“Digital Missions Scriptures” - Paper Download

Digital Missions Scriptures

Prophecies - Deuteronomy 18:22 “when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.” (ESV)

·      The Lord often communicated through messengers who used both spoken and written means.  The Lord spoke directly to these messengers often through non-physical means.

Dreams & Visions - Joel 2:28–29 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” (ESV)

• Paul’s Vision to Go to Macedonia (Acts 16:9)

• The Lord sometimes appears, communicates and connects to His followers through a non-physical presence and means in dreams and visions.

Theophanies & Angelic Appearances – Real Spiritual Communication and Connection

·      God Appears (theophany) or Sends Angels (Genesis 16:7–14 to Hagar, Genesis 22:11–15 to Abraham, Genesis 31:11 to Jacob, Exodus 3:2–4, Exodus 19-34 to Moses, Exodus 23:20–21, 33:2, Numbers 20:16 an Angel before the Israelites,  Numbers 22:22–38 to Balaam, Judges 2:1–3 to all the people of Israel, Judges 6:11–23 to Gideon, Judges 13:3–22 to Manoah and his wife, 1 Chronicles 21:15 to destroy Jerusalem, 1 Samuel 3 to Samuel, 2 Samuel 24:16-17 to David, 2 Chronicles 32:21, 2 Kings 19:35 destroys 185,000 Assyrians, 1 Kings 19, 2 Kings 1 to Elijah, Daniel 3:16-30 to Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego, Daniel 4:28-37 to King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 5:5 by hand to King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel 6:22 to Daniel in the Lions Den, Zechariah 1-6 angelic visions to Zechariah, Zechariah 3:4 The angel of the Lord takes away the sin of the high priest Joshua, Luke 1:11-20 Gabriel to Zechariah, Luke 1:26-38 Gabriel to Mary, Matthew 1:20-25 to Joseph, Luke 2:8-15 to the shepherds at Jesus’ birth, Matthew 2:19 to Joseph in Egypt, Matthew 4:11 to minister to Jesus after Satan’s temptations, Luke 16:22 carrying Lazarus to Heaven, Matthew 3:13-17 Father’s Voice at Jesus’ baptism, Holy Spirit visibly descends, Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36 Father’s Voice at Jesus’ Transfiguration, John 12:28 the Father’s Voice, Luke 22:43 strengthening Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 28:2-7, John 20:12-13 to open Jesus’ tomb, Acts 1:9-11 at Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, Acts 5:19 opening the prison doors to free the Apostles, Acts 8:26 to Philip, Acts 9:1-19 to Paul and Ananias, Acts 10:1-16 to Centurion Cornelius and Peter, Acts 12:7-10 to deliver Peter from prison, Acts 12:22-23 to kill King Herod, Acts 27:23-24 to Paul before a shipwreck, Revelation, Matthew 13:29-49, Matthew 16:27, 24:31, 25:31 at the end of the age and at Jesus’ return)

·      The Lord sent angels or appeared directly in a supernatural manner with real spiritual communication and connection. (https://www.spiritualwarfare.blog/miracles-of-god)

Matthew 11:1 “When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.” (ESV)

·      Much of Jesus’ ministry was dedicated to direct, physical encounters with His audience rather than settling on indirect word of mouth ministry.  Jesus prioritized in-person encounters.

Mark 3:14–15 “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.” 

·      Jesus sent out His disciples to preach the Gospel and use their gifting to show God’s love.

Acoustics & Visibility

·      Matthew 5:1 “Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.” (ESV)

·      Mark 4:1 “Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.” (ESV)

·      Luke 5:3 “Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (ESV)

·      Sometimes Jesus preached in places where He could gain a better hearing audibly and visibly.

Matthew 10:13–14 “And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” (ESV)

·      Seek opportunities to maximize reach where doors are open.

Luke 10:1–2 “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.  And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” (ESV)

Matthew 9:37–38 “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; [38] therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (ESV)

·      Our prayer and heart should be for more missionary workers to reach many.

Great Banquet Luke 14:12-24

Luke 14:21 “So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’” (ESV)

·      We are called to reach into hard places to reach the outcasts and bring them into Christ’s saving presence.

