Vision and Great Commission

The Work of God's Kingdom: Vision, Mission, and the Purpose of Life

Every meaningful work has a clear direction, and in God's Word we find that direction. In this article we will see the vision from which God's work began, the mission toward which it moves, how it is carried out, how its faithfulness is evaluated, what its result is, and what matters most in our lives.

Vision

God gave the first command to mankind: "Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it." (Genesis 1:28)

Through the prophet Habakkuk, God also gave this promise: "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14)

And the Lord Jesus said: "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)

This is our vision: that the knowledge of God's glory reaches every corner of the earth.

Mission

The Lord Jesus gave this command to his disciples: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)

And by the power of the Holy Spirit, this witness: "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Our mission is simple: to make disciples of Jesus and to teach them to obey his commands.

Methodology

Going two by two: The Lord sent out seventy disciples in pairs. He first told them to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his field. Then he gave instructions: take nothing with you, go as lambs among wolves, eat with the people there, heal the sick, and say that the kingdom of God has come near to you. (Luke 10:1-9)

Teaching and training in obedience: The apostles taught the works and teaching of Jesus continually, so that people would not only hear but also live by it. (Acts 1:1-2)

Publicly and from house to house: Paul told the church at Ephesus that he had taught the whole counsel of God publicly and from house to house. (Acts 20:20, 27)

The greatest things in this method are prayer, humility, a simple life, shared fellowship, and practical service.

Evaluation

The true measure of service is whether we have done the will of God. Jesus said: "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." (John 4:34) And in his prayer to the Father he said: "I have finished the work that you gave me to do." (John 17:4)

Paul also said at the end of his life: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

He also wrote: "So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as one beating the air." (1 Corinthians 9:26) In other words, our work should be done with a clear goal.

Result

When the Word of God is preached, its fruit becomes visible: "So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily." (Acts 16:5)

And the vision of heaven is this: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands." (Revelation 7:9)

So our work is not only for numbers, but for that final scene.

The Most Important Thing in Life

The most important thing in our life is that our name be written in the Book of Life. (Revelation 20:12, 15) The success, position, and wealth of this world all stay behind, but the one whose name is written in that book receives eternal life.

Two Goals in Life

1. Temporal goal: To take responsibility for our family, to work honestly, and to be a good witness in society.

2. Eternal goal: To know Christ, to obey him, and to bring others to him.

The temporal goal is temporary, but the eternal goal is everlasting. So seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

Where is your life heading? Take one step today toward the work of God's kingdom.

Prayer

Let us close in prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us into Your Kingdom work. Give us a clear vision, a firm purpose, and a faithful heart to follow Jesus in every step. Send laborers into Your harvest, and let Your glory fill the earth as the waters cover the sea. Keep our names written in the Book of Life, and help us to finish the work You have given us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Shalom,