VI.$$THE$APOSTLE$ PAUL. The Significance of Paul for Today s Church

Transcription

1 VI.$$THE$APOSTLE$ PAUL. The Significance of Paul for Today s Church

2 Two$Errors$in$Judgment. Two errors in regard to the Church s use of Paul s life and teachings Too little or too much is made Today s error might be too little Rediscover Paul s words and reclaim his life as a model for discipleship

3 The$Legacy$of$Paul. Judgment of Jewish Scholar, Geza Vermes Give thanks for Paul s theological vision Learn from his organizational genius Draw deeply from his Jewish wisdom

4 The$Legacy$of$Paul:$ A$Second$Opinion. Opinion of Christian scholar, Michael Bird: Inspired lives of great theologians and heretics Negotiated a time similar to our own post-modern day (learn from historical, cultural, and social context of the 1 st century for 21 st century ministry) Reflected Christ s light into a dark and brutal world

5 Four$Ways$Paul$Speaks$Still$$ to$disciples$today. In Christ, God seeks to reestablish a relationship with us Through Christ, God shapes us as a people capable of loving Transformed by Christ, we become witnesses to our salvation God continues to work in the world to bring salvation to all people

6 In$Christ,$God$Seeks$Us. All of Christian scripture speaks to this need Most important truth to be learned from Paul God seeks to re-establish relationships with His alienated children Paul introduced hope through words like justification, redemption, reconciliation, grace and peace Paul embodied this message daily as persecutor turned missionary

7 Through$Christ,$$ We$Are$Transformed. Paul s Letters abound with the possibility of change God shapes us into a people capable of love Through Christ, we are taught to love one another and seek community Societal barriers of gender, race and class are broken down The Spirit of Christ unites and empowers us to be in right relationships

8 We$Become$Witnesses$ of$christ. With Paul, we learn that call follows conversion As transformed people, we become witnesses to our salvation in Christ Witnesses can t contain themselves Transformed disciples live righteous lives for all to see Transformed people employ all their gifts in the mission of Christ

9 Captured$by$Christ$$ for$god s$vision. Paul s trust that God continued to work in the world to bring salvation to all people God s plan to reconcile all the world unto Himself has been from the foundation of the world Therefore, God is neither passive nor absent in the world God is at work leading and shaping human events toward His purposes God s vision excites God s people to embrace this ministry of reconciliation

10 Paul$for$Today. Pray to hear what God is saying through Paul to you today Work to regain the power and joy of Paul s message for today Prepare to be liberated, consoled and challenged

11 Paul s$view$of$ the$church.

12 The$Church$Then$and$Now. Called not to go to Church but to be Jesus community Invited into God s presence to know who God is and hear what God has done for our salvation Sent back into the world to reflect Jesus in whatever we do and bear witness to His name Commissioned to spend life in the service of others

13 Church$Membership$Today. For Paul, a member is as a limb of the human body Each member has a function to perform Together, members contribute to the common good of the one body

14 Paul:$Model$Theologian. After Jesus, Paul is the Church s leading theologian Paul s quick wit and teaching struck fear in the hearts of his opponents Paul s theology appealed to the masses of his day and has inspired the great minds of the Church across the centuries

15 Paul s$summary$of$the$faith. Prophecy has been fulfilled, and the New Age has begun God has brought in a New Age through Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah of the line of David and the Servant of the Lord Jesus "went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil He was "crucified, dead, and buried Jesus was raised from the dead and is exalted as the Messiah, the Son of God, and Lord of all Jesus Christ will come again as Judge and Savior to consummate the Messianic Age In view of what God has done in Christ and what you have done to Christ, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the Holy Spirit"

16 Example$for$Today s$pastors. In Paul s letters, you have theological responses to congregational issues Paul s greatest gift to the churches may have been to think theologically Greatest trait absent and needed by today s pastor is that of pastoral theologian Contemporary Church needs pastorally sensitive and theologically sophisticated leaders

