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...
Downcast and disturbed “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalms 43: 5). There are many reasons why people are downcast and disturbed. One of them is being abandoned by the beloved. For example, we may be downcast and disturbed when we feel that we have been abandoned by our beloved spouse. The same is true of children. If they have been abandoned by their beloved parents, they may feel downcast and disturbed. But what if we feel that we Christians have been forsaken by our Heavenly Father? In the context of Psalms 43, the psalmist was downcast and disturbed because he felt that he had been forsaken by God. He said, “You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? …” (v. 2). He had been suffering because of “deceitful and wicked men” (v. 1). And ...