In this
important series, we have been exploring the nature of the Christian Church.
More than any other ideology or religion, Christianity strongly depends on its
founder, Jesus Christ. Not only does it derive its identity from Him, He is
alive, well, and highly interactive with His people. We also learned the key
activities of the church based on Acts 2:42-47: teaching doctrine, fellowship,
breaking of bread, and prayers. To this we add acts of power, community, praise
and worship, pastoral care, obedience, and discipleship. When the church
functions properly, in enjoys community favour while God adds to the
congregation more and more saved people.
Now we will
explore the church’s mission. What ‘on earth’ is it meant to do?
One - Glory: The church is called to give glory to the Lord (Romans 15:6,9;
Ephesians 1:5f, 12, 14, 18; 3:21; II Thessalonians 1:12; I Peter 4:11). We
accomplish this through holy living (John 15:8), praise and worship. Though the
Psalms are replete with exhortations to ‘praise God,’ the New Testament expects
no less. Hebrews 13:15 Tell us to offer a ‘sacrifice of praise’ continually,
which is the fruit of our lips. Eternity is not long enough to thank Jesus
for such a great salvation.
Two -
Edification: Our purpose is to ‘build up’ the
church. This is the meaning of the word edification (Ephesians 4:12-16;
Colossians 2:7; I Corinthians 14:26). It is like an athlete going to the gym
and doing weight-training in order to build up muscle. Nasty, carnal people are
adept at tearing down but those who are born again and spiritual are able to
edify in a way that lasts forever. Our modern-day Barnabas’s spend much time
encouraging others in the faith; this is one of the great aspects of edification.
May their tribe increase.
Three -
Holiness: Like so many wonderful doctrines like repentance,
regeneration, justification, and sanctification, holiness is most necessary but
it is also neglected. Our world is getting darker and without holiness even church
people will be cast into the shadows. Holiness is to be separated for God’s
purposes. It is to live a life without reproach, blemish, defilement, or
corruption. Holiness is heavenly purity. It is also indispensable, because
without holiness a person will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:24). It is
impossible to give glory to God, in the manner He deserves, if holiness is
missing. It is time to return to ‘first things first’ (Ephesians 5:26; Matthew
18:17; Acts 5:11; Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:6-8, 13; I Peter 1:22).
Four - Evangelism: This
means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. ‘Gospel’ means good news (Matthew
28:19; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8). It is wonderfully summarised in I Corinthians
15:3-5: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day,
according to the Scriptures. When you repent, believe, and receive, you have
the gift of the new birth, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. No amount of
money could ever purchase this great salvation; it came via the highest price,
namely, the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Evangelism is to the church
what children are to marriage: it grows and perpetuates.
Five - Discipleship: This
is the main objective of the church and evangelism. Evangelism leads the person
to faith and discipleship establishes them in the faith. One way to describe
discipleship is ‘to follow Jesus with all of your heart, all of the time.’ Following
Jesus with some of your heart all of the time, or all of your heart some of the
time, is to fail in the call of discipleship. A disciple will become like the
Master, but this will be a process, not an event. Discipleship is not an
option; it is a divine command (Ephesians 4:12; Matthew 28:20; II Timothy 2:2;
Philippians 4:8). When a person is properly discipled, they will live a normal,
Biblical, Spirit-empowered Christian life to the glory of God. Failure to
disciple means the person may remain no more than an old wineskin, ready to
burst asunder when the new wine comes. To ‘make disciples’ in Matthew 28:19
(Greek: matheteusate) is a command, even an imperative. It is of the
highest priority to the Lord and thus should be to the church as well.
Six - Mission: This
is merely an extension of four and five: to proactively and globally evangelise
and disciple people. God is calling the (Gentile) nations to be His people
(Acts 15:14). One person aptly said that a person with Christ in their heart is
a ‘missionary’ and a person without Christ in their heart is a ‘mission field.’
Whether we go around the block or around the world, we need to put mission as
our highest priority until the ‘fullness of the Gentiles’ comes in (Romans
11:25). Mission is another name for ‘the Great Commission,’ to go and make
disciples of all nations. The Great Commission is found in all four gospels
and in Acts (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-22; Acts
1:8). The Great Commission is the only mission Christ gave His church;
Next Time: How to Fulfil the Mission of the Church
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