CM 582  Church in Mission Session  2 (a)  Biblical / Historical Foundations of God’s Mission
Field Trip – Saturday, June 6 CedarCreek Church ,  29129 Lime City Road, Perrysburg, OH  (east of I-75 between Exits 195 & 197) Meet at North Atrium at  3 p.m. Tour of facilities  Q & A with pastoral staff member
Then…on to St. George’s 5 p.m . Vespers Interview with  Fr. Paul Gassios   St. George Orthodox Cathedral  738 Glenwood Road, Rossford, OH  (exits 197 or 198 from I-75)
Return to Cedar Creek 7 p.m. Service Family members welcome for this  field trip to both churches Casual dress is appropriate Review both church websites  prior to trip
MACD students:  If you are  not  in the Toledo, OH area…and/or  cannot  attend June 6 th … Make plans to attend a worship service of a church in your area which has a reputation for effective ministry. It may offer either a traditional or “contemporary” style of worship; Notify me via email ( [email_address] ) of your choice Write a 2-3 page review of your experience: comparisons to your own church, pros & cons, etc.; Due  July 1
CM 582  Church in Mission Session  2 (a)  Biblical / Historical Foundations of God’s Mission
Scripture and Mission The  Bible  helps us understand the Mission The  Mission  helps us understand the Bible
The Story in the Stories “ There are great stories in the Bible…but it is possible to know Bible stories, yet miss  the  Bible story…The Bible has a story line. It traces an unfolding drama. The story follows the history of Israel, but it does not begin there, nor does it contain what you would expect in a national history…  If we forget  the  story line…  we cut the heart out of the Bible.” Ed Clowney,  The Unfolding Mystery
Where Is Missions in the Bible ?
The Mission & The Bible Genesis 1-11 OT NT Consummation (Revelation 22) The Bible
The Mission Mandate: The Whole Bible “ Our mandate for world evangelization...is the whole Bible.” - John Stott
God’s Global Mission Is a  central   issue Is the  reason  God gave us the Scriptures
“The  Kingdom  Strikes Back” Genesis 12 God chooses a people to become His  missionary   nation. The Bible is a  guidebook  on how God’s missionary people are to advance the Kingdom.
Genesis 12:1-3  “ The Great Commission ” I will make you into a great nation and  I will bless you ; I will make your name great, and  you will be a blessing . I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;  And  all peoples on earth will  be blessed through you .
The Abrahamic covenant… … promised God’s  blessings   but it all gave Abraham and his descendents a particular  responsibility .
Genesis  18:18 “ Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and  all nations on earth will be blessed through him .” “ And through your offspring  all nations on earth will be blessed , because you have obeyed me.” ;  22:18
Did Abraham understand his role? Genesis 18:22-33  provides the first instance of cross-cultural  intercession   in Scripture.
Genesis 26:4 To Isaac : “ I will make your descendents as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring  all nations on earth will be blessed .”
To Jacob: “ All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:14-15
Gen. 28:14-15  vs.  Matt. 28:19-20 All peoples on earth  will be blessed through you and your offspring.  I am with you and will watch over you wherever you   go …I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” … go 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 obey everything I have commanded you. And surely  I will be with you always , to the very end of the age.
God’s Mission Revealed to Israel Through Moses To Pharaoh (Ex 9:16) In the Preamble to the Law (Ex 19:3-6) Even in Judgment (Num 14:21)
God’s Heart for the Nations: The Place of Gentile in Israel Caleb was a proselyte. (Num.14:24; Josh.14:14; Gen.15:19)  God's provision for Gentiles to observe the Passover (Num. 9:14) God's provision for Gentiles to offer animal sacrifices (Lev. 17:8) God's provision for just treatment of the Gentiles (Exod. 22:21) Four Gentile women in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:3-6)  ( Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba) The book of Ruth: an example of assimilating Gentiles. (Ruth 1:16,17)
God’s Mission Revealed to Israel Through The Psalms A Universal Appeal to the Gentile Nations The Missionary Character of Eight Psalms Israel is Commissioned as Witness to the Nations
Global Implications of Temple Worship 1 Kings 8:41-43   “As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple,  then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that  all the peoples of the earth  may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and  may know that this house I have built bears your Name .  Isaiah 56:6-7   And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.  Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;  for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
Habakkuk and World Mission Habakkuk 2:4,14,20
Isaiah and the Nations Isaiah 42:1,4 Isaiah 45:22 Isaiah 49:6
What this means is that… When Jesus gave “the great commission,”  missions was NOT an  afterthought  in the mind of God?
