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- Baptist General Conference of Texas
- Evangelism and Missions Conference
- Dallas, TX
- January 28-29, 2005
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- SALVATION=LIFE NOW IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD:
- THE NEW TESTAMENT WITNESS
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3
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- THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS GOD’S REIGN—WHAT GOD IS DOING.
- IT IS WHERE WHAT GOD WANTS DONE IS DONE.
- IT IS “THE RANGE OF GOD’S EFFECTIVE WILL.”
- THE MEANING OF “SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
(Matt. 6:23)
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4
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- THE “KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS” OR KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT HEAVEN AS
AFTERLIFE WITH GOD. THAT’S
INCLUDED, OF COURSE.
- THE WORDING “KINGDOM OF THE
HEAVENS” REFLECTS THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE OF THE ACTIONS OF GOD IN HIS
REIGN ON EARTH: WHERE HIS ACTIONS ARE MANIFEST.
- ABRAHAM, DAVID, EZEKIEL, JESUS, PENTECOST, STEPHEN, PAUL.
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5
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- JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACHED IT, BUT DIDN’T UNDER STAND IT. (Matt. 3:2,
11:3)
- JESUS PREACHED IT, BUT FEW UNDERSTOOD IT. NOR WANTED TO! (Matt. 4:17,
9:35, 23:13, etc. etc.)
- THE DISCIPLES PREACHED IT—TO THE END OF THE AGE. (Matt. 10:7, 24:14)
- TRANSITION FROM JOHN, AND BEYOND. (Matt. 11:11-2, Luke 16:16, Matt.
21:43)
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6
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- THE POPULAR MYTH: THE KINGDOM WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE (CONSERVATIVE), OR
(LIBERAL) THE KINGDOM NEVER CAME.
- BUT THE MESSAGE DID NOT CHANGE.
IT ONLY DEEPENED, AS THE CHURCH CAME TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHO
JESUS REALLY WAS AND IS. THE
COSMIC CHRIST, THE KING OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH. (Col. 1:13-20, Heb.
1:1-4, Rev. 1:5-7)
- AND AS IT WENT WORLD-WIDE. (Acts 1:8)
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- Acts. 1:3
- Acts 8:12
- Acts 17:6-7
- Acts 19:8
- Acts 20:21 & 25
- Acts 28:23 & 31
- Col. 1:13 and Rom. 14:17
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- ENTER INTO A WHOLE-LIFE,
INTERACTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. (John 17:3, II Peter 3:18).
- THIS, NOT AN END-TIME CONTRACT UNRELATED TO DISCIPLESHIP AND CHARACTER,
IS THE GIFT OF GRACE.
- SALVATION IS BEING DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE LIFE JESUS IS NOW LIVING ON
EARTH. (Col. 3:1-4)
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- SALVATION IS NOT ABOUT SIN, IT IS ABOUT RESTORED SPIRITUAL LIFE FOR
THOSE DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS. (Eph. 2:1-6)
- SIN MUST BE DEALT WITH AND SET ASIDE FOR THE SAKE OF, AND AS PART OF,
LIFE IN THE KINGDOM.
- BUT IF WE HAD NEVER SINNED WE WOULD STILL NEED GOD.
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10
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- “AND LET THEM RULE…” (Gen. 1:26)
- “THOU DOST MAKE HIM TO RULE OVER THE WORKS OF THY HANDS.” (Ps. 8:6)
- “WE DO NOT YET SEE ALL THINGS SUBJECTED TO HIM…BUT WE SEE JESUS.” (Heb.
2:8-9)
- “THEY SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER…” (Rev. 22:5)
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11
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- DISCIPLESHIP EVANGELISM—THE OFFER OF NEW LIFE NOW IN THE “KINGDOM OF THE
HEAVENS”
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- REPENTING (BEING TURNED) AND BECOMING LIKE CHILDREN. (Matt. 18:3-4)
- HAVING A RIGHTEOUSNESS BEYOND THAT OF SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. (Matt.
5:20)
- BEING BORN FROM ABOVE. (John 3:3,5)
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- THE FORM GRACE ALWAYS TAKES IS GOD ACTING IN MY LIFE TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT
I CANNOT ACCOMPLISH ON MY OWN.
- GRACE IS NOT OPPOSED TO EFFORT, BUT TO EARNING.
