Global Mission of the Church

God owns the Church and gives it the global mission. His plan for this started from the Old Testament  as revealed by the prophets he gave the vision and the message. In His new covenant he sent Jesus and made him the head of the global mission. Christ commissioned the Church to take the gospel to all people. Mark 16:15 – Jesus said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. The followings are discussed: Foretold in the Old Testament; Emphasized by Christ, and Enacted by the Early Church.

Foretold in the Old Testament:  Isaiah 42:1,6&7 foretold God’s mission and revealed it to be carried out by His servant, the one in whom He is much delighted. The One that would make known His covenant to the world, set prisoners free, open the physical and spiritual eyes of the blind, get people out of darkness and bring them to the light. The righteous one that would deliver judgement with righteousness, be filled with Holy Spirit  and enable believers to minister God's word and do deliverance. God executed His plans through Christ and blessed the Church with the outpouring of Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

God desires that the Church should reach out to all people and declare His message of redemption and salvation. The Psalmist envisioned God’s blessing and praise for all nations (Psalm 67:1-4). People who are separated from God would be called unto Him, and they shall be called His people, His beloved and “the Children of the living God” (Hosea 2:23; Romans 8:25,26). God enables the Church spiritually to carry out the mission.

Emphasized by Christ: Jesus spoke about his mission when he read aloud what the Scripture stated  concerning him (Isaiah 61:1&2). He spoke of Holy Spirit anointing him to reach out to the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, and bring the good news to all people (Luke 4:18&19). Christ’s mission also involves proclaiming “the acceptable year of the Lord”,

Participation of Christ's followers in the mission involves preaching  repentance and forgiveness, deliverance of the oppressed and adoption of nations as the people of God (Matthew 24:14; Luke 24:46-49). Christians are promised the power of Holy Spirit as they do the work.

Enacted by the Early Church: The Early Church carried out the global mission. Despite the intense persecution and martyrdom of Stephen the early Church waxed stronger and preached the good news to  the Jews and gentiles. The members won many souls for God by preaching the good news. Through the ministry of Barnabas and Saul believers were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:19-26).

The global mission of the Church has no preference for cultures or people. The message is gospel for all. Christians are called for direct participation and sponsorship in the mission. God wants as many people as possible to be committed to preaching the good news and revealing the way of salvation (Isaiah 49:6). Lesson texts: Psalm 67:1-4; Isaiah 42:1,6&7; Matthew 24:14; Luke 4:18-20; 24:46-49; Acts11:19-26; 13:46-49; Romans 9:25&26.