The Missionary God
Genesis 12:1-3 - "The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household 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.'" (NIV)
Luke 15:7 - "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (NIV)
Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (NIV)
Revelation 7:9 - "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." (NIV)
God deeply desires relationship with us. From the beginning of creation, God demonstrated his commitment to faithfully relate with and love his people. In the midst of our rebellion, God pursues us. But, he does not only pursue Christians. He goes after those who are far away from him. His desire is to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10). We see his pounding heart of love for the one who doesn't know him. He leaves the ninety-nine sheep to rescue the one who has gone astray (Luke 15:3-7).
God has always intended that all nations would be included in his kingdom. When he first spoke to Abram (Gen. 12:1-3), God told Abram that he would be blessed in order to be a blessing to all peoples. Here we see God's plan to send his son, Jesus, in the line of Abram, who would open the pathway of salvation for all. The line of Abram (Israel) did not always reveal the beauty of God to the nations around them, as was intended to happen. The Israelites actually tried hard to keep other nations away from God. But, the missionary God would not be stopped.
God sent his son, Jesus, to earth. The missionary God changed locations for us. He left the culture of heaven for the culture of earth. What a big shock to the system that would be! Jesus lived our life, ate our food, walk our roads, and learned our language. Jesus came as a servant and submitted himself to his Father's plan (Phil. 2:6-11). As Jesus calls us to go into all creation and preach the Gospel (to be missionaries), we recognize that he did this first. He does not call us to something that he hasn't already done.
The picture in Revelation 7:9 will come true one day, where people from every nation, tribe, people and language will be worshipping the Lamb of God. God will not rest until this picture becomes a reality. So, he calls us out to join him in his missionary work… to change locations, learn new languages and new cultures, so that all peoples will be included in his kingdom (Matt. 24:14)
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (NIV)
Luke 15:7 - "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (NIV)
Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (NIV)
Revelation 7:9 - "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." (NIV)
God deeply desires relationship with us. From the beginning of creation, God demonstrated his commitment to faithfully relate with and love his people. In the midst of our rebellion, God pursues us. But, he does not only pursue Christians. He goes after those who are far away from him. His desire is to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10). We see his pounding heart of love for the one who doesn't know him. He leaves the ninety-nine sheep to rescue the one who has gone astray (Luke 15:3-7).
God has always intended that all nations would be included in his kingdom. When he first spoke to Abram (Gen. 12:1-3), God told Abram that he would be blessed in order to be a blessing to all peoples. Here we see God's plan to send his son, Jesus, in the line of Abram, who would open the pathway of salvation for all. The line of Abram (Israel) did not always reveal the beauty of God to the nations around them, as was intended to happen. The Israelites actually tried hard to keep other nations away from God. But, the missionary God would not be stopped.
God sent his son, Jesus, to earth. The missionary God changed locations for us. He left the culture of heaven for the culture of earth. What a big shock to the system that would be! Jesus lived our life, ate our food, walk our roads, and learned our language. Jesus came as a servant and submitted himself to his Father's plan (Phil. 2:6-11). As Jesus calls us to go into all creation and preach the Gospel (to be missionaries), we recognize that he did this first. He does not call us to something that he hasn't already done.
The picture in Revelation 7:9 will come true one day, where people from every nation, tribe, people and language will be worshipping the Lamb of God. God will not rest until this picture becomes a reality. So, he calls us out to join him in his missionary work… to change locations, learn new languages and new cultures, so that all peoples will be included in his kingdom (Matt. 24:14)
For More Study
- Genesis 12:1-8
- Luke 15
- John 3:16-21
- Philippians 2:5-11
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Take some time to reflect on Jesus leaving heaven and becoming a human for you. What part of his missionary endeavor stands out to you?
- How can you pattern your missionary activity after Jesus (i.e. sacrifice, changing locations, learning a new culture, etc.)? Take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit how you can imitate the First and Greatest Missionary - Jesus.
Memorization
Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (NIV)
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