Why God Thinks He Why God Thinks He Can Use You… Can Use You… living living in the mission of Godin the mission of God

For we are God's fellow workers… For we are God's fellow workers…

1Co 3:9 1Co 3:9

The Mission of The Mission of God and YouGod and You

Seeing the Big Seeing the Big PicturePicture

Every generation hears Every generation hears according to their own according to their own

understanding…understanding…WorldviewWorldview – what is real – what is realBeliefsBeliefs – what is true – what is trueValuesValues – what is best – what is bestBehaviorBehavior – what is done – what is done

The Mission of GodThe Mission of God That His Kingdom be establishedThat His Kingdom be established

– ……that space where what God wants done that space where what God wants done is doneis done MAR 1:15 "The time has come… The kingdom of God MAR 1:15 "The time has come… The kingdom of God

is near. Repent and believe the good news!"is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

– The Lord’s Prayer The Lord’s Prayer MAT 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on MAT 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on

earth as it is in heaven.earth as it is in heaven.

That the Earth be filled with His GloryThat the Earth be filled with His Glory– A reflection of Himself in character, love A reflection of Himself in character, love

and powerand power Ps 72:19Ps 72:19 Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the

whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. Hab 2:14Hab 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of

the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Living in God’s Mission… Living in God’s Mission…

shifts our spirituality to active involvement shifts our spirituality to active involvement and participation in God's work of bringing and participation in God's work of bringing reconciliation and restoration. reconciliation and restoration.

The love and purpose of God is our The love and purpose of God is our motivation, His desire for shalom. motivation, His desire for shalom.

We become agents of His grace, His love, We become agents of His grace, His love, and the power of His life. Every situation and the power of His life. Every situation is an opportunity to bring redemption, is an opportunity to bring redemption, healing, and wholeness.healing, and wholeness.

The Purpose of GodThe Purpose of God

Man’s Glorious Place in CreationMan’s Glorious Place in Creation– Ps 8:4-5 what is man that you are Ps 8:4-5 what is man that you are

mindful of him, the son of man that you mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.crowned him with glory and honor.

– Isa 42:8 "I am the LORD; that is my Isa 42:8 "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.or my praise to idols.

3-Fold Mission of Jesus and 3-Fold Mission of Jesus and the Churchthe Church

Reveal the Father – Reveal the Father – Joh 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God Joh 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God

the One and Only, who is at the Father's the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.side, has made him known.

Destroy the Works of the Devil – Destroy the Works of the Devil – 1Jo 3:8b The reason the Son of God 1Jo 3:8b The reason the Son of God

appeared was to destroy the devil's work.appeared was to destroy the devil's work. Save the World (Creation)Save the World (Creation)

Joh 3:17 For God did not send his Son into Joh 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.the world through him.

Jesus and the ChurchJesus and the Church JOH 20:21JOH 20:21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the

Father has sent me, I am sending you."Father has sent me, I am sending you."

Among every “Ethnos” Among every “Ethnos” Rev 7:9-12Rev 7:9-12 After this I looked and there before me was a After this I looked and there before me was a

great multitude that no one could count, from every great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.“our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.“

All the angels were standing around the throne and around All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"and ever. Amen!"

The Plan of GodThe Plan of God

To have and use a glorious ChurchTo have and use a glorious Church– Preaching the Kingdom, Luke 10:9Preaching the Kingdom, Luke 10:9– Making Disciples, John 15:8Making Disciples, John 15:8– Worshipping the King with Joy and HonorWorshipping the King with Joy and Honor– Reconciled with God and one anotherReconciled with God and one another– Reconciling others to God, 2 Co 5:18-19Reconciling others to God, 2 Co 5:18-19– Character-Filled ChurchCharacter-Filled Church– Praying Church, 1 Timothy 2:1-2Praying Church, 1 Timothy 2:1-2

The Plan of GodThe Plan of God

To have and use a Glorious Church - To have and use a Glorious Church - cont’dcont’d

– Sending Church, Matthew 28:19-20Sending Church, Matthew 28:19-20 Ephesians 1:22Ephesians 1:22 Ephesians 3:10Ephesians 3:10 Ephesians 3:21Ephesians 3:21 Ephesians 5:27Ephesians 5:27

The Church as “One New Man,” Eph The Church as “One New Man,” Eph 2:152:15

The Process of The Process of God for YouGod for You

How God Puts How God Puts

You in the Big PictureYou in the Big Picture

God gathers to send…God gathers to send…God sends to gather…God sends to gather…

Gathered to send; sent to gather.Gathered to send; sent to gather.– Gathered:Gathered:

EquipEquip– 5 fold ministry5 fold ministry

EncourageEncourage– Every BelieverEvery Believer

Empower Empower – Holy SpiritHoly Spirit– Leadership Leadership

– Sent:Sent: Gather those whom God is gatheringGather those whom God is gathering

– Those whom Jesus gathers… Those whom Jesus gathers… – Person of peace (LUK 10:6)Person of peace (LUK 10:6)

JOH 20:21JOH 20:21 Again Jesus said, Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending Father has sent me, I am sending you."you."

God uses the God uses the “Called Ones”“Called Ones”

even in the process of developingeven in the process of developing

God God CallsCalls

God God Gifts Gifts

accord-accord-ing to ing to

the Callthe Call

God God Anoints Anoints accord-accord-ing to ing to the the

GiftsGifts

God God DisciplinDisciplin

es es accordinaccording to the g to the AnointinAnointin

gg

God God uses uses

for His for His PurposPurpos

ee

God CallsGod Calls

The Call of God is both a The Call of God is both a command and a privilege.command and a privilege.

A command demanding obedienceA command demanding obedience Privilege because we serve the FatherPrivilege because we serve the Father

– Eph 4:1-3 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge Eph 4:1-3 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to you to live a life worthy of the calling you have live a life worthy of the calling you have receivedreceived. Be completely humble and gentle; be . Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.through the bond of peace.

First order “Call”First order “Call”

The call to “being”The call to “being”– Who I amWho I am

God calls us to be and to God calls us to be and to become:become:– True worshippersTrue worshippers– True disciplesTrue disciples

Second order “Call”Second order “Call”

The call of “doing”The call of “doing”– As we “become”, we “do”As we “become”, we “do”

As we become who God As we become who God wants us to be, we begin to wants us to be, we begin to do what God wants us to dodo what God wants us to do

God CallsGod Calls

““Vocation” – Latin… “vocal” Vocation” – Latin… “vocal” vocātiōn-vocātiōn- (s. of (s. of vocātiōvocātiō) a call, summons) a call, summons

Ro 8:28 And we know that in all things God Ro 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who works for the good of those who love him, who have been have been called according to his purpose.called according to his purpose.

1Co 1:9 God, who has 1Co 1:9 God, who has called you into called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christfellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is our Lord, is faithful.faithful.

2Ti 1:9 who has saved us and 2Ti 1:9 who has saved us and called us to a called us to a holy lifeholy life – not because of anything we have – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,before the beginning of time,

God CallsGod Calls

Into an apprenticeship of/with JesusInto an apprenticeship of/with Jesus– Disciple has his imagination inflamed Disciple has his imagination inflamed

with possibilitieswith possibilities– Cooperative friend of JesusCooperative friend of Jesus

Life-long learning how to be like Jesus Life-long learning how to be like Jesus

Destiny – non-transferrable Destiny – non-transferrable assignment from Godassignment from God

God CallsGod Calls

Come hereCome here– Follow Follow

Mt 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If Mt 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.himself and take up his cross and follow me.

– Learn Learn Mt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn Mt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn

from me, for I am gentle and humble in from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

God Gifts God Gifts according to the Callaccording to the Call

Spiritual Gifts are tools, not toys… Spiritual Gifts are tools, not toys… – At least two kinds:At least two kinds:

Residual giftsResidual gifts Occasional gifts Occasional gifts At least 29 different giftsAt least 29 different gifts 3 different listings: ROM 12; EPH 4; 1CO 123 different listings: ROM 12; EPH 4; 1CO 12

Gifts and Calling of God Gifts and Calling of God are without repentance are without repentance

Ro 11:29 for God's gifts and his call are Ro 11:29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.irrevocable.

God Anoints God Anoints according to the Giftsaccording to the Gifts

Anointing occurs when the Spirit Anointing occurs when the Spirit “actualizes” and empowers that “actualizes” and empowers that which He has previously deposited. which He has previously deposited.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power (dunamis) the Holy Spirit and power (dunamis)

– – ACT 10:38ACT 10:38

God Disciplines God Disciplines according to the Anointingaccording to the Anointing

Disciplines & Disciples throughDisciplines & Disciples through– His WordHis Word– The use of men (as disciplers)The use of men (as disciplers)– And circumstances: chastening, And circumstances: chastening,

tribulation, suffering, etc. tribulation, suffering, etc.

Objectives of DisciplineObjectives of Discipline

Development of:Development of:– Spiritual CharacterSpiritual Character

– Spiritual HabitsSpiritual Habits

– Spiritual GiftsSpiritual Gifts

God Uses for His PurposeGod Uses for His Purpose

According to our willingness to be According to our willingness to be disciplineddisciplined

Purpose of God is to fill the earth Purpose of God is to fill the earth with His Glorywith His Glory

A reflection of Himself in A reflection of Himself in character, love and power.character, love and power.

““Set Apart” for the WorkSet Apart” for the Work

To set apart, to separate by a boundaryTo set apart, to separate by a boundary

The setting apart is done by the Holy The setting apart is done by the Holy Spirit, Spirit,

But is recognized by men (ordination)But is recognized by men (ordination)

““The Work”The Work”is that which God has is that which God has commissioned you to commissioned you to

do.do.

Ephesians 2:10 Ephesians 2:10

Vision is the ability Vision is the ability

to see the “Work”to see the “Work”

as God sees it. as God sees it.

Vision is not enough; it must be Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture. It is not combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps; we enough to stare up the steps; we must step up the stairs.must step up the stairs.

Vaclav HavelVaclav Havel

VisionVision

Necessity of “the Work”Necessity of “the Work”

Significance of “the Work” Significance of “the Work”

““Restraint of ‘the Work’”Restraint of ‘the Work’”