God’s Mission Session VII

The Resurrection Imagine the scene in your mind as if you were hearing this account for the first time. What parts of the story draw your attention today? Matthew 27:57-28:15

Can I get a witness? If you were to be called as a witness in a court of law to give testimony on the actual occurrence of the resurrection, what evidence would you share? Let’s list some evidence for the resurrection.

Evidence 1.The disciples were transformed and bold to the point of dying for what they believe. 2.Eye witness accounts. 3.Women were the first witnesses. 4.Disciples were too authentic to be fictional. 5. There is no body – the tomb was empty. 6. Stone was rolled away. 7. Soldiers would suffer death.

Evidence 8. The good news spread and the ‘church’ grew and still survives. 9. Prophecy was fulfilled. 10. Despite the scrutiny of the resurrection story by scholars, no coherent scenario can explain all the evidence as well as the biblical account. 11. Jesus was worshipped as Lord, not venerated as only a good teacher. 12. Burial preparation – but cloth remained.

TheMission The Mission “But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ ” Matthew 28:16-20

Doctrine 9 “We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.”

“Once saved, always saved” Augustine John Calvin ‘predestination’ Arminianism ‘free will’

Activity How can we guard against the danger of falling away from our faith? Hebrews 2:1-3, 6:4-6, 10:19-39, Romans 11: What are the safeguards against backsliding that these passages teach? John 15:16, 1 Corinthians 10:6-13, Revelation 2:4-5.

The Church ‘ekklesia’ ‘ek’ – out ‘clesis’ – calling “Called Out” It is a fellowship, not of saints, but a fellowship of sinful saints, sinners who have been saved and their sins forgiven. “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10.

Sinners saved by grace ‘One doesn’t try to become a saint; one doesn’t try to become a ray of light. One simply tries, from the twilight in which we are, to enter into God’s light in adoration in worship, in prayer, in obedience. And it just happens, because anyone who would sethis mind towards becoming a saint would end in nothing but pride and silliness. Humility is part of it, and humility means being capable of listening to God, and doing and being what he expects us to be, without asking more. What happens next is God’s.” Metropolitan Anthony

Sanctification “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Images of the Church People of God Ch UR ch Body of Christ “Corpus Christi” Practical aspect / ethical behavior Romans 12:5 “We, who are many, are one body in Christ”

Service Motivation “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Service Motivation Duty vs. Gratitude

Where is the church?

A New Expression Take time in small groups to discuss what ‘new religion’ or (actually) old expression of Christianity is required, and how we can participate in God’s mission in this manner.