The Gospel of Christ is The Mission of God
In recent years the language of “missions” and “missional theology” has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity among Lutherans. However, much of what falls under the umbrella of “missions” in Lutheranism, although moving ahead with clearly defined practical applications, lacks a clearly defined theological center. As a result the church develops programs, policies and projects deemed to be “missional” because we Christians are doing something for God (Roman Catholic & Reformed theology). That is, “missions” is the church’s “response to what God has done for us in Jesus Christ and because of God’s work for us [and because our synod/district/congregation is “dying”] we ought to do the work of faithful shepherds and missionaries to spread the kingdom of God and bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus.” The result has often been that a congregation [or a small group within the congregation who are “mission minded”] end up feeling guilty, frustrated, insecure and afraid because for one reason and another they have not met expectations or worse, succeeded far beyond expectations. Cut loose from Christ alone, failure and success end up being measured by human standards rather than the “bare Word of God” and thus, Lutherans lose their defining center - Christ and him crucified.
So, as we begin, two questions need to be asked:
- How can you and I be sure that God justifies us if He did not justify all people everywhere in Christ? (2 Tim. 3)
- How can you and I be sure that our faith holds a sufficient or saving grasp on the righteousness of God if it is a product of our own human pursuit and sincerity?
These are the questions which pursue and confront us anew this morning. Let us begin then, at the heart and center of who we are as Lutherans and what we confess as God’s true Word to the world. For we are seeking to determine the genuine substance and shape of who we are as Lutherans, the purpose of our synod, district and congregations and most importantly our biblical confession to the world.
1) God's Kingdom Comes – Our (the Church's) Biblical & Confessional Foundations:
a. How the Gospel reaches people (Gen. 1:28; 3:15-24; 4:26; 11:1-9;12:1-9; 17:1-7) (mission, to use a later term) sits at the heart and center of Lutherans' reading of Scripture (Gen. 3:15; Jn. 12:32; Lk. 24:44-49; Acts 2:37-41) and their formulation of what has come to be referred to as the Missio Dei - the “Mission of God” (Matt. 28:18-20; Heb. 3;1 Cor. 15; Acts 2; Matt 9; Jn. 5; Mk. 16:15-16). For Lutherans, our “material principle” - our central teaching - is that sinners are justified by faith alone [in Christ alone] apart from works of the law (Gen. 17:7; Rom. 3:28, 4:16ff; Gal. 4:21ff; Heb. 11). This is inseparable from our understanding of how the Gospel reaches people through the Missio Dei (Is. 61:1-4; Joel 2:28-32; Rev. 19:10). The fact is that Lutherans are not primarily interested in the question, “Is God something?” Instead, we focus on the Biblical question, “How is God acting?” (Ex. 19:1-6; Rev. 5, Rom. 4:13; Heb. 9; 1 Pet. 3:21; Ps. 2, 22, 118, 139, Lk. 19:10; Jn. 12:32; Eph. 2:1-10; 1 Tim. 3-6).
KEY TEXTS: Gen. 1:17, 3:15, 17:7 / Ex. 19:1-6 / Joel 2:28-32 / Jn. 12:32 / Rev. 19:10.
- Martin Luther's answer is first that God's kingdom comes into the world through the work of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:26-28; Mt. 3:13-17, 4:17; Lk. 23:44-49; 1Pet. 1-2; Jn. 3:16-17; Acts 2:37; LC, Lord's Prayer). The Missio Dei is God's work first (Is. 44:8; Mt. 16:13-20). The church participates but it is not “the church's mission.” Second, the Missio Dei centers in the person and work of Jesus Christ who was sent by God his Father to be the great Apostle, King, Priest, and Prophet of God; through Jesus' death and resurrection salvation may now come to all (Jn. 3:16-17; Romans 6; 1 Cor. 15; Hebrews 2; AC IV). Third, for Luther it is not that God rules but how he rules (Heb. 7:2). Because Luther and the Lutheran church integrate an understanding of how the Gospel reaches people with an understanding of the Church and their expansion (Acts 7-8:4; 1 Pet. 1:1-2), Lutherans offer a valuable practical insight into the theology and practice of mission for the Christian church today.
KEY TEXTS: Gen. 1:26-28 / Mt. 3:13-17 / Mt. 16:13-20 / Jn. 16-17 / Heb. 7:2 / Acts 7-8:4.
c. Summary: How does the Gospel reach people?
- 1) God's kingdom coming into the world is the work of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That's why “mission” - how the Gospel reaches people – is properly called the Mission of God (Missio Dei) and not the “mission of the church” (Joel 2:28; Lk. 24:44-49; Acts 2:38-39; Rev. 19:10).
- 2) This mission of God centers in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He was sent by his Father to be King and Lord of all. It is by his death and resurrection that salvation and life come to all (Jn. 3:16-17).
- 3) The focus on the Lord's rule is not so much that he rules but how he rules (Heb. 7:2).
