A. What Is Biblical Mission? “Biblical mission means more than simply going overseas to plant churches or spread civilization. It means the church participating in the ‘mission of God (Missio Dei)’ and seeking the restoration of God’s rule and glory throughout the whole earth. Mission is not a program that begins with human enthusiasm; rather, it is the heart of God that runs throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, and is a fundamental reason for the church’s existence. Let me clearly summarize five essential principles of true mission as presented in Scripture. 🌍 1. The Mission of God (Missio Dei) The subject and initiator of mission is not human beings but God. In order to save fallen humanity, God first comes to us, sends His Son, and sends the Holy Spirit. He is the “missionary God” who sends. Biblical basis: “As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” (John 20:21) Key meaning: The church acknowledges that God has the initiative in mission and serves as His agent, obed...
The God of Abraham [Acts 7:1-8] A promise is a promise. President Lincoln was a man who kept his promises, especially those made to his mother. One day, President Abraham Lincoln was riding in a carriage with a Union colonel who had come from Kentucky. The colonel took out a bottle of whiskey from his pocket and offered President Lincoln a drink. President Lincoln declined, saying, ‘Thank you, but I do not drink whiskey.’ A little while later, the colonel pulled out a pipe and offered it to President Lincoln. Again, President Lincoln declined, saying, ‘No, thank you, Colonel.’ Then, President Lincoln explained, ‘Let me tell you why I do not drink alcohol or smoke. When I was about nine years old, my mother called me to her bedside. She was very ill. 'Abe,' she said, 'the doctor tells me I may not recover. I want you to be a good man. Promi...