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...
‘Your sins are forgiven’ [ Matthew 9 : 1-8] How do you view The Problem of Pain and Suffering? The Bible Isaiah 38:17 talks about pain and suffering like this: “Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.” The Bible says that the great pain and suffering that God allows us is to give us peace. I don't quite understand. How can we find peace through great pain and suffering? It is none other than that, God makes us to repent all our sins through great suffering (vv. 2-3, 5) so that He can put all our sins behind His back and gives us peace. Why is God doing this? The reason is because God loves us (v. 17). C. S. Lewis, in his book “The Problem of Pain,” says that the problem of pain is deeply related to the problem of permanent (continued) human sin. At the same time, h...