Post on 06-Mar-2018
transcript
SURPRISETHEWORLDSERMONSERIES
TheSurprisetheWorldsermonserieshasbeendesignedforusealongsidetheNavPressbookofthesamenamebyMichaelFrost.Hereareafewthingstobeawareof:
Youneedtobringthemtolife
Eachsermonoutlineis5pageslong(initscurrentformatting)andbetween1500-1800words.They’rejustoutlines.Soyou’llneedtofleshthemoutwithpersonalillustrationsandreferencestoexamplesthatmakethemcometolifewithyourcongregation.
EachsermonhasaBiblereadingandareadingfromSurprisetheWorld
Thisisn’tanexpositorysermonseries.It’stopical.ButeachsermonisanchoredintheBibleasallsermonsshouldbe.
Youcanpreachthemwhileyoursmallgroupsreadthebook
Thesermonsdon’tsimplyrehashthebook.Theyrefertothebookandcoverrelatedmaterial,butthey’redesignedtostimulateinterestinthebooknotstandinitsplace.Thereare8chaptersinthebook,butonly4sermonshere.Youcoulduseeachsermontocatalyzeyourgrouptoreadtwochapterseachweek(they’reveryshort).
Itmightlooklikethis:
Sermon
SmallGroupReading
Week1
SurprisingtheWorldCh.1Living“QuestionableLives”Ch.2ANewSetofHabits
Week2
ChangingtheWorldOneMealataTime
Ch.3Bless:theFirstHabitCh.4Eat:theSecondHabit
Week3
TheAnswerisAlwaysJesus
Ch.5Listen:theThirdHabitCh.6Learn:theFourthHabit
Week4
TheSentOnes
Ch.7Sent:theFifthHabitCh.8Discipleship,Nurture,Accountability
Wetrustthey’llbeofgreattousetoyouinequippingamissionalpeopleforGod’sservice.
Week1–SurprisingtheWorld
ScriptureReadings:Colossians4:2-6and1Peter3:15-16
BackgroundReading:SurprisetheWorldChs.1&3
Introduction
Whydoestheword‘evangelism’causesomepeoplesomuchanxiety?Doyougetimagesofdoor-knockingorapproachingstrangersinshoppingmalls?Doesitmakeyoufeellikeyou’rebeingturnedintoareluctantrecruitmentofficerforthechurch?
Shouldfaith-sharingreallybeanxietyproducing?
InhisbookSurprisetheWorld,MichaelFrostputsitthisway:
“Whengiftedevangeliststelltherestofusthatweshouldbehavelikegiftedevangeliststooithasadebilitatingeffect.Welookatconfident,articulate,theologicallytrainedevangelistspreachinginourchurchesandheartheirstoriesofsharingthegospelonthebackofanapkininarestaurantoronaplane,andthenwehearthemtellusthatwetoocan(andindeed,should)dowhattheydoandwefreeze!Weknowwecan’tdowhattheydo.”(p.6-7)
Doyoufeelthatway?
AreweallmeanttobelittleBillyGrahams?Orhavewebeengettingitwrong?
WhatexactlydoestheBiblesayaboutevangelism?Let’sseewhatbothPaulandPetersayastheyencouragetheirchurchestosharetheirfaith.(Re)readColossians4:2-6and1Pet.3:15-16
You’llnoteinthesepassagesthere’sakindoftwo-prongedapproachtoevangelismassumed.Let’slookatthosetwoprongs:
1. EvangelistsShouldbeBold
Firstly,Paulclearlyseemstothinkthattherearecertainpeopleinthechurchwhoaregiftedevangelists.
AndobviouslyPaulobviouslyplaceshimselfinthatcategoryintheColossianspassageweread.
ItseemsthatPaulassumedthatgiftedevangelistscouldbeeither:
a) local(likeTimothy–see2Tim.4:5)ortrans-local(likehimself);b) leadersinlocalchurches(seeEph4:11)orjustmembersofchurches.
ForthesepeoplePaulaskshischurchestoprayfortwothings:opportunities(“pray…thatGodmayopenadoorforourmessage…”)andclarity(“PraythatImayproclaimitclearly…”).
Andhereisachallengeforourchurch.Haveweidentifiedthegiftedevangelistsinourmidst?AreweprayingthatourevangelisticleaderswillhaveopportunitiestoshareChrist?AndareweprayingthatthoseevangelistswillbeclearinthewaytheytalkaboutJesus?
Butitdoesn’tappearthatPaulbelievesallChristiansbeartheresponsibilityforthatkindofboldproclamationtowhichheiscalled.Whileevangelismisanessentialgiftingforallchurches,itisn’tagiftinggiventoeverybeliever.Otherwise,hewouldhaveencouragedtheColossianstoprayforopportunitiesandclarityforthemselvesaswell.Hedoesn’t.Heaskssomethingslightlydifferentfromthem.
ThisleadsustolookatPaul’ssecondprongofevangelism.WhatdoeshethinktherestofusshouldbedoingtoshareChristwithothers?
