Paul has four aspects of his style of missions: gracious, urgent, strategic, confident. In some churches that I have been a part of today I believe that urgent is the least evident form what I have observed. Some churches have the grace and feel for the mission field; have good ideas and are strategic when it comes to planing; they are confident in themselves in knowing that in Christ they can do all things, but sadly there is not much urgency.
No urgency causes them to miss out on some things that God could have for them.
This could be fixed or addressed by living simple as Paul did and just going day by day with the Lord. If he calls us somewhere He will equip us and provide all we need to go.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Holy Spirit and the Mission of God
The Missio Dei or the Mission of God is very much connected to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus ascended into Heaven he promised us a helper would come and live in us, this was the Holy Spirit. This part of the trinity plays a very important role in the Missio Dei. The Holy Spirit serves as a mediator for us to get to know what God has to say to us.
When Jesus ascended into Heaven he promised us a helper would come and live in us, this was the Holy Spirit. This part of the trinity plays a very important role in the Missio Dei. The Holy Spirit serves as a mediator for us to get to know what God has to say to us.
The Kingdom in the Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
In Stan Nussbaum's book, 'A Reader's Guide for Transforming Missions' he states that,‘The word “kingdom” does not occur in the Great Commission but the idea clearly does.’
The Missio Dei or Mission of God is to reach people for the growth of his kingdom.
In the part of this passage, "All authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to me" Nussbaum says that Jesus is stating that he has been given power. He has been made King and we are his kingdom.
Another way Nussbaum connects kingdom with the Great Commission is when Jesus commands us to teach them to obey everything He has commanded us. One way I like that Nussbaum puts this part of the verse is, "teaching them to live as loyal subjects in my kingdom.
There is definitely a tie between the Great Commission and the Kingdom.
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
In Stan Nussbaum's book, 'A Reader's Guide for Transforming Missions' he states that,‘The word “kingdom” does not occur in the Great Commission but the idea clearly does.’
The Missio Dei or Mission of God is to reach people for the growth of his kingdom.
In the part of this passage, "All authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to me" Nussbaum says that Jesus is stating that he has been given power. He has been made King and we are his kingdom.
Another way Nussbaum connects kingdom with the Great Commission is when Jesus commands us to teach them to obey everything He has commanded us. One way I like that Nussbaum puts this part of the verse is, "teaching them to live as loyal subjects in my kingdom.
There is definitely a tie between the Great Commission and the Kingdom.
Encouraging Barnabas
The Barnabas we hear about in the bible was a apostle that traveled with the apostle Paul on different missionary journeys. Barnabas is known as the 'Son of Encouragement', and this name truly matched up with his character. He was sent by God on several mission trips to share the love of God with others. Barnabas was very giving. In Acts 4 he sells his land to give it to the apostles for anyone that was in need.
It is very encouraging to see how Barnabas lived his life. He is a great example of what we should do for the Lord. He was always so encouraging to others. This challenges me to think about the things I have that can be given to others in need. 1 Timothy 6:7 states, "For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it." So why not give our land, possessions, even time to those who need it.
If the church today kept in mind that all belongs to the Lord and nothing is truly ours we could make a huge impact on the was non-believers see the church. The Lord has called us to lose everything and live for Him. If we are giving as a church and love others the way Christ loves us people would see that and want to know what it is we have that brings us joy.
It is very encouraging to see how Barnabas lived his life. He is a great example of what we should do for the Lord. He was always so encouraging to others. This challenges me to think about the things I have that can be given to others in need. 1 Timothy 6:7 states, "For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it." So why not give our land, possessions, even time to those who need it.
If the church today kept in mind that all belongs to the Lord and nothing is truly ours we could make a huge impact on the was non-believers see the church. The Lord has called us to lose everything and live for Him. If we are giving as a church and love others the way Christ loves us people would see that and want to know what it is we have that brings us joy.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Churches in the mission process
"Christopher Wright argues that the Covenant's of the Old Testemant all have relevance to missions today because they all ultimately point to Christ and because they all ultimately point to the forgiveness of sin being preached to all nations in the world."
This can be also true of many churches today. New Life Baptist Church in Dallas is the church that I attend at home. I have been going there since a young child and have always known it to be very focused on missions. This church is engaging in missions by constantly sending people to other unreached places to help and bring the gospel. We have participated in giving to missions through World Vision, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, giving to our community, and many other things. New Life's mission is to love God and love others.
This practice can be more enriched if we better understood the covenants of the Old Testament. The covenants are a promise between God's people and himself. The covenants are all about God's people obeying the Law of the Lord, then God fullfiling the promise by blessing them. Churches today can put into consideration these covenants when doing missions and be blessed.
This can be also true of many churches today. New Life Baptist Church in Dallas is the church that I attend at home. I have been going there since a young child and have always known it to be very focused on missions. This church is engaging in missions by constantly sending people to other unreached places to help and bring the gospel. We have participated in giving to missions through World Vision, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, giving to our community, and many other things. New Life's mission is to love God and love others.
This practice can be more enriched if we better understood the covenants of the Old Testament. The covenants are a promise between God's people and himself. The covenants are all about God's people obeying the Law of the Lord, then God fullfiling the promise by blessing them. Churches today can put into consideration these covenants when doing missions and be blessed.
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