This chapter discusses how Jesus embodied God's missionary purpose and sent the Holy Spirit to empower the church for mission. It argues that Jesus was God's "sent one", who called his followers to go wherever he goes and do whatever he does. As the kingdom bearer and great commissioner, Jesus mandated the church to make disciples of all nations. The book of Acts then describes how the early church partnered with God through the Spirit to spread the gospel message to both Jews and Gentiles.

1. The Gospels and
Acts: Jesus the
Missionary and His
Missionary Followers
Ch.5 – By Robert Garrett

2. Jesus Was the Incarnation of
God’s Missionary Purpose
“In the beginning the Word already
existed. He was with God, and he
was God… (4) Life itself was in him,
and this life gives light to everyone”
Jn.1:1,4
“But to all who believed him and
accepted him, he gave the right to
become children of God.” Jn.1:12
How does John chapter one explain God’s
missionary purpose? How does Jesus fit
that purpose?

3. The Meaning of the Incarnation
• Use of the term, “logos” was
easily understandable by
both Romans and eastern
mystics
• As God’s “Word” Jesus stands
as his final sermon of
concern for all mankind
• Jesus proves God’s desire to
draw near to man

4. Jesus Was God’s Apostle
• Apostolos – a “sent one”
• John 20:21 – Jesus refers to
himself as sent on a mission by
the Father
• Jesus says he sends us in the
same way
• So, Jesus is God’s missionary, and
all believers are to be missionaries
in the same way.

5. Jesus Was the Friend of Sinners
• Luke 15:1; Luke 19:1-10 –
people were drawn to
Jesus
• He reflects the Missio Dei
of reaching out to those
estranged from God

6. Jesus Said, “Follow Me”
• With these words we are invited to go
where he goes and do what he does –
the same pattern as between him and
the Father
• Paul reiterates these words to those
he is discipling – and so emphasizes
that this is the core of our Christian
leadership in missions
• The reasonable conclusion is that as
we follow the example of our leaders
we are ultimately joining God in his
work

7. Jesus Was the Kingdom Bearer
• “The Kingdom of God is at Hand.”
• The Kingdom is present in Jesus
ministry – he is extending its
influence
• We are part of that kingdom
• Our task will not be done until
Mt.24:14 comes to pass – the
gospel preached to all ethne.

8. Jesus Was the Missionary
Prototype
• Jesus begins his speaking ministry in
Nazareth by declaring himself as the
fulfillment of Is.61:1-2
• Jesus states clearly his commitment
to a missionary perspective – God’s
grace is to touch the nations, not just
Israel, Mt 24:7
• Reflect on Jesus’ answer to John in
Mt.11:2-6 from a missional
perspective

9. Jesus Was the Great
Commissioner
• Mt.28:16-20
• A great declaration – “All
authority…
• A great commission – “…to the
uttermost parts…”
• The mandate is making disciples,
not on going, nor baptizing, nor
teaching.
• The clauses show how it will be
done

10. Jesus’ Spirit Sent Out the Church
• Acts gives us the continuing story of
Jesus’ work, now through the Holy
Spirit at work in the disciples
• The message of the apostles was
• The promises of the prophets are
fulfilled
• The Kingdom is expanding
• The promised redeemer has come
• God’s Spirit is available to all mankind
• It is necessary to repent and believe in
Jesus

11. Antioch is a Milestone
• The ingathering of the Gentiles begins
• Intentional missions to the nations
begins
• The missional understanding of the
church is established
• Mission teams are first used
• The patterns of Christian witness,
discipling, worship, ministry, and
leadership development are pioneered
as churches are planted.

12. The Partnership of God
Acts records the new and dynamic
partnership between God and his
servants to bring the good news to
every people on earth.
• The miraculous deeds that validate
the message
• The guidance shown to missional
teams
• The Word revealed to his teaching
servants