the model missionary as the one who was sent into the world (John 3:17) from God and took on flesh and blood (John 1:14) in order to be the means (John 1:29) through whom God’s people are created. We can only truly understand mission in light of the Triune God: the Father sending the Son, the Father and the Son sending the Spirit. Therefore, mission is NOT something we do; we join God in mission, continuing the mission of Christ here on earth.Â
A true understanding of mission helps us to see that like Jesus, we are the children of God sent on mission into the world (John 20:21). Jesus is the unique Son, the only begotten, who was sent into the world via the incarnation. By faith in Christ, we have the privilege of being called the children of God (John 1:12). Yet, we are not born children of God in our own power or will or by privilege; we are chosen out of the world (John 15:18-19) and sent back into the world (John 17:6-19) to fulfill Christ’s mission (John 20:21).Â
We accomplish this mission by proclaiming the missionary message of forgiveness of sins (John 20:23): that is, the gospel. But, since we are sent as Christ was sent, then we must live out the gospel message like Christ who was the obedient Son who fulfilled all the Father’s will (John 5:19-30; 8:29), for Jesus is our model (John 15:9-10). When we understand the fact that we are all sent as Jesus was sent, then we will realize that we are all missionaries. We are either obedient or disobedient, but we are missionaries nonetheless. What is it that keeps us from obedient missional Christianity?
For too many, fear keeps us from obedient missional living. We are afraid of what people may say or do; we are afraid of rejection. Yet, like Christ, we are empowered for mission by the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). We forget that just as Jesus was empowered for mission by the Holy Spirit (John 1:29-34), we too are empowered for mission by the same Spirit (John 7:39). What this means for us is that we must be utterly dependent on the Spirit of Christ for mission, not ourselves or our methods or the people to whom we are ministering. Our role is to live out and proclaim the gospel message; God’s role is to apply the gospel to people’s lives. That is something that only the sovereign Lord can do. Therefore, be encouraged, for the Spirit goes before you to bear witness to Christ (John 15:26), and He empowers you for witness.
Finally, as we consider how to be missional Christians, we must remember that like Jesus, we are authorized for mission with the gospel message (John 20:23). Our authority is not in ourselves or our charisma or our knowledge. Our authority is in the gospel which is the power of God for salvation to all who believe (Romans 1:16). This means our confidence in the mission is in Christ and His Spirit and His gospel. If we were to have to depend on ourselves and our authority to persuade people and change their hearts, then our mission would be frustrating and the converts would be ours, not Christ’s. Thankfully, the gospel is authoritative because Christ is authoritative—all authority has been given to him (Matthew 28:18).
Essentially, this means that we go and proclaim the gospel, whether or not it’s received, trusting in the power of God. As we go and as people come to faith in Christ, God is greatly glorified. That is the goal of mission! May we all see ourselves as gospel missionaries, both here and abroad.
Love,
Pastor Juan
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