The Gospels and Acts: Jesus the Missionary and His Missionary Followers

Ch.5 – By Robert Garrett

Jesus Was the Incarnation of God’s Missionary Purpose

“In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God… (4) Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone” Jn.1:1,4

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” Jn.1:12

How does John chapter one explain God’s missionary purpose? How does Jesus fit that purpose?

The Meaning of the Incarnation

• Use of the term, “logos” was easily understandable by both Romans and eastern mystics

• As God’s “Word” Jesus stands as his final sermon of concern for all mankind

• Jesus proves God’s desire to draw near to man

Jesus Was God’s Apostle

• Apostolos – a “sent one”• John 20:21 – Jesus refers to himself

as sent on a mission by the Father• Jesus says he sends us in the same

way• So, Jesus is God’s missionary, and

all believers are to be missionaries in the same way.

Jesus Was the Friend of Sinners

• Luke 15:1; Luke 19:1-10 – people were drawn to Jesus

• He reflects the Missio Dei of reaching out to those estranged from God

Jesus Said, “Follow Me”

• With these words we are invited to go where he goes and do what he does – the same pattern as between him and the Father

• Paul reiterates these words to those he is discipling – and so emphasizes that this is the core of our Christian leadership in missions

• The reasonable conclusion is that as we follow the example of our leaders we are ultimately joining God in his work

Jesus Was the Kingdom Bearer

• “The Kingdom of God is at Hand.”• The Kingdom is present in Jesus

ministry – he is extending its influence

• We are part of that kingdom• Our task will not be done until

Mt.24:14 comes to pass – the gospel preached to all ethne.

Jesus Was the Missionary Prototype

• Jesus begins his speaking ministry in Nazareth by declaring himself as the fulfillment of Is.61:1-2

• Jesus states clearly his commitment to a missionary perspective – God’s grace is to touch the nations, not just Israel, Mt 24:7

• Reflect on Jesus’ answer to John in Mt.11:2-6 from a missional perspective

Jesus Was the Great Commissioner

• Mt.28:16-20• A great declaration – “All

authority…• A great commission – “…to the

uttermost parts…”

• The mandate is making disciples, not on going, nor baptizing, nor teaching.

• The clauses show how it will be done

Jesus’ Spirit Sent Out the Church

• Acts gives us the continuing story of Jesus’ work, now through the Holy Spirit at work in the disciples

• The message of the apostles was• The promises of the prophets are

fulfilled• The Kingdom is expanding• The promised redeemer has come• God’s Spirit is available to all mankind• It is necessary to repent and believe in

Jesus

Antioch is a Milestone

• The ingathering of the Gentiles begins• Intentional missions to the nations

begins• The missional understanding of the

church is established• Mission teams are first used• The patterns of Christian witness,

discipling, worship, ministry, and leadership development are pioneered as churches are planted.

The Partnership of God

Acts records the new and dynamic partnership between God and his servants to bring the good news to every people on earth.

• The miraculous deeds that validate the message

• The guidance shown to missional teams

• The Word revealed to his teaching servants