How is mission work to be done? What is God’s plan for taking the gospel into all the world.
First, the gospel goes forth through those who are “sent.” The Antioch church sent forth Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3). Throughout the centuries, the church has sent forth missionaries with the Gospel message. Jesus sent his disciples into the world, not in the sense of traveling to distant lands, but in the context of their daily lives. One could translate the Great Commission in Matthew, “As you are going, make disciples….” Not all are sent into foreign lands and distant places, but every Christian is sent.
The gospel goes forth because there are “senders.” How can messengers go forth unless they are sent? (Romans 10:15). When one cannot personally go to those places where the message of gospel is to be preached, one can help others go. I am grateful for those Christians who make it possible for others to go.
An often overlooked truth is that the gospel goes forth through the “pre-sent.” The pre-sent are those who are present in this world in the normal routines of life. I am “pre-sent” to those places where I am already present. Wherever we Christians go in our daily lives, we are to take the gospel with us. When those who are sent to a new location to sow the seed of the gospel, those who accept the message become those who are pre-sent (present) in the context of daily living.
The gospel will not permeate the world and reach to the far corners of the globe without the involvement of all three groups: the sent, the senders, and the pre-sent (the daily presence of Christians). May God help us be faithful in doing our part to echo forth the saving message of Jesus.