Old & New Covenant Dynamics George Peters,  A Theology of Mission Old Testament:  Centripetal  Dynamic New Testament:  Centrifugal  Dynamic
Was Jesus “Missions-minded?” A global purpose in the Messiah’s preparation Luke 2:30-32 Luke 3:4-6 John 1:29-36 In His ministry to Gentiles John 2:13-22; Mark 11:17 John 4 Matthew 8:10-1 Mark 5:1-20 Mark 7:23-37
Jesus’ Global Purpose In His teaching “Son of Man” Mark 14:9 Luke 4:16-30 Luke 13:28-29 Luke 14:10-24 Matthew 13:36-43 Transition from Israel to the Church Matthew 11:20, 28 Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35 Matthew 16:19, 21 Matthew 20:28
Jesus’ Global Purpose After transition / last months John 10:16 John 12:23-24, 32 Matthew 21:33-46; 24:14; 25:31-46 Problem Passages Matthew 10:5-6 Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus’ Global Purpose Parting Words: The Great  Commission Matthew 28:18-20 Mark 16:14-20b Luke 24:36-43 John 20:19-23
Progressive Announcements by Jesus of  World Outreach Mission
The Great Commission s John Stott,  Christian Mission John 20:21 — He spoke to them again and said, “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me , so I send you.”   Mark 16:15 — He said to them, “Go into all the world and  preach the good news  to all creation.” Matthew 28:18-20 — Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and  make disciples of all nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   Luke 24:47-48 — With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.’ You are witnesses of all these things. Acts 1:8 — But when  the Holy Spirit  has come upon you,  you will receive power  and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8  “Glocal” Balance Jerusalem :  natural spheres of influence of the church Judea : geographically near, culturally similar people Samaria : geographically near, culturally different people Ends of the earth : geographically distant, culturally different people
THE ADVANCE OF MISSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS C.  Gordon Olson
Patterns of Missions Outreach Spontaneous outreach (Acts 1-7) Forced outreach (Acts 8-11) Planned outreach (Acts 13:1-4) Partnership outreach (Acts 15:36ff)
The Missionary Spirit at Work  in the  Church The Holy Spirit awakens an interest in missions in the hearts of believers The Holy Spirit plants in the minds of believers a compassion for people who are perishing   The Holy Spirit builds faith in God’s promise that the proclamation of the gospel will not be in vain. The Holy Spirit creates in the believer the willingness to obey Christ’s missionary command The Holy Spirit breaks down our social and racial prejudices and makes us love people who are different and welcome them into the kingdom
The Missionary Spirit at Work  in the  World The Holy Spirit opens doors for the gospel The Holy Spirit prepares the hearts of unbelievers to desire what Christ offers, to inquire about the Christian faith, and to convict them of their sin and their need for salvation. The Holy Spirit preserves and nourishes the fruit of missions
The Gentile Mission “Through Him and for His names’ sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the  Gentiles  to the obedience that comes from faith.” (Romans 1:5) “ The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the  Gentiles   by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘‘all nations will be blessed through you’.” (Gal 3:8)
Paul’s Ambition: Preach Where Christ Not Known “ So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ…It has always been my ambition to  preach the gospel where Christ was not known …now…there is no more place for me to work in these regions.” Romans 15:19,20,23