Firstly,Paulcallsonevangeliststobebold,andsecondly…
2. TheRestofusshouldbeQuestionable
Yep,Isaidquestionable!Well,Ididn’tsayit,Pauldid.Listen:
“Bewiseinthewayyouacttowardoutsiders;makethemostofeveryopportunity.Letyourconversationbealwaysfullofgrace,seasonedwithsalt,sothatyoumayknowhowtoanswereveryone.”(Col.4:6)
WhilePaulseesthegiftedevangelistseizingopportunitiesandboldlyproclaimingtheGospel(asActsclearlyshowshimdoing),itappearshethinksthecontributionthattheaveragebelieverwillmaketoevangelismistoanswertheenquiriesofunbelievers.
AndPeteragrees:
“Alwaysbepreparedtogiveananswertoeveryonewhoasksyoutogivethereasonforthehopethatyouhave.Butdothiswithgentlenessandrespect,keepingaclearconscience,sothatthosewhospeakmaliciouslyagainstyourgoodbehaviorinChristmaybeashamedoftheirslander.”(1Pet.3:15-16)
InSurprisetheWorld,MichaelFrostsays,
“Thebelievers’functionthenwastopraylikecrazyandtoconductthemselves,inwordanddeed,insuchawayastoprovokeunbelieverstoquestiontheirbeliefsandenterintoanevangelisticdialogue.”(p.5)
Whiletheevangelistsaremakingthemostofeveryopportunity,theprimarycontributiontherestofusmaketotheworkofevangelismistoanswerquestions!
Tobequestionable.Intriguing.Surprising.
That’swhyMichaelFrostcalledhisbookSurprisetheWorld.It’sonlywhenwe’resurprisingorintriguingthatanyonewillaskusaquestion.
Here’sthecentralissuetoconsider:we’redoingitallwrongifnooneeverasksusanyquestionsaboutourlives.Ifourliveslookprettymuchlikeanyotherrespectablelaw-abidingcitizen,what’ssointriguingaboutthat?
Nowlet’sbringthosetwoprongstogether,butchangethemetaphor.Becausethegiftedevangelistsandtherestofusarethetwohalvesofthebiblicalapproachtoevangelism.Theyare…
3. LiketheTwoBladesofaPairofScissors
Thebiblicalmodelofevangelismthenisforchurchleadersto:
a) identify,equipandmobilizegiftedevangelists(withgiftedevangelisticleaderstakingtheprimaryresponsibility),and
b) inspireallbelieverstolivequestionablelives.
Ifallbelieversareleadingthekindoflivesthatevokequestionsfromtheirfriends,thenopportunitiesforfaithsharingaboundandchancesforthegiftedevangeliststoboldlyproclaimareincreased.
MichaelFrostputsitthisway:
“IthinkgiftedevangelisticleadersbeartheresponsibilitytoequiptheircongregationstobeabletotellothersaboutJesus,butthattheopportunitiesforfaithsharingwillemergefromquestioningunbelievers.GiftedevangelisticleadersshouldbetrainingtheircongregationstospeakaboutJesusconversationallywhenquestionedabouthowtheydealwithsuffering,orwhytheyspendtheirvacationservingthepoor,orwhythey’veopenedtheirhometorefugees,orwhythey’refastingduringLent,orwhythey’vemadecareerchoicesthatallowthemtocontributetothegreatersocialgood.”(p.6)
Howquestionableisyourlife?Doesitlookjustlikeyourneighbors’lives?Isthereanythingintriguingorsurprisingaboutitatall?Ifnot,thenweleadershaven’tdoneagoodjobinhelpingyou.
4. HowCanWebemoreQuestionable?
Let’sconsidermakingitaprojecttobemoresurprisingtoourneighbors.
MichaelFrostsuggestsfivewayswecanalllivemorequestionablelives,buttodayIjustwanttolookatjustoneofthem.
Blessingothers.
Inchurchweusetheterm“bless”alot,buthaveyoueverconsideredwhatitreallymeans?Wayback,inOldEnglish,itcomesfromthetermmeaning,“toaddstrengthtoanother’sarm.”
Therefore,toblessanotheristobuildthemup,tofillthemwiththeencouragementforthemtoincreaseinstrengthandprosperity.
Whenweblessotherswesurprisethem.Inourbusyworld,whenpeoplearerunningfromonethingtothenext,thesimpledecisiontoaddstrengthtoanother’sarmisintriguing.
Herearethreewayswecanblessourunbelievingfriendsandneighbors:
a) WordsofAffirmation:Thisisthesimplestwaytoblesssomeone.Sendthemanote,writethemanemail,textthem.Sendthemsomewordsofaffirmationandencouragement.“Icanlivefortwomonthsonagoodcompliment.”–MarkTwain“Awordofencouragementislikeoxygentothesoul.”–MichaelFrost
b) ActsofKindness:Blessothersbydoingthemafavororprovidingsomekindofpracticalsupport–cutanoldlady’slawn,babysittinganexhaustedcouple’skids,helpaneighbormovehouse.
c) Gifts:I’mtalkingabouttotallyrandomgift-giving.Nothingblessessomeonemorethananunexpectedgift.
YoumighthavethoughtIwasgoingtosayprovideamealforsomeone.Thatwoulddefinitelyblessthem,butnextweekwe’regoingtolookatthesurprisingpowerofeatingtogether,sowe’llsavethatuntilthen.
InSurprisetheWorld,MichaelFrosturgesustoundertakethechallengeofblessingthreepeopleeveryweek–atleastoneofwhomisnotamemberofyourchurch;atleastonewhomisamemberofyourchurch;andthethirdcanbefromeithercategory.
Doyouthinkyoucoulddothat?
WouldyoupraywithmethatGodmightrevealthreepeoplewecouldblesseitherwithawordofaffirmation,anactofkindnessoragift?
AndrememberthewordsofPaulandPeterwereadearlier.Theysayinourdealingswithoutsidersweshould“bewise…,fullofgrace…,seasonedwithsalt…,gentlenessandrespect.”Whenwedothis,peoplewillbeintriguedbyourmotivations.Andthat’swhenwegettospeakaboutJesus,theonewhotaughtustoblessothers.
Conclusion
Inhisbook,DiscoverYourMissionNow,DaveFergusonrecountsreadingadoctoralthesisentitled“BlessersversusConverters.”Theresearcherhadlookedattwoteamsofshort-termmissionariesthatvisitedThailandwithdistinctlydifferentmissionalstrategies.
Theteamreferredtoasthe“blessers”wentwiththeintentionofsimplyblessingpeople.Theysawtheirmissionasbeingtoblesswhoevercametheirwayinwhateverpracticalwaystheycould.Ontheotherhand,the“converters”wentwiththesoleintentionofconvertingpeopleandevangelizingeveryonetheyencountered.Theresearchersfoundthatthe“blessers”alsohadalmost50timesasmanyconversionsthanthe“converters!”
Whenweliveunexpectedlives(whichclearlyincludestheblessingofstrangers),wefindourselvesbeingquestionedbyothers.ThenwehavethebestopportunityforsharingthehopeofChristwithinus.
Week2–ChangingtheWorldOneMealataTimeScriptureReading:Multiplepassages.AnintroductoryreadingcouldbeLuke14:1,7-14.
BackgroundReading:SurprisetheWorldCh.4
Introduction
LastweekwelookedatPaul’stwo-prongedapproachtoevangelism–boldproclamationbytheevangelists,andthelivingofquestionableorintriguinglivesbybelievers.
Weexploredbrieflywhatitmeanstoliveaquestionablelife–onethatsurprisesunbelieversandevokescuriosityaboutourfaith.ThisweekIwantustolookatadistinctlybiblicalpracticethatcoulddoexactlythat.
Beforewegettoit,letmeaskyouaquestion.Howwouldyoucompletethefollowingsentence:‘TheSonofMancame…’?”[pause]
TherearethreewaysthattheNewTestamentcompletesthatsentenceandwhilethefirsttwoarewellknown,thethirdissomewhatsurprising:
i. TheSonofMancamenottobeserved,buttoserve,andtogivehislifeasaransomformany(Mk10:45);
ii. TheSonofMancametoseekandtosavethelost(Lk.19:10);iii. TheSonofMancameeatinganddrinking…(Lk.7:34).
Yep,eatinganddrinking.
YouseethefirsttwopassagestelluswhatJesuscametoachieve,butthethirdtellsusthemannerinwhichhedidit.Hediditaroundtables.Oneofthewayswecansurprisetheworldisbyhowweuseourtable.Let’slookathowthetablecanshapeourmissionintheneighbourhood:
1. TheTableCanBeaSurprisingPlace
OneofthemostsurprisingthingsaboutJesuswaswhoheatewith.Hisdetractorsregularlyaccusedhimofbeingadrunkardandaglutton.Jesuswasneitherofthosethings,butobviouslyhispreparednesstoeatanddrinkwithsinners,taxcollectorsandprostitutesgavehisenemiesplentyofammunition.
HebeganhispublicministrybyprovidingmorewineataweddingfeastinCana.
Indeed,themiracleatCana,whichwefindinJohn2,isagreatexampleofthesurprisingnatureofthetable.
ThewaterjarsJesususedtoturnwaterintowinehadbeensetasidefortheceremonialwashingassociatedwithJewishpurificationrites.IfaJewfelttheyhadbeen‘contaminated’bycontactwithGentilestheywouldwashinwaterandrecitecertainprayerstorestorethemselvestotheirsanctifiedstatebeforeGod.
JesustakesthesesymbolsoftheseparationbetweenJewsandGentiles,betweentheholyandtheunholy,andfillsthemwithwine,theuniversalsymbolofhospitality,inclusionandfellowship.Andthenhecontinuestodothisallthroughhisearthlyministry.
InLuke’sGospelyouseehowoftenJesususedthetabletosurprisehisfellowguests.
ItisatatablethatJesusacceptedtheworshipofasinfulwomanandcriticizestheself-righteousnessofSimonthePharisee(Lk7:36-50).ItisatatablethatJesusdispensedadviceforhowtowelcomethepoorintoyourlives(Lk14:7-14).AnditisatatablethatJesusrevealedhimselfastherisenLordinEmmaus(Lk24:28-32).
Useyourtabletobreakdownthewallsthatseparatepeopleinoursociety.Surprisetheworldbywhoyourinvitetoshareyourtable.
InhisbookSurprisetheWorld,MichaelFrostsaysweshouldbe“radicalsocializers.”Whatagreatthought.Howcanyoursocializingbemoreradical?
Alongtheselines,intheirbook,RightHereRightNow,AlanHirschandLanceFordsay:
“Sharingmealstogetheronaregularbasisisoneofthemostsacredpracticeswecanengageinasbelievers.MissionalhospitalityisatremendousopportunitytoextendthekingdomofGod.WecanliterallyeatourwayintothekingdomofGod!IfeveryChristianhouseholdregularlyinvitedastrangerorapoorpersonintotheirhomeforamealonceaweek,wewouldliterallychangetheworldbyeating!”