17 Today s$pastors. Will resist the pressure to be managers or CEOs primarily Preach and teach the Bible Know and apply their theological tradition Draw and share insights out of their own spiritual struggle Make God-given wisdom real in the everyday lives of church members

18 Paul s$legacy$of$leadership. Hear Lee Whittington of Texas Wesleyan University Notes increasing interest in spiritual dimensions of work Equally sees heightened interest in biblical perspectives on leadership (Jesus, Solomon and Paul)

19 Ten$Leadership$Qualities$ of$the$apostle$paul$(1$thessalonians). Worthy of imitation Vulnerable and transparent Boldness amid opposition Pure motive Influence without asserting authority Affectionate and emotional Authentic and sincere Active, not passive Follower-centered, not self-centered Changed lives the real measure of leader effectiveness

20 Paul$Being$Paul. Represent the motives and methods of Paul Legacy of Paul s influence were manifested in the lives and leadership of Timothy, Silas, and countless others May both laity and clergy in today s Church incorporate these legacy principles in their lives as they become leaders Paul s cry continues to ring out: Imitate me.

21 Paul s$communication$$ of$the$gospel. Engaged people where they were Found common ground with the culture Spoke their language Used radical shorthand to put the gospel in understandable terms In Christ Jesus is Lord Christ crucified

22 Examples$to$Follow$. Antioch (Acts 13:16-41) Used Old Testament quotations and imagery for Jews who knew and loved the scriptures Lystra (Acts 14:15-17 Referred to wind, rain, and nature in addressing rural and small town folk Athens (Acts17:22-31) Quoted their Greek poets and noted their many gods

23 Concluding$Appeal$Is$ Uncompromising. In Jesus, God s decisive hour has come Everything in salvation history prior to Jesus pointed to His coming The crucifixion of Jesus was humanity s greatest crime and God s ultimate response of grace God raised and vindicated Jesus Love and hate collided, and love won the day and the hearts of humankind In baptism, the sinner dies and is buried with Christ and raised in newness of life

24 Barnabas and John Mark Paul s$reliance$on$a$ Social$Network. Silas and Timothy Luke Aquila and Priscilla Lydia

25 Model$for$Today s$$ Clergy$and$Laity. Our world is lonelier than it needs to be God s call is to live in community Our work is greater than one can possibly manage God s commission is to work as one body Paul gloriously embraced God s design for the body of Christ and the new people of God

26 Luke s$summation$in$acts$. Acts 28:30-31 (New International Version, 2011) 30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance!

27 Paul$Being$Paul $Until$the$End. In his own rented house Welcomed all who came to him Proclaimed the kingdom of God Preaching about the Lord Jesus Christ With all boldness and without hindrance

28 Luke s$purposes. Portrayed Paul s indomitable spirit Presented the Jesus Movement as unstoppable Facilitated a transition from the biblical world to the world of the 21 st Century As today s Church, we are to continue the acts of the apostles, especially Paul Church being the Church

29 Five$Practices$of$Fruitful$Congregations$ Radical hospitality Passionate worship Intentional faithdevelopment Risk-taking mission and service Extravagant generosity by$robert$schnase.

30 Paul$and$the$Five$Practices. In his own rented house Welcomed all who came to him Proclaimed the kingdom of God Preaching about the Lord Jesus Christ With all boldness and without hindrance Extravagant generosity Radical hospitality Passionate worship Intentional faithdevelopment Risk-taking mission and service

31 Paul s$affirmation. Five words are descriptive of Paul s ministry and the Church s need today Words, as were Paul s, are dangerous, edgy, and provocative By repeating and improving the practices, the Church fulfills her mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world In doing so, we feel Paul s affirmation from across the ages

32 Paul s$words$can$ Become$Our$Words. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (New International Version, 2011) 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

33 The$Apostle$Paul:$ His$Significance$for$Today. Identify one particular event in Paul s life that speaks to your life Reclaim one teaching of Paul s that will inform your discipleship Decide as to your next step in learning more about Paul