TOPIC 28 OF 47
The Mission of the Church
Sent with the good news of reconciliation for the world.
THE MAIN TRUTH
The mission of the Church flows out of the heart of God the Father, who loved the sinful world by sending his Son, Jesus, to rescue us from our sin and restore us to a right relationship with him.
The teaching
From the book · pages 85–87
The mission of the Church flows out of the heart of God the Father, who loved the sinful world by sending his Son, Jesus, to rescue us from our sin and restore us to a right relationship with him. Jesus commissioned the apostles, filled with the Spirit, to continue his mission through the Church and her public ministers by reaching out to all people who are spiritually lost.
The Triune God’s mission through the Church is that we share the Good News of Jesus with the world as we demonstrate his compassionate love. The Holy Spirit works through our hope-filled witness to Jesus, in word and deed, to bring people to faith in Christ so that they may be baptized into his body and become living members of God’s family.
The Church reaches out in love and service to those in need as an opportunity to share Christ with them. But our mission is not about political activism or social justice. The Church is an embassy of God’s heavenly kingdom on earth. We are ambassadors entrusted with God’s Word of reconciliation, so that people from all nations may be saved by knowing Jesus as Lord.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
God’s sending love leads to the Church’s commission. These passages join witness, disciple-making, and compassionate service while keeping reconciliation through Christ at the center.
12 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
John 3:16-17 ↗
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Book page 86
SCRIPTURE 03
John 20:21-22 ↗
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you! Just as the Father has sent me, I am also sending you.’ After he said this, he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
Book page 86
SCRIPTURE 04
Mark 16:15-16 ↗
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Book page 86
SCRIPTURE 05
Matthew 28:18-20 ↗
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age.”
Book page 86
SCRIPTURE 06
Acts 1:8 ↗
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Book page 86
SCRIPTURE 07
Acts 2:41, 47 ↗
“Those who accepted [Peter’s] message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added . . . Day after day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
Book page 87
SCRIPTURE 08
Matthew 22:39; Luke 10:36-37 ↗
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” [Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan] “‘Which of these three do you think acted like a neighbor to the man who fell among robbers?’ ‘The one who showed mercy to him,’ he replied. Then Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”
Book page 87
SCRIPTURE 09
Matthew 5:14,16 ↗
“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden . . . In the same way let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Book page 87
SCRIPTURE 10
1 Peter 3:15 ↗
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you.”
Book page 87
SCRIPTURE 11
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ↗
“And all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. And he has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, inasmuch as God is making an appeal through us.”
Book page 87
SCRIPTURE 12
Romans 10:15 ↗
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news…”
Book page 87
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
How does the Church’s mission flow from the Father’s sending of Jesus?
How can compassionate service create opportunities for Gospel witness?
Whom has God placed near you who needs to hear his promise of reconciliation?
A prayer
Father, send us into our relationships with the compassion of Jesus. Give us courage and fitting words to share your Gospel, and bring many to faith through your Spirit. Amen.