- WE MUST ACT IN GRACE, BUT BOASTING (SELF-EXULTATION) IS OBLITERATED.
(Rom. 3: 27-28,I Cor. 1:29)
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- FAITH IN JESUS IS CONFIDENCE IN
HIM: THAT IS, WE RELY ON HIM, TRUST HIM. THIS ITSELF IS A GIFT: “PREVENIENT
GRACE.”
- AS WE LEAN ON, DEPEND UPON HIM, HE AND THE TRINITARIAN KINGDOM ACT IN
OUR LIFE TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT WE CANNOT DO ON OUR OWN
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15
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- “GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST”
(II Peter 3:18) IS “THE BUSINESS AS USUAL” FOR THE DISCIPLE/APPRENTICE
OF JESUS.
- LIKEWISE FOR PAUL’S “PUTTING OFF THE OLD PERSON” AND “PUTTING ON THE
NEW.”(Col. 3:9-10, Eph. 4:22-24)
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16
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- AS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS I AM LEARNING TO LEAD MY LIFE IN THE KINGDOM OF
THE HEAVENS AS HE WOULD LEAD MY LIFE IF HE WERE I. MY WHOLE LIFE!
- THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD TO ME (Luke 14:25-35)
- SO I AM ARRANGING AND RE-ARRANGING
MY WHOLE LIFE AROUND IT. JESUS
IS TEACHING ME HOW TO DO THAT.
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- HOW TO DO THE THINGS HE TAUGHT, THE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS. BECOMING THAT KIND OF PERSON.
- HOW TO LIVE IN THE KINGDOM IN THE AFFAIRS OF DAILY LIFE. “THE LORD IS AT HAND.” (Phil. 4:5,
Col. 3:17)
- HOW TO ACT IN THE POWER OF GOD. (Eph. 3:20, Heb. 11:21, Col. 1:11)
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- FREEDOM FROM RELIGIOUS AND OTHER BONDAGES TO SIN. (John 8:30-34)
- AN UNMISTAKABLE QUALITY OF LOVE.
(John 13:35)
- MUCH FRUIT FOR GOODNESS. (John 15:8)
- NEVER EXPERIENCE DEATH. (John 8:51-52, I John 2:17)
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- THE QUESTION FOR THOSE OF US WHO PROFESS JESUS AS LORD IN THIS DAY IS:
- AM I IN FACT A DISCIPLE, SOMETHING SHORT OF THAT?
- IF NOT, WHAT PREVENTS ME?
- IS THE EVANGELISM OF MY GROUP DISCIPLESHP EVANGELISM, OR SOMETHING SHORT
OF THAT.
- “GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES…”
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20
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- EVANGELIZING TO MAKE DISCIPLES INSTEAD OF CONSUMER CHRISTIANS:
CAN WE DO LESS?
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21
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- YOU CAN BE A CHRISTIAN ALL YOUR LIFE AND NEVER BECOME A DISCIPLE: A
CONSTANT LEARNER UNDER JESUS.
- THE EFFECT IS THAT, FOR THE MASSES OF PROFESSING CHRISTIANS, THERE IS
LITTLE DISCERNIBLE DIFFERENCE FROM NON-CHRISTIANS.
- WITH THE EFFECT THAT FOR MOST AMERICANS AND WESTERNERS, CHRISTIANITY IS
JUST ONE TRADITION AMONG OTHERS.
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- THIS GENERAL CONDITION OF THE “VISIBLE” CHURCH TODAY IS THE DIRECT
RESULT OF WHAT IS PREACHED, OR AT LEAST HEARD, AS THE CENTRAL MESSAGE ABOUT
JESUS CHRIST. WHAT PEOPLE
CONSTANTLY HEAR THEY ACCEPT AND BASE THEIR LIFE ON IT.
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- THE GOSPEL OF FORGIVENESS OF SINS—ONLY.
THE CONSERVATIVE GOSPEL
- THE ‘GOSPEL’ OF LIBERATION—THE GOSPEL OF THE LEFT.
- THE GOSPEL OF THE CHURCH—YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHURCH AND IT WILL TAKE
CARE OF YOU.
