Who has what role in God's Mission? God, the Father originated the Mission. God's Mission passage, Eph 1:3-14, opens up with "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." This passage goes on to explain his Mission.
God, the Son's role is mentioned almost immediately, "he," (God, the Father), "predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace (vs. 5-7)." Christ embodies God's Mission. God's Mission is his glory. We also said God's Mission can be defined as, "The work of God in reconciling humankind to himself for the praise of his glory." This work of reconciliation is the work of Christ.
God, The Holy Spirit is mentioned, "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory (vs. 13,14)." Acts 1:8 also says, "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." The Holy Spirit gives power to the Mission.
Believers (The Church) carry God's Mission. We have the responsibility of spreading the name of Christ so that others can become believers and worship God.
The World receives the Mission. By this we "Fill the earth" (Gen. 1:28, Matt 28: 19-20, Acts 1:8) and civilize the world for God.
Who has what role in God's Mission? God, the Father originated the Mission. Christ embodies the Mission, the Holy Spirit gives power to the Mission, the church carries out the mission, and the world receives the Mission.
Interact with Scripture/QuestionsRead Eph. 1:3-14 and Matt 28: 19, 20 again. List God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Church, and World. List the roles each fills from these two passages.
Think of your own life? Does the five step process of God's Mission stop at you, or does it flow through you so your world receives the mission that you carry?
How are you carrying God's Mission at work, school, church, and family?
What is God teaching about himself in Matt 28:19-20?
Prayer: Ask God to help you understand how to better carry out his mission to the world in your areas of life.
Scripture ReferencesEPH 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace [8] that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. [9] And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
EPH 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, [12] in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. [13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
Matt 28:[19] 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, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
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