Group Project

Living faithful to God’s mission is something we are called to do together.

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:2-3 NLT

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” And when they had come together, they asked him, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? Acts 1:6 ESV

If you think the mission is only about what God will do for you, you’ve missed the heart of the mission and may end up betraying God and His mission the way Judas betrayed Jesus. 

When He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21 NKJV 

The church world is full of earthly kingdom christians.

Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. Matthew 4:20 NLT 

The first call is the call to follow Jesus, the second call is to lead others to Him too. 

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 

Power hungry people are a burden not a blessing to God’s gospel and mission.

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.” Acts 1:8 ESV 

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Acts 1:9-11 NLT

We aren’t meant to focus all our attention on heaven or earth, but rather on Jesus and His mission to build His Kingdom here and now. 

Every Christ follower has a post ascension assignment that is important to God’s evangelistic disciple-making mission.

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16 NLT

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10 ESV

Jesus has always fulfilled His mission and built His church with every willing heart and hand!