In this series, I’ve been addressing a vital question, specifically, how can we continue to make disciples for the glory of Christ during the COVID-19 crisis? And as I’ve said in each of the previous blogs, this question is vital because the command to make disciples comes from Jesus himself, and since he’s expressed his will, he will make a way. Based on this assumption, I have then suggested that making disciples can be summarized by three words: “share, grow, and show,” that is, we first share the gospel, then we grow as disciples of Jesus, and then we show others how to grow along with us.
In the last two blogs, I’ve addressed the issues of worship and community, and I’ve said a few things about how we can grow as disciples of Jesus in these vital areas and how we can show others how to join us in them. In this same spirit, I want to talk in this blog about how we can “grow and show” with regard to mission, so first I’ll define the word “mission” and then I’ll say a few things about what it looks like to “grow and show” in it during this particular season of life.
What is Mission? When we talk about “mission,” we’re simply referring to the calling that Jesus has given to his church as a whole and to each of us his people to go into the world and make disciples by first sharing the gospel with unbelievers. The gospel or the “good news” of Jesus Christ is that he willingly and gladly came to this earth to live a perfect life, die a horrible death, be buried in the ground, and then raise from the dead so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
In the last two blogs, I’ve addressed the issues of worship and community, and I’ve said a few things about how we can grow as disciples of Jesus in these vital areas and how we can show others how to join us in them. In this same spirit, I want to talk in this blog about how we can “grow and show” with regard to mission, so first I’ll define the word “mission” and then I’ll say a few things about what it looks like to “grow and show” in it during this particular season of life.
What is Mission? When we talk about “mission,” we’re simply referring to the calling that Jesus has given to his church as a whole and to each of us his people to go into the world and make disciples by first sharing the gospel with unbelievers. The gospel or the “good news” of Jesus Christ is that he willingly and gladly came to this earth to live a perfect life, die a horrible death, be buried in the ground, and then raise from the dead so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”
Beloved, people must hear the gospel and believe it in order to be saved from their sin and reconciled to their Creator. And while God could have shared this messaged with the world in any way he wanted to do so, he chose to involve us in the process by sending us into the world to preach it as those who had been transformed by it! He sends us into the world as a body of disciples who get the privilege of making still more disciples. He sends us into the world as his blood-bought children that through his word of living hope he might save and adopt even more children.
So, at heart, the mission of the church is to share the gospel and then show new believers how to walk with Jesus, even as we ourselves are growing in the Lord. Now, we share the gospel in a variety of ways, but I think we can broadly summarize them with the words “evangelism, mercy-ministry, and global missions.” In other words, we share the gospel by personally proclaiming it to unbelievers. We share the gospel by loving unbelievers who’re in need and then always being prepared to share the hope of Jesus with them. We share the gospel by sending and supporting some of our brothers and sister in Christ to go to other parts of the world and do the same thing.
More can be said, but let me leave it at that, and now say a few words about how we can grow in this area even during the COVID-19 crisis and then show others how to join us.
Growing in Mission in the Midst of the Crisis As I’ve mentioned in every one of the blogs in this series, growing in this area of life with Jesus begins with determination. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Jesus has expressed his will, and he will make a way! So, our calling and privilege is to seek him, determine that way, and then walk in it by his grace and power. Therefore, I want to strongly encourage you to set your mind to growing as an ambassador of God in the world and then to seeking opportunities to share the gospel and show the love of Jesus to unbelievers in these strange days.
With this in mind, let me just offer you five ways that you can grow in your understanding and practice of mission in this season.
1. Grow in your understanding of the gospel and in your ability to share it with others. In recent days, we’ve been using and teaching the “3 Circles Method” of sharing the gospel which you can learn more about by clicking on the links below. This method is easy to learn, it will help you to see how you can confidently share the gospel with others, and it will give the flexibility of using it with people you know well or people you don’t know at all. It can also be used as a way of sharing your personal testimony, or how you’re getting through a crisis like the one we’re enduring right now. So, please take some time in these days and grow in your ability to articulate the gospel to others.
2. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel, actively seek those opportunities, and then share when the door opens up to you. Remember that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and that it’s he who saves, not us. Remember that we share by his grace and power, and not by our own wisdom or strength. Trust the Lord and share the gospel!
3. In a time when many unbelievers are hurting and hopeless, reach out to someone in some practical way and show them the love of Jesus. Recently, Kim called a few of our older neighbors to see if they’re okay and if we can help them in any way, and one of them was so grateful that she wrote us, thanked us, and said that we need to have a neighborhood get-together on the other side of this crisis. So again, pray for opportunities, seek them, and just do something by the power of Christ to demonstrate the love of Christ to the world.
4. Reach out to missionaries we support or who you support, pray for them, and offer to help in any practical way you can.
5. Go to a website like joshuaproject.net to learn more about global mission and pray about your place in God’s global purposes.
