Foundation Laying (II)
In this last session, David explores foundation laying and how it revolves around the whole plan of God.FOUNDATIONAL APOSTOLIC MINISTRY TODAY | Session 4 - Foundation Laying (II)
1/ Introduction
- All the promises fulfilled in Christ, referred to in session (3), are now worked out through those who are in Christ.
2/ God's plan for our lives
If we teach the whole plan of God, then it helps those in our churches understand how they fit into God’s great plan. So:
- Often, we may ask the question “What is the plan of God for my life?”. Understanding the big picture of God’s plan makes us ask that question differently. We ask, “What is my role/part to play in God’s plan to transform the world?” It brings a different perspective. It is not me as a consumer looking for the best teaching, worship, fellowship etc, but me as a participant who will actually bring greater blessing though often at greater cost.
- This is more than a story. It is more like a play, a drama. Refer to credits at the end of films – in eternity, there will be credits, what role have I played?
- It motivates mission, not out of guilt or duty but out of fellowship with God and one another. We are sent into the world as Jesus was sent (John 17:18). It puts the unreached people groups higher on our church agenda.
2/ How does it help my preaching/teaching?
My current practice:
- Tell a story from the Bible – with relevant cultural background.
- Draw some lessons from that story.
- Show how that story fits into God’s big story of the whole of Scripture.
- “The word for ‘plan’ [or counsel] indicates a settled intention of a purpose to be carried out step by step. This isn’t just a matter of ‘true doctrines’ but of the entire divine intention, from the call of Abraham to the time of final restoration (3:21), when Jesus will act as judge to sort everything out (17:31). This takes time, and application, and determination, at those points in the story where it gets complicated or awkward questions are raised; and Paul has been up for it all. Nobody will ever be able to say that he trimmed the message to make it easier to get across or more palatable for his hearers. This was his commission from God, and he has been faithful to it.” Tom Wright.
- However, Paul also taught certain truths consistent with this “Big Story” which we will look at in a systematic way next time!
- I will often also present this Big Story thematically as I do in my book “Fathering Leaders, Motivating Mission”. These are:
- The Promise of the Messiah – all that the Old Testament prefigured and prophesied about Jesus – Important for teaching the Old Testament – the Scriptures the Jesus and the early church used.
- The promise of the Kingdom – the active, dynamic ruling of God in the earth, expressing his heart and will – no longer just expressing the justice of God in a particular promised land but expressing the justice throughout the world as salt and light to society.
- The promise of salvation – As the book of Hebrews celebrates, the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin but the blood of the supreme sacrifice of Israel’s Messiah has taken away the sins of those who trust and follow Him not only in Israel but from the whole world.
- I will often also present this Big Story thematically as I do in my book “Fathering Leaders, Motivating Mission”. These are:
In this last session, David explores foundation laying and how it revolves around the whole plan of God.
FOUNDATIONAL APOSTOLIC MINISTRY TODAY | Session 4 - Foundation Laying (II)
1/ Introduction
- All the promises fulfilled in Christ, referred to in session (3), are now worked out through those who are in Christ.
2/ God's plan for our lives
If we teach the whole plan of God, then it helps those in our churches understand how they fit into God’s great plan. So:
- Often, we may ask the question “What is the plan of God for my life?”. Understanding the big picture of God’s plan makes us ask that question differently. We ask, “What is my role/part to play in God’s plan to transform the world?” It brings a different perspective. It is not me as a consumer looking for the best teaching, worship, fellowship etc, but me as a participant who will actually bring greater blessing though often at greater cost.
- This is more than a story. It is more like a play, a drama. Refer to credits at the end of films – in eternity, there will be credits, what role have I played?
- It motivates mission, not out of guilt or duty but out of fellowship with God and one another. We are sent into the world as Jesus was sent (John 17:18). It puts the unreached people groups higher on our church agenda.
2/ How does it help my preaching/teaching?
My current practice:
- Tell a story from the Bible – with relevant cultural background.
- Draw some lessons from that story.
- Show how that story fits into God’s big story of the whole of Scripture.
- “The word for ‘plan’ [or counsel] indicates a settled intention of a purpose to be carried out step by step. This isn’t just a matter of ‘true doctrines’ but of the entire divine intention, from the call of Abraham to the time of final restoration (3:21), when Jesus will act as judge to sort everything out (17:31). This takes time, and application, and determination, at those points in the story where it gets complicated or awkward questions are raised; and Paul has been up for it all. Nobody will ever be able to say that he trimmed the message to make it easier to get across or more palatable for his hearers. This was his commission from God, and he has been faithful to it.” Tom Wright.
- However, Paul also taught certain truths consistent with this “Big Story” which we will look at in a systematic way next time!
- I will often also present this Big Story thematically as I do in my book “Fathering Leaders, Motivating Mission”. These are:
- The Promise of the Messiah – all that the Old Testament prefigured and prophesied about Jesus – Important for teaching the Old Testament – the Scriptures the Jesus and the early church used.
- The promise of the Kingdom – the active, dynamic ruling of God in the earth, expressing his heart and will – no longer just expressing the justice of God in a particular promised land but expressing the justice throughout the world as salt and light to society.
- The promise of salvation – As the book of Hebrews celebrates, the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin but the blood of the supreme sacrifice of Israel’s Messiah has taken away the sins of those who trust and follow Him not only in Israel but from the whole world.
- I will often also present this Big Story thematically as I do in my book “Fathering Leaders, Motivating Mission”. These are:
© David Devenish
Foundation Laying (II) - Foundational Apostolic Ministry Today - Broadcast - July 2021
