Syrian RefugeesThe Syrian Civil War (Arabic:

السورية األهلية is an (الحربongoing armed conflict taking place in Syria. The unrest began in the early spring of 2011 within the context of Arab Spring protests, with nationwide protests against President Bashar al-Assad's government, whose forces responded with violent crackdowns. The conflict gradually morphed from prominent protests to an armed rebellion after months of military sieges.

IAlmost 4 million people have fled Syria since the start of the conflict, most of them women and children. It is one of the largest refugee exoduses in recent history. Neighbouring countries have borne the brunt of the refugee crisis, with Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey struggling to accommodate the flood of new arrivals. The exodus accelerated dramatically in 2013, as conditions in Syria deteriorated.

ISIS controls 50% of Syria

Missiological Basis of the Biblewww.jgregoryjones.com Worldview: Global Missions - Since AD 30

The Call of Abraham

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

The History & Law Genesis 12:1-3

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Call the people back to God 1. It shall come to pass in the latter days    that the mountain of the house of the LORDshall be established as the highest of the mountains,    and it shall be lifted up above the hills;and peoples shall flow to it,

2     and many nations shall come, and say:“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,    to the house of the God of Jacob,that he may teach us his ways    and that we may walk in his paths.”For out of Zion shall go forth the law,    and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

The Prophets Micah 4:1-2

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Books of Prayer, Praise and Wisdom

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember    and turn to the LORD,and all the families of the nations    shall worship before you.28 For kingship belongs to the LORD,    and he rules over the nations.

The Writings ( not Law or Prophets) Psalm 22:27-28

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God’s Redemptive Plan

God chose for this plan to move through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the nation of Israel, but he did so for the sake of the nations.

God’s Theme – Come and see the works of the Lord.

The O.T. vision of the Messiah was that of a savior of all of the nations.

Old Testament Summary

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400 years of silence

400 years from the death of the last prophet to the birth of John the Baptist.

God’s nation was scattered (Disapora) during this time. He preserved them through the centuries.

This is also known as the Second Temple Period – Judaism centered around the temple rebuilt by Nehemiah during the height of the Babylon empire.

Matthew 23:15 – proselytize

The Intertestamental Period

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Arrival of Jesus

The Gospel of Matthew – Jewish feel – genealogy – and extensive O.T. quotations.

The Gospel of Mark - Eschatological promise ( Ends Times) Calling of people ( Follow Me)

The Gospel of Luke - Connected as savior for the nations. This includes salvation for the Gentiles.

The Gospel of John - The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Nicodemus – Samaritan Woman ( John 20:21- 23)

The story of the Gospels – Life – Death and Resurrection of Christ is the turning point for the ages.

The Gospels - A Global Perspective

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The Amazing Race

The book of Acts is the story of the expansion of the church.

Ch 1 – Great Commission

Ch 2 – Pentecost

Ch 8 - Non Jewish converts

Ch 9 - Conversion of Saul

Ch 11 – Antioch founded

Ch 13 – Paul’s first missionary journey

When Acts begins the church was able to fit into one room. When the book of Acts concludes the reach of the church expanded to Rome ( the world capital).

ACTS - A Global Perspective

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Ancient Rome: World Capital

The Letters

Paul was a missionary, and the letters of Paul were part of his missionary strategy. Paul seldom stayed long in a city because of opposition and persecution.

When people came to faith, he established churches and appointed elders. When he left, he did not abandon those churches. He stayed in touch via letters.

His letters demonstrate the need new believers have for on going discipleship.

Letters contained in the N.T. not written by Paul: Hebrews, James 1& 2 Peter, John & Revelations

The Epistles

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The foretelling of the end.

The Bible closes with a dramatic picture of how the history of the world will end. This is consistent with the worldview of the entire Biblical revelation. History is not aimless. It has a beginning (creation) – a purpose ( the display of God’s glory in judgment and redemption) – and it has a destination – the restoration of all things in the new heavens and new earth.

The point and plotline of this present time between the first and second comings of Jesus is the advancement of the gospel to every people group and nation,

Revelation

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