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The Divine Mission

Admin 2013.12.25 09:21 Views : 2721 Recommend:28

The Divine Mission
by Michael West
Some may think The Divine Mission of the church is found entirely in the Great Commission of Mark 16:15-16 which states, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Yes, this is the divine mission of the church (to seek and save the lost), but there is so much more involved in this mission than found in the two verses of one chapter of one book of the New Testament. Matthew states in Chapter 28:19-20 the same thoughts, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." This is a major part of the divine mission and each Christian must go into the world and teach the Gospel to the lost.
Sometimes though, we put blinders on and focus all of our energy on saving the lost when we need to accomplish other works that God has instructed us to do for the church. Christians must be examples to the world or we will never have the opportunity to "preach" the Gospel. Titus puts it this way in Chapter 2:7, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity." If we talk the talk, we must walk the walk. The world around us watches us closely. Being human, we will make mistakes and we must be willing to admit those mistakes and take care of them the way God has instructed us. Thus, the divine mission of the church includes proper conduct at all times. When at work, when at play and when attending services, we must conduct ourselves in a godly manner to be pleasing to God.
The divine mission of the church also includes helping those in need. Prayer, here, is of exceeding importance (as in all of the dictates God has given us through his divinely inspired Word). Psalms 119:4-6 shows this idea; "Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments." Here the Psalmist uses the words: "precepts," "statutes" and "commandments." These are rules that we must follow in the Bible and these include help to those around us. This also is the divine mission of the church.
The help given to a fallen brother is also of great importance according to God's Word. Matthew Eighteen tells us exactly how to handle a situation such as this. If we were to only walk the "old paths" and not stray, then our lives and the lives of those around us would be so much fuller. If we cannot get along in the church, then how can we expect to go to heaven? Our mission is to take care of the problem immediately and in a way God would have us take care of it.
Yes, the divine mission of the church is to seek the lost, but it also includes making sure we are saved. "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). The divine mission of the church is difficult but also rewarding. Around us are unimaginable troubles, yet having Christ with us we are not distressed. Life in the world is perplexing, but Jesus Christ will never forsake us. We find ourselves cast down in the wickedness that surrounds us and we feel lost, but with God on our side helping us every step of the way to heaven, we are not destroyed. The divine mission of the church requires us to seek the lost, help them understand the way to heaven, study with them and show them what must be done. It also makes us stronger Christians while doing God's work.
This article originally appeared in the Gospel Gazette. © New Freeport Church of Christ. Used with permission.
Posted by christ.or.kr | Last modified: 2012-07-07 | Tract ID: 1466
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