This Sunday (May 22nd) we will continue our series from the book of Acts.  We will be looking at Acts 2.  The title of the sermon is “Gospel Shaped Mission.”  The prologue, or backstory, to this passage is for us to consider the ultimate mission of God.  Here is a snippet for Sunday…

I would suggest the ultimate mission of God is to uphold and display the glory of His name for the joy of His people.

The mission of God is woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture. The primary agents of God’s mission are Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

1. The outworking of God’s mission is stated clearly in Matthew 28: 19-20:  In full dependence on the person and work of Jesus Christ we are commanded to “go” in both submission to and the power of the Holy Spirit – and lead all nations (panta ta ethne – all peoples, or ethnic groups) and all creation to that universal worship and joy that the book of Revelation speaks of.
2. The unfolding of that mission begins in Acts – and more specifically in Acts 2

We can see the mission of God in God’s interaction with Moses.  What is the cry of Moses’ heart? The glory of God (v. 18).  What is God’s passion and delight?  To proclaim His name before us (v. 19).

 ¹²Then Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people!’ But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me Moreover, You have said, ‘I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’

¹³“Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight Consider too, that this nation is Your people.”

¹⁴And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”

¹⁵Then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.

¹⁶“For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?”

¹⁷The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.”

¹⁸Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!”

¹⁹And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”

²⁰But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”

Hope to see you on Sunday…