Mission Themes in the Epistles Theme 1  – God’s Mercy Extends  to All People Romans 1:5; 15:17-19 Romans 5:18-19; 2 Cor. 5:15 I Tim. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9 Gal. 3:28 Rev. 7:9
Mission Themes in the Epistles Theme 2  – Mission Involves a  Message Rom. 1:1 It is from God Gal. 1:6-8 Content is central 2 Cor. 5:19,21  Incorporates Christ Col. 2:8-12 Jesus is God’s plan
Mission Themes in the Epistles Theme 3  – Mission Faces a  Supernatural Opponent 2 Cor. 4:4 Eph. 2:1-3 Gal. 4:3,9 Col. 1:13; Eph. 2:1-3 I John 3:8 James 4:4-9; I Pet. 5:5-9
Mission Themes in the Epistles Theme 4  – God is Sovereignly in  Charge of Mission I Tim. 1:17; 6:14b-16 Eph. 4:6 Col. 1:17 Acts 17:24-28 Rom. 8:28-30 I Cor. 8:6
Mission Themes in the Epistles Theme 5  – We are Christ’s  Ambassadors I Pet. 2:9-12 Phil. 2:12-13 Eph. 2:8-10 2 Cor. 5:18-21 Rom. 10:6-17
Mission is the Basis of the Bible ! What is more  accurate  to say? “ There is a Biblical basis  for missions,” or
Summary: The  God  of the  Old Testament  is a  missionary  God ! 2.  The  Christ  of the Gospels  is a  missionary  Christ! 3.  The  Holy Spirit  of the  Acts   is a  missionary  Spirit!
Ten Epochs of Redemptive History (Ralph Winter) 1. PATRIARCHS 2. CAPTIVITY 3. JUDGES 4. KINGS 5. 2ND CAPTIVITY/ DIASPORA 6. ROMANS 7. BARBARIANS 8. VIKINGS 9. SARACENS 10. ENDS OF THE EARTH 2000 BC P RESENT 1 2 4 3 5 8 6 7 9 10
Pattern in the 10 Epochs The kingdom strongly advances as God’s people trust and obey Him The kingdom becomes stagnant as God’s people hoard the blessing and do not bless the nations God acts in judgment of His people and mercy towards the nations to fulfill His promise to Abraham that all peoples will be blessed
Mission’s Importance “ The importance that Scripture gives to mission must influence how Christians think about the church. Missionary outreach is not simply one more good thing that churches can do. Because mission is so integral to what it means for the Church to be the Church, those who do not frequently espouse global mission are failing to embrace a core essential of the faith .” -Gailey & Culbertson,  Discovering Missions , 13
“ The extent to which local churches fail in that (their missionary) task is the extent to which they run the risk of becoming fossilized institutions that distract the universal church from God’s intended purpose .” -Introducing World Missions , 2004 Scott Moreau, Gary Corwin, Gary McGee
Lausanne Covenant  (1974)  www.lausanne.org An uncompromising commitment to the biblical gospel The centrality of the church in the purpose of God and in evangelism The need to take culture seriously The recognition of a cosmic conflict
Missions Convictions  -Bethlehem Baptist Church God’s goal in creation and redemption is a missionary goal because our God is a missionary God. God is passionately committed to His fame. Worship is the fuel and the goal of missions.
Missions Convictions 4. God’s passion to be known and praised by all the peoples of the earth is not selfish, but loving. 5. God’s purpose to be praised among all the nations cannot fail.
Missions Convictions 6. Only in God will our souls be at rest. 7. Domestic ministries are the goal of frontier missions 8. The missionary task is focused on peoples, not just individual people, and is therefore finishable.
Missions Convictions 9. The need of the hour is for thousands of new Paul-type missionaries. 10. It is the joyful duty and the awesome privilege of every local church to send out missionaries “in a manner worthy of God” (3 John 6).
