Called to mission

When I say the word mission, I know from my own experience and from talking to others that it is a word that we are not always comfortable with. We often have a particular idea of what mission is. And we are often told that it is something that we should be doing. But the reality is that many of us feel inadequate or awkward when it comes to doing what we think it takes to do mission. It can be the least favourite part of our calling.

In these next two articles, I hope to make you feel that mission is not just something that we should do, but something that we can do and something we can get excited about. Let’s start by looking at the first practice related to mission - gospel taking. As usual, we will break this down into the what, the why and the how.

Called to mission

A mission to the moon

Before we explore the what of gospel taking, let’s first look at what mission is all about. That’s an important starting point. And I want to start by telling one of my own experiences of mission that has nothing to do with church or evangelism or the Bible, but I think helps to illustrate just what mission is all about.

In 1969, I was 12 years old and in my first year of boarding school. On the 16th of July, we were all in the school dining room having lunch when the news came through that Neil Armstrong had put his foot on the moon - the first man to walk on the surface of the moon. It was one of those moments in life that you don’t forget. There was a feeling of being part of history in the making. And being amazed that hundreds of thousands of kilometres away there was a man standing on the moon.

That was the Apollo 11 moon mission. What was it that made it a mission? Clearly, they had a goal and task – to put the first person on the surface of the moon. They were also sent. NASA had been working for years to send someone to the moon. And lastly, they needed someone who was prepared to go. These men had been chosen and invited for the task and then sent into space to get the task done.

As we shall explore, these are all critical aspects of mission. Mission almost always involves an invitation to someone to go and complete a task. As Jesus’ disciples, we have been invited to a help complete a task. That task is our mission. And that mission is part of our calling.

But what is exactly is the mission we have been called to? Let’s dive into the Bible to see what it has to say about mission.

What is mission?

If we look at where the word mission is used in the Bible, it is used in several ways. In 1 Samuel 15:20, Saul, the king of Israel, says how he obeyed God and “went on the mission the Lord assigned me”. Again, in 1 Samuel 18:5, it says that “whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army”. In each of these situations, the word mission has the idea of a job or task that someone has been given to carry out.

Some people may be surprised to learn that the word mission hardly appears in the New Testament. In fact, in most translations, the word mission only appears once or twice. In Acts 12:25 (NIV), it talks about Barnabas and Saul finishing their mission to take financial help to the church in Jerusalem. And in 2 Corinthians 11:12 (ESV), Paul talks about false apostles boasting about their mission. We often think of the word mission in the context of sharing the gospel, as with Paul’s missionary journeys. But the word mission here again simply indicates a job or task.

So, to summarise, the Bible simply uses the word mission to refer to a job or task. It is used in the context of both war and ministry. Importantly, that task is often given to someone who has been called to action and then sent out to do the job. Putting these things together, mission usually involves someone being called or chosen and then sent out for a particular task.

What is our mission?

If that is how the word mission is used, importantly for us, what is our mission as Jesus’ disciples? The clearest indication of the mission we have been given is in Matthew 28:19-20. In fact, these verses are so central to mission that they are often referred to as the Great Commission. As Jesus says in these verses - “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.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Jesus also talks about sending out the disciples in John 20:21 and Mark 16:15 where he says to the disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”.

In Acts 1:8, the early disciples were told - “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.” And in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, we are also told that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation making us Christ’s ambassadors to take out the message of reconciliation and make his appeal through us.

So, as followers of Jesus, these instructions have been passed on to us. Like the early disciples, we have also been called, and sent out with a task – to go into all the world to be witnesses or messengers for Jesus – taking the gospel and making disciples – that is our mission.

What is the message?

Before we look further at mission, it may be helpful to dig a bit deeper into what we mean by the gospel. The easy answer is that it is good news. That is basically what the word gospel means. But how is the word used in the Bible? And in what sense is it good news?

The bringing of good news is talked about in the Old Testament. Isaiah 61:1 talks about the one who would come to announce good news. It was good news because it promised healing and freedom and light for the broken hearted, the captives and the prisoners. Jesus then stood up and said that he was one who would do all that (Luke 4:16-21) - that he was the one who would proclaim good news to the poor and that he would announce freedom for the prisoners and oppressed and sight for those who were blind.

Jesus then went about announcing this message. And he backed it up by healing those who were sick (Matthew 9:35-38). The healing was not just an act of compassion but evidence that he was the one who would fulfil what Isaiah talked about. He also sent out the disciples so that they too could announce the good news and heal those who were sick (Luke 9:1-6). For Jesus and the disciples, the good news was a message of the coming of the kingdom. It was a place where people were made whole and well in body and spirit. And that this would result in a community and even a society where healing led to grace and forgiveness and justice and goodness.

