Living the Gospel in All of Life: Session 8

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