There is no question that when we look at the created world, all organisms and organic life are designed for reproduction. Plants have very creative ways to spread their seeds so new plants are planted, producing fruit, and repeating the cycle. Organisms reproduce after their kind; with the expectation the offspring will themselves reproduce someday. Without reproduction, life would cease to exist. 

Scripture often uses things from the organic world to illustrate spiritual truth. In the OT Israel is compared to a vine and in the NT Jesus uses agricultural references many times in his teaching. Just as there is an understanding that life in the natural realm is designed to reproduce, we should also understand that life in the spiritual realm is designed to reproduce. That reproduction begins with the subtle changes we all hope to see in our spiritual growth of gradually reproducing the character of Christ in our lives. When a person comes to faith in Christ, we think of that as the reproduction of the Christian. The concept of spiritual reproduction continues to expand beyond personal reproduction to the reproduction of leaders, ministries, and churches. For us as Christians the word disciple means to follow Christ and become more like him. Over the course of Jesus’ earthly ministry he invested in a group of disciples that followed him so they could be like him. Those disciples went on to reproduce what Christ had produced in them in new disciples, new ministries, and new churches. We are called to continue that line of reproduction.

Join me this Sunday as we conclude our 1MISSION series with a focus on the reproductive nature of the mission God calls us to.

The task of global missions is a daunting task that any individual would feel overwhelmed with. It is equally daunting for an individual church and denomination. We must remember that the church is an organism that grows organically, by supernatural means. I can’t explain how the work of mission is completely accomplished because there is always the God factor that is beyond our knowledge. However, there are some things the church must do to maintain health to be effective in the mission God has given us.
In Act 2, we read about the very first few days the church was in existence. We look at what the early church did in those days as the road map of what the church today should be doing. The early church shared certain practices as the Body of Christ that helped keep them healthy. They also made a commitment to the local church by joining whole church gatherings as well as smaller, more intimate gatherings in people’s homes. That rhythm kept the church healthy so they could be effective in mission to other people and people groups. For us as a church, the command to “Make disciples” means to first lead people to faith in Christ, then continue to help those disciples grow in that discipleship, become more like Christ as they mature and grow so they can effectively witness to others about their faith in Christ.
When the church commits to one another in the rhythms of the Spiritual life, the mission of God becomes sustainable. The mission is too big for any one person, church or denomination, but when we work as a team the mission can be done.

I was just 10 years old when the first Star Wars movie came out. I was hooked right away on the story of other civilizations in faraway galaxies, not to mention one of the greatest depictions of the battle between good and evil in recent times. A few years later there was the first sequel, and then a third movie after that, all of which were extremely popular. Then a generation later they released 3 more new Star Wars movies that were pre-quells (set before) to the original movie. Then came another three movies that continue the story after the original three. I know, the timeline is very confusing. And . . . in addition to that, the Star Wars franchise has also produced other movies and shows that are not part of the main story line, but provide backstory for the main characters and story line. In total there are 9 major movies and several small movies or shows that help to tell this one epic story we call Star Wars.

The mission of God is a lot like an epic story: there are some major episodes that carry the main story line with many other side stories that fill in the back story, so the one main story has a greater meaning for us. Many people think the concept of mission is just a New Testament development, but the mission of God is something that is almost as old as the origins of man, making for a captivating epic story. This Sunday we are considering the very origin of the call to mission, which will help us to understand both the focus and broader scope of the church’s mission. From its very beginning the 1Mission of God is the redemption of the people and nations of the earth. The amazing thing about this epic story is that it is still being written and there is a place for you and for our church in the recording of this story. Join me this Sunday as we seek to find our place in the epic story of God’s mission.