The fourth Gospel has a great deal to say about mission. One scholar noted, “the Fourth Gospel’s focus is not on God’s mission per se, but on his mission through Jesus and on Jesus’ mission through his followers.”

In this episode, the blessing of the nations shows up in three manifestations.

John notes the blessing of the nations occurs through the sending of John the Baptist, Jesus, Temple, Spirit, and Disciples.

The blessing of the nations only comes through the testimony of those who are sent.

And those who are sent will suffer on account of their testimony and the One who sent them.

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In this episode, I address the theme of mission in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is important to understand the Synoptics provide a continuity between the Old Testament and New Testament. When we arrived at the New Testament, 400 years have passed since the conclusion of the Old Testament.

In the Synoptics, the blessing of the nations comes through a: 1) Person-Jesus Sent to the Jews; 2) Judgment-New Covenant by Death and Resurrection; 3) People-Church to Reflect the Kingdom; and 4) Command-Make Disciples of Jews and Gentiles

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The Writings comprise the latter section of the Hebrew Scriptures and attempt to show how the people of God were to live in a variety of circumstances. The mission of God saturates the books of Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles.

In this episode (Season 8, Ep. 7), I address the blessing of the nations through:

Israel’s Influence

God’s Sovereignty

Israel’s Restoration and Reconstruction

Invitation to Praise

A Person: God’s Anointed One Who Reigns

A Person: God’s Anointed One Who Suffers

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This episode continues the second discussion of God’s mission in the Prophetic Literature. An examination of the Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The Twelve), reveals several sub-themes related to the blessing of the nations.

Here we find God works to bless the nations through: Judgment (Israel in Diaspora and Day of the Lord); Restoration (Israel’s Return, Reconstruction, and Day of the Lord); A Person (the Servant and Spirit); and A Promise (New Covenant). The Prophets also provide a glimpse of the movement of the Gentiles into the Kingdom known as the great eschatological ingathering.

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In this episode, I address a theology of mission by examining the mission of God in the Prophets.

The methods by which the nations move into relationship with the nation of Israel and her God has been described as historical incorporation and eschatological ingathering. The Former and Latter Prophets address both and how blessings come to the nations.

In this episode, the importance of the Promised Land, Israel’s King, and the Temple are discussed as critical to understanding God’s mission to bring redeem the nations and restore all things.

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I conclude the discussion of mission in Torah. God’s mission to bless the nations primarily happens through: 1) A Person (Abraham); 2) A People (Israel); and 3) A Place (Tabernacle). While the previous episode addressed God working through Abraham, this session draws attention to the latter two categories.

Israel was chosen to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” to represent God before the peoples of the world (Ex 19:6). As W. Ross Blackburn wrote, they were to be a “kingdom with a priestly function.” While Israel kept the commandments of the Lord, all the nations would recognize the greatness of her God and be drawn to Him and His people.

The tabernacle served as a reminder of God’s immanence and covenantal faithfulness as a means for redemption and restored fellowship–and as a testimony to the nations. How may a sinful people live with a holy God in their presence? The tabernacle and sacrificial system made it clear.

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In this two-part episode, I continue the series on theology of mission with the discussion of God’s mission in Torah. Throughout these five books, God’s glory among the nations comes through three particular means: 1) A Person: Abraham; 2) A People: Israel; and 3) A Place: Tabernacle.

Abraham, and Israel, quickly learn God’s election is both a privilege and responsibility. They are chosen to be God’s people for a purpose.

This particularism would be the means by which God brings blessings to the nations. Rather than Israel’s election excluding the nations from the Creator, it would be the means of grace whereby the Gentiles would come to know him.

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The biblical storyline reveals a God who remains faithful to His promises which require the ongoing sending of Himself and His servants into a tragically suffering and deeply needy world to accomplish His mission of redemption and restoration. Mission began with God, is sustained by God, and will culminate with God.

The blessing of the nations, which includes the Church’s Great Commission activity, is rooted in this apostolic act: God creates and sends Himself into the creation.

In this episode, I provide an overview of the God Who Sends and define important words related to the theology of mission such as universality, particularity, and centripetal and centrifugal methodology.

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Today is the first day of Season 8 of Strike the Match! Over the past seven seasons, I have addressed a variety of topics related to missions, innovation, and leadership, but we will focus on one topic this season: theology of mission.

Earlier this year, I published Theology of Mission: A Concise Biblical Theology and wanted to take time to share my thoughts with you. If you are not a subscriber to Strike the Match (or my blog at jdpayne.org), consider taking this moment to subscribe.

Whenever I ask believers for biblical support for our global task, I usually receive only two or three verses. But is this all that is found in 66 books on the mission of God that has implications for the Church? In this episode, I address the biblical Pattern of Purpose when it comes to mission and the importance of using a missional hermeneutic.

Unfortunately, the Church only became serious about defining, describing, discussing, and understanding the missio Dei in the early 20th century. It is my hope that this season will assist with this important on-going conversation for the glory of God among the nations!

This episode of Strike the Match concludes season 7. In this podcast, I take a journey down memory-lane.

What are the 10 most downloaded episodes of Strike the Match over the years? Think you can guess which ones made the list? Listen in as I provide a top-ten countdown along with commentary on each episode.

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