The Mission of the Church

What is the mission of the church? To answer that question, we must examine Jesus Christ’s mission on earth. When we understand his mission, we will know how to guide the mission of the church. 

Jesus’s mission was the same as his Father’s. He came, spoke, and preached. He taught, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38, ESV). 

He also said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him” (John 8:28-29).

Jesus’s mission was directed by the Father working through him. The Father gave Jesus all glory, power, and authority, which he then gave to the world. 

Today, the greatest need of the church is to let what we receive from Christ go out to the world beyond us. God gives it to us and we receive it, but oftentimes we stop there. God wants to continue to pour out more of his blessing on the church, and he will do so as long as we continue to give it away. We receive, and then we give, and then we receive more, and we give more. 

Sometimes, God’s blessings are interrupted because we just want to receive and not give. Whenever this happens, the church’s mission stops looking like Jesus’s. 

Jesus came to earth with God’s mission in his heart. He preached the good news, set captives free, delivered those bound, and healed the sick. Jesus still proclaims the year of liberty to those in bondage, and this is the mission of the church!