Mission

You are a disciple because the first disciples obeyed Jesus’ mission. The gospel spread from a small group of 120 people in Jerusalem to millions across the earth. Over the course of centuries, the gospel continued to advance with unstoppable power until, at just the right time, the gospel reached you.

Jesus was sent to the earth on a mission: “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God … for I was sent for this purpose” (Luke 4:43). By living a perfect life of obedience, dying a sinners’ death in Page our place, and raising from the grave, Jesus fulfilled his calling. But the work is not over. Just as the Father sent Jesus on a mission, Jesus sends his disciples on a mission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you …” (Matthew 28:18-20). As a disciple of Jesus, this is your mission: to make disciples of all nations by declaring and displaying the gospel.

So what is involved in the mission of God? Each component of mission involves giving away something God has given you for the advancement of his kingdom. This is what it means to be a faithful steward: investing in the world what God has entrusted to you. As a part of God’s mission, you love the world through generosity (stewarding your treasure), evangelism (stewarding the gospel), and service (stewarding your gifts).

This mission isn’t optional for disciples of Jesus. Those who have received the gospel are required to give the gospel to the world. But this requirement isn’t a burden. As Jesus calls you into his mission, he also provides the power and presence you need to fulfill it. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Because Jesus is with you, you can enter this mission confidently. You can give away your money, you can give away the gospel, and you can give away your gifts with joy because the ultimate gift, Jesus’ love, has been freely given to you and will never be taken away (Romans 8:38-39).