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...
Purpose of suffering “But they will become his slaves so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries” (2 Chronicles 12:8). In a book called "Suffer" by Rev. Thomas Case, a Puritan doctor of soul, he talks about the 21 lessons God teaches his people through the situation of suffering. I was afraid as I was reading those 21 lessons. So I wrote these words: It is terrible that I don’t know why I am being discipline by God. But the more fearful thing is that I have not learned the teachings of God even after I was disciplined by God.’ The reason for this fearful thought is that because many times we don’t realize our sins that we have committed against God even though we are disciplined by God. That’s why we are wondering why these painful situations have come upon us in situations where we are suffering from discipline by God. And w...