God's Passion, Our Passion - Engaging Our Culture

 The Passion of Christ Revealed in Mission

Written by Kevin A. Hall (12.19.2016)

 As believers, we are called to Go, Baptize and Teach. We cannot do this without engaging the culture. Jesus set the ultimate example in his relations with his disciples. He sought an “attachment to himself” from those who wanted to be a part of his world. How can we best reflect the image of Christ?

To Imitate Christ, Disciples:

ü  Become like their master (Jesus)                                  Mat. 10:24 - 25

ü  “Go out with the same message, ministry and compassion, practicing the same religious and social traditions – Mat. 12:1-8

ü  Belong to the same family of obedience – Mat. 12:46-49

ü  Exercise the same servant-hood – Mat 20:26-28

ü  Experience the same suffering – Mat. 10:16-25

ü  Remain committed to being “sent in the same way to the same world” – John 20:21

                                                                                                          (Moreau, 44-45)

The Description of Ones Sent

As people living in the everyday world, we are called to engage the world beyond the four walls of the church. We ought to make a difference in the Public Square. “God cares about the church and its affairs, about missions and missionaries, about getting people to heaven as well as society, its public spaces and the conducting of affairs on the earth” (Wright, 223). God is therefore the divine and independent inspector of everything that happens in the public arena especially since He created it all. Everything is under his sovereign control; therefore he cares about it all. As missionaries or “ones sent”, it is our duty to Missionally engage the public square. We must believe the gospel and live the gospel.

ü  We can serve God by serving in political offices, this way our voices can be heard within the walls of government and we can contribute to writing the story that affects people and processes through legislation and laws

ü  We can serve God by praying for our government (Jer. 29:7, 1 Timothy 2:1-4)

ü  We can serve God by seeking the welfare of our cities (Jer. 29:7,

ü  We can serve God by doing good in our communities (1 Thess. 4:11-12; 5:14)

ü  We can serve God by confronting the issues in the Public Square

Ø  We must be different from the world (Lev. 18:3 – 5)

Ø  We must resist idolatry (1 John 5:19 – 21)

Ø  We are called to suffer – God’s power is made known to the world in our responses. It is missional

ü  As disciples and one’s sent we will spend our lives learning the kingdom just like the disciples of Jesus’ time experienced. It took them three years of learning but it paid off. Jesus taught them how to be disciples and they in turn became disciple-makers. In living out the gospel they were taught practical lessons on:

·         Forgiveness and love

·         Generosity and obedience to Christ

·         Trust and Faith

The gospel needed to be embodied in the lives of the ones who were “sent”. Wright (164) describes the mission of the ones sent in vivid detail:

  The Mission of the ones sent

We are here as human beings to care for God’s creation We are chosen in Abraham to be a people through whom God’s blessing reaches all nations We are called to walk in the ways of God, in justice and righteousness, in a corrupt world We are to live out the dynamic of our own redemption in our compassionate treatment of others We are to represent God to the world and draw God to the world We are to be people whose lives demonstrate the character of God and attract others to come to faith in Him We are to know the living God and be uncompromisingly loyal to the Lord Jesus Christ in our worship and witness.

Realities include cultural means of communication, viable roles, and encounters as well as various means to share the Gospel with people who have not heard and/or received the love of God. Strategic and cultural realities help participants focus on their part in fulfilling God’s mission wherever they are—in their nation or another.

                                         

      Bringing it all together as One’s Sent

As an assembly of believers, we are well positioned to make a difference. Our mission is to proclaim the whole gospel of Jesus Christ. The whole gospel refers to more than just going and making converts. It means making disciples and demonstrating the all-encompassing love of God.

                                 The Missional Plan of Engagement

ü  Continue to spread the message through mass media - Radio, video, internet, audio cds, mp3s, music recordings

ü  Extend the reach of our community outreach ministries - Prison, nursing homes

ü  Extend the reach of the Sunday School ministry - Outside evangelism, growing classes, teacher training, sharing the message of social responsibility with Sunday School students of all ages

ü  Encourage short -term missions trips - Partner with existing mission agencies

ü  Encourage working professionals to get engaged in their world and be a prophetic voice in their sphere of influence

ü  Encourage tent-making alternatives - Medical missions, teaching missions

ü  Continue to encourage the body to attend prayer meetings and commit to personal times of devotion. Prayer moves God. History belongs to those who pray.

ü  Seek and forge partnerships with the community - What pieces of ministries can connect with community leaders to meet the needs of those seeking an answer? Possible tent making opportunities?

ü  Utilize our print resources to spread the message of the gospel in a more effective way - Seek out writers and editors within the congregation

ü  Regular teachings on who we are as a people sent by God to be a witness to the nations/the people around us

GO!      REACH!       BAPTIZE!     MAKE DISCIPLES!

References:

1.       Kaiser, W. “Mission in the Old Testament”. Grand Rapids, MI:  Baker Publishing (2012)

2.       Moreau, S. Corwin, G. McGee, G. “Introducing World Missions”. United States of America, Baker Publishing Group: (2004)

3.       Wright, C. “The Mission of God’s People”. Grand Rapids MI: (2010)

4.       Macarthur, J. “The Macarthur Study Bible”. Unites States of America: Thomas Nelson Publishing (1997)

5.       Google Image: wallpapersafari.com