Mere Missions

C onclusion • 195

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. ~ Colossians 1.16-17 If Jesus is not Lord, there is no Gospel for He is the Gospel (Rom. 1.16; 2 Cor. 5.18-19; Rom. 5.1). Without Jesus being Lord, there is no Holy Spirit for the Father to send in His name (John 14.26). Without Jesus as Lord overall, there is no Church, for He is the architect and builder of the Church (Matt. 16.18). And without Jesus as Lord, there is no Kingdom for every kingdom must have a Lord, a ruler, and of God’s Kingdom that person is Jesus (Rev. 11.15). The foundation on which Evangel’s missions-critical Planks rests is the Lordship of Jesus. The Apostle Paul humbly submitted, unashamedly exalted, totally sacrificed and passionately worshiped the Lord Jesus to whom he was endeared to. He knew that apart from Him he could do nothing (John 15.5). 2. The Holy Spirit. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’ ” (Acts 13.2) The expansion and advancement of God’s Kingdom can only take place through men and women who are called, surrendered, and filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts). He empowers for missions (Acts 1.8), gives directions in missions (Acts 16.6-7), grants divine boldness for witness (Acts 4.13, 31). The Holy Spirit is the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified (Nicene Creed). The Apostle Paul totally surrendered his