Sothetablecanbeasurprisingplacethatgetspeopleaskingwhywebreakbreadwithunexpectedguests.Butsecondly…
2. TheTableFostersCommunity
Haveyoueverseenanoldercoupleeatinginarestaurantincompletesilence?Itseemsodddoesn’tit?
Thetableisaforumforconversationandconviviality,forrestandreconciliation.Atthetablewetalk.
Insteadofjustinvitingyourneighborstochurchorachurchevent,whynotstartbyinvitingthemtoyourtable.
SimonCareyHoltisatheologianaswellasaprofessionalchef.Hesaysthisabouthowthetablecreatescommunity:
“Itisthroughthedailypracticeofthetablethatwelivealifeworthliving.Throughthetableweknowwhoweare,wherewecomefrom,whatwevalueandbelieve.Atthetablewelearnwhatitmeanstobefamilyandhowtoliveinresponsible,lovingrelationships.Throughthetableweliveourneighborlinessandcitizenship,expressourallegiancetoparticularplacesandcommunities,andclaimoursenseofhomeandbelonging.Atthetablewecelebratebeautyandexpresssolidaritywiththosewhoarebrokenandhungry.”
UsChristianscanbevictimsoftheholyhuddle,can’twe?WeonlyinviteotherChristianstoourtablesbecausewefeelmorecomfortablewitheachother.ButIthinkJesuscallsustofostercommunitywithunbelieversaswell.
InJesus’timeapersonwouldnevereatwithsomeoneofdifferentsocialstanding,andcertainlyneverwithsomeoneofadifferentreligion(i.e.JewseatingatthetableofGentiles).ButJesusturnsthisonitshead.Heatewiththemfirst,andaskedrepentanceofthemlater.
BenMyerssaysofJesus’presenceatasinner’stable:“Contacttriggeredrepentance;conversionfloweredfromcommunion.”
Conversionfloweredfromcommunion.Whatabeautifulexpression.WeseeitinJesus’attendanceatamealatthehomeofthetaxcollectorZacchaeus(Luke19:1-10).Hiscommunionwiththesinfultaxcollectorledtorepentanceandconversion.
Weneedtobecomeradicalsocializerstoo.
3. TheTableMirrorstheCharacterofGod
Thirdly,eatingwithotherscanbeaprofoundlytheologicalpractice.ItmirrorsthecharacteroftheTriuneGod.LookatthisiconoftheHolyTrinity.Itwaspaintedaround1410byAndreiRublevanditdepictstheFather,SonandSpiritgatheredtogetheraroundatable.
It’sabeautifulimageofthefellowshipofthreepersonsoftheTrinity.WhenwejointogetheraroundatablewemirrortherelationshipsoftheFather,SonandSpirit.
JanicePriceputsitthisway:
“Hospitalitybecomesthe‘modusoperandi’ofmission,asthoseincommonparticipationinthelifeandmissionofGodmeetandreceivefromeachother.ThismirrorsthehospitalityoftheTrinityasGodchoosestoopenhimselftotheotherthroughtheIncarnationandtosubjecthimselftothecreatedorder.”
Ithinkit’snocoincidencethatwhenJesusgavehisdisciplesapracticetorememberhimbyitwasthebreakingofbreadandthedrinkingofwine.
Today,wecelebratecommunionortheLord’sSupperinaveryformal,liturgicalway.ButthefirstChristianscelebrateditinthecontextofabanquet.Thetable,therefore,wastheprimarysymbolofChristianworship.Notthepulpitorthechoirortheband.Thetable.
Conclusion
WehavebeenreadingthroughMichaelFrost’sbook,SurprisetheWorld,inwhichhesaysweshouldlive“questionablelives”–thekindsoflivesthatintrigueourneighborsandevoketheirquestionsaboutourfaith.Thewayweeatcanbeintriguing.ByrefusingtobegluttonsordrunkardswecanmodelthecharacterofGod,fostercommunityandsurpriseourguestswithourtablefellowship.
SoI’mcallingyoutofosterthehabitofeatingwiththreepeopleeachweek.Youwon’tneedtoaddagreatdealintoyouroftenalreadybusyschedule.Youalreadyeatthreetimesaday.That’s21mealsa
week.I’msimplyaskingthatyoubringanotherpersontoyourtableforthreeofthose.Orifyouwanttocutcorners,youcouldbringthreepeopletoyourtableforoneofthem.
Invitetheunpopularandtheoutcastaswellasyourfriendsandworkcolleagues.Let’sshowtheworldwhatheavenwillbelike.JesusregularlyusedtheillustrationofabanquettodescribehisKingdom.Wecanshowandtellourneighborsaboutthatoveradeliciousmealwithfriendsandsoon-to-be-friends.
Week3:TheAnswerisAlwaysJesus
ScriptureReading:Romans1:1-6
BackgroundReading:SurprisetheWorldCh.4
Introduction
MichaelFrost,theauthorofSurprisetheWorld,thebookwe’restudyingthismonth,tellsthestoryofvolunteeringtohelptheSalvationArmycollectmoneyforadisasterreliefappeal.ThelocalSalvationArmycorpswasverysmallsotheycalledonChristiansfromtheotherchurchesintowntogodoor-to-dooraskingfordonations.MichaelvolunteeredandwasgivenanidentificationtagandabucketwiththefamousredshieldsymboloftheSalvationArmy.
Atonehouse,Michaelknockedonthedoorandwasmetbyaverywarmandenthusiasticman.HegladlydonatedandproceededtoexplainthattheSalvationArmyhadhelpedhisfamilywhenhewasayoungboy.Theyreallygothisfamilythroughaverytoughtime.HethenproceededtoexplainhowgratefulhewasforthatassistanceandhowmuchhelovedtheSalvationArmyforalltheworkitdidtoalleviatesufferingandhelpthepoorintheworld.
“Infact,”themancontinued,“I’vealwaysbeenintriguedbyyouguys.Imean,youdosomuchforothers,butwhatareyouexactly?Areyouachurch?Oracharity?You’reChristians,right?Whatexactlydoyoubelieve?Doyoubaptizepeople?Doyouagreewithsame-sexmarriage?AreyouliketheSouthernBaptists?OrthePentecostals?”
MuchtoMichael’sembarrassment,hewentonandonwithscoresofquestionsabouttheSalvationArmy.IsaymuchtohisembarrassmentbecauseMichaelisn’tamemberoftheSalvationArmyandcouldn’taccuratelyanswermanyofhisenquiries.Finallyhehadtoadmithewasonlyvolunteeringfortheorganisation,hedidn’tactuallybelongtoit.
Iopenwiththisstorybecausewehavebeenexploringourneedtolive“questionablelives”tosurprisetheworld,toattractthequestionsofothers.Butunlessweknowwhattosaywhenthosequestionscomeit’sbeenallinvain.
We’llbelikeMichael,standingdumbfoundedonastranger’sporchnotknowingwhattosay.
Afewweeksago,Imentionedthatthebiblicalmodelofevangelisminvolvesthedualactionofgiftedevangelistswhoarecalledtopracticeboldproclamation,andeverydaybelieverswhoaretolivesuchsurprisinglivestheyinvitethequestionsofneighbours.
Butthisonlyworksifuseverydaybelieversknowhowtoanswerthosequestions.Hereareafewthingstobearinmindwhenconsideringhowtoanswerpeople…
1. Don’t“PreachtheGospel”,TellThemAboutJesus
I’msureyou’veheardthejokeaboutthepastorgivingthechildren'smessageduringchurchwhoaskedthekidsforthenameofthelittlecreaturethatlivesintrees(pause–noresponse)andeatsnuts(pause–noresponse).“It’sgray(pause)andhasalongbushytail(pause)anditjumpsfrombranchtobranch(pause)andchattersandflipsitstailwhenit'sexcited(pause–stillnoresponse)."
Finallyonelittleboytentativelyraisedhishand.Thepastorbreathedasighofreliefandcalledonhim.
"Well,"saidtheboy,"itsuresoundslikeasquirrel,butIknowtheanswermustbeJesus!”
Asfunnyasthatis,whenitcomestorespondingtopeople’squestionstheanswerisalwaysJesus.
ThechurchhasoftentoldChristianstheyneedto“preachthegospel”whentheygetanopportunitytodoso.ButasImentionedafewweeksago,thiscanbeintimidatingformanyChristians.
Whatexactlydoesitmeanto“preachthegospel”?ListentothewordsofPaulinRomans1:1
“Paul,aservantofChristJesus,calledtobeanapostleandsetapartforthegospelofGod…”
Pauldescribeshimselfassetapartforthegospelandthenhegoesontoexplainwhatthatgospelis.Listenashecontinues:
“…thegospelhepromisedbeforehandthroughhisprophetsintheHolyScripturesregardinghisSon,whoastohisearthlylifewasadescendantofDavid,andwhothroughtheSpiritofholinesswasappointedtheSonofGodinpowerbyhisresurrectionfromthedead:JesusChristourLord.ThroughhimwereceivedgraceandapostleshiptocallalltheGentilestotheobediencethatcomesfromfaithforhisname’ssake.”(Rom1:2-5)
Accordingtothispassage,thegospelisthestoryofJesus–hismessianiccredentials,hisphysicaldescentfromDavid,hisvindication/validationbytheSpiritofGod,hisresurrectionfromthedead.
Infact,everytimePaulexplainshisuseofthetermgospelhedoessobyrecountingthelifeofJesus.
IfyoureadPaul’slengthyevangelisticsermoninActs13:16-39,whereheisliterally“preaching”thegospel,thefocusisontheeventsofJesus’life–hisroyalbirth,miracles,teaching,sacrificialdeath,andresurrection.
Evenwhenhedoesn’thavemuchspaceforalengthyretellingofJesus’story,hesummarizesitlikehedidinRomans1.
Listentohiswordsin2Tim2:8:“RememberJesusChrist,raisedfromthedead,descendedfromDavid.Thisismygospel.”
AccordingtoPaulthegospelisn’tthe4SpiritualLawsortheBridgetoLifeillustration.ItisallaboutJesus:
• hisclaimtotheeternalthronepromisedtoKingDavid;• hisembodimentofthepresenceofGod’skingdom;• hisinvitationtoenterthekingdom,toenjoyitsblessingandembraceitsdemands;• hisatonementforthesinsofthosewhowouldotherwisebecondemnedattheconsummation
ofthekingdom;• hisstatusastherisenLordofthecomingkingdom.
