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...
“Eli Eli lama sabachthani” [Mark 15:33-36] This is the fourth word Jesus said on the cross: “Eli Eli lama sabachthani.” Look at Mark 15:34 – “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’-- which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” During the Wednesday service last week, we meditated on the fourth word of Jesus on the cross, “Eloi, Eloi, lama, sabachthani,” centered on Matthew 27:46. About 700 years before Jesus Christ came to this world, the prophet Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 53:7 that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, would be silent. And according to this prophecy, Jesus was silent. But before dying on the cross, He cried out loudly, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani” (Mt. 27:46). Even though Jesus had no sin, He was forsaken by Heavenly Father because of our sins, so He cried out loudly, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ...