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Perspectives Lesson 15Dr. David Sills
www.reachingandteaching.org
“Living decisively for God’s purpose is not a rare or extravagant calling.”
Key Questions:• What is a World Christian?• What is the role of partnership
in missions?• How can someone know God’s will?• How can believers grow as World
Christians?
Back to the Basics- Review of the Core
• People Groups
• Exclusivity of the Gospel
• Worldview issues- They are not a blank slate
• Quadruple Helix:– Theological Reflection– Cultural Analysis– Historical Perspective– Strategy Formation
The Power of Partnership
• The value of partnerships– Effectiveness and efficiency
• The dynamic of partnership– More comprehensive impact
• The shape of partnership– Complimentary
perspectives
• Examples of partnership
Partnership & Needed Consensus• Theological Triage (R. Albert Mohler)
– Doctrinal Accountability/Commonality
– First Order Items• Most fundamental truths of the Christian
faith. To deny them is to ultimately deny Christianity
• Includes:– Deity of Jesus– The Trinity– Justification by faith– Authority of Scripture
Partnership & Needed Consensus• Theological Triage
–Second Order Items• Believing Christians may disagree, but
could not organize or partner together without difficulty
• Includes:
– Mode of Baptism
– Role of women in the church
– Church governing structure
Partnership & Needed Consensus• Theological Triage
– Third Order Items• Believing Christians may disagree and still partner
and fellowship together
• Includes:
– Eschatology
– Style of worship music
• Ministry partnership must be careful and deliberate
Lessons of Partnership• Keep listening and learning
• Share ownership• Evaluate comparisons of cost-effectiveness• Enter with humility and wisdom• Wise churches recognize what
they cannot do
Tentmakers• What are tentmakers?
– Tentmakers use trades or professionals to support themselves
– Tentmakers do cross-cultural work
– Tentmakers do full-time ministry
– Tentmakers do workplace evangelism
– Tentmakers accomplish specific ministries
– Tentmakers are not second-rate witnesses
– Tentmakers are not lone rangers
Defining a World Christian:
• Take a stand with personal responsibility
– Pagan footsteps
• Integrating priority
– Day-to-day disciples for the global cause
• Location is secondary
– Serve wherever they are
Becoming & Growing as a World Christian• Step One: Catch a World Vision
– The influence of this class– Missionary biographies– The Bible
• Step Two: Keep a world vision– Stay in the Word– Pray for missionaries– Guard your heart
• Step Three: Obey a world vision– Obedience to act will lead to a deeper sense of conviction
Wartime Lifestyle• “It is more helpful to think of a wartime lifestyle than a
merely simple lifestyle. Simplicity may have a romantic ring or a certain aesthetic appeal that is foreign to the dirty business of mercy in the dangerous places of the world. Simplicity may also overlook the fact that, in wartime, major expenses for complex weapons and troop training are needed. These may not look simple, and may be very expensive, but the whole country sacrifices to make them happen. Simplicity may be inwardly directed and may benefit no one else. A wartime lifestyle implies that there is a great cause for which to spend and be spent (2 Corinthians 12:15).” – John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life
Serving as Senders• The role of senders
– Specific sending supports missionaries
– General sending advances the larger global cause
• The work of mobilization– Talk about missions
– Investigate that calling in the lives of others
• Core Activities – Serving missionaries
– Giving to missions
– Praying
Join the World Christian Movement:• Become a student of the Mission Industry:
– Mission Agencies
– Training Institutions
– Associations & Societies
– Local Churches- Starts Here!
• Mobilize!– Your church
– Your SS class
– Those you influence
Join the World Christian Movement:• Knowing God’s Will
– A Google search for “knowing the will of God” returns 6,400,000 sites.
– What do we want to know?• Who should we marry?
• Where should we go to school?
• Where should we live?
• What car to buy?
• What shirt to wear?
Knowing God’s Will• How does God guide His people?
– Different types of “call” in the Bible• Call to salvation
• Call to serve the Lord
• Call to specific service
– Guidance vs. Call• The call comes first
• Guidance follows as the expression of the call
Knowing God’s Will• Is there a will of God that is specific for each
person?– Is God’s will a tiny dot on a huge football field?– If there is a specific will, how far does it extend?
• Who to marry, where to live
• What clothes to buy
• What to wear to work on Monday?
• The Mind of God
– God’s will is not a tightrope, it is the wide-open field
How can you know God’s will?1. Know God. (Proverbs 1:7, James 1:5)
2. Know God’s Word. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
3. Prayer
4. Seek Counsel (Proverbs 11:14, 24:6)
5. Examine Life Experiences
6. Consider Your Circumstances
7. Consider God’s Timing (Ecc. 3:1-11)
8. Identify the Desires of Your Heart (Psalm 37:4 with Proverbs 4:23 and Jeremiah17:9)
• Reaching the World Now1. Continue to build your relationship with the Lord
2. Explore local missions opportunities
3. Learn a language
4. Get involved with internationals where you are
5. Teach ESL
6. Volunteer-or start- the missions program in your local church
What is it that’s not being done, that if it were done would result in greater glory to God and the advance of Christ’s
Kingdom?
What’s your role?What’s your role?
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
that your way may be known on earth,your saving power among all nations.Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. SelahLet the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!” -Psalm 67:1-5
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