Our Mission
In ‘The Good News’, we learned a little about the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant that Jesus implemented. They are how God has attempted to be in relationship with us—the pinnacle of his beloved creation, made in His very image. However, when you read the Old Testament, it doesn't take long to realize, it’s a mess. It is full of corruption, betrayal and injustice. Is this God’s failure? Not at all. It is always because man rebels against God. God continues to reach out to engage with mankind within his cultural context, yet giving him liberty of choice. Initially the Israelites would choose to follow the terms of the covenant and God would bless and prosper them. Then in their prosperity, they would forget the Lord and fall into corruption and idolatry. It happened time and time again. Sadly, it is still happening. Perhaps one reason God, in His great love and patience, chose to implement the new covenant through Jesus was to make it super simple for us. Rather than having to follow a sacrificial and ceremonial system with 613 laws, the new covenant really has only two requirements: to believe and repent. This results in a rebirth which in turn results in a new heart. This is thoroughly explained in ‘The Good News’.
The Command and Teachings of Jesus
After Jesus had suffered and died on the cross and rose from the dead, he appeared to many. During this time, Jesus gave us His plan to get this good news out. It was brilliant in its simplicity as well—just one mission for all of his followers—proclaim this good news to everyone! Jesus has done all the work. We just have to go and tell everyone. Some refer to this as ‘The Great Commission’. It’s described in the gospels and the book of Acts. Let’s take a look:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-20)
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:44-49)
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:21-22)
Jesus had also prepared His church to receive this commission during the time that he was teaching. Read the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:18-23). The seed that was sown on good soil represents those who genuinely experience spiritual rebirth. Notice that they all bear fruit. Some bear less than others but there are none that bear nothing. The same principle is illustrated in His teaching on leaven in bread (Matthew 13:33) and on salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16).
It’s obvious from these passages that this mission is for all believers. Jesus is making one of many audacious claims—that this good news will be preached to ‘all nations’ and again to ‘all creation’. This is something that the Apostles could not do alone. Even as the church grew, such a mammoth task could not be accomplished even by all the leaders that the growing church would produce. No! Jesus is starting an enormous mobilization. He intends for every believer to participate.
Additionally, in Matthew 24:45-51, Jesus gives, in parable form, a stern warning about the fate of those who disregard his teachings and are found not practicing them upon His return.
The Acts of the Apostles
When you have experienced this amazing rebirth, the most natural thing in the world is to tell others about it. This is beautifully and powerfully illustrated by the first believers in The Acts of the Apostles. It begins with Jesus giving, over a period of 40 days, ‘many convincing proofs’ that he was alive. He instructs them to stay in Jerusalem until they are ‘baptized with the Holy Spirit’. Then just before he ascends into heaven, He says:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
Then in the second chapter, on the day of Pentecost, this amazing baptism of the Spirit comes in such a public way that it causes an uproar in the city. Then Peter—yes the same Peter who had not too long ago denied Jesus three times—is so emboldened by God’s Spirit that he stood, and proclaimed the good news about Jesus so effectively that 3,000 people were baptized and added to the church in that one day. The chapter ends with the most lovely description of the New Testament church:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47 NIV)
In chapters 3 and 4 God continues to do many miracles through the Apostles. It frustrates the religious leaders who begin opposing them, commanding them to stop spreading their teaching. At one point, Peter and John respond this way:
“Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19b-20 NIV)
If we are not like Peter and John and we CAN ‘help speaking about what we have seen and heard’, there are two possibilities: 1) You have not really experienced the wonderful and miraculous rebirth or 2) You have a terrible false belief that is hindering you from proclaiming it.
In chapter 5 they even beat them before releasing them again. Yet they remained defiant. This is how they responded after their beating:
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 5:41-42 NIV)
It is obvious that not only are their proclamations to crowds and groups where many are saved but individual believers were active in spreading the word from ‘house to house’ and new believers were being added ‘daily’.
Notice the phrase ‘proclaiming the good news’ in this verse. The Greek word is ‘euangelizo’. It means to preach, proclaim or announce good news or glad tidings. However, you may notice the word most often used by today’s Christians, in reference to spreading the gospel, is ‘share’. This word is not used at all in the New Testament in this way. It’s an important difference. Think about it.
Divine Brilliance
Let me pause here to make an observation of just a small sliver of the incomprehensible brilliance of God’s plan for taking back His good earth. Jesus told the Apostles in John 16, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” So the Holy Spirit has been sent to dwell in every believer.
You may have heard some illustrations of amazing numbers of ‘exponential growth’ by multiplication. My favorite is using a checkerboard. There are 64 squares. If you place one penny on the first square, two on the second and four on the third, continuing to double the number all the way up to the 64th square, you would end up with a literal mountain of pennies. In dollars it would equal $184,467,44,737,095,516.15. You would read that number like this: 184 quadrillion, 467 trillion, 440 billion, 737 million, 95 thousand, 516 dollars and 15 cents. That number of dollars would pay off the US national debt (about $36 trillion at the time of this writing) 5,124 times.