Paul also talks about the good news. In speaking to the Ephesians, he calls it the good news of God’s grace (Acts 20:24). In Romans 1:8-10, he speaks of the good news of God’s Son – Jesus. And in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 he spells this out: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”. Paul goes further to say that the good news is that through Jesus we have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, life and immortality (Colossians 1:12-13; 2 Timothy 1:8-10).

So, bringing these together, the good news is that Jesus has come and invites us to share in his kingdom – a kingdom of light and healing and grace and peace, a place where we are made right with God and able to enjoy a relationship with him both now and for eternity. And a kingdom where we share in that as a community and infect the society around us with grace, forgiveness and love.  He invites everyone to share in that. As ambassadors, we have been given the task of taking those invitation cards to invite the people around us to share in that kingdom.

Gospel taking

What about the words gospel taking? What do we mean by that? When we talk about mission, we often use words like evangelism or sharing the gospel. But the reason for using the words gospel taking is that words like evangelism and sharing the gospel can come with baggage. They often suggest a focus on speaking the gospel. But that is only one part of our mission. There are several other parts that give a much larger picture of our mission to take the gospel to people.

By who I am

The first part is being. We take the gospel by who we are. We are inviting people into the kingdom. Are we ambassadors for a kingdom that people are attracted to? Not a picture of a life of carefully following rules. But an attractive, compelling and winsome picture of people from a different kingdom, a place where God rules and people live in grace, goodness, love, humility and hope.

It is interesting that in Acts 11:24, we are told that Barnabas “was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord”. We are not told he was an eloquent preacher or that he was good at convincing others about the truth of the gospel. But we are told that he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. The qualities we bring such as love, joy, peace, and the other fruits of the Spirit are powerful (Galatians 5:22,23). When Christ is living in us and we show the fruits of the Spirit, we literally bring Christ to the people around us (Galatians 2:20). People can see the good news in us.  

By what I do

The second part of gospel taking is doing. We are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). We are urged to live lives that are worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). And as our light shines and people see our good deeds, as we live worthy lives, we glorify God (Matthew 5:16) and make the good news worth listening to.

People around who are not Christians have all sorts of ideas about God and what it means to be a Christian. For some people that we interact with, we may be the only Christian they know. As we serve and care for them and as we live out a life of good character, we can tell a good news story of what it looks like to follow Jesus.

By speaking

The third part of gospel taking is speaking. It is great to be different and to shine but ultimately someone needs to tell the good news for someone to respond. As it says in Romans 10:14 – “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

It may not be us, but somewhere along the line someone must explain what the good news is all about and pass on the invitation. And for those of us who find it difficult to be pushy, 1 Peter 3:15 presents a different view of speaking the gospel. It doesn’t talk about forcing ourselves on people. We are simply told to be “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” This is an inviting picture of taking the gospel to people who see something different in us and are looking to know where that difference comes from.

What does that mean for us?

So far, we have looked at what the gospel and mission is all about and how we do mission by taking the gospel to those around us. Let’s now bring it together and look at what it means for us practically.

We are all called to mission

First, it means that we are all called to mission. The Great Commission that we looked at is directed to Jesus’ disciples. They were then to pass it on to others right down along the line to us. Being a missionary is not an occupation for some. It is a lifestyle for all of us. We don’t need to think hard or pray about whether God is calling us to be a missionary. We are all called to be missionaries.

It takes the pressure off mission

Second, it takes the pressure off what it means to do mission. If we take the gospel simply by who we are, it means that I am already doing mission right where I am to the people around me. And if I take the gospel each time I express the love of God to those around me, then it is very clear how I do that. It doesn’t mean that we can forget about speaking the gospel. Someone needs to speak for someone to respond. But in many situations, most of what I do to take the gospel will simply be about who I am and what I do.

Mission starts right where I am

Third, it means that mission starts right where I am. It is true that we are commanded to go to all the nations. But that means starting right where we are. In fact, many of us can reach the nations without having to move any further than across the road or a few desks down at work. Some may feel a specific calling for a nation or people. And there is a particular need in areas where there are few Christians. But most of us can be missionaries right in our hometown. In fact, sometimes the opportunity is better locally. People are more open, more searching, less monitored and more in search of new relationships, particularly with locals. The best opportunity for mission is often right in front of us.

Why be involved in gospel taking?

We are told to

So what about the why? Why should we be involved in taking the gospel to people? The first and most basic reason is that we are told to. It is part of our calling to follow Jesus. Jesus said to his disciples that “the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:36-37) and that as disciples we take the good news and reap the harvest (Mark 16:15). Paul talked about us being “ambassadors of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). We have been entrusted with the good news – a message of bringing people into to a relationship with God. There are many times in the Bible that we are urged to take the good news out to a world in need.

