Why Missions?

Missions is such a buzz word in the Christian community.  For some it is a word to collect more offerings.  For others it is a duty and obligation.  More like a mission instead of ministry.  I think about the LDS and JW congregations.  Some use missions as a way to make them self feel better and look better.  A "see what I did" mentality.  Missions can be thought of as a cool trip where we see exotic places and "help" third world people.

So what is missions?  Is it a thing we do, a place to go, or an offering to give to?  I challenge all of those.  It might include all of those to some degree.  None of those are missions.

Many use 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 NIV) to describe missions.  Witness to what?

I think Jesus gave a great summary of missions when he said  “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” (Luke 4:43 NIV).

What is the good news?  Again we have a watered down version of the good news.  We try to say the good news is the Roman's Road, Turn or Burn, or other form of a "salvation message".  For me, it is hard to get excited to share the good news if that is all it is.  Avoid hell and try to be good.  Boring!

This was not the message Jesus lived out during his 33 years.  It was so much bigger.  “Go back and report  [witness] to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." (Luke 7:22 NIV).  I can get excited about that!  All of these things represent the curse of sin and how Jesus came to reverse the curse.  Jesus came to restore the earth back to the way it was created, "The renewal of all things" (Matthew 19:28).  It demonstrates his authority as the Son of God and as our High Priest.  He came to wage war against the enemy (Matthew 10:34).

Jesus called us to the same mission.

"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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19, 20 NIV).

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12 NIV)"

"Greater things"!  Really!  Do you remember the things we mentioned above?  The healings, raising of the dead stuff, good news for the poor and oppressed? This is missions.  This is to what we are being called.  This is something to get excited about, give to, and get involved with.

Yes, we are in a world at war.  It will be tough.  There will be pain, suffering, heartache, persecution, and opposition.  The enemy is not going to roll over and let this happen.  The good news is, live or die, we win.