Missions Convictions 11. We are called to a wartime lifestyle for the sake of going and sending. 12. Prayer is a wartime walkie-talkie and not a domestic intercom. 13. Our aim is not to persuade everyone to become a missionary but to help everyone become a world Christian. 14. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
Preparing Your Testimony  assignment The following slides offer  ideas and suggestions  on how to write an effective testimony  in preparation for your  June 5 th  assignment
Telling Your Story Think about this:  When you hear someone’s testimony, what impresses you most about it? ] Optional : If you have access to Bill Hybels’ DVD curriculum “ Just Walk Across the Room,” watch session #3 -  “ The Power of Story ”; or read chap. 6 in his book by the same title.
“ The Power of Story”  highlights characteristics of  ‘really bad stories,’ such as… The  long-winded  story that goes on and on and on…. The  fuzzy  story that never gets to the point The  religionese  story that is filled with Christian insiders’ jargon The  superiority  story that is filled with pious, haughty language. Which characteristic bothers you the most when you hear it in someone’s testimony???
Telling Your Story Why our story is important: Our friends are interested Our friends can relate to it It is difficult to argue with it - Becoming a Contagious Christian
Writing Your story BC – before Christ Where were you spiritually before receiving Christ, and how did that affect you? 2.  What caused you to begin considering God/Christ as a solution to your needs?
Writing Your Story - Conversion What realization did you come to that finally motivated you to receive Christ? 2.  Specifically,  how  did you receive Christ?
Writing Your Story AD – After Conversion How did your life begin to change after you trusted Christ? What other benefits have you experienced since becoming a Christian? Question:  Can you relate to any of this?
Writing Your Story The central theme should be the contrast in your spiritual life  before  and  after Keep it simple, clear and repeatable End with a question or statement that requires a response Avoid religious clich és and “God-talk” Be brief and to the point Keep your focus on your friend Be flexible
Exercises: Name  one  “before and after” experience found in the New Testament.  Why is it so powerful? Read I Corinthians 2:14-16 Based on these verses,  why is it so important for followers of Christ to tell their faith story in a manner that is simple, succinct, humble and clear to people who are spiritually unconvinced?
 

Church in Mission - Session 2 (online)

  • 1.
    CM 582 Church in Mission Session 2 (a) Biblical / Historical Foundations of God’s Mission
  • 2.
    Field Trip –Saturday, June 6 CedarCreek Church , 29129 Lime City Road, Perrysburg, OH (east of I-75 between Exits 195 & 197) Meet at North Atrium at 3 p.m. Tour of facilities Q & A with pastoral staff member
  • 3.
    Then…on to St.George’s 5 p.m . Vespers Interview with Fr. Paul Gassios St. George Orthodox Cathedral 738 Glenwood Road, Rossford, OH (exits 197 or 198 from I-75)
  • 4.
    Return to CedarCreek 7 p.m. Service Family members welcome for this field trip to both churches Casual dress is appropriate Review both church websites prior to trip
  • 5.
    MACD students: If you are not in the Toledo, OH area…and/or cannot attend June 6 th … Make plans to attend a worship service of a church in your area which has a reputation for effective ministry. It may offer either a traditional or “contemporary” style of worship; Notify me via email ( [email_address] ) of your choice Write a 2-3 page review of your experience: comparisons to your own church, pros & cons, etc.; Due July 1
  • 6.
    CM 582 Church in Mission Session 2 (a) Biblical / Historical Foundations of God’s Mission
  • 7.
    Scripture and MissionThe Bible helps us understand the Mission The Mission helps us understand the Bible
  • 8.
    The Story inthe Stories “ There are great stories in the Bible…but it is possible to know Bible stories, yet miss the Bible story…The Bible has a story line. It traces an unfolding drama. The story follows the history of Israel, but it does not begin there, nor does it contain what you would expect in a national history… If we forget the story line… we cut the heart out of the Bible.” Ed Clowney, The Unfolding Mystery
  • 9.
    Where Is Missionsin the Bible ?
  • 10.
    The Mission &The Bible Genesis 1-11 OT NT Consummation (Revelation 22) The Bible
  • 11.
    The Mission Mandate:The Whole Bible “ Our mandate for world evangelization...is the whole Bible.” - John Stott
  • 12.
    God’s Global MissionIs a central issue Is the reason God gave us the Scriptures
  • 13.
    “The Kingdom Strikes Back” Genesis 12 God chooses a people to become His missionary nation. The Bible is a guidebook on how God’s missionary people are to advance the Kingdom.
  • 14.
    Genesis 12:1-3 “ The Great Commission ” I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you ; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing . I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; And all peoples on earth will be blessed through you .
  • 15.
    The Abrahamic covenant…… promised God’s blessings but it all gave Abraham and his descendents a particular responsibility .
  • 16.
    Genesis 18:18“ Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him .” “ And through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed , because you have obeyed me.” ; 22:18
  • 17.
    Did Abraham understandhis role? Genesis 18:22-33 provides the first instance of cross-cultural intercession in Scripture.
  • 18.
    Genesis 26:4 ToIsaac : “ I will make your descendents as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed .”
  • 19.
    To Jacob: “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:14-15
  • 20.
    Gen. 28:14-15 vs. Matt. 28:19-20 All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go …I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” … go 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 obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always , to the very end of the age.
  • 21.
    God’s Mission Revealedto Israel Through Moses To Pharaoh (Ex 9:16) In the Preamble to the Law (Ex 19:3-6) Even in Judgment (Num 14:21)
  • 22.
    God’s Heart forthe Nations: The Place of Gentile in Israel Caleb was a proselyte. (Num.14:24; Josh.14:14; Gen.15:19) God's provision for Gentiles to observe the Passover (Num. 9:14) God's provision for Gentiles to offer animal sacrifices (Lev. 17:8) God's provision for just treatment of the Gentiles (Exod. 22:21) Four Gentile women in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:3-6) ( Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba) The book of Ruth: an example of assimilating Gentiles. (Ruth 1:16,17)
  • 23.
    God’s Mission Revealedto Israel Through The Psalms A Universal Appeal to the Gentile Nations The Missionary Character of Eight Psalms Israel is Commissioned as Witness to the Nations
  • 24.
    Global Implications ofTemple Worship 1 Kings 8:41-43 “As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name . Isaiah 56:6-7 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
  • 25.
    Habakkuk and WorldMission Habakkuk 2:4,14,20
  • 26.
    Isaiah and theNations Isaiah 42:1,4 Isaiah 45:22 Isaiah 49:6
  • 27.
    What this meansis that… When Jesus gave “the great commission,” missions was NOT an afterthought in the mind of God?
  • 28.
    Old & NewCovenant Dynamics George Peters, A Theology of Mission Old Testament: Centripetal Dynamic New Testament: Centrifugal Dynamic
  • 29.
    Was Jesus “Missions-minded?”A global purpose in the Messiah’s preparation Luke 2:30-32 Luke 3:4-6 John 1:29-36 In His ministry to Gentiles John 2:13-22; Mark 11:17 John 4 Matthew 8:10-1 Mark 5:1-20 Mark 7:23-37
  • 30.
    Jesus’ Global PurposeIn His teaching “Son of Man” Mark 14:9 Luke 4:16-30 Luke 13:28-29 Luke 14:10-24 Matthew 13:36-43 Transition from Israel to the Church Matthew 11:20, 28 Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35 Matthew 16:19, 21 Matthew 20:28
  • 31.
    Jesus’ Global PurposeAfter transition / last months John 10:16 John 12:23-24, 32 Matthew 21:33-46; 24:14; 25:31-46 Problem Passages Matthew 10:5-6 Matthew 15:21-28
  • 32.
    Jesus’ Global PurposeParting Words: The Great Commission Matthew 28:18-20 Mark 16:14-20b Luke 24:36-43 John 20:19-23
  • 33.
    Progressive Announcements byJesus of World Outreach Mission
  • 34.
    The Great Commissions John Stott, Christian Mission John 20:21 — He spoke to them again and said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me , so I send you.” Mark 16:15 — He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Matthew 28:18-20 — Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Luke 24:47-48 — With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.’ You are witnesses of all these things. Acts 1:8 — But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
  • 35.
    Acts 1:8 “Glocal” Balance Jerusalem : natural spheres of influence of the church Judea : geographically near, culturally similar people Samaria : geographically near, culturally different people Ends of the earth : geographically distant, culturally different people
  • 36.
    THE ADVANCE OFMISSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS C. Gordon Olson
  • 37.
    Patterns of MissionsOutreach Spontaneous outreach (Acts 1-7) Forced outreach (Acts 8-11) Planned outreach (Acts 13:1-4) Partnership outreach (Acts 15:36ff)
  • 38.
    The Missionary Spiritat Work in the Church The Holy Spirit awakens an interest in missions in the hearts of believers The Holy Spirit plants in the minds of believers a compassion for people who are perishing The Holy Spirit builds faith in God’s promise that the proclamation of the gospel will not be in vain. The Holy Spirit creates in the believer the willingness to obey Christ’s missionary command The Holy Spirit breaks down our social and racial prejudices and makes us love people who are different and welcome them into the kingdom
  • 39.
    The Missionary Spiritat Work in the World The Holy Spirit opens doors for the gospel The Holy Spirit prepares the hearts of unbelievers to desire what Christ offers, to inquire about the Christian faith, and to convict them of their sin and their need for salvation. The Holy Spirit preserves and nourishes the fruit of missions
  • 40.
    The Gentile Mission“Through Him and for His names’ sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.” (Romans 1:5) “ The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘‘all nations will be blessed through you’.” (Gal 3:8)
  • 41.
    Paul’s Ambition: PreachWhere Christ Not Known “ So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ…It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known …now…there is no more place for me to work in these regions.” Romans 15:19,20,23
  • 42.
    Mission Themes inthe Epistles Theme 1 – God’s Mercy Extends to All People Romans 1:5; 15:17-19 Romans 5:18-19; 2 Cor. 5:15 I Tim. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9 Gal. 3:28 Rev. 7:9
  • 43.
    Mission Themes inthe Epistles Theme 2 – Mission Involves a Message Rom. 1:1 It is from God Gal. 1:6-8 Content is central 2 Cor. 5:19,21 Incorporates Christ Col. 2:8-12 Jesus is God’s plan
  • 44.
    Mission Themes inthe Epistles Theme 3 – Mission Faces a Supernatural Opponent 2 Cor. 4:4 Eph. 2:1-3 Gal. 4:3,9 Col. 1:13; Eph. 2:1-3 I John 3:8 James 4:4-9; I Pet. 5:5-9
  • 45.
    Mission Themes inthe Epistles Theme 4 – God is Sovereignly in Charge of Mission I Tim. 1:17; 6:14b-16 Eph. 4:6 Col. 1:17 Acts 17:24-28 Rom. 8:28-30 I Cor. 8:6
  • 46.
    Mission Themes inthe Epistles Theme 5 – We are Christ’s Ambassadors I Pet. 2:9-12 Phil. 2:12-13 Eph. 2:8-10 2 Cor. 5:18-21 Rom. 10:6-17
  • 47.
    Mission is theBasis of the Bible ! What is more accurate to say? “ There is a Biblical basis for missions,” or
  • 48.
    Summary: The God of the Old Testament is a missionary God ! 2. The Christ of the Gospels is a missionary Christ! 3. The Holy Spirit of the Acts is a missionary Spirit!
  • 49.
    Ten Epochs ofRedemptive History (Ralph Winter) 1. PATRIARCHS 2. CAPTIVITY 3. JUDGES 4. KINGS 5. 2ND CAPTIVITY/ DIASPORA 6. ROMANS 7. BARBARIANS 8. VIKINGS 9. SARACENS 10. ENDS OF THE EARTH 2000 BC P RESENT 1 2 4 3 5 8 6 7 9 10
  • 50.
