The Church's Role and The Great Commission

Grace Bible Church of Conway's Podcast

In his sermon "The Church's Role and The Great Commission," Ryan Bush emphasizes the crucial relationship between local churches and the fulfillment of the Great Commission, using 2 Corinthians 8 as his foundation. He asserts that churches are not only responsible for appealing to their members to consider missionary work but also bear the duty to send, test, and appoint missionaries with meticulous care. Bush outlines that churches should actively make appeals to their members, encouraging them to become missionaries. However, he clarifies that this call doesn't imply every member should go, but rather it’s about recognizing those whom God specifically calls.
Churches have the biblical mandate to send out missionaries, referred to as "apostles of the churches" or "sent ones," ensuring they are well-prepared and supported. To fulfill this role, churches must rigorously test potential missionaries for their doctrine, giftedness, and character, akin to the process for elders and deacons. This thorough examination ensures that those sent are genuinely prepared for the mission field's challenges. Bush highlights several key qualities of missionary candidates, including earnestness, willingness, sound doctrine, the ability to teach, and a life above reproach. Earnestness reflects a genuine, Holy Spirit-inspired zeal for the mission, while willingness indicates a sincere, voluntary desire to serve without compulsion. Additionally, missionaries should be well-grounded in biblical doctrine and capable of effective teaching and preaching, living lives of integrity and holiness that meet the same standards as church elders.
Bush underscores that the local church must take its role seriously in the Great Commission, ensuring that those it sends are well-prepared and spiritually equipped. This responsibility includes making appeals, testing, and supporting missionaries to honor God and effectively advance His kingdom.