In our exploration of the topic of church planting, we have already looked at the “why” in the last few posts, but now let’s take a look at the “what.” What is it that churches do? Or more pointedly – what is the most important thing churches do?
What is the mission?
There can be all kinds of answers here – from social justice, to feed the hungry, hold face-melting worship services, attract the youngsters…but what does the Bible say?
The Apostle Paul tells in 1 Corinthians 15:3 what is the most important thing: The Gospel. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV). Churches should be proclaiming the work of Jesus to everyone, this is the heart of the mission. The gospel is not the entire mission, but it’s the heart of it.
This gospel can be further teased out in three ways: a noun, a verb, and a life mission.
- A Noun: The content of the Gospel is news – especially, good news. We proclaim something — good news. We proclaim the climax of the storyline of the Bible – that hope has come – we have been redeemed! Jesus says this in Mark 1:15: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15 ESV) Our word gospel here is the Greek word euangelion. Which literally means the “Good News.” First and foremost we proclaim the good news that Jesus has come and freed a broken world from the power of sin and death.
- A Verb: Let’s look at Acts 14:21 “When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,”(Acts 14:21 ESV). In this verse – “preached the gospel” – three words in English is one word in Greek. Euangelisamenoi. It is the verb form of the noun. As Tim Keller put it, “they literally gospeled the city.” (Keller: Center Church, 355.) We bring the good news to bear on the city and let it transform lives.
- A Life Mission: Scripture gives us the sense that it involves our whole person in preaching the gospel. 1 Thess 2:8 “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV) Proclaiming the good news of the gospel is about sharing our lives in pursuit of the mission. We give our lives away out of love for others and love for the mission of God in the gospel.
What’s your mission?