    Pattern in the10 Epochs The kingdom strongly advances as God’s people trust and obey Him The kingdom becomes stagnant as God’s people hoard the blessing and do not bless the nations God acts in judgment of His people and mercy towards the nations to fulfill His promise to Abraham that all peoples will be blessed
  • 51.
    Mission’s Importance “The importance that Scripture gives to mission must influence how Christians think about the church. Missionary outreach is not simply one more good thing that churches can do. Because mission is so integral to what it means for the Church to be the Church, those who do not frequently espouse global mission are failing to embrace a core essential of the faith .” -Gailey & Culbertson, Discovering Missions , 13
  • 52.
    “ The extentto which local churches fail in that (their missionary) task is the extent to which they run the risk of becoming fossilized institutions that distract the universal church from God’s intended purpose .” -Introducing World Missions , 2004 Scott Moreau, Gary Corwin, Gary McGee
  • 53.
    Lausanne Covenant (1974) www.lausanne.org An uncompromising commitment to the biblical gospel The centrality of the church in the purpose of God and in evangelism The need to take culture seriously The recognition of a cosmic conflict
  • 54.
    Missions Convictions -Bethlehem Baptist Church God’s goal in creation and redemption is a missionary goal because our God is a missionary God. God is passionately committed to His fame. Worship is the fuel and the goal of missions.
  • 55.
    Missions Convictions 4.God’s passion to be known and praised by all the peoples of the earth is not selfish, but loving. 5. God’s purpose to be praised among all the nations cannot fail.
  • 56.
    Missions Convictions 6.Only in God will our souls be at rest. 7. Domestic ministries are the goal of frontier missions 8. The missionary task is focused on peoples, not just individual people, and is therefore finishable.
  • 57.
    Missions Convictions 9.The need of the hour is for thousands of new Paul-type missionaries. 10. It is the joyful duty and the awesome privilege of every local church to send out missionaries “in a manner worthy of God” (3 John 6).
  • 58.
    Missions Convictions 11.We are called to a wartime lifestyle for the sake of going and sending. 12. Prayer is a wartime walkie-talkie and not a domestic intercom. 13. Our aim is not to persuade everyone to become a missionary but to help everyone become a world Christian. 14. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
  • 59.
    Preparing Your Testimony assignment The following slides offer ideas and suggestions on how to write an effective testimony in preparation for your June 5 th assignment
  • 60.
    Telling Your StoryThink about this: When you hear someone’s testimony, what impresses you most about it? ] Optional : If you have access to Bill Hybels’ DVD curriculum “ Just Walk Across the Room,” watch session #3 - “ The Power of Story ”; or read chap. 6 in his book by the same title.
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    “ The Powerof Story” highlights characteristics of ‘really bad stories,’ such as… The long-winded story that goes on and on and on…. The fuzzy story that never gets to the point The religionese story that is filled with Christian insiders’ jargon The superiority story that is filled with pious, haughty language. Which characteristic bothers you the most when you hear it in someone’s testimony???
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    Telling Your StoryWhy our story is important: Our friends are interested Our friends can relate to it It is difficult to argue with it - Becoming a Contagious Christian
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    Writing Your storyBC – before Christ Where were you spiritually before receiving Christ, and how did that affect you? 2. What caused you to begin considering God/Christ as a solution to your needs?
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    Writing Your Story- Conversion What realization did you come to that finally motivated you to receive Christ? 2. Specifically, how did you receive Christ?
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    Writing Your StoryAD – After Conversion How did your life begin to change after you trusted Christ? What other benefits have you experienced since becoming a Christian? Question: Can you relate to any of this?
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    Writing Your StoryThe central theme should be the contrast in your spiritual life before and after Keep it simple, clear and repeatable End with a question or statement that requires a response Avoid religious clich és and “God-talk” Be brief and to the point Keep your focus on your friend Be flexible
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    Exercises: Name one “before and after” experience found in the New Testament. Why is it so powerful? Read I Corinthians 2:14-16 Based on these verses, why is it so important for followers of Christ to tell their faith story in a manner that is simple, succinct, humble and clear to people who are spiritually unconvinced?
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