Biblical Reflection Biblical Reflection “Churches That Transform”“Churches That Transform”

Bob MoffittBob MoffittHarvest Harvest

Foundation Foundation Disciple Nations Disciple Nations

Alliance Alliance

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Story from BrazilStory from Brazil

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Our Target…Our Target…

God’s GloryGod’s GloryQ. What is the Q. What is the chief end of manchief end of man? ?

A. A. Man's chief endMan's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. him for ever.

It’s relationships to the Great CommissionIt’s relationships to the Great Commission

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The Cosmic SettingThe Cosmic Setting““The heavens declare the glory of God;The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.the skies proclaim the work of his hands.Day after day they pour forth speech;Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.night after night they display knowledge.There is no speech or languageThere is no speech or languagewhere their voice is not heard.where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,Their voice goes out into all the earth,their words to the ends of the world.”their words to the ends of the world.”

Psalms 19:1-4Psalms 19:1-4

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The Cosmic SettingThe Cosmic Setting

CreationCreation

Infinite sizeInfinite size SunsetsSunsets

Molecular complexity Molecular complexity

God’s Character in Words

Supreme Worthy HonorableBeautiful Majestic GuilelessLoving Pure HolyMerciful Just PatientPowerful Protective Glorious .

Voluntary Self sacrificial Splendor

God’s Glory

Awesome and Fearful

But

Winsome and Enfolding

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God’s Glory - His Central ConcernGod’s Glory - His Central Concern

God wants his people to reflect his GloryGod wants his people to reflect his Glory

A priest to observing nations – A priest to observing nations – Deut 4:5-8 Deut 4:5-8

A light so observers praise our Father - A light so observers praise our Father - Mt 5:16 Mt 5:16

Chosen for his glory (three times) - Chosen for his glory (three times) - Eph 1:1-14 Eph 1:1-14

Do everything for glory of God - Do everything for glory of God - 1 Corn 10:31 1 Corn 10:31

Live so that observers glorify God - Live so that observers glorify God - 1 Pet 2:12 1 Pet 2:12

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God – our Glory, We His GloryGod – our Glory, We His Glory

God is our glory, God is our glory, our everlasting lightour everlasting light

Isa 60:19bIsa 60:19b

We are God’s glory, We are God’s glory, a crown of splendor, a crown of splendor,

a royal diadema royal diademIsa 62:3Isa 62:3

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God’s Glory is ReciprocalGod’s Glory is Reciprocal

In the TrinityIn the Trinity

God glorifies the Son - Col 1:19; Jon 17:5

The Son glorifies the Father - The Son glorifies the Father - Jon 17:4Jon 17:4

The Spirit glorifies the Son - The Spirit glorifies the Son - Jon 16:14Jon 16:14

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God’s Glory is ReciprocalGod’s Glory is Reciprocal

We participate in this reciprocityWe participate in this reciprocity

Crown of creation - Crown of creation - Gen 1:31Gen 1:31God is our glory - God is our glory - Isa 60:19bIsa 60:19bWe are God’s glory - We are God’s glory - Isa 62:3Isa 62:3We glorify the Son - We glorify the Son - Jon 17:10Jon 17:10

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Loss of BirthrightLoss of Birthright

Creation to displayCreation to display - - Genesis 1:1-24Genesis 1:1-24

Image bearers to reflect and Image bearers to reflect and participate participate Genesis 1:31Genesis 1:31

Loss of birthrightLoss of birthright - - Genesis 3:1 - 6:7Genesis 3:1 - 6:7

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Restoration through Sacrificial Restoration through Sacrificial LoveLove

ReconciliationReconciliation of allof all - - Col 1:15-20Col 1:15-20

Grace - power to will and actGrace - power to will and act - - Phil 2:13Phil 2:13

Reflect increasing gloryReflect increasing glory - - 2 Corn 3:182 Corn 3:18

Bear much fruit to God’s gloryBear much fruit to God’s glory - - Jon Jon 15:815:8

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What is God’s Glory?What is God’s Glory?

