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...
God who divides the sea [Nehemiah 9:9-12] There are websites on the Internet that provide maps. For example, if you want to know how to get to church from my house, it will give you the quickest way [it also tells you how many miles (distance) and how long (time) it will take]. If you had a short road and a long road ahead, which one would you choose? Maybe you will take the shorter route. But what would you do if you knew that danger lurked along the way? Would you rather take the long way back or would you rather take the short way even if it is dangerous? Exodus 13:17-18 tells us that there were two roads on the way from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan: Short way and long way. The shortest way is the way of the land of the Philistines, but there was a “war” if there was any danger lurking on the way. So, God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return...