What’s our Mission?

GETTING STARTED

When you hear the word “church” what comes to mind? For a long time, I thought church was a place where you go, attend, gather, and receive. Those are all a part of it, but for Paul the church was not just a place of gathering, the church was a people, “sent.” The church is on a mission to proclaim the gospel. To be a part of the church is to be on a mission to testify to the gospel of the grace of God, proclaim the kingdom, and declare the whole counsel of God.

  • When you signed up to be a part of Jesus’ church, did you know you were signing up to be a part of the most crucial and important mission in the universe? Do you live sent? Are you a vehicle through which the gospel of Jesus is delivered to the world?

READ THE WORD: ACTS 20:22-27 (ESV)

22 And now, behold, I (Paul) am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Whom did Paul refer to as his source of guidance and strength in this passage?
  2. In verse 24, Paul revealed some self-reflection describing his purpose in life. What did he say, and what are the implications? In as few words as possible, how would you describe Paul’s mission as a Christian based on this passage?
  3. If someone asked you what “the gospel of the grace of God” is, what would you say? (See Romans 5:1-2 and Ephesians 2:8-9.)
  4. What did Paul’s use of the words “testify,” “proclaim,” and “declare” communicate about the nature of the gospel?
  5. If someone told you that being a part of the church is about giving your whole life to spreading the message of the gospel of Jesus, would you have joined in? Why or why not?

RESPOND TO GOD

This passage gives insight into the heart of the mission God gave the Apostle Paul, to spread the good news of Jesus. Here we see Paul’s passion to proclaim, testify to, and declare the gospel. The word gospel means “good news.” Jesus dying on the cross for the sins of the world and rising to new life to create a new community that will bring renewal to the whole world is the best news you will ever hear! Have you been changed by the gospel? Has the good news of Jesus propelled your heart to be sent to declare to the world who Jesus is and what he has done? That is what church is all about.

  • Pray that God would open your eyes to see the gospel in fresh ways, and ask him to motivate your heart through what Christ has done for you, to take action in sharing it with others.