Luke 14:23 “And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” (ESV)

·      We are called to go out of our familiar areas to reach foreigners and outcasts with strong urging to receive the Gospel invitation.

John 3:1–2 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.’” (ESV)

·      Sometimes anonymous, stealthy, or secretive encounters can allow Gospel conversations that may not be able to occur elsewhere. (think digital anonymity opportunities)

Jesus Heals Everyone Who Touches His Clothing (Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30)

Peter Heals Many of Diseases and Demons, Even through His Shadow (Acts 5:12-16)

Jesus Heals a Paralytic Let Down from the Roof by Friends (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26)

·      Jesus mostly heals with close proximity to those who are sick with disease or indwelt by demons.

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Paralyzed Servant (Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10)

·      Jesus sometimes heals at a distance without His physical presence

Matthew 28:19–20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)

·      There is a physical command to go out and reach all nations, teaching them to follow Christ’s command and to publicly identify as a follower of Jesus through baptism.

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (ESV)

·      Our missions task is to bear witness to Jesus’ love and truth throughout the world.

Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (ESV)

Romans 8:11 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (ESV)

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (ESV)

Ephesians 4:4–6 “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (ESV)

·      All Christians are indwelt with God the Holy Spirit who connects to us and communicates to us.  There is a real union between Christians through the Holy Spirit that transcends physical and temporal boundaries.

Acts 2:14-41 “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. …”

·      The transcription and communication of sermons and songs in the Scriptures is a great example of why we should share what happens in our worship services (live stream) with those outside of our physical gatherings.

Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. (ESV)

·      Believers are called to go wherever they can gain entry to teach and preach about Jesus.  Places of worship and private homes are great opportunities for in depth Bible conversations.

Acts 16:12–14 “and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.  One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” (ESV)

·      Believers should seek Gospel sharing opportunities where people come together.

Acts 17:16–21 “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.  So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.  Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.  And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.”  Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” (ESV)

·      Christians should go into both religious and non-religious places in following Paul’s example as he went to synagogues, marketplaces, and wherever the invitation or opportunity is allowed.

Acts 17:22–23 “So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.  For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.’” (ESV)

·      Preaching with boldness to diverse audiences should be done with a level of cultural awareness and connection.

Acts 18:4 “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.” (ESV)

·      Conversion to Christ is the ultimate goal of our conversations with unbelievers.

Acts 20:20 “how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house” (ESV)

·      It takes courage to speak consistently of the truth whether in public or private.

Romans 10:11–13 “For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.  For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (ESV)

·      God saves regardless of national, cultural, or religious background.

Romans 15:22–28 “This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.  But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.  At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.  For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.  When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you.” (ESV)

·      Efforts to go to places can be limited by opportunity and time.  Some purposes, such as financial gifts, do not require physical presence in the modern day.

2 Corinthians 5:16–17 “From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (ESV)

·      We need the reminder to not merely think of people by their physical appearance.

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (ESV)

·      Our calling is to represent Jesus with an urgent message to be reconciled to God. 

2 Corinthians 10:1–2 “I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.” (ESV)

·      Physical proximity can encourage humility and physical distance can encourage courageous communication.

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)

Colossians 3:11 “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” (ESV)

·      Our outward identities do not matter compared with our spiritual identity in union with Jesus.

Colossians 2:1–5 “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.  For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” (ESV)

·      Even without physical presence, there is a spiritual union that transcends our face to face limitations. 

1 Thessalonians 2:17–18 “But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.” (ESV)

·      While in person separation can be difficult, emotional and mental connections can remain strong.  We should always endeavor to be connected to one another in person wherever possible.  Satan actively attempts to keep believers physically separated from one another.

1 Thessalonians 3:9–10 “For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?” (ESV)

·      Being together physically should be prayed for and can provide for spiritual growth that cannot occur solely through communication from a distance.

1 Peter 3:15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (ESV)

·      We should look for opportunities and be prepared for Gospel conversations.

2 John 12 “Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” (ESV)

3 John 13–14  “I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink.  I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.” (ESV)

·      Written or less personal correspondence is important and helpful, but has its limitations.  In person communication and connection is the ideal whenever possible. 

DIGITAL MISSION SCRIPTURES REFERENCES

English Standard Version Bible. 2001. ESV Online. March 14, 2022. https://www.esv.org.