The Mission, The Purpose, The Method, The Means & The Way – Of The Church

 

 

THE MISSION – THE PURPOSE – THE METHOD – THE WAY
(WWJD? – WDJD?)

 Saying, Seeking, Saving, Showing, Sending, Shepherding

The Gospels (the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) give the perfect format and function for the Church (the Ekklesia – The Called Out Ones of God – called out of the world and into the Kingdom of God for His service. The mystical Body of Christ.)

In Brief: He is always Saying, Seeking, Saving, Showing, Sending, Shepherding. And His Church – and you as His follower who is His disciple) are always to be doing the same as He has done.

HE SAYS THE WORDS

Matthew 4:17 says, “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

HE SEEKS HIS OWN – Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Matthew 4:18, goes on to tell us that “While Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter – whose name means “Rock”) and Andrew (whose name means “Manly”) his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Verse 19.  And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. Verse 20. Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Verse 21. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Verse 22. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

HE SHOWS HIS WONDERS – Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds

Matthew 4:23, And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Verse 24. So His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. Verse 25. And great crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

HE SENDS HIS WORKERS – Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Matthew 10:7, And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Verse 8. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Verse 9. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, Verse 10. no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. Verse 11. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. Verse 12. As you enter the house, greet it. Verse 13.  And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. Verse 14. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

HE SENDS HIS WORKERS – The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16, Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. Verse 17. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. Verse 18. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Verse 19. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Verse 20, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

HE SHEPHERDS HIS FLOCK – I Am the Good Shepherd

John 10:11, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Verse 12. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. Verse 13. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. Verse 14. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, Verse 15, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.

1 Peter 5:1, So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; verse 3,  not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. Verse 4. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Now, for the Church (the Ekklesia – The Called Out Ones of God – called out of the world and into the Kingdom of God for His service. The mystical Body of Christ THE MISSION – THE PURPOSE – THE METHOD – THE WAY, of “Saying, Seeking, Saving, Showing, Sending, Shepherding” as Jesus has done and has instructed His Church (you and me).

(If the image above needs to be enlarged for review please click: Our Mission, Purpose, Methods, Means & Ways).

In another article I ask the question, “Hey Church. What In The World Do You Think You Are Doing?” In other words, are you even on the Mission God The Father gave Jesus His Son and His Church, pursuing His Purpose, using His Methods and following His Ways? And now…

Chapter 1 – God the Father’s Mission for Jesus and Jesus’ Mission for All Creation – (And The Mission of His Church and of Every Believer).

The Bible presents one unified divine mission: God the Father sends His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem fallen humanity, reconcile creation to Himself, defeat sin and death, and ultimately bring all things under the righteous rule of Christ for the glory of God.

The Father’s mission for Jesus and Jesus’ mission for creation is distinct but inseparable. Jesus accomplishes the Father’s will, and through Jesus, God brings His eternal purpose for creation to completion.

1. God the Father’s Mission for Jesus Christ – And His Mission is the Mission of The Church and for all believers.

The Father sent Jesus into the world to reveal God, save sinners, destroy the works of the devil, and accomplish His redemptive purpose for humanity and creation.

Jesus explicitly described His mission in several passages.

1. To reveal the Father

Jesus makes the invisible God known to humanity.

“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” — John 14:9 (KJV)

See also John 1:18; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:1–3.

2. To save humanity from sin and death

Jesus came to give His life as a ransom and provide salvation through His death and resurrection.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” — Luke 19:10 (KJV)

See also John 3:16–17; Mark 10:45; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4.

3. To defeat the works of the devil and the power of death

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus breaks the dominion of sin and death and brings the promise of eternal life.

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” — 1 John 3:8 (KJV)

See also Hebrews 2:14–15; Romans 6:9–10.

4. To establish His kingdom and bring all things under His authority

The Father’s purpose extends beyond individual salvation to the universal reign of Christ and the restoration of all things according to God’s will.

“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.” — Ephesians 1:10 (KJV)

See also Psalm 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:24–28; Philippians 2:9–11.

Jesus summarized His relationship to the Father’s mission in John 6:38:

“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (KJV)

The Father’s mission, therefore, is not merely that Jesus teaches people how to live. It is that the Son accomplish the divine work of revelation, redemption, reconciliation, and the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom.

2. Jesus’ Mission for All Creation – And His Mission is the Mission of The Church and for all believers.

Jesus carries out the Father’s purpose, but the scope of His mission extends beyond the individual human soul. Scripture describes a purpose involving humanity, the Church, the nations, and ultimately the whole created order.

1. To restore humanity’s relationship with God

Human beings were created in God’s image for fellowship with Him, but sin brought alienation, corruption, and death. Jesus reconciles sinners to God through His blood.

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” — Colossians 1:21 (KJV)

See also Romans 5:8–11; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21.

2. To call people from every nation into salvation and new life

Jesus commissions His followers to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples among all peoples.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” — Matthew 28:19 (KJV)

See also Matthew 24:14; Luke 24:46–47; Acts 1:8.

His saving work is not restricted to one ethnicity or nation. The Gospel is for the world, and everyone who believes in Christ may receive eternal life.

