Living the Gospel in All of Life: Session 8
Our heavenly home - the world that is to come
I am a follower of Jesus because ...
1. Because of who Jesus is - the promised king and Son of God
A) Jesus is the promised son of Abraham
B) He is he promised son of David
C) He is the promised "son" of the exile
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (Colossians 1:15-18 NIV)
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:1-14 NIV)
2. Because of what He has done - died and rose again
A) The cross
- proved the mercy of God
- satisfied the justice of God
B) The resurrection
- vindicated
- validated
3. Because of what He is bringing - the Kingdom of God - the rule and reign of God
Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:1-7 NIV)
I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else - C. S. Lewis
We live in an overlap of 2 ages: the present age, and the age to come
The Kingdom of God has entered into the present age
2 pictures
Triangle of discipleship: identity -> character -> mission
#1 The God who calls us
#2 The Gospel: in Christ and the Kingdom of God
- the Gospel is an invitation to discipleship
#3 People who have been with Jesus
- abiding in Him
- recognizing that we are genuinely new in Christ, but not completely new
#4 People who are becoming like Jesus
- For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29 NIV)
#5 Missional followers in Missional communities
- there is no hierarchy of calling
- our primary calling is to God
- our secondary calling (church or "secular" work - both sacred) flows out of our primary calling to live for Christ
-Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23, 24 NIV)
#7 Do justice and love mercy
- justice and compassion reflect the character of God
- witness to God as good
- flow from our experience of God's grace
Let us be people who ...
1. Know and trust God
2. Live in Christ and the Kingdom of God
3. Have been with Jesus
4. Are becoming like Jesus
5. Are Missional followers
6. Live out their primary calling to live for Christ in all of life
7. Are gospel-people of justice and compassion
Let's be gospel-people who are living in the gospel in all of life, and let's do it together
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Living the Gospel in All of Life - Week 7
Living the Gospel in All of Life - Week 7
"Do Justice and Love Kindness"
Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:6-8 NIV)
1. Justice and compassion reflect the character of God
This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23, 24 NIV)
Righteousness is being in right relationship with God and others.
Justice often involves making wrongs right: rectifying justice.
Compassion means assistance and care for those in need.
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; (Psalm 103:1-13 NIV)
Special emphasis is placed on widows, orphans, and immigrants...
"Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. "Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest. If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. (Exodus 22:21-23, 25-27 NIV)
Sacrifices without right living means nothing to The Lord.
"The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?" says the Lord. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:11, 15-17 NIV)
2. Justice and compassion witness to God as good.
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:31-40 NIV)
When we serve "them" we serve Jesus, when we minister to "them" we minister to Him.
We are God's eyes, hands and feet here on this earth.
3. Justice and compassion flow from our experience of God's grace.
Our experience of God's grace allows us to serve others out of gratitude for what God has done for us, not out of religious obligation.
We need to be gospel people.
Actions of relief, development, reform.
Types of ministries: proclamation, compassion, justice, reconciliation, education.
Our first missional community is our family.
How might we bring justice and compassion to our community.
How can we use our time, treasure, and talent to serve my community?
NEXT STEPS
1. Read Isaiah 12.
2. Affirm you are in Christ and in His Kingdom.
3. Devote yourself and your day to Christ.
4. Ask God to join you in your day.
"Do Justice and Love Kindness"
Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:6-8 NIV)
1. Justice and compassion reflect the character of God
This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23, 24 NIV)
Righteousness is being in right relationship with God and others.
Justice often involves making wrongs right: rectifying justice.
Compassion means assistance and care for those in need.
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; (Psalm 103:1-13 NIV)
Special emphasis is placed on widows, orphans, and immigrants...
"Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. "Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest. If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. (Exodus 22:21-23, 25-27 NIV)
Sacrifices without right living means nothing to The Lord.
"The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?" says the Lord. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:11, 15-17 NIV)
2. Justice and compassion witness to God as good.
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:31-40 NIV)
When we serve "them" we serve Jesus, when we minister to "them" we minister to Him.
We are God's eyes, hands and feet here on this earth.
3. Justice and compassion flow from our experience of God's grace.
Our experience of God's grace allows us to serve others out of gratitude for what God has done for us, not out of religious obligation.
We need to be gospel people.
Actions of relief, development, reform.
Types of ministries: proclamation, compassion, justice, reconciliation, education.
Our first missional community is our family.
How might we bring justice and compassion to our community.
How can we use our time, treasure, and talent to serve my community?
NEXT STEPS
1. Read Isaiah 12.
2. Affirm you are in Christ and in His Kingdom.
3. Devote yourself and your day to Christ.
4. Ask God to join you in your day.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Living the Gospel in All of Life - Week 6
Living the Gospel in All of Life - Week 6
Missional People in All of Life
Objectives:
1. We are all called to do God's work.
2. There is no hierarchy to our calling.
There are 2 callings.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:30 NIV)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Ephesians 4:1 NIV)
A) Primary calling
- is to someone
- we are called by God, for God, to God
B) Secondary calling
- flow out of our primary calling
- e.g. Paul, Moses, Nehemiah, Isaiah
- they were all called to be one of God's people, but had specific tasks to accomplish
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23, 24 NIV)
Secondary calling shouldn't be regarded as "secular" or "sacred".
We should regard all work as sacred to God.
To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. (Genesis 3:17 NIV)
Two Realm View:
1. Kingdom of God as Territory
2. Kingdom of God as rule of God.
3. Once there was no secular.
Are we applying Colossians 3:23-24 in our vocation?
God put us here to develop and cultivate His creation.
1. How can I do my work as an act of worship to God?
2. How does my work beneficially cultivate the created order?
Lionel
Missional People in All of Life
Objectives:
1. We are all called to do God's work.
2. There is no hierarchy to our calling.
There are 2 callings.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:30 NIV)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Ephesians 4:1 NIV)
A) Primary calling
- is to someone
- we are called by God, for God, to God
B) Secondary calling
- flow out of our primary calling
- e.g. Paul, Moses, Nehemiah, Isaiah
- they were all called to be one of God's people, but had specific tasks to accomplish
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23, 24 NIV)
Secondary calling shouldn't be regarded as "secular" or "sacred".
We should regard all work as sacred to God.
To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. (Genesis 3:17 NIV)
Two Realm View:
1. Kingdom of God as Territory
2. Kingdom of God as rule of God.
3. Once there was no secular.
Are we applying Colossians 3:23-24 in our vocation?
God put us here to develop and cultivate His creation.
1. How can I do my work as an act of worship to God?
2. How does my work beneficially cultivate the created order?
Lionel
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