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...
The risen Jesus (1) [John 20:1-10] The event of Jesus' resurrection is all recorded in the four Gospels (Matthew/Mark/Luke/John). Today, I would like to testify about the resurrected Jesus centering on John 20:1-10, and next week's Wednesday worship centering on Matthew 28. John 20:1 says, “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.” Here, “the first day of the week” means Sunday. The Bible records that "Mary Magdalene" came to Jesus' tomb early while it was still dark. According to the Gospels of Matthew/Mark/Luke, at least four other women accompanied Mary Magdalene [“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” (Mt. 28:1), “Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome” (Mk. 16:1), “the women” (Lk. 24:1) “who had come with Jesus from Galilee” (23:55)]. The “stone” (Jn. 20:1) th...