SoyoucanseewhenIsay“don’tpreachthegospeljusttellthemaboutJesus”tellingpeopleaboutJesusistellingthemthegospel.
WeneedtobecomesofamiliarwiththestoriesoftheGospels(Matt,Mark,Luke,John)thattheyrolloffthetonguewhenpeopleaskuswhywehostdinnerpartiesforthepoor.Orwhyweblesssomanypeopleeveryweek.Orwhywevolunteerforvariousorganizations.Orwhywespentourvacationondisasterreliefprojects.
MichaelFrostreferstousneedingtobe“marinated”intheGospelssowecanshareanypartofthestoryastheoccasioncallsfor.
2. Don’tFocusontheirSin,FocusonJesus’Kingship
You’llnoticethatnoneofPaul’sgospelsharing(Rom1,Acts13,2Tim2)focusesontellingpeoplethey’resinners.Ifthere’sanythingallthreeofthosepassagesfocusonitsJesus’Davidickinglyrule.
Whenpeopleaskyouwhyyouliveasyoudo,yourgoalshouldbetoletthemknowthatit’sbecauseoftheexampleandteachingofKingJesus.
DavidBoschwrites,“ThemissionofGod’speopleistoalertotherstotheuniversalreignofGod.”
IfwebelieveJesusreignsasKing,andifwebelievehisKingdomisarealmofreconciliation,justice,beautyandwholeness,weshouldnotonlydemonstratethesethings.Weshouldalsospeakaboutthem.
LearnthestoriesofJesusandhowhebothannouncedanddemonstratedtheKingdom.Whenpeopleaskyouwhyyou’resocommittedtosocialjustice,tellthemaboutKingJesus.Whentheyaskyouwhyyoufeedthepoor,orprotecttheenvironment,orproducebeautifulartorfood,tellthemtheseareexpressionsoftheworldKingJesusisbringing.
Don’tbedisturbedthatIsaidnottofocusonpeople’ssin.IfyoushareJesuswell,itwillleadpeopletoquestiontheirownlives.
Infact,intheActs13sermonIreferredtoearlier,itconcludesthisway:
“Therefore,myfriends,IwantyoutoknowthatthroughJesustheforgivenessofsinsisproclaimedtoyou.Throughhimeveryonewhobelievesissetfreefromeverysin,ajustificationyouwerenotabletoobtainunderthelawofMoses.”(Act13:38-39)
Soheendsupaddressingpeople’ssin.ButhebeginswithJesus.
Inotherwords,afterpreachingthestoryofJesusfromverse16-37,heendsupwiththedoctrineofjustificationbyfaith,anchoringitexplicitlyinthehistoricaleventsofJesus’messianicrule,life,deathandresurrection.
3. Don’tFocusonChurch,FocusonPurpose
Theologian,DavidBoschoncewrote,“Atitsheart,thegospelisnewsaboutGod’sactionandhisreign,nothisinstitution.”
Weoftenfallintothetrapofwantingtotelleveryonehowgreatourchurchis,butwe’renotrecruitmentofficersforthechurch.
It’stemptingwhenpeopleaskusquestionsaboutthemistakesmadebythechurch(theCrusades,sexualabuseofminorsbypriests,etc)tofeelourjobistodefendthechurch.ButrealgospelministryisaboutpointingpeopletoJesus.
InsteadofspruikingchurchprogramsordefendingtheactionsofotherChristians,trytofocusonsharinghowKingJesushaschangedyourlife.
Godcreatedtheworldaccordingtohisgoodpurposes,andeventhoughhumansinopenedthedoorforevil,underminingGod’spurposes,Jesustookourpunishment.
Heconquersevil,bringsforgivenessanddefeatsdeath.SotherewillbeanewsocialandpoliticalorderaccordingtoGod’spurposes,aneworderthatbeganwithhisresurrection.
WeliveinthelightofthefutureinthepoweroftheSpirit.Ourliveshavepurpose.Notjustthepurposeofchurch-going,butthepurposetojoinGodintheredemption,repairandrenewalofthisworld.
Conclusion
InSurprisetheWorld,MichaelFrosttellsthestoryofmeetingagroupofhardcoresurfingenthusiastsandaskingthemwhotheirfavouritesurferofalltimewas.TheysaiditwastheFloridasurfer,KellySlater,whohasbeencrownedtheworldsurfingchampionarecord11times,including5consecutivetimesfrom1994–98.Heistheyoungest(atage20)andtheoldest(atage39)towinthetitle.
WhenMichaelaskedthemtotellhimmoreaboutKellySlatertheywentbananas,regalinghimwithfactsaboutSlater’slife–wherehegrewup(CocoaBeach),whatboardsheuses(ChannelIslandsurfboards),whichyearshewonthetitle(toomanytolisthere),whatmoviesandtelevisionshowshe’sappearedin(toomanytolisthere),whichmodelsandmoviestarshe’sdated(again,toomanytolisthere),andonandon.
WhatifI(oraneighborofyours)wastoaskyou,“Tellme,whatdoyouknowaboutJesus?”
Whatwouldyousay?
