1. StructuresSimple Living SupplySacrifices

2. Structures

3. Isaiah 53:10 - 54:3 Yet it was the L ORD ’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the L ORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the L ORD will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied;

4. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

5. ‘Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,’ says the L ORD.

6. ‘Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.

7. The original Bible had no numbers or chapters.

8. Isaiah 54:1 follows Isaiah 53:12 without a break.

9. Prophecy can be read on more than one level: 1Encouragement for Jewish exiles in Babylon 2Death and resurrection of Jesus and growth of the Church

10. Isaiah 53:11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; The resurrection of Jesus

11. Isaiah 53:12...he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. The purpose of the death of Jesus

12. Isaiah 54:1 ‘Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,’ says the L ORD. A spiritual harvest The Church begins Hagar = slavery = old Jerusalem Sarah = freedom = new Jerusalem (Galatians 4:25-27)

13. Isaiah 54:2 ‘Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Structures for the spiritual harvest

14. Isaiah 54:3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. Future worldwide advance of the Church

15. Get the structures right! The future growth and advance of the Church worldwide depends on... us getting the structures right.

16. What are the structures needed for growth? ‘Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.(Isaiah 54:2)

18. What are the structures needed for growth? The metaphor of a tent is not primarily to do with church buildings! Enlarge the place of your tent...

19. What are the structures needed for growth? A tent is... flexible movable impermanent Enlarge the place of your tent...

20. What are the structures needed for growth? Structures are all about people, not buildings. training sending gathering Enlarge the place of your tent...

21. What are the structures needed for growth? Jesus training spending time with disciples sending preaching and healing gathering meeting in synagogues Enlarge the place of your tent...

22. What are the structures needed for growth? Early Church training devoted to apostles’ teaching sending Saul and Barnabas from Antioch gathering synagogues and homes Enlarge the place of your tent...

23. What are the structures needed for growth? training lifelong learning teachable spirit humility Enlarge the place of your tent...

24. What are the structures needed for growth? sending releasing people identifying future leaders trusting younger leaders Enlarge the place of your tent...

25. What are the structures needed for growth? gathering for a purpose leaving a legacy transformed lives Enlarge the place of your tent...

26. Spot the mistake: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore always remember these good times and enjoy yourself as there will be no more pain because I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX

27. Remember these good times Don’t dwell on past glories Enjoy yourself Leave behind childish ways There will be no more pain Persevere through pain XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

28. Spot the mistake again: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them everything I have commanded you.

29. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

30. What did Jesus command his disciples to do? Love each other. (John 15:12) Heal the sick and tell people that the Kingdom of God is near. (Luke 10:9) Go and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19)

31. What are the structures needed for growth? Accountable relationships Developing leaders Welcoming attitudes – all nations Enlarge the place of your tent...

32. Structures The most important part of building for the future is... not the physical building... but preparing people to disciple new believers.