What are the Biblical reasons why a person should engage personally and wholeheartedly in God’s mission?
Why ME
Completing the Great Commission
Why Be A Career Missionary?
Why Mission Engagement?
Five Reasons YOU Should Engage in Global Ministry
Learning to love Christ and His Mission
Have you ever considered…
…That dedicating the rest of your life to serve God as a career missionary
could be among the most rewarding and fulfilling decisions of your life?
…That there are needs uniquely tailored to your gifts and abilities?
…That there is a generation of a particular group of people
who may hear the Good News
primarily because you acted by faith to tell them?
…That you cannot accomplish His work without close fellowship with Him?
Did you choose where you were born?
Thousands of languages and dialects have no access to the Gospel
Is there a reason you have access to the Good News?
What is more valuable to you than people?
- Before God said, “Let there be light”,
- Before He divided the waters from the waters,
- Before He created the land and the oceans,
- Before He created the flowers and fruitful trees,
- Before He created the sun, moon, and stars,
- Before He created the fish and birds,
- Before He created all the animals and creatures of the earth,
And your neighbor.
Someone Told Us
Based on the identity and purpose of Jesus, our own identity and purpose have great significance in the world.
Knowing our condition, position, and purpose in God’s plan gives us the power to act now, by faith, with intention, in ways that will bear fruit in God’s eternal economy.
The second greatest commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves. How could we love them and not tell them of the greatest gift we have ever been given; a personal relationship with God Himself?
Missions seems be everybody’s problem. Everybody’s problem tends to be nobody’s problem until that problem affects you and me. This page is about that.
For every language group that has never been told about Jesus there are more than one hundred and fifty thousand Christians who, at least by working together, could tell them about Jesus Christ.
Whose problem is it that some language groups have not been told about Jesus?
Did Jesus have something to say about that?
What should be my response to God’s purpose in the world?
We need to know solid reasons why each of us should personally and wholeheartedly engage in God’s mission.
Purposeful Living
For each of us who have believed God, other people intentionally laid down their lives to ensure that we would be able to hear God’s message.
Made in the image of our Creator, we have the same ability to act with purposeful intention to do good for the benefit of other people.
Between the resurrection of Christ and our personal faith there is a long chain of people who believed God and acted.
Some faced rejection to speak directly. Some invested personal resources to get the message to us. Some crossed an ocean as a personal courier. Some gave up their lives, believing that God would accomplish greater things through their persistent obedience. Some invested their lives to translate God’s word into our language so that we could know Him. Some were burned at the stake to make God’s message available to us in this language.
We each have a personal response to the realization of this great love of God and His people.
I must state the obvious that God alone raises up laborers and that work without dependence upon the Holy Spirit, abiding in Christ, is fruitless. At the same time – faith without works is dead. What we believe will be shown by what we do.
There is a time to take action based upon what has already been clearly revealed in God’s written Word. Is God’s Word enough to move us?
Will we also choose to lay down our own lives so that other people may hear the message of God’s glorious grace through faith in Christ?
Our involvement may depend on how much we value God’s worth;
how much we consider the knowledge of Him worth shipping.
Love is not maximum emotion.
Love is maximum commitment.
– Sinclair Ferguson
Mission - Why ME?
In this page, let’s explore some reasons why each of us would be wise to engage in God’s mission.
Why should we fully engage in missions?
Redeemed
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
– 1 Peter 1:13-19
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:14
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
God works through broken people who will humble themselves before Him.
We were redeemed by the blood of Christ for a purpose: to know Him, to enjoy Him, to tend His garden, and reflect His glory for all of eternity.
To know Him is to value what He values and engage in His purposes rather than our own. To live for ourselves, to intentionally live self-centered lives in contrast to His character and purpose, is to dishonor Him.
We have been purchased by God for His excellent purposes; to bring glory to His name.
We have the capability to respond with an attitude of gratitude to pass on to other people the grace that God has extended to us.
The great love of God toward us and His great love for our neighbors compels us to express our love for Him by bringing our neighbors to know Him as we do.
The author of life, who gives each breath, who has conquered death, holds our lives in His hand. What have we to fear?
