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...
Gethsemane Prayer (8) [Luke 22:39-46] This is the ferventness of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane: (1) Jesus prayed to Heavenly Father with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mk. 12:30). By obeying the first part of Jesus’ twofold commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your mind” (v. 30), the disciples of Jesus who love God imitate Jesus and fervently pray to God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus prayed to Heavenly Father while pouring out all of His sap (Lk. 22:44). (2) Jesus fervently prayed to Heavenly Father while shedding clean tears, sweat, and blood. But the tears and sweat we shed when we ask our Heavenly Father are not pure and clean liquids. In other words, our tears and sweat are liquid mixed with sin. Jesus prayed to Heavenly Father as if He was pouring oil into an oil press (...