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.