God’s goodness and character in redeeming us from death are reason enough to engage in His mission.
It is loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength* that motivates us to introduce our neighbors to Him. That love comes about through taking the time to get to know Him; growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. It involves adding to our faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity.*
“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;” – Philippians 1:9
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18
Christ has ordained that His message should be delivered to the world through the redeemed who will, like their Savior, die to themselves so that others might live. His message is proclaimed through the suffering and preaching of the saints.
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” – John 20.21
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” – Philippians 3:10
None of this kind of thinking about life, death, and our mission to please our Savior would be possible without knowing Him whom we have believed. (2 Timothy 1:12)
“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” – John 13:15-16
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” – Mark 8:34
Teaching people to observe all that Christ commanded us involves teaching them to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Recently, it occurred to me that in the parables that Jesus taught about the kingdom a common theme was about how much the characters valued the King. The parable of the vineyard owner, the parable of the king who invited people to the great feast, and the parable of the talents all talked about people who would or would not seek to honor the king.
“and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:18
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
Representative
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation; – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. – 2 Corinthians 5:20
God chose to employ human representatives to deliver His message of love and grace to the world. Throughout the Bible you will find God using human instruments to deliver His message. His written word, presented by His people under the power of the Holy Spirit is His normal way of proclaiming Christ to the world.
In the parable of talents, Jesus described the kingdom of heaven as a situation where the servants were all given talents to invest in representing the master in His business. The servant who was judged was the servant who buried the talent rather than face his fear and use it for His master’s benefit.
The Bible makes it clear that, even in judging wickedness, God is continually inviting people to willingly recognize His goodness and provision for their unrighteousness.
After God commanded Moses to build the tabernacles with specific, detailed instructions, and gifted individuals to do the work, the willing-hearted people were His means of providing all of the supplies to complete the work. (Exodus 35: 22, 29)
After Jesus pointed out the need for workers to help bring in the harvest, he sent His disciples out to do the work.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. – John 20:21
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. – Jude 1:23
Responsibility
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
–Ephesians 2:10
Did you know that before God created the earth He was thinking of you and me?
This means that each person has more value than any in or on the earth.
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
–Ephesians 1:4
(See also, Matt. 25:34, 2 Tim 1:9, Hebrews 4:3, Revelation 13:8)
The issues of life come out of the heart; the seat of the mind, will, and emotions.
We have a responsibility to guard our own hearts (Proverbs 4:23)
and to engage people about the choices of their own hearts. (2 Corinthians 5:11)
“The door to the truth is the will, not the intellect.” – Bill Dillon
In the “whosoever” statements of the Bible, and elsewhere, God addresses the heart again and again throughout scripture, including the willing hearts of Exodus 35 and the hardened hearts of Hebrews 3.
The issue of responsibility includes having a heart lined up with God’s values of love and concern for the neighbors God has placed in our lives. He cares for them.
God delivers His message through human ambassadors who speak His written Word under the power of the Holy Spirit to a dying world. (2 Corinthians 3:12-6:2)
Our responsibility is not to snatch people from hell (God does that) but to extend His love and grace as His ambassadors; speaking the message of truth about His goodness, glorious character, perfect righteousness, unfailing justice, and wonderful grace so that they may respond by believing Him.
God’s word reveals that the means by which He has chosen to communicate His message of grace is through the individuals of the Church acting as a Body. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-48, John 17:21 & 20:21, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:13-17, 1 Corinthians 15:34, 2 Corinthians 4 & 5, etc.)
And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost. – 2 Samuel 24:24
God is honored when we willingly, by believing Him, give at our own expense to bring Him glory according to His stated purposes.
God set the pattern in Exodus 25 when He gave specific instructions about how the Tabernacle would be built and then opened the door for the willing-hearted people to meet the need for resources.
“And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.” – Exodus 35:22
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” – Matthew 6:24
24Then said Jesus unto his disciples,
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me.
25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:
and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels;
and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
– Matthew 16:24-27
“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”
– 1 Corinthians 15:34
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” – Colossians 1:28
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ,
if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit,
if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy,
that ye be likeminded,
having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
…
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…
…he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him…
…but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God which worketh in you
both to will
and to do
of his good pleasure.
