Forest Park church of Christ

The Mission of the Church

Before the first ray of light penetrated the darkness of creation God made a plan whereby His manifold wisdom would be made known to the world by the church (Ephesians 3:9-11). Isaiah prophesied that people would go up to the house of the Lord to learn His ways. Then, from Mt. Zion, His law would go forth (Isaiah 2:2-3).

The great God of heaven sent Immanuel on the ultimate quest, to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). As far as mankind is concerned (as far as you are concerned) there is no greater mission that has been undertaken by anyone. This quest offers eternal “youth,” immortality, the ultimate cure for every disease or illness.

As Jesus was preparing to come into the world, an angel of the Lord announced, “…and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21b). As Jesus was preparing to return to heaven He charged His disciples to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19a). He repeated this charge in Mark 16:15-16, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). Therefore it is evident that this mission has been passed on to Jesus’ disciples, to those who have partaken of this immortality.

It was also God who chose the method by which this salvation would take place. “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).

But if people do not hear the saving gospel then they cannot believe nor receive that salvation (Romans 10:14). Paul strongly expressed this idea in 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16. “who [the Jews] killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.” This means that if the gospel of Jesus Christ is not shared with your friends then they will not be able to enjoy the riches of immortality with you.

The Bible calls for Christians to “…run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a.) These words were written in the shadow of a long list of men and women who had taken up the call of God, people who moved in faith to fulfill their Master’s will.

In Acts 8 verses 1-4 we see a great persecution by Saul against those who had believed and received the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. He made havoc of the church. He entered into houses dragging away men and women and casting them into prison. He tortured them in an effort to cause them to blaspheme the name of Jesus Christ. He even gave his consent for them to be put to death (Acts 26:9-11).

Yet even in the face of this persecution the church kept its focus on its mission. Luke wrote, “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). These Christians did not draw back nor refrain from speaking to their friends, their neighbors, their relatives or even strangers as they were fleeing from the threat of prison and death. Their faith was evident and the glory of God and Jesus Christ shined brightly through their service.

The church is in need of likeminded people today who are willing to hear the call and take up the mission that our Lord Jesus Christ has given to us. Jesus Himself said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). These words were spoken to His disciples. Do these words have a place in your heart?

The mission of the church is to seek and save the lost. How are you serving to accomplish this mission?