3. To form a people who reflect God’s character

Those redeemed by Christ are called to love God and neighbor, practice righteousness, serve others, proclaim truth, and grow in Christlikeness.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” — Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

See also Romans 8:29; Ephesians 4:11–16; Titus 2:11–14.

Good works do not purchase salvation; they are the intended fruit of God’s saving grace.

4. To reconcile and ultimately renew creation

The consequences of the Fall extend to creation itself. The Bible looks forward to creation’s liberation from corruption and to the renewal of all things under Christ.

“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” — Romans 8:19 (KJV)

See also Colossians 1:19–20; Acts 3:21; Revelation 21:1–5.

This does not mean that every individual will necessarily be saved. Scripture also teaches final judgment. Rather, God’s ultimate purpose is to remove evil and establish His righteous order.

3. How the Father’s Mission and Jesus’ Mission Fit Together – And Their Mission is the Mission of The Church and for all believers.

The relationship can be summarized as one divine purpose unfolding through several stages.

God the Father

The source of the saving purpose

Creates, loves, sends, and purposes to reconcile all things to Himself.

God the Son — Jesus Christ

The accomplisher of the Father’s mission

Reveals God, lives in perfect obedience, dies for sinners, rises from the dead, reigns, and will bring God’s purposes to completion.

The Holy Spirit

The divine agent of application and renewal

Convicts, regenerates, indwells, sanctifies, empowers, and equips God’s people.

The Redeemed People of God

The witnesses and servants of the Gospel

Proclaim Christ, make disciples, love their neighbors, and serve according to God’s Word.

The Consummation of God’s Purpose

The ultimate outcome

Evil is judged, death is defeated, creation is renewed, and Christ’s reign is fully manifested.

This is a theological synthesis, not a claim that Scripture assigns each person of the Trinity an exclusive task. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit act in unity, while Scripture distinguishes their personal roles.

First Corinthians 15:24–28 describes the ultimate completion of Christ’s mediatorial reign, when every enemy is defeated and the Son delivers the kingdom to the Father. Revelation 21:1–5 describes the new heaven and new earth.

4. What Is God’s Primary Method for Accomplishing His Mission? And His Method is the Method of The Church and for all believers.

God’s primary method is Jesus Christ Himself—His incarnation, atoning death, resurrection, and reign—made known through the Gospel and applied by the Holy Spirit.

The Church participates in this mission, but it does not originate it or accomplish it by its own power.

• The means of reconciliation: Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 5:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
• The means of receiving salvation: God’s grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9).
• The means of proclaiming salvation: The Gospel, entrusted to Christ’s followers (Romans 10:14–17).
• The means of transforming believers: The Holy Spirit working through the Word of God (John 17:17; Galatians 5:22–25).
• The ultimate accomplishment: God’s sovereign work in bringing His redemptive purpose to completion (Ephesians 1:9–10; Philippians 1:6).

God’s mission is therefore not fundamentally a human project to improve the world through education, politics, morality, or religious activity. Those things may have legitimate places, but they cannot reconcile sinners to God or defeat death. The heart of the mission is God’s saving work through Jesus Christ.

5. A concise statement of the entire mission

Here is one way to express the biblical picture in a single, unified statement:

God the Father’s Mission for Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ’s Mission for All Creation – And His Mission and Method is the Mission and Method of The Church and for all believers.

God the Father, according to His eternal purpose and love, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to reveal the nature and character of God, redeem fallen humanity from sin and death, destroy the works of the devil, reconcile sinners to Himself, and establish the reign of His kingdom.

Through His incarnation, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension, and ultimate triumph, Jesus accomplishes the Father’s redemptive purpose. Through the Holy Spirit, God calls and transforms a people who believe in Christ, conform them to His image, and commission them to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations.

The ultimate purpose is to defeat evil, bring God’s saving purposes to completion, liberate creation from corruption, and establish the fullness of God’s righteous rule through Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

In summary: The Father purposes and sends; the Son accomplishes redemption and reigns; the Holy Spirit applies and empowers; and God’s people bear witness to Christ—until God’s purposes for His redeemed people and renewed creation reach their appointed fulfillment.

6. The foundational passage that ties it all together

If I were to select one passage as the central biblical framework for this entire subject, it would be Colossians 1:15–20.

Paul describes Jesus as the image of the invisible God, the Creator and sustainer of all things, the head of the Church, the firstborn from the dead, and the One through whom God reconciles all things to Himself.

That passage brings together creation, Christ’s identity, redemption, the Church, resurrection, and cosmic reconciliation.

Two other essential passages complete the picture:

• Ephesians 1:9–10: God’s purpose to unite all things in Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 15:20–28: Christ’s resurrection, the defeat of every enemy, and the final completion of His reign.

Taken together, these passages show that the Gospel is more than a plan for individuals to escape judgment after death. It is God’s redemptive work through Jesus Christ, rescuing sinners and bringing His purpose for creation to its appointed fulfillment.

The central distinction is this: Jesus’ mission is not merely to save people from something; it is also to save them for something—to restore them to fellowship with God, conform them to the image of His Son, incorporate them into His people, and bring them into the life of His coming kingdom.

End Chapter 1.

Next: (coming soon). Chapter 2 – God the Father’s Purpose for Jesus and Jesus’ Purpose for All Creation.