Definition
Missions is sending, supporting and praying for people called by God through the power of the Holy Spirit, confirmed and commended by the local Church, to bring worship, glory, praise, and thanksgiving to God.
Who: Christian missionaries are obeying Christ, sharing Christ, and relying on Christ alone. All followers of Christ have the mission and message of reconciliation by introducing Christ as the solution to mankind’s sin problem. (2Cor. 5:16-21) Christian missionaries can fulfill a variety of tasks: Evangelist, teacher, language translator, church planter, and just about any task that would support a mission.
Why: The command is for us, His Church, and we seek to obey Him by making disciples of all nations. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:19)
How: We should fulfill our mission not out of duty but love. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2Cor. 5:14-15)
What: Missions refers to the goal and action of reaching the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ. Most specifically, it refers to reaching groups of people who have never heard of Christ with this good news for the first time. This makes it differ slightly from evangelism, which refers to sharing the good news of Christ and calling people to turn to Him in faith. We can and should be doing this here, every day. But missions is intentionally doing this where people need to be sent, to all nations and people groups. Missions is not only reaching the lost, but also can be to encourage Christians and churches. (Acts 15:36)
When: Christians are called by the Holy Spirit at a certain time and to a certain place. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:2-3)
Where: It can be a call to anywhere, and to all nations and people groups. (Acts 1:8)
Scripture List: Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8; Rom 10:15; 1 Cor 16:5-11,17-18; 2 Thess. 3:1; Heb 13:18; Rom 1:1-7; 2 Cor. 2:12-14; Acts 1:8, Luke 24:49; Acts 13:2-4, 14:26-28; 2Cor. 2:12-14; Luke 24:49; 1 Cor. 16:5-11,17-18; Col. 4:2-4; 2 Cor. 1:11; 2Thess. 3:1; Heb. 13:18; Acts 21:19-20; Philemon 4; 2 Cor. 1 :11; Rom 11:36; Rom 10:14,17; Luke 24:47; Matt. 25:34-40; Acts 14:21-23; Acts 18:22-23; Acts 15:6; Matt 24:14