Michaelconcluded:
“WhenwelivequestionablelivespeopleshouldseeourstrangebehaviorandaskusaboutourmotivationsandthenweshouldbeabletospeakaboutJesusthewaysurferswouldspeakaboutKellySlater,withenergyandenthusiasm,withreverenceandawe,withdelightandwonder.”(p.83)
Week4:TheSentOnes
ScriptureReading:Mt5:14-16;10:7-8.
BackgroundReading:SurprisetheWorldCh.7
Introduction
Areyouthekindofpersonwhoenjoyswatchingthetrailersforupcomingmovies?
Maybeyougettothetheaterearlyespeciallytoseethosetrailersonthebigscreen.
Trailersaretasters,shortfilmversionsofthesoon-to-be-releasedfeature,andtheyusuallyincludethebestspecialeffectsorthefunniestscenesorthemostromanticmoments,dependingonthefilm,oftheupcomingfeature.
Now,watchthosearoundyouinthetheaterattheendofeachtrailer.Ifithasdoneitsjob,usuallyonepersonwillturntotheotherand“Iwanttoseethatmovie.”Thisisagreatmetaphorforthechurch.Ifwedoourjobwell,peoplewillsay,“Iwanttoseetheworldtheycomefrom.”
I’vementionedafewtimesoverthisseriesthat,eventhoughnoteverybelieverisagiftedevangelist,westillneedtotakeseriouslyourcallingtoalertotherstoGod’sreignandrule.
TrytothinkofGod’srule,theKingdomofHeaven,thecomingNewCreation,asthemainfeature.Asamassive,gloriousblockbusterfilm.Ourlivesshouldbeliketrailers,givingpeopleatasteofthefullthing.
TheologianLesslieNewbiginputitthisway,“[thechurch]existsforthesakeofthosewhoarenotmembers,assign,instrument,andforetasteofGod'sredeeminggraceforthewholelifeofsociety.
Sign,instrumentandforetaste.Whatdotheymean?
• Sign–Thechurchisasign,pointingpeopletoarealitythatisrightaroundthecorner–thekingshipofJesusandhisimmanentreturn.
• Foretaste–Likethemovietrailerthechurchiswherepeoplecangetatasteofthefutureinthepresent.WhenthechurchisaforetastewedemonstrateswhatlifeislikewhenmenandwomenliveundertheruleandreigninthepoweroftheSpirit.
• Instrument–Thechurchisnotjustasignandforetaste,butalsoaninstrument.LikeatoolinthehandsofGodweareusedtohelpshapeGod’spreferredfutureforthisplanet.
So,whatisthereignofGodlike,andhowcanourlivesbelikeasignoraforetaste?Ifyourlifeismeanttoalertpeopletohisreign,whatexactlyareyoupointingthemto?LetmesuggestafewthingsIhaveborrowedfromvariouswritingsbyN.T.Wright.HesaysthereignofGodhastheseessentialelements:
1. ReconciliationisattheHeartofGod’sReign
ReconciliationbetweenGodandhumankindisattheheartofChrist’sworkonthecross.ListentoPaulexplainingthisin2Cor5:18-20:
AllthisisfromGod,whoreconciledustohimselfthroughChristandgaveustheministryofreconciliation:thatGodwasreconcilingtheworldtohimselfinChrist,notcountingpeople’ssinsagainstthem.Andhehascommittedtousthemessageofreconciliation.WearethereforeChrist’sambassadors,asthoughGodweremakinghisappealthroughus.WeimploreyouonChrist’sbehalf:BereconciledtoGod.
Sincereconciliationissocentral,itmakessensethatitshouldbeacoreexpressionofGod’sreignandrule.ReconciliationbetweenGodandhumankind,betweenJewandGentile,slaveandfree,blackandwhiteandAsianandHispanic,etc.etc.PaulpursuestheimplicationsofthisforthechurchinGalatians3:26-29:
SoinChristJesusyouareallchildrenofGodthroughfaith,forallofyouwhowerebaptisedintoChristhaveclothedyourselveswithChrist.ThereisneitherJewnorGentile,neitherslavenorfree,noristheremaleandfemale,foryouarealloneinChristJesus.IfyoubelongtoChrist,thenyouareAbraham’sseed,andheirsaccordingtothepromise.
Wearetobothannouncereconciliation(championit,describe,explain,advocatefor),anddemonstrateit(bereconciledtoothers,brokerreconciliationamongothers).
Youmightdothisinyourworkplace,bymediatingbetweenwarringcolleagues.Oryoumightneedtobereconciledwithafriendorrelativewithwhomyou’vebeenestranged.YoumightsharethegoodnewswithsomeonethatGodreconcilesustohimselfthroughhisson,Jesus.
2. JusticeCharacterizesGod’sReign
TheHebrewwordfor“justice,”mishpat,occursinitsvariousformsmorethan200timesintheOldTestament.Itmeansmorethanjustthepunishmentofwrongdoing.Italsomeansgivingpeopletheirrights.Mishpatisgivingpeoplewhattheyaredue,whetherpunishmentorprotectionorcare.
Overandoveragain,mishpatdescribestakingupthecareandcauseofwidows,orphans,immigrantsandthepoor—thosewhohavebeencalled“thequartetofthevulnerable.”
ItisrelatedtoanotherHebrewwordtzadeqah,whichreferstoalifeofrightrelationships.Tzadeqahreferstoday-to-daylivinginwhichapersonconductsallrelationshipsinfamilyandsocietywithfairness,generosityandequity.
