The Great Commission

“Mission implies reaching those without faith in God.” – Arthur F. Glasser –

Mission And Why We Are Called

The Great Commission has been talked about a lot. All in all, there has been much debate on the subject and its applicability. The Great Commission establishes a call to action. As a result, we are called to mission. Mission and missions are explored in relationship to the Old Testament, the New Testament, the nature of God in mission, mission theology, missionaries, church leaders, and lay people.

The Beginning

The book of Genesis is a text that can be attributed to the Old Testament texts on mission. There are many scriptures about the fall throughout the book of Genesis. Moreover, God identifies a particular group of people in the Old Testament texts. God illustrates this in Genesis 12: 1-3. Through blessing Abraham, God intends to bless humankind.

Biblical Account

Genesis 12:3 states:
The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people, and your father’s house, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

As can be seen, God establishes that all humanity will be blessed if they do His will.

Called

God instructs the chosen people of Israel to be a light to all nations. Due to this charge, it directly corresponds with missions reaching all nations and all people. God acted by sending his chosen people into exile. Consequently, we must act as well.   Mission pertains to “sending.” One example is God’s “sending” of His son Yeshua into the world to save humankind. Yeshua in furtherance of mission “sends” His followers in the world to preach to all peoples and all nations as charged in the Great Commission. This forms the crux of the mission in the New Testament. The finality of the mission coincides with the return of Yeshua to humankind.

Themes

What should the theme of mission theology be for your church? For you? A form of organization held by the missionary group or organization helps to guide and sustain it. The themes and motifs of mission theology vary based on the objective and focus. As I have stated, not all missions pursue the same goal or objective. Choose your missionary work based on the objectives of the mission of your church or individual goals.

Roles and Goals

Mission theology and missionary are relational terms to the extent both aim to achieve the charge of the Great Commission. Accordingly, church leaders are an important instrument of continual cultivation of the body of Christ concerning mission theology. The church leadership helps in building the foundation for a mission and providing guidance and support throughout the term of it. Additionally, lay people not in full-time ministry encompass a significant part in this theology too. What role will you play? Don’t limit yourself! You can go it alone.  What are you waiting for? Go!

Fulfillment 

The mission has been present culminating with the fall of man. God’s “sending” of His son is an integral part of the goal. The main emphasis of the charge of the Great Commission is to reach all nations and people. Seek fulfillment in your church by being a part of the bigger picture. This theology in a sense reflects the meaning of Yeshua, paying the price for our salvation. Yeshua’s act of giving His life was such an act. Yeshua sends missionaries “out” to reach and teach. Our duty is to go throughout the world proclaiming the good news of Yeshua. Are you ready?

Moving Forward

All things considered, efforts to achieve the Great Commission throughout the world are vast. Above all, we have made great strides. Be that as it may, we can’t become complacent, and must forge full speed ahead. Our work must be continual at this point. In addition, the church should provide and seek ways to be a part of this effort. At the same time, each believer should ask what I can do, and do it. God’s nature comprises everything, including love, infinite wisdom, divinity, authority, and inclusion. Yeshua is inclusive and illustrates this by His desire to reach all peoples and all nations. Not only that, but Yeshua also acts and continues to move in our lives.  We must act too! Let’s go!