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- EACH FAILS TO ROUTINELY AND NATURALLY LEAD INTO A LIFE COURSE OF PURPOSEFUL,
BIBLICALLY THOUGHT-OUT TRAINING IN CHRISTLIKENESS
- IN WHICH THERE IS STEADY GROWTH IN THE CHARACTER AND POWER OF CHRIST, AS
SET FORTH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
(Matt. 5-7, or I Cor. 13, ETC. FOR EXAMPLE.)
- THIS IS NOT EXPECTED OR INTENDED.
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- “ I HAVE BEEN GIVEN SAY OVER ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. THEREFORE, AS YOU GO, MAKE DISCIPLES,
SURROUND THEM IN THE TRINITARIAN REALITY, AND TEACH THEM TO DO
EVERYTHING I SAID. LOOK, I AM
WITH YOU EVERY MOMENT, UNTIL THE JOB IS DONE.” (Matt 28:18-20, Cp.
24:14)
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- LIFE IN THE KINGDOM NOW THROUGH RELIANCE ON JESUS THE ANOINTED ONE.
- “REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND.” (Matt. 4:17) WHAT IT MEANS.
- NOT JUST TAKING CARE OF SIN, BUT RECEIVING NEW LIFE “FROM ABOVE.”
”ETERNAL LIFE.” WHAT ETERNAL LIFE
IS. (John 17:3) INTERACTIVE
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
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- WHAT IS REAL? (WHAT MUST I DEAL WITH?
WHAT CAN I COUNT ON?)
- WHO IS REALLY WELL OFF?
BLESSED? HAS WELL-BEING,
THE “GOOD LIFE”?
- WHO IS A REALLY GOOD PERSON?
DESERVING OF UNQUALIFIED PRAISE AND SUPPORT?
- HOW CAN ONE BECOME A REALLY GOOD PERSON? CAN ONE?
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- REALITY IS GOD AND ALL THAT COMES FROM HIS HAND. GOD AND HIS REIGN.
- ANYONE LIVING NOW IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WELL-OFF, HAS THE GOOD
LIFE. REGARDLESS OF WHAT ELSE.
- A REALLY GOOD PERSON IS ONE PERMEATED WITH AND AT PEACE IN AGAPE LOVE.
- ONLY BY RELIANCE ON JESUS AND BEING HIS DISCIPLE CAN ONE BECOME A REALLY
GOOD PERSON.
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- THE THEISTIC STORY: EVERYTHING DERIVES FROM A PERSONAL GOD WHO IS
ULTIMATE.
- THE “NIRVANA STORY”: EVERYTHING DERIVES FROM A REALITY THAT IS
UNDIFFERENTIATED – THE REALM OF “NO THING.”
- THE MATERIALIST STORY: THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE ITSELF IS THE ONLY ULTIMATE
REALITY. WHAT NATURALISM MEANS IN
OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
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- “LIGHTS IN A DARKENED WORLD.” (Phil. 2:14-15)
- THE NATURAL RESULT OF DISCIPLESHIP/ APPRENTICESHIP TO JESUS.
- THE “NATURAL” RESULT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE AVAILABILITY OF LIFE IN THE
KINGDOM OF GOD NOW, THROUGH TRUSTING JESUS.
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- WORLD EVANGELISM TODAY MUST SIMPLY DO THE GREAT COMMISSION.
- BEGINNING FROM OUR LOCAL CONGREGATIONS OF DISCIPLES, “TRAINING FOR
REIGNING.”
- THE CHURCH’S BASIC NEED IS NEVER MORE MONEY, EDUCATION, OR INFLUENCE,
BUT MORE OF CHRIST IN OUR CHARACTER.
THERE IS NO ARGUMENT AGAINST THAT CHARACTER.
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- WHAT IS OUR VISION OF SALVATION?
- HOW ACCORDING TO OUR GOSPEL IS THAT VISION TO BE REALIZED? WHAT DOES “SAVING FAITH” MEAN ON OUR
GOSPEL.
- DOES OUR VISION FOUND THE INTENTION TO BE AND MAKE DISCIPLES AND LEARN
AND TEACH TO DO EVERYTHING JESUS SAID?
THAT IS THE ISSUE BEFORE US AND BEFORE THE WORLD.
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- DISCIPLESHIP AND FORMATION IN THE CHARACTER AND POWER OF CHRIST IS
FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH
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- CHRIST BUILDS HIS CHURCH ON THE KINGDOM ROCK IN LOCAL UNITS. (Matt.
