The Father’s Role in Sending the Church

Corby Davis
Oct 19
3 min read

God the Father: Knowing the First Person of the Trinity

The Church Exists Because the Father Sent the Son

John 3:17:

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

The mission of the church begins with the mission of the Father. He sent the Son—not as a reaction, but as a divine plan. And now, He sends the church in that same spirit of redemptive purpose.

Sending Is Rooted in the Father’s Heart

John 20:21:

“As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.”

Jesus explicitly connects the mission of the church to the mission of the Father. Our calling flows from His eternal purpose: to glorify His name by redeeming people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

The church is not self-appointed. We are sent by the Father.

The Father Sends by the Spirit

Acts 13:2:

“Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

The Spirit speaks—but always in harmony with the will of the Father. It is the triune God who sends laborers into the harvest field. And every missionary, church planter, and evangelist is an extension of the Father’s sending love.

The Father Is the Lord of the Harvest

Matthew 9:38:

“Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers…”

Jesus instructs us to pray to the Father, the sovereign sender. He oversees the harvest. He raises up workers. He directs the mission.

Missions does not begin with us—it begins with the Lord of the harvest.

The Father Sent the Spirit for the Mission

Luke 24:49:

“I am sending the promise of My Father upon you…”

The church was not launched by marketing or momentum—but by the promise of the Father, poured out at Pentecost. The Spirit’s arrival was the Father’s seal upon the mission of the church.

Without the Spirit, we have no power.

Without the Father, we have no authority.

The Father Sends the Church in Unity

John 17:18–21:

“As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent them… that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”

Unity in the church is not a side benefit—it is part of the Father’s sending strategy. A divided church contradicts the message. But a unified church displays the love of the triune God.

Why the Father’s Sending Matters

1. It Gives Us Authority

We are not self-sent. We go in the name of the Father—carrying His message and backed by His power.

2. It Keeps Us Focused

We don’t invent our mission. We join the mission of the One who sent the Son.

3. It Strengthens Our Courage

If the Father sent us, He will sustain us. If He sent us, no opposition can stop us.

The Goal of Sending: The Father’s Glory

Habakkuk 2:14:

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord…”

The end of missions is not conversion alone—it is worship. The Father sends the church to call the nations to see His glory and rejoice in His Son.

How Do We Live as a Sent People?

Pray to the Sender – Ask the Father to send more.
Go in obedience – Whether across the street or across the globe.
Support the sent – Give, encourage, and hold the rope.
Preach the message – Declare the Gospel of the Son, by the Spirit, to the glory of the Father.

Conclusion: Sent by the Father

The church does not move on its own. We are propelled by the will, love, and authority of the Father.

He sent the Son.

He sent the Spirit.

And now—He sends us.

So go with joy. Go with boldness. Go in His name.

“As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)