Through example

The second reason is the example of others. The first disciples and the early church saw taking the gospel as a priority. Jesus’s disciples gave up everything to follow him and to go out on mission taking the good news of the kingdom. And Paul left Jerusalem and his own home to travel through a large part of the Roman empire. He was beaten, jailed, shipwrecked, went hungry, went without sleep, and endured all sorts of difficulties and dangers. Why? Because he was so passionate about the good news of Jesus that no obstacle or danger was too great to stop him. Nearly all the early apostles were so convinced and so full of passion to spread the good news of Jesus that they were prepared to die for what they believed.

And it wasn’t just the early apostles who were wholehearted in taking the gospel. In the last two thousand years, Christians have braved oceans and opposition and disease to take the good news to the world. They have left family and friends, careers and wealth. comfort and security. They have followed in the footsteps of the early disciples in their passion to take the good news.

Because we experience it ourselves

The third reason for taking the gospel is simply that is an overflow of our own experience of the good news. That can be the greatest reason for taking the gospel. Not because we have to. But because we have experienced the healing, the freedom, the grace, the forgiveness, the peace and the love that is the good news of Jesus. And we want others to experience that as well. Our enthusiasm and heart for sharing the good news with others will be directly related to how much it means to us. The last part of our calling – mission - is directly related to the first part of our calling – our relationship with God. Ideally mission overflows from an experience of God that is close and personal and full of life.

How do I take the gospel?

If that is the why, how do we then take the gospel?

By prayer

First, mission always starts with prayer. People respond to God’s invitation through the work of the Holy Spirit. Again and again in the book of Acts - which is a book of mission – two things are intertwined with mission – the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Acts 4:3; Acts 6:20; Acts 8:29; Acts 9:31; Acts 13:1-10) and prayer (Acts 2:42; Acts 4:23-31; Acts 8:15; Acts 13:3; Acts 14:23). If we would like to see people responding to the good news – if we would like to see revival - it begins with prayer.

If you don’t have one already, you may like to think about starting a prayer list. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work in people around you to make them hungry for God. Pray for the Spirit to prepare and open their hearts. And pray that God would bring hungry and open people across your path. Pray for opportunities and to use them with boldness and wisdom and gentleness.

By going

Second, we also need to go. Usually, we don’t need to go far. But even if you only go as far as the home next door, know that you have been sent. As you go through your day, be open to the Spirit’s work in people you have prayed for – whether it is your colleague in the next cubicle or office, your friend you are meeting for lunch, or your neighbour you meet in the lift.

And be open to going to a mission field beyond your normal boundaries. Pray that God’s Spirit would open your heart and give courage to go wherever he may be leading – either through circumstances such as study or work - or through a choice to go specifically to reach another group of people.

By being and doing

Third, as we go, we can be Christ to the people around us and do things that attract them to the gospel. We can be winsome. Earn the right to speak by being salt and light. Love their hearts open. Care for people in practical ways. Build and deepen friendships. Not as a way to convert them. But because you genuinely enjoy their company and love them. Share yourself before you share the gospel.

Ideally, we do this not just individually, but as a community. In fact, the best form of gospel taking is a community of people radically living out their calling. A community of disciples, growing in godliness, showing the fruits of the Spirit, reaching in to selflessly serve each other and reaching out to others with generosity and love. A community of believers in love with their calling, in love with God and full of love toward others is a powerful force to take the gospel to the world.

By speaking

And lastly, speak the gospel. If hearts are closed, pray and love them open. If hearts are open, share. Be prepared and sensitive to make the most of the opportunities that God provides. Don’t feel you need to convince them. Simply be vulnerable and share your own story. And when the time is right, present clearly and attractively the invitation that God makes to each of us to have a relationship with him.

Bringing it all together

So, bringing together what we have explored in this article – we are all called to mission. And that means we are all called to be missionaries. That does not mean that we need to travel far. It starts right where we are. Our mission is to take the gospel – the good news - to the world. That is much more than just telling people what the good news is. It is living it out by who we are and by what we do.

If we recognise that it is first God’s work and that my job is simply to be, to do and to share amongst the people I interact with each day, then we can naturally use the opportunities that God provides. We can trust God’s Spirit to do the work of drawing people to come into the kingdom and to become followers of Jesus themselves.

In the next article, we will look at the second practice around the spoke of mission – disciple making. As we have seen, it is another part of the Great Commission. We shall do explore what it is, why we should be involved and importantly how all of us play a part in this important aspect of the mission that we have been given.