Now you may not think that you could participate in bringing a very large number of people to faith in Jesus. Perhaps you could envision just a few. However, this is key: You should endeavor to show those new believers that they also must be obedient to proclaim the good news and teach others to do so, continuing the cycle of exponential growth started by Jesus and the Apostles. Isn’t that exciting! Isn’t it absolutely brilliant! If you fully grasp this concept, you realize that you and those you initially bring to Jesus will eventually amount to more than the largest mega church. Rest assured this truth upsets and even terrifies the forces of evil. Expect stiff resistance.
The Adventures of Paul
In chapters 6 and 7 of Acts, we learn about Stephen, who is described as full of God’s Spirit, faith, grace and power. He also performed ‘great wonders and signs’ while boldly proclaiming the gospel. Yet, he met with opposition and was stoned to death, becoming the first martyr of the new church. After that more persecution came and the believers were scattered, yet they kept proclaiming the good news in surrounding regions. One of the main persecutors, who also attended Stephen’s stoning, was Saul of Tarsus. He was on the road to Damascus to arrest believers and take them back to Jerusalem as prisoners when Jesus appeared to him in a blinding light. Realizing his error, he completely repented and became one of Jesus’s most zealous followers. Having been trained as a Pharisee, he returned to the scriptures with a new perspective and realized that Jesus was the fulfilment of the prophecies of the Messiah. Then Saul, who later in the book is called Paul embarked on missionary journeys to establish churches throughout the region. These journeys are recorded in the rest of the book of Acts and in Paul’s letters to the churches which became about two thirds of our New Testament. Paul underwent incredible hardships and suffering but was unwavering in his commitment to proclaim the gospel.
In all that was written about Paul and by him, we have documentation of an incredible servant of God who stands as a shining example and inspiration to us all of what surrendering ALL to Jesus really looks like. As one minister that I heard in my youth observed, “Paul did not have any more of God than we have. God just had more of Paul.”
Let’s look at a few verses that help us learn from Paul:
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27)
What does he mean by ‘innocent of the blood’? Keep in mind that Paul is a Pharisee and knows the scriptures well. Let’s look back at an Old Testament verse to understand the principle that he is referencing.
If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. (Ezekiel 33:8-9)
Having come to salvation and certainty that Jesus is the Messiah and the only way to that salvation, Paul understood that he would be accountable to God should he not warn others and call them to repent and place their faith in Jesus. Even modern ‘fail to render aid’ laws impose penalties on those who neglect to help those faced with impending danger or doom.
After being arrested, Paul defends himself before King Aggripa. In describing his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul attributes these words directly to Jesus:
But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:16-18)
Here’s Paul on the suffering and hardships he endured for proclaiming the gospel:
Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (II Corinthians 11:24-28)
Rest assured our enemy will attempt to do anything he can to intimidate us from proclaiming the good news. However, Paul explains why we are ALL sufficient to be ministers of this new covenant. Our sufficiency does not come from us, our gifts, personality or anything else. It comes from God.
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, (II Corinthians 3:4-6 & 12)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (II Corinthians 5:17-21)
As bold as Paul was, when he requested that others pray for him or expressed his hope, it was most always for him and others to be bold, fearless, courageous or clear in the proclamation of the gospel.
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-20)
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (Collosians 4:2-4)
And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:14-20)
A Cosmic Overview
I’ve mentioned ‘our enemy’ and ‘forces of evil’ but what’s that really all about? You’ve heard of the story of the ‘Garden of Eden’ and probably know about Adam and Eve eating the fruit that God had forbidden. Recall also that there was a serpent who tempted them. It’s the first mention that we see of an adversary, one who is opposing God. Later in the Old Testament there are several other glimpses of this being and others that joined in a rebellion against God. So at the garden, we see what is often referred to as ‘the fall of man’ but there was another fall as well, a fall of divine beings from the heavenly realm. The book of Revelation at the opposite end of the Bible describes it this way:
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 12:7-12)
Yikes! Now, there is much symbolism in Revelation and much debate about its various meanings. However, it is quite clear based also on many other scriptures that this unseen battle within the spiritual realm is indeed raging. The main battle is over the hearts of mankind. The kingdom of God advances one heart at a time when that heart turns to follow Jesus. Paul was fully aware:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
Never forget that you are fighting FOR all the people on God’s good earth and AGAINST the powers and forces of evil. Never be deceived into thinking that your enemy is another people group, regardless of how evil or offensive their actions may seem. Never let anyone convince you that these dark spiritual forces are not real. Jesus recognized them and it’s imperative that you do as well.
