World missions – What does the Bible say?

TL;DR:

World missions is part of God’s plan to reach every nation and people group with the gospel, reflecting His love for all humanity. When we share the Good News locally or globally, we participate in God’s plan for salvation and help others know, love, and follow Jesus.

what does the bible say?

World missions has been deeply woven into God’s plan from the very beginning, reflecting His love and concern for all people. God making Himself known throughout the world has always been His plan (Genesis 12:1-3). Today, world missions remains essential because all people are separated from God by sin (Isaiah 59:2) and need to hear the Good News of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-9). Whether sharing the gospel personally or supporting those sent to distant lands, participating in world missions fulfills God’s call, extends His kingdom, and reflects His desire for all people to know, love, and follow Him ( Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:14-15). By living for this mission, we actively join in God’s redemptive work, bringing peace and hope to every corner of the world (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Isaiah 52:7).

from the old testament

From Genesis 12, God calls Abraham to be a blessing to all the families of the earth, establishing the pattern of God’s plan to reach the nations through His people.
God created all people, cares about all people (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 145:9). World missions, the sharing of the gospel to every nation and every people-group, is part of God's plan and charge to His people (Isaiah 9:2).

from the new testament

God surely is missions-minded (Luke 19:10) and extends His love throughout the world (John 3:16).
When the angels announced the birth of Jesus they declared that the birth of the Savior would cause "great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).
God desires that all people be saved through their knowledge and acceptance of the truth about Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:4).
In the Great Commission, Jesus calls for His disciples to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19), and in Acts 1:8 He tells His followers "… you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and the to the end of the earth."
The book of Acts shows the missionary work, the world missions, of the early disciples and followers of Jesus.
Paul's work to establish and build up churches took him throughout much of Europe. He wrote, "… I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, 'Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand'" (Romans 15:20-21).
People from all nations, or people groups, will be represented in heaven (Revelation 5:9, 7:9).

implications for today

Every person is infected with sin and deserves the punishment of death (Romans 3:23; 6:23). That’s why all people need to hear and respond to the good news that Jesus came to offer Himself as the sacrifice for their sins, died on the cross, and then rose from the dead in victory over sin and death. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of missions work when he rhetorically asks, "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:14–15). World missions is a valid response to God's love for all people and His desire that all come to know Him through Christ (1 Timothy 2:4).

When we take part in sharing the gospel, by sharing the Good News with someone or by helping others to go to share the gospel to people far away, we are fulfilling what Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 52:7: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" May we reflect God’s heart by helping others all over the world know, love, and follow Jesus.

understand

World missions reflects God’s love and His plan for all people to hear and respond to the gospel.
The Bible reveals God’s heart for the world.
Sharing the gospel locally or globally fulfills God’s call for us to make disciples of all nations.

reflect

How does understanding God’s love for all people shape the way you view world missions?
How are you currently participating, or how could you participate, in sharing the gospel locally or globally?
How does the reality of sin and the need for salvation in every person affect your motivation to share the gospel?

engage

What do we learn about God’s heart in the way He has always prioritized the world knowing Him?
What from Scripture inspires us most to engage in world missions?
How can we practically ensure that the message of Jesus reaches people who have never heard it, both near and far?