2) God's Kingdom Comes – Our (the Church's) Hope:
- The Lord Jesus Christ keeps all his promises (Lk. 24:44-49; Heb 6:13-20). Therefore when the church asks the question: “How does the Gospel reach people?” It is vital that the Church go into the world proclaiming God’s promises – Christ at the center – so that the Great Commission does not become something we do for God – sinners at the center (Mt. 9, 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Jn. 5; Acts 2;1; Cor. 15; Heb. 3). What, then, are his specific promises we are to announce to an unbelieving and hostile world? First, we believe all flesh will see the salvation of the Lord (Lk. 3:6). Second, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses... (Is. 61: 1-4; Acts 1:8). Third, the kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground... But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come (Mk. 4:26-29). Fourth, upon this Rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Is. 44:8; Mt. 16:18). Finally, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until the Day what has been entrusted to me (2 Tim. 1:12).
KEY TEXTS: Lk. 24:44-49 / Heb 6:13-20 / Mt. 28:18-20 / Acts 2 / 1 Tim. 1:12.
b. Summary: How does the Gospel reach people?
- 1) The Kingdom of God and its mission come into the world solely by God's action – this comes to us through His means of grace: the oral, written, incarnate and sacramental Word (Jn. 12:32).
- 2) God entrusts the stewardship of His Kingdom to us, the crown of his creation (Mt. 9:38; Acts 2: 38-39; Eph. 1:10).
- 3) God's people extend His kingdom into the world through being His Church on earth – His servant community (Mt. 6:33; Mk. 11:17; 1 Pet. 1:1-2).
- 4) God's Kingdom is constantly opposed by Satan, the world, and our flesh (Rom. 7:18; Eph. 6:12).
- 5) God's Kingdom comes. This reality is the Church's (our) hope (Mt. 16:18; Mk. 4: 26-29; Lk. 3:6; Acts 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:12).
3. God's Kingdom Comes – Our (the Church's) Work Together:
a. The Church currently occupies a unique place in this country. Our society is in transition, from a 'churched' (the church as a social institution whose voice is heard in the public square) to a “de-churched”/”un-churched” culture (the Church is seen as an obstacle to progress and is pushed out of the public square to the margins of society). This is a time when 'churched,' 'de-churched' and 'un-churched' coexist and overlap in our community. Although many still believe the Church is where “God’s people do God’s work” many more have left the church for one reason and another, and do not desire to participate in the daily life of the local congregation. Together with the un-churched, the de-churched may even be hostile toward the Church and the ministry of the Gospel. Likewise, non-Christians may not respond to an invitation to come to Church (if they even know what “Church” is). Worship is a value that belongs to those who are of the new creation (Lutherans refer to this as “God’s right handed kingdom”) who know Christ Jesus. On the other hand, non-Christians may respond to an invitation to an event that connects them to a value of God's first creation (Lutherans refer to this as “God’s left handed kingdom”) such as family ministry, marriage enrichment, schools or other educational ministries for their children, health needs, etc. The question: “How does the Gospel reach people?” takes seriously a community's needs and sees their needs as a natural starting places for the Lord to come into the lives of people. These starting places often become the bridges over which the Gospel will travel to reach the sin-sick soul of de-churched and non-Christian people. Finally, no matter what the “missional” starting place, its end point is the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. His reconciling death on the cross is the “missional magnet” (Jn. 12:32). As Jesus says, “When I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself.” Therefore, God's mission has but one message: Christ and Him crucified.
b. Summary: How does the Gospel reach people?
- 1) Bible Study – If the Word of God (oral, written, incarnational and Sacramental) is absent the Church has no Life, no Truth, and no Way (2 Sam. 22:29-33; Ps. 118:17; Jn. 14:6).
- 2) Prayer – We pray, asking our heavenly Father to convert family, friends and neighbors (1 Sam. 12:19-24; Is. 56:6-8; Mt. 5:44; Lk. 6:28; Rom 8:26-30; 1 Tim. 2:1-8a) because, “God has commanded us to pray and promised to hear us.”
- 3) Thinking about Church – Belonging to the Church means belonging to a new family – our first family – with that belonging brings responsibility (Ps. 133; Mt. 12:46-50; Rom. 7:29; Gal. 6:10; 1 Pet 4:16-18). The church is not a museum nor is the church a social club. The church is distinct from all earthly institutions and organizations only because of who claimed us. We are a family of faith; corporately, not individually. Likewise, church is not “us” who make up the family of faith and establish it in “our church” over-against “them” who’ve failed to do what I think they should do.
- 4) Thinking about Mission – How does the Gospel get to people? We are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-39). Jesus “opened their mind to understand the Scripture...” (Lk. 24:45) and then gave them the promise of the Father (Acts 2) which “drove them out” of the upper room, into Jerusalem and into the whole world as per Jesus’ command. We pray he does the same to us. Why? Having our minds opened to understand the Scriptures does not mean adding a committee here and trimming away a weekly event there. It means the “map is redrawn” with clear lines by Christ (Ps. 25) who then sends preachers to create faith which only listens to the voice of the Good Shepherd. Just as Lutherans read the whole Bible as it points to Christ, so too do we read the whole Bible missionally. That is, every word of the Scriptures points to how God gets the Gospel to people (Jn. 3:16-17; Rom. 6; 1 Cor. 15; Heb. 2).
In conclusion, it is not programs but people, not policies but preaching, not projects but the public confession made “before the face of all nations” that Jesus‘ saving death and resurrection is “for you, and for your children, and for all who are far away” which alone defines us as Christians and thus defines our “mission.”