It’s a very well-known passage of scripture where Jesus proclaims that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. Let’s take a look:
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. (Matthew 16:13-20)
What few realize is the significance of the location that Jesus chose for this. I learned it from Michael Heiser who can explain it much better than I can. Here is an excerpt from his book, Supernatural:
The Identification of the “rock” Jesus referred to has been debated for centuries. The key to understanding the term is the area’s geography. Caesarea Philippi sits in the far northern region of Bashan. In Old Testament times, this area was thought to contain gateways to the realm of the dead. Caesarea Philippi sits at the foot of a mountain. The “rock” is that mountain. The “gates of hell” marks the very place where Jesus and his disciples were standing.
Jesus was challenging the powers of darkness. At the fall, humanity lost eternal life with God and earned instead a fate of death and eternal separation from God. The lord of the dead—the Serpent, known as Satan and the Devil—had claim over humanity. Every human would join him in the realm of the dead. But God had other ideas. The secret plan to send Jesus to pay the penalty for humanity’s sin would be a frontal assault on the gates of hell. The lord of the dead and his forces would not be able to withstand the kingdom of God.
In essence, in that passage in Matthew 16, Jesus goes to the Devil’s front door and challenges his claim. Jesus wanted to provoke Satan. Why? Because it was time for Jesus to die to propel God’s secret plan into motion.
So if I can put it into modern vernacular, Jesus was basically saying, “Hey Devil, here I am right here at your gate. What are you going to do about it?”
Many object to Christianity because they can’t believe a loving God would send people to hell. This demonstrates a gross misunderstanding of a fundamental truth. God is not condemning mankind. No, the opposite is true! He is rescuing mankind from the Devil’s condemnation. Jesus says it directly:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:17-18)
Call to Action and Prayer
May the Holy Spirit help you to see the reality of what is occurring in the spiritual realm. It is a humbling, incredible and surprising privilege to participate with God in His epic mission of redeeming His good world.
Never let anyone, including other Christians persuade you that you need to ‘calm down’ and not be so bold for fear of offending. We must follow the pattern and teaching of the Apostles. Never be bullied into thinking that calling people to repent of sin is unloving. The opposite is true. Our motive is love and it leaves no other choice. We must boldly and fearlessly proclaim the good news in obedience to Jesus, regardless of the consequences. Though we use the biblical word, ‘evangelize’, many now use the word ‘proselytize’, which has become a pejorative. In some places proselytizing is socially frowned upon, in other places it is actually illegal.
When you were born of God, you came over from the darkness into the light and into the Kingdom of the living God. You are now legally free, yet there is an enemy occupying your homeland bringing death and destruction. That enemy has the sole intent of holding all they can in the slavery of abject cruelty, injustice and tyranny. Many still enslaved are your family, friends and neighbors. What will you do? Will you cower and retreat or will you stand and fight for their freedom?
Those who believe and repent will be saved. Those who reject the good news will perish.
In making a thorough, clear proclamation, you are relieved of your responsibility. Do not receive any guilt or feelings of rejection you may feel over the outcome. This is from the enemy. They have not rejected you but God. You’re just the messenger. We should be brokenhearted for those who resist and reject the good news. It’s a paradox, yet in knowing that you are standing with Christ, you can be filled with joy and contentment in the midst of that sorrow. Jesus too is broken hearted over those who are perishing. So never give up hope. Pleasantly persist with every opportunity and may your prayers for such people be steadfast and passionate.
The Apostle Paul never lost his passion and laser-like focus on the true mission of the church. Therefore I would like to close with a prayer for you. However, it cannot substitute for in-person prayers. So meet frequently with other believers and pray likewise for one another.
Jesus—Lord, God and King of the universe—thank you for leaving the glory of heaven to come to earth, suffer and die a cruel death to redeem us from the powers of darkness. Please look upon these believers who have been born of your Spirit with favor and compassion. Fill them with the same love that you have for the people of your good world, made in your very image. May that love compel them so that they will be unable to restrain themselves from proclaiming the wonderful news that a real, saving relationship with the living God is available to all who will believe this good news and turn from their own self-directed path to follow the way of Jesus.
Lord please protect them from the devious attacks of the enemy. Guard them and those they love to thwart the enemy’s plan to bring deceptions and trials into their lives that would distract them from the work of Your kingdom. Fill them and continue to fill them with your Holy Spirit in great power so that they will proclaim the good news, your glorious gospel—the power of God unto salvation—boldly, fearlessly and with brilliant clarity. Holy Spirit, give them wisdom from on high to discern when and what to speak to each individual or group as they have opportunity. Show them how to create opportunities, ‘being as cunning as serpents and gentle as doves’. Give them such joyful determination that when persecuted, they will as Peter and the Apostles leave, “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Holy Spirit, prepare the hearts of those who will hear their proclamation. Have mercy on them, considering the way they have been deceived by the forces of evil. Tear down the barriers of false beliefs to open their hearts and minds to receive the truth and grant them the gift of repentance unto salvation.
May your kingdom come and advance into the hearts of men, women, boys and girls so that your name will be glorified in all the earth. Amen.