Message and Mission

Jesus summoned his disciples to proclaim the Good News of his Kingdom to every inhabited corner of the Earth.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about reforming society or political systems. Christ’s message calls all men to repent and join a radically new social order and political reality, namely, the Kingdom of God. This message is contrary to the political ideologies of the present world order. It subverts mankind’s philosophies and popular beliefs.

Responding to Christ’s Gospel with repentance and faith is vital, a matter of life or death. The end of the age is approaching when the existing order will cease, including all governments except one, the Kingdom of God.

[Photo by Evgeni Tcherkasski on Unsplash]

Jesus has commissioned his followers to proclaim the Good News of this Holy Kingdom to all peoples of every nation, a promise of salvation for all men. It is a life-changing message that affects all men without exception - one way or another.

Jesus commanded his followers to wait in Jerusalem until they “received power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” They would then become “his witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the Earth,” as prophesied in the Scriptures - (Acts 1:7-9).

• “I will tell of the decree: Yahweh told me: You are my son. This day, have I begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession” – (Psalm 2:7-8).

As the Messiah of Israel and the Heir of Abraham, Jesus inherited all things, including the nations. He now possesses “all authority in Heaven and on Earth”; therefore, he is sending his disciples as his heralds to announce Salvation and His Lordship to the furthest regions of the planet. Every man and woman must hear the “Glad Tidings of God’s Kingdom” while the opportunity remains.

According to Paul, believers receive the “righteousness of God” through faith in Jesus. With God, “there is no distinction” or “respect of person.” It is not ethnicity, nationality, or social position that acquits anyone of sin before God. Every man stands or falls on the same basis. No one has any justification for boasting of his or her qualifications for or right to justification before the Creator of All Things.

FROM THE FAITH OF JESUS

Everyone who responds to the message with faith is put in right standing with God and acquitted of the penalties for sin that we all richly deserve. We are justified before God “from the faith of Jesus Christ.”

There is no basis for self-confidence “since all have sinned and lack the glory of God.” Jesus died for all men when they were “yet enemies of God” to reconcile them with their Creator. This is the Word of the Cross that is alien to the beliefs and practices of this world - (Romans 3:22-30, 1 Corinthians 1:18-24).

The Apostle Paul appealed to his monotheistic faith to support the proposition that all men stand or fall before God on the same basis: “Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one and will justify the circumcised from faith and the uncircumcised through faith”- (Romans 3:22-30).

No man is advantaged or disadvantaged before his Creator because of nationality, economic status, or gender. As Paul wrote to the church of Colossae, “There cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman, but Christ is all and in all.” – (Colossians 3:9-11).

Through Jesus, God is creating a new humanity and a political reality that differs radically from the nations and governments of this world, a covenant community, singular, composed of men and women of every country redeemed by the blood of Jesus, the same Jesus who “gave his life as a ransom for many.”

Our faith in and allegiance to Jesus redefines and reorients every human relationship. The “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” is shaping redeemed men and women collectively and individually into the image of His Son.

The traditional distinctions of race and social or economic status are inappropriate in this new community. What we each have in common is the “faith of Jesus.” This salvation is one message for all men. It is unique and infinitely superior to all competing religions, philosophies, and political ideologies.

The mission assigned to us is to proclaim this Good News in every inhabited corner of the planet. The completion of this mission is necessary before the return of Jesus. National borders, cultural imperatives, and ethnic barriers will not prevent the “Kingdom of God” from reaching its consummation - (Matthew 24:14, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28).

The day is coming when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish, and sin, disease, and death will be eliminated forever. This grand victory will coincide with the “arrival” of Jesus when he will resurrect the dead, vanquish “Death,” reward his faithful followers, judge the wicked, and usher in the reign of God in all its fullness along with the New Creation - (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

In the meantime, we are called to proclaim his Good News about the Reign of God “to the ends of the Earth.” Everyone who hears and responds with faith will receive the forgiveness of sins, salvation, and everlasting life in the coming New Creation. They will participate in all the glories of His Kingdom in the coming everlasting age.

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SEE ALSO:

• Salvation for All Men - (The Gospel of the Kingdom announced by Jesus of Nazareth offers salvation and life to men and women of every nation and people)

• Our Mission - (The task of the church between now and Christ’s return is to announce the Good News of his Kingdom to all nations – Matthew 24:14)

• The Definitive Sign - (According to Jesus. the End will not come until this Gospel of the Kingdom of God has been proclaimed to all nations on the Earth – Matthew 24:14)

• Le Message de l'Évangile -  (Jésus a convoqué ses disciples pour proclamer la Bonne Nouvelle de son Royaume à tous les coins habités de la Terre)