by Lisa Harp Hinds

Does the church have a mission to fulfill in this increasingly chaotic time? Can and should we make a difference in the world today? Yes, yes, and yes! Then what is the mission of the church?

4 purposes that make up the mission of the church:

We can worship God as individuals and in a corporate setting. We must spread the good news of Christ and nurture other believers (especially, we must not forget to nurture and mentor new believers). Let us serve all humanity and show Christ’s love to them, believers and unbelievers alike. These are the reasons that the church exists.

How does the mission of the church relate to the future?

Our mission relates to the millennial and eternal kingdoms because we have a hope of a glorious future that we can share with others. As we live in a time of rapidly advancing technology and cultural change, governments, corporations, and individuals are wondering what the future holds. They constantly speculate on the future. You only need to watch the news or The History Channel to see this speculation.

Now is the time when the church should be instrumental in preaching the good news of the Gospel and the future. The future does indeed hold good news for us! We should be able and ready to tell people what actually awaits them, and how to change their lives so they have the same hope we do.

Should people worry about the future?

People don’t need to worry about nuclear war or the destruction of the earth. They don’t need to worry about robots and other machines controlling the world or controlling humans. They don’t need to worry about death. (Scriptures on not worrying: Matt. 6:25-34; 10:26; Luke 12:22-23; 2 Thess. 3:3)

God is in control and has a perfect plan, and history will culminate in His perfect plan. We should show the world that it is God who provides the best hope for the future, not Marxism or any other manmade government or philosophy. We are to encourage other believers, also: “Therefore encourage each other with these words” (I Thess.4:18). The victory has already been won!

What role can we play?

As the church, we must play our part in the events from now until the end of time (as individuals, the end of our time). God has placed us in this world to evangelize and to do good unto our fellow humans. We have a role to play, and we should not be slack in fulfilling our role.

Although we are not the means by which God will usher in His kingdom, we are here on this earth to do His will. We must prepare ourselves and try to help prepare others for what will most certainly happen. God has promised, so let’s share His promise for Christ’s millennial kingdom and for an immortal life in which we have intimate fellowship with God in a new heaven and a new earth, where there will be no sorrow, no sadness, and no decay.

It is time, Christians, to share the Good News with as many people as we can! Give hope to the hopeless! Encourage those who need encouragement!