Loving, sacrificial relationship Loving, sacrificial relationship on behalf of the otheron behalf of the other

in:in:

The TrinityThe TrinityThe CreationThe CreationO.T. - IsraelO.T. - IsraelThe CrossThe CrossEternityEternity

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The Great CommissionThe Great CommissionMark 16:15, Matthew 28:19Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19

Proclamation - Proclamation - Go and preach the Go and preach the GospelGospel

Church Planting - Church Planting - Baptizing Baptizing

Scripture knowledge - Scripture knowledge - TeachingTeaching everythingeverything

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The Great OmissionThe Great Omission

Discipling - Discipling - Teaching to obeyTeaching to obey

(application)(application)

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The Great Omission’s The Great Omission’s ConsequenceConsequence

1. 1. LotsLots of of conversionsconversions

2. 2. ManyMany churches plantedchurches planted

butbut3. 3. LittleLittle transformationtransformation

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Reinstating the OmittedReinstating the Omitted2 Chronicles 7:142 Chronicles 7:14

Two Conditions:Two Conditions: 1. Humility 1. Humility

2. Repentance/obedience2. Repentance/obedience

Two Promises:Two Promises: 1. Forgiveness1. Forgiveness

2. Healing2. Healing

The Great Commission and The Great Commission and TransformationTransformation

1. 1. Evangelism and church plantingEvangelism and church planting - stringing the bow, positioning the arrow- stringing the bow, positioning the arrow

2. 2. Teaching what Jesus taughtTeaching what Jesus taught - aiming, pulling arrow against the string- aiming, pulling arrow against the string

3. 3. Discipling to obey in the power of the HSDiscipling to obey in the power of the HS - - releasing the arrow releasing the arrow

4. 4. Hitting the targetHitting the target - - bringing God glory and being his glory bringing God glory and being his glory

What Does God’s Glory Look Like in Us?

Passion for Restoration of the Broken – Mark…. Voluntarily Suffering for Others – Phil 2:8 Love for One Another – Acts 4:32 Generosity toward “Neighbors” – II Corn 8:1-13 Hospitality – Rom 12:13, Titus 1:8, I Pet 4:9 Transformed Communities – Isa 58:10-12 Works of Service – Eph 4:12

The End Task is not

Winning People to Christ

Planting Churches

Teaching people about what Jesus taught

End

The End Task is

Equipping God’s people for God’s gloryby

Equipping God’s people to be God’s glory

How?

By teaching to do all that he commanded

End

Question

Do we see God’s glory (sacrificial love/service)

in the work of:

our denomination, our parachurch ministry,

our local church, our personal life?

Suggestion

If not,

Examine our target

Our FatherForgive us for our unfaithfulness to Your full

intentions. Help us to not only proclaim the Gospel, plant churches, and teach Your

commands. But, help us to teach those you bring under our care to do Your will.

Grant that we may increasingly make Your glory our goal. And, in the process,

increasingly be Your glory. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who

taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom

come, your will be done…” Amen.

Weakness of Current Equipping

Personal Piety Knowledge of Scripture

Training in Evangelism/Church Planting

Without equipping for obedience

Principle 1

Reliance on Enabling Grace

John 15:7-8Abide in me and obey my

commands

Principle 2

Integrity and Modeling

Matthew 5:19Whoever practices and teaches…

(practice before teaching)

Principle 3

Ongoing Teaching(Including Repentance as needed)

Hebrews 5:14Milk to solid food by constant use

Acts 20:35A constant example

Principle 4

Application

I John 3:18-19Show love by our actions

Principle 5

Accountability

Acts 15:4They reported everything

Principle 6

Encouragement

I Thessalonians 5:11Encourage one another

Principle 7

Celebration

Psalms 34:3Exalt His name together

SummaryPrinciple 1: Reliance on Enabling Grace

Principle 2: Integrity and Modeling

Principle 3: Ongoing Teaching/Repentance

Principle 4: Application

Principle 5: Accountability

Principle 6: Encouragement

Principle 7: Celebration

Illustration

Story from Uganda

Implication 1

Keep our focus on the target

God’s Glory

Implication 2

Build Discipleship on

Principles that equip for obedience

Implication 3

Evaluate

Not by numbers, but...

by evidence of God’s glory (obedience)

in your disciples