– Philippians 2:1-13
Rewards
The Apostle Paul had a fair bit to say about working now for the rewards that will come later.
He and Jesus clarified the prizes are individual and that some will not win the prize due to lack of effort.
In the parable of the talents, Jesus made clear distinctions concerning the rewards of the servants based on their faith and work.
James stated that believing without doing was dead, separated, having no life. Faith without works is dead.
Paul told us he disciplined his body lest he should be disqualified for the prize. (1 Cor. 2:9) In 1 Corinthians 3:13 Paul tells us that each person’s work will be tested to see what sort it is.
John tells us to prepare so that we are ashamed at His coming. (1John 2:28)
We will stand before Christ and give an account, at least in relation to our efforts to please Him and persuade people about Him. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
– 1 Corinthians 9:24
(See 1 Corinthians 9:16-27)
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” – 1 Corinthians 4:5
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
– Colossians 3:23-24
“With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”
– Ephesians 6:8
“For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ‘ – 1 Corinthians 3:11-14
Righteousness by faith in the finished work of Christ is a gift and not earned. However, intentional effort to glorify God is expected, commanded, and rewarded. This is shown in the parable of the talents and many other portions of scripture.
The Apostle Paul lived with purpose and intention.
“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: – 1 Corinthians 3:11-14
David Jeremiah outlines five of the rewards that believers earn to be cast at the feet of Jesus.
Here are five of the crowns or rewards earned by believers.
Crowns that we cast at the feet of Jesus as He alone is worthy.
Rejoicing
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2
These words follow the “Faith Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11. Like those people of faith, people today need to be convinced, convicted, by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit that what God asks is worth doing; that He is worthy of the sacrifices.
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7 –
It’s personal. For each of us, no one else can do the good works which God has prepared in advance for us to do.
God’s mission requires that people be moved by the conviction that God’s word is true, important, and relevant to their lives now. Any motivation other than the conviction of the word of God by the Holy Spirit will not sustain a worker through the necessary sacrifices to the completion of their tasks.
No one else can believe God for me and take the steps of faith (believing God) in my attitudes and the actions reserved just for me.
No one else will meet all of the people God brings into each of our individual lives or have the same opportunities to do good unto them.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. “
John 12:24-26
Is it worth it? Is it worth the the cost, the sacrifice that will be necessary to bring people to a clear understanding of God’s grace in Christ?
“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” – Luke 15:10
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4
John could only write such a thing because of the investment that John made in the lives of his children. Likewise, we will have the rejoicing that is ours because of our own investment by faith.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
https://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-1.htm
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9
Resources
To Carefully Lay the Foundation for Mission
Engaging on Mission - Why Missions?
- Why Missions? – stilluntold.org
- Why Missions? – stilluntold.com
- stilluntold.com
- 14 Reasons for Missions – thetraveling team.org
- Find Your Fit – ethnos360.org/go
- Who says? and Whose Glory?
- David Platt : Living for God’s Glory Must Move Us Toward Obedience
- God So Loved The World That He Sent … You
- 9 Marks: Do The Work Of An Evangelist
- David Jeremiah – Heaven’s Oscars
- Missions to the Glory of God Part 8 – Chad Vegas
- Personal Missionary Support
- Money and Missions
- 59 Important Questions You Must Ask a Missions Agency
Empowering Your Perspective on Missions
- wayumi.com
- Ethnos360 Bible Institute
- AccessTruth.com
- perspectives.org
- Historic Missions in Todays World: Preparation, Patience and Persistence
- Why Trees Aren’t Boats
- Must I Go and Empty-Handed
- How Should Christians View Safety?
- Adrian Rogers – How to be a fully committed disciple of Christ
- Any Old Bush Will Do – Moses and the Burning Bush | Major Ian Thomas
- The Willing Heart – https://vimeo.com/461362445
The Great Commission message is like the Gospel message in that you cannot give people your greatest gift until they realize its value and their need to claim it. - RS
If you have seen that your role is important…
What is the task?
What is the vision?
What is “well done”?