Beloved, there are many things you can do, but I encourage you to think about the five things I’ve shared, determine to walk in the ways of your Savior, and then do something.
Showing Mission in the Midst of the Crisis Now, when it comes to showing others how to engage in the mission of the church in this particular season of life, it’s as simple as showing them to do what we’re doing and then asking them for ideas of their own. Just involve them in what you’re doing—it’s really that simple: share, grow, and show. As I’ve said a few times in this series, life with Christ not simplistic or easy, but it is simple, and discipleship is simply about showing others how to walk with Jesus.
Beloved, of course, more could be said, but I trust that I’ve said enough about discipleship in general and worship, community, and mission in particular to get your imaginations stirring and your desires all fired up. Now it’s time for us to fix our eyes on Jesus and press into the things of his Kingdom in this and every other season of life, and as we do, I pray that he will make us very fruitful for his glory and our common joy and the eternal life of others.
As you go about doing your Father’s will in the world, I pray that God will be with you all!
Three Circles (RightNow Media):
Beloved, people must hear the gospel and believe it in order to be saved from their sin and reconciled to their Creator. And while God could have shared this messaged with the world in any way he wanted to do so, he chose to involve us in the process by sending us into the world to preach it as those who had been transformed by it! He sends us into the world as a body of disciples who get the privilege of making still more disciples. He sends us into the world as his blood-bought children that through his word of living hope he might save and adopt even more children.
So, at heart, the mission of the church is to share the gospel and then show new believers how to walk with Jesus, even as we ourselves are growing in the Lord. Now, we share the gospel in a variety of ways, but I think we can broadly summarize them with the words “evangelism, mercy-ministry, and global missions.” In other words, we share the gospel by personally proclaiming it to unbelievers. We share the gospel by loving unbelievers who’re in need and then always being prepared to share the hope of Jesus with them. We share the gospel by sending and supporting some of our brothers and sister in Christ to go to other parts of the world and do the same thing.
More can be said, but let me leave it at that, and now say a few words about how we can grow in this area even during the COVID-19 crisis and then show others how to join us.
Growing in Mission in the Midst of the Crisis As I’ve mentioned in every one of the blogs in this series, growing in this area of life with Jesus begins with determination. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Jesus has expressed his will, and he will make a way! So, our calling and privilege is to seek him, determine that way, and then walk in it by his grace and power. Therefore, I want to strongly encourage you to set your mind to growing as an ambassador of God in the world and then to seeking opportunities to share the gospel and show the love of Jesus to unbelievers in these strange days.
With this in mind, let me just offer you five ways that you can grow in your understanding and practice of mission in this season.
1. Grow in your understanding of the gospel and in your ability to share it with others. In recent days, we’ve been using and teaching the “3 Circles Method” of sharing the gospel which you can learn more about by clicking on the links below. This method is easy to learn, it will help you to see how you can confidently share the gospel with others, and it will give the flexibility of using it with people you know well or people you don’t know at all. It can also be used as a way of sharing your personal testimony, or how you’re getting through a crisis like the one we’re enduring right now. So, please take some time in these days and grow in your ability to articulate the gospel to others.
2. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel, actively seek those opportunities, and then share when the door opens up to you. Remember that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and that it’s he who saves, not us. Remember that we share by his grace and power, and not by our own wisdom or strength. Trust the Lord and share the gospel!
3. In a time when many unbelievers are hurting and hopeless, reach out to someone in some practical way and show them the love of Jesus. Recently, Kim called a few of our older neighbors to see if they’re okay and if we can help them in any way, and one of them was so grateful that she wrote us, thanked us, and said that we need to have a neighborhood get-together on the other side of this crisis. So again, pray for opportunities, seek them, and just do something by the power of Christ to demonstrate the love of Christ to the world.
4. Reach out to missionaries we support or who you support, pray for them, and offer to help in any practical way you can.
5. Go to a website like joshuaproject.net to learn more about global mission and pray about your place in God’s global purposes.
Beloved, there are many things you can do, but I encourage you to think about the five things I’ve shared, determine to walk in the ways of your Savior, and then do something.
Showing Mission in the Midst of the Crisis Now, when it comes to showing others how to engage in the mission of the church in this particular season of life, it’s as simple as showing them to do what we’re doing and then asking them for ideas of their own. Just involve them in what you’re doing—it’s really that simple: share, grow, and show. As I’ve said a few times in this series, life with Christ not simplistic or easy, but it is simple, and discipleship is simply about showing others how to walk with Jesus.
Beloved, of course, more could be said, but I trust that I’ve said enough about discipleship in general and worship, community, and mission in particular to get your imaginations stirring and your desires all fired up. Now it’s time for us to fix our eyes on Jesus and press into the things of his Kingdom in this and every other season of life, and as we do, I pray that he will make us very fruitful for his glory and our common joy and the eternal life of others.
As you go about doing your Father’s will in the world, I pray that God will be with you all!
Three Circles (RightNow Media):
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