Does the Church have a mission?

Ephesians 3:8-13

Does the Church have a mission?  You may reply that the Church has many missions, but its main purpose is proclaiming the gospel of Christ Jesus.  And when we make that statement, our thoughts are on people all around the world who need to find life in Christ Jesus.  But look at what the apostle Paul has written, “And to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 3: 9-10)

Our God and our Father had us in His thoughts before time began, before God created the earth, before man was formed out of the dust of the ground and God breathed life into Adam.  He also knew that we would sin, that we would choose to live independent of Him and that it would require His only Son to shed His blood to redeem us out of sin’s control.  When we think of the Church, our minds should go to Christ Jesus, He is the builder of the church, see (Matthew 16:18), He is the Cornerstone, (Ephesians 2:19,20) He is the head of the Church, (Colossians 2:19), and He is the Shepherd of the Church (John 10:11). 

It seems that God kept the Church a mystery from the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Paul tells us that when God raised Christ from the dead and set Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:21-23)  If there is any doubt as to the authority of Christ Jesus, Colossians 1:15-17, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

When it comes to the ways of God, I have so little understanding, but it is clear that His Son, Jesus Christ is the Creator, that God kept the church a mystery from the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  That we who were not Jews received the grace of God and for the time God has prearranged, His church will be a light to the lost world. 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice