From Grant to You – All about Mission
God is a missionary God. He is a sending God. The Father sent the Son to earth to bring His people into a right relationship with Him. And the Son went. As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends His disciples into the world to share the good news of the gospel with every nation (John 17:18).
God is … a sending God.
The book of Acts is essentially the story of Acts 1:8 being lived out: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” We see thousands coming to faith at Pentecost and afterwards being scattered under persecution that follows Stephen’s martyrdom in chapter 7, Paul converted and given a specific commission by Jesus to go to the gentiles (literally the ethnos, nations, in the Greek), and Paul goes on four missionary journeys to Syria, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Crete, Malta and Italy, finishing in Rome – the capital of the Roman Empire.
God is calling you to go. The question is: is that across the street, across the room at work, or across the ocean?
The Navigators calling to advance the gospel of Jesus and His kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of labourers living and discipling among the lost is the way that we endeavour to play our part in the grand plans of God. Reflect prayerfully on the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20. God is calling you to go. The question is: is that across the street, across the room at work, or across the ocean? As you pray, let God’s purposes and promises possess you to make your God-intended contribution on earth.
Mission is on the very heart of God. Is mission on your heart?
Featured image: “Missions”. Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash. Collage: Different calls to mission: Image designed using CanvaPro.
Your Questions Answered – A Heart for Missions
We, as Australian Navigators, have a deep desire to go on mission; our heart is for the nations. We asked one of our Associates why he has a heart for missions, not just locally but overseas as well.
Why do you have a heart for missions?
Jesus’ parting words were to tell his disciples that they would be his witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We can still say today, two thousand years later, that He is calling us all to the same mission. Later this month, I will have the privilege of joining a group of Navigators going to [South Asia] to do this very thing.
Why go overseas when there is need here in Australia?
While it is true that we can take part in this calling at home in our own neighbourhoods, I believe Jesus is also calling us to take his message to the nations. And especially so when there are nations where it is likely that people could live their whole lives without hearing about him. Jesus has given us the words of eternal life. But having gone on previous trips like this in the past, I know that it is not only for their benefit that we go, but also for our own. Stepping out of our comfort zones in faith forces us to be keenly aware of the fact that we must always rely on God, and reminds us that all spiritual growth we see, whether in our lives or those we minister to at home comes only by the working of the Spirit. So I eagerly look forward in faith in anticipation of the work that might be done in us and through us in the coming months.
Interested in overseas mission trips or simply want to find out more about God’s heart for the nations? Get in touch with us:
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Featured image of man gazing up into starry night by Paul Pastourmatzis on Unsplash.
Go!
By Mary Merrill, friend and faithful supporter of Australian Navigators.
We’re a family that loves an adventure – “Go” is an inviting word. So, when we had the opportunity to move to Spain with work, we were thrilled. More than an adventure, we love the Lord and want to be obedient to His calling. We had made ourselves available for an overseas job placement, knowing that would also give us missions opportunities. (more…)