Onewaytolookattherelationshipbetweenthetwowordsisthattzadeqahis“primaryjustice”andmishpatis“rectifyingjustice.”
Inotherwordstzadeqahistheblockbusterfilm,thewaylifewillbelikeintheKingdomofHeaven,whilemishpatisthetrailer.
AndJesuscametobringboth.NearlyeveryChristmaswereadthesewordsinIsaiah9:6-7:
Fortousachildisborn,
tousasonisgiven,
andthegovernmentwillbeonhisshoulders.
Andhewillbecalled
WonderfulCounsellor,MightyGod,
EverlastingFather,PrinceofPeace.
Ofthegreatnessofhisgovernmentandpeace
therewillbenoend.
HewillreignonDavid’sthrone
andoverhiskingdom,
establishingandupholdingit
withjusticeandrighteousness
fromthattimeonandforever.
Hisreignisoneoftzadeqah.Andwearecalledtoperformactsofmishpattorevealhisreigntoothers.
3. BeautyRevealsGod’sReign
It’smyguessthatthetimesandplaceswhereyouoftenfeelclosesttoGodisprobablyonamountaintoporabeachorinthepresenceofnaturalbeauty.Doesn’tabeautifulcathedralorapieceofmusicleverageyoutowardthecreatorofalltruebeauty?
Butmorethannaturalbeauty,Ithinkweshouldcommitourselvestocreatingbeautifulmusic,art,craft,andfood,andinvitingotherstojoinus.TrytofindwaystoalertotherstotheuniversalreignofGodthroughChristbyanobservationofhiscreationandbypersonallyfashioningexpressionsofbeauty.
NTWrightputsitthisway:
“ItiscentraltoChristianlivingthatweshouldcelebratethegoodnessofcreation,ponderitspresentbrokenness,and,insofaraswecan,celebrateinadvancethehealingoftheworld,the
newcreationitself.Art,music,literature,dance,theatre,andmanyotherexpressionsofhumandelightandwisdom,canallbeexploredinnewways.”
4. WholenessDemonstratesGod’sReign
WhenJohntheBaptistheardfromprisonwhatChristwasdoing,hesenthisdisciplestocheckwithhimwhetherhewasreallytheChrist,orshouldheexpectsomeoneelse?
ThiswasJesus’messagetoJohn’sdisciplesinMt11:2-6:
“GobackandreporttoJohnwhatyouhearandsee:theblindreceivesight,thelamewalk,thosewhohaveleprosyarecured,thedeafhear,thedeadareraised,andthegoodnewsispreachedtothepoor.Blessedisthemanwhodoesnotfallawayonaccountofme.”
TheprimarywaysthatJesusrevealedhiskingdomtootherswasthroughhisuseofparablesandmiracles.Themiraclesweretrailers,orforetastes,oftheworldtocome.
InGod’sreigntherewillbenosicknessordisease,nomentalillnessordepression,norbirthdefectsorscars.Wewillberemadewhole.
SoitfollowsthatbringinghealingandwholenessisaprimarywaywealertotherstoGod’sreign.
MichaelFrostdescribesitthisway:
“Ofcourse,manyChristiansarecommittedtobringinghealingtothelivesofothers–doctors,nurses,psychologists,counselors,etc.AndIwanttoencouragetheseasimportantexpressionsofthereignofGod.WhenChristiansprovideemergencyrelieftovictimsofnaturaldisastersweareshowingthemwhatthereignofGodlookslike.Whenwehelptorepairabrokenmarriagewedothesame.WhenaChristianmedicalpractitionertreatsapatientwithdignityandgrace,bringinghealingtotheirbody,wecanclearlyseeitasmirroringtheworkofGod.ButIwanttogofurtherandsaythat,morethanthesepracticalexpressionsofhealing,weshouldalsobeprayingforsupernaturalhealinginpeople’slives.”(p.92-93)
Conclusion
WeChristiansarethe“sentones”andwehavebeensentintoourworlds–ourworkplaces,ourneighborhoods–toalertotherstothereignofGod.It’sourroleasinstrumentsinGod’shandstobringtastesofwholeness,justice,beautyandreconciliation,andtoletothersknowthesewillfullyflowerinthereturnofChrist.
InSurprisetheWorld,MichaelFrostrecommendswejournalallthewaysGodhassentustobeasign,foretasteandinstrumentofthekingdom.
Whenyouthinkaboutit,peoplewearfitnessmonitoringwristbandsthatrecordthenumberofstepstheywalk,theirsleeppatternsandtheircalorieintake.Thisisaformofjournaling.It’sawayofrecordingyourdevelopment.Itdefinesyouinsomemeaningfulwayasapersonconcernedaboutyourphysicalfitness.
KeepingajournalandrecordingallthewaysyouaremirroringGod’sworkintheworldissimilar.Itwillstarttoshapethewayyouthinkaboutyourself.Youwilleventuallycometoself-identifyasamissionary,asentone.
ItisaboutreshapingouridentitiesaroundourfundamentalcallingasthesentonesofGod.Byfosteringthehabitofbrieflyjournalingthevariousways(largeorsmall)thatyoualertedotherstoGod’sreignofreconciliation,justice,beautyandwholeness,youwillfindyourselfincreasinglyidentifyingyourselfasasentone.