Day 7 - A Commitment to God’s Mission

Read: Matthew 28; Acts 13-14; Colossians 4:2-6

Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, He died for us (Romans 5:9). Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Rom 10:13). Jesus leaves the ninety-nine to pursue the one lost sheep. When Jesus finds that lost sheep, we are told all of heaven rejoices—”I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10) Sinners, pursued by Christ, purchased by His blood, saved by graces through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is why Jesus came. This is at the heart of the gospel. 

The reason for Jesus’ coming is also the center of our mission—to seek and save the lost. Jesus said, “Make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20), “Proclaim the gospel in all the world” (Mark 16:15), “Proclaim forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ name” (Luke 24:47), and “Be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). In case we are left wondering, Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21) The question is not are we sent, but will we go. Go into everyday life and wherever God might call us to make Him known—to let our speech always be gracious and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). To carry out this mission, we need to seek God’s face and be dependent on God’s Spirit (Acts 13:1).

At the end of Jesus’ giving us our mission—to make disciples—he concludes with a gracious promise: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Another translation puts it this way: “And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age.” (ISV) In between the giving of the Great Commission and the return of Christ, we have been entrusted with a mission to make disciples. Jesus’ promise reminds us that our mission will not be easy. But it also reminds us that our mission overflows from our worship and is fueled by the presence of Jesus. We go and make Christ know because he is worth it. We don’t turn back or give up or shy away, we must be faithful to the end. What Christ commands us to do, he graciously provides what we need to see it through. 

Prayer Points:

• Pray that God would provide a church-planting resident in 2023 and help us plant our first church in 2025.

• Pray that God would opens doors for the gospel in our community and that we would be bold in making Christ known and inviting others to follow Him. 

• Ask that God would give you an openness to how He wants to use you in His mission—whether in our community, through church planting, or through international missions.

Challenge:

• Write down 2-3 three things God has done in your heart this week through prayer and fasting.

• Answer this question: What do I need to do next?

Let’s not leave behind what God has begun to do this week. Let’s press in all the more.