Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:18-19
Answering the Call
When we think about the call to missions, we are reminded that God often invites us into His work. He has a purpose for each of us, and when we accept this invitation, we embrace the exciting journey of sharing His love with the world. The Bible encourages us to recognize this call and to step forward with confidence and boldness. As we partake in witnessing our faith, we are not only sharing the Gospel but also experiencing the transformation that comes with it.
Isaiah 6:8
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8
Matthew 9:37-38
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Matthew 9:37-38
Romans 10:14-15
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:14-15
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
Empowered by the Spirit
The call to missions is not something we undertake alone; we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is a comforting thought. As we step out in faith, we have someone who equips us, teaches us, and gives us boldness to share the Gospel. When we rely on the Spirit’s guidance, we are more effective in our mission work and truly become vessels of God’s grace. Unity in the Spirit leads us to join with fellow believers in proclaiming the good news.
Acts 4:31
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” – Acts 4:31
John 14:26
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:26
Romans 8:26
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” – Romans 8:26
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
1 Corinthians 2:4-5
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” – 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Serving Others
Our call to missions includes a strong emphasis on serving others. Jesus modeled this perfectly during His time on earth. He served those in need, attended to the marginalized, and offered hope and healing. By following His example, we find ourselves integrating our faith in action by serving our communities. Missions is about love in action, and it challenges us to show compassion and kindness to everyone we encounter.
Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” – Matthew 25:35-36
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27
Building Relationships
Building relationships is an essential aspect of our call to missions. As we go out to share the message of Jesus, we are not merely delivering information; we are inviting others into a relationship with Him. This relationship also means engaging with people where they are, listening to their stories, and showing genuine love and care. By establishing trust and connection, we can effectively share the good news in a way that resonates with their hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:8
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Colossians 4:5-6
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6
Philippians 1:5
“Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” – Philippians 1:5
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35
Sharing the Good News
At the heart of our mission is the incredible task of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. This is our calling and is foundational to our faith. We have the wonderful privilege of communicating the message of hope and salvation to those who may not yet know Him. Through our testimonies and the Word of God, we can proclaim the Gospel and invite others into the life-giving relationship with Jesus. It is a mission that transcends borders and speaks to the heart of every individual.
Mark 16:15
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” – Mark 16:15
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” – 2 Timothy 4:2
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” – Luke 4:18
Matthew 10:7
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” – Matthew 10:7
Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” – Romans 1:16
Trusting God’s Plan
In our call to missions, we can often face uncertainty and doubt. However, we must remember that God has a plan for us, and His plans are always good. Trusting Him means that we can step out in faith, knowing that He goes before us and is with us every step of the way. By leaning into His promises, we are encouraged to take bold actions and move forward in the mission He has set before us. Our confidence is rooted not in ourselves, but in the faithfulness of God.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalms 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.” – Psalms 37:5
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Final Thoughts
The call to missions is a beautiful invitation from God to join Him in His work. It is an opportunity for us to answer His call, empowered by the Holy Spirit, serving others, and building relationships. Sharing the good news of Jesus and trusting in God’s perfect plan can transform our lives and those we reach. Together, we can create a movement of love and grace that impacts the world.
As we embark on this journey, let us encourage one another in our mission efforts. Let us remember the worth of each person we encounter and the importance of building connections. In all we do, we fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.
If you want to further explore God’s purpose, check out some encouraging insights on fulfilling God’s purpose or learn about fulfilling God’s plan. Each journey we take inspires and empowers those around us.