16:18)
- FOR ONLY THAT FORM OF ASSOCIATION IS SUITED TO RECEIVE HIS POWER AND
DEVELOP HIS CHARACTER.
- HE GIVES TO IT THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM, ACCESS FOR ITS NEEDS. (16:19)
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35
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- WHAT “WALKING WORTHILY” OF THE CALLING LOOKS LIKE. (Vss. 1-6)
- GRACE IS GIVEN TO EACH MEMBER TO BRING THIS ABOUT. (Vss. 7-11)
- SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF GRACE/GIFT TO EQUIP THE SAINTS TO SERVE.
- AND BUILD UP THE BODY TO FULL CHRISTLIKENESS. (Vss. 11-15)
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- NOT THE NECESSARY RESOURCES.
- BUT THE VISION AND GOSPEL OF WHAT GOD MEANS FOR US—LIFE IN THE KINGDOM
NOW.
- AND THE INTENTION TO REALIZE THAT VISION.
- WITH APPROPRIATE MEANS USED TO REALIZE THE VISION INTENDED.
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- VISION OF THE LIFE GIVEN TO US IN CHRIST.
- INTENTION TO LIVE IN THE REALITY OF THAT VISION.
- MEANS ADOPTED THAT WILL, BY INCREASE OF GRACE, CARRY THE INTENTION
THROUGH.
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- WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO LOOK
CLOSELY AT WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY DOING, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS
CONGREGATIONS.
- “METANOEITE” (Matt. 4:17)—THINK ABOUT YOUR THINKING.
- WHAT ARE WE THINKING THAT LEADS US TO DO WHAT WE DO?
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- MAKE THE “GREAT COMMISSION” THE LOCAL CHURCH’S “MISSION STATEMENT.”
- PREACH A GOSPEL THAT LEADS TO DISCIPLESHIP.
- LEAD TO DECISIONS TO BE DISCIPLES.
EXPLICITLY.
- FOCUS ACTIVITIES ON SUCCESSFUL GROWTH OF DISCIPLES.
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40
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- RECOGNIZE THAT “CHURCH AS USUAL” IS NOT ADEQUATE TO THE NEEDS OF MAKING
AND GROWING DISCIPLES INTO CHRISTLIKENESS.
- LEAD THE PEOPLE INTO SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR LIVING FROM THE KINGDOM.
- ORGANIZE ACTIVITIES AROUND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES.
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- ACTIVITIES IN MY POWER THAT ENABLE ME TO DO WHAT I CANNOT DO BY DIRECT
EFFORT.
- ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SOLITUDE, SILENCE, FASTING, SACRIFICIAL GIVING,
MEMORIZATION OF PASSAGES FROM SCRIPTURE, WORSHIP IN LIFE AND IN CHURCH,
ETC.
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- ANNOUNCE TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY THAT WE TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO DO
EVERYTHING JESUS SAID.
- THAT IS, TO BECOME INWARDLY THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO WOULD EASILY AND
ROUTINELY DO WHAT HE TAUGHT.
- ILLUSTRATE: TO BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU, STEP OUT OF CULTIVATED HATING
AND LUSTING, LET “YES” BE A “YES” ETC.
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43
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- CAN I “REJOICE ALWAYS; PRAY WITHOUT CEASING; IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS;
FOR THIS IS GOD’S WILL FOR ME IN CHRIST JESUS”? ( I THESS 5:16-18) ETC.
ETC.? IS THIS MY NATURAL BEARING,
UPHELD BY INSTREAMING GRACE? NO
ACTING IN ANGER, CULTIVATING OF LUST AND COVETUOUSNESS?
- THIS AND OTHER PASSAGES (EPH 4-5, COL. 3, I COR. 13) ARE NOT LAWS, BUT
PATTERNS OF LIFE.
- NOT PERFECTION BUT OBEDIENCE FROM THE HEART.
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- WHAT WE SEE THERE IS ALL TRUE, IT WORKS, IT IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO
WILL DECIDE TO FOLLOW JESUS, OR SEEK THE KINGDOM, AS THE MAIN THING IN
THEIR LIFE. AND NOTHING ON EARTH
COMPARES TO IT.
- IT IS NOT PERFECTION, BUT NATURALLY DEVELOPING LIFE FROM ABOVE, “THE
WELL OF WATER SPRINGING UP TO ETERNAL LIFE.” (John 4:14)
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Notes