Why did God make us and then save us? Are we here to make money, or find happiness, or become famous? What is our mission? I only ask because I am convinced that God is on a mission. Christopher Wright has written an excellent book called The Mission of God. God wants to redeem fallen mankind through the death of Jesus Christ, the Son. Jesus inaugurated his kingdom when he came to the earth, died on the cross, and rose again. Every church is an embassy. Every Christian is an ambassador.
Luke shows us Paul’s plan for sharing the good news of King Jesus. When he arrived in Thessalonica, he went first to the synagogue. For three consecutive Saturdays he reasoned from the scriptures (our Old Testament). He explained that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “Jesus is the Messiah,” he preached. Not only did a number of Jews believe, but God-fearing Greeks, including a number of prominent women also chose Christ.
God’s mission is still our mission. Paul would later write to the Corinthians, “For Christ’s love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all . . . that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). And again, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). With whom can you share this good news today?
