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This week I will be teaching a course in tandem with this year’s Kingdom Encounter at Asbury Theological Seminary. Alan and Deb Hirsch are the featured speakers.

COURSE DESCRIPTION/GOALS
This course is being offered in tandem with Kingdom Encounter 2011 featuring Alan and Debra Hirsch. This course will explore the role of biblical interpretation within the missional church movement. Using the writings and teaching of Alan Hirsch as a representative of the missional church, students will reflect critically and theologically on a missional approach to the Bible. Focus will be on empowering participants to contextualize the Scriptures for the proclamation of the Gospel to the world and the renewal of the Church with special attention to the student’s ministry context.

STUDENT COMPETENCIES
Having successfully completed this course, participants should be able to:
• Articulate the significance of context (social-location), and especially the missional, theological and ecclesial contexts, for engagement in biblical interpretation;
• Dialogue critically with the writings and ideas of Alan and Debra Hirsch as representative of the broader Missional Church movement;
• Assess critically the role that the Bible serves in the missional church;
• Reflect critically and practically on the promise and prospects of a missional hermeneutic
for proclaiming the Gospel in the 21st century; and
• Understand key issues in communicating the message of the Scripture in pre-Christian or
post-Christian contexts.

I am requiring the following texts:

Let me know if you have questions.

Too often we can find ourselves shaped more by the stories of the World than by the story of Redemption as unfolded in the Scriptures. Our age is one of increasing ignorance of the biblical message. This means that followers of Jesus have to be intentional in (re)teaching the Scriptures. But the teaching must move beyond simply a recitation of biblical facts as though knowledge of Scripture could be equated with preparation for Jeopardy or some other quiz show. Instead, a missional reading of the Scriptures is committed to helping women and men to understand and find their place in the grand narrative that God is writing from Creation to New Creation. A missional reading fosters transformational learning for a life of following Jesus faithfully on mission. Moreover a missional reading seeks to make evident the manifold ways in which each part of the Scriptures seeks to convert its reader/hearer to its perspective. The goal of such a life is to unleash transformed people not merely to make a difference in the world but to share in God’s work of crafting a different world.

God’s people are to live as a missional community that serves by reflecting and embodying the character of God to/for/in the world. The triad of mission, holiness, and community serves as compass points for continual (re)alignment with God’s intentions for the world and humanity as revealed in the Biblical witness.

How well are we playing our part?
God is looking for women and men who are willing to step into the role for which they were created. Church planter and consultant Alex McManus uses the metaphor of clue to capture the essence of our lives as Jesus’ followers. In his thinking, each of us serves as a clue to the meaning of life. As persons created in God’s image, we exist to point others to God. We are clues to the mysteries of the universe. When we serve the function imagined for us in the Scriptures, we live as the people whom God created us to be. When others encounter enough “clues,” the clues lead them to God. The goal of a missional reading of Scripture is conversion. Followers of Jesus must be converted continually by the message of the text so that they may (re)align with God’s work in the world. The goal of this realignment is the expansion of the Jesus’ following community in the world. We realign continually so that God can deploy us fully to carry the message of realignment to others.

Here is a draft of a brief message on 1 Thes 5:1-11:
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

What is the difference between good teams and great teams? The best teams know the winning formula. In soccer, Manchester United is world renowned for coming up with huge goals late in games when lesser sides would have folded and accepted defeat. In the NFL, the New England Patriots have demonstrated consistently for more than a decade the ability to win the biggest games often by the slimmest of margins. In the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers led by superstar Kobe Bryant have won championship after championship. All of these teams across the sports spectrum share a key trait that undergirds their success: they all expect to win. They play confidently. They know that they will experience challenges and adversity, but they face such times with the assumption that they will prevail. Basketball legend and six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan has said, “I felt that I had that winner mentality instilled in me….”

The key to courageous living for Christ is cultivating a deep-seated confidence that in the end love wins. God’s mission to establish his eternal reign of healing, hope, reconciliation, justice, and mercy is a done deal. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has secured the future for good. But hardships and tribulations remain for the present. Paul’s message today is simple. We are destined to win. We need to believe this. We need to embrace this. We need to live this out before a watching world.

In our Scripture lesson, Paul moves to wrap up his First Letter to the Thessalonians by affirming our hope in Jesus Christ. Paul writes to remind the earliest Christians in Thessalonica that the future is securely in God’s hands. This truth is the grounding for living fully for God in our daily lives.

The future is absolutely secure. God will bring human history to a decisive and just end. The biblical promises and metaphors of an eternal era of peace and righteousness will come to fruition. God’s victory through Jesus’ death and resurrection has paved the way for the future of God’s dreams. Paul’s teaching in our Scripture lesson assumes this.

Perhaps surprisingly Paul opens his exhortations with a stern warning against the temptation to focus on trying to figure the time and season of God’s climactic actions. History has proven Paul’s words to be necessary and applicable throughout the ages. The security of the future is good news. But knowing the day and hour is unnecessary and irrelevant. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus said, “But about that day and hour no one knows neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (24:36). Yet rather than reflecting deep on the security of knowing that the God’s ultimate victory is a done deal, many focus instead on trying to figure out when the end will occur. The obsession with figuring out the times and seasons leads to disappointment when human predictions prove wrong and loss of focus on doings God’s work in the world today. It is enough for us as followers of Christ to know that human history is moving toward a remarkably good and just future.

So what is the purpose of Paul’s focus on the coming of Jesus at the end of days? Paul desires for us to live profound and courageous lives as his people before a watching world. The message of our secure future is meant for encouraging and building us up so that we can serve as vital witnesses to the power of the Gospel in the presnt. To this end he gives a two-fold positive exhortation.

First, in light of our secure future, Paul says, “Be ready.” Rather than working to figure out when the end will arrive, Paul suggests a different approach. We are to live each day with the assumption that Christ may come. How would our lives be different if we truly thought that today might be the last day of the present age? How would our priorities be different? How would we spend our resources? How would we divide up our time? Paul declares that our lives must be lived with a sense of urgency. Now is not the time for complacency or resting on our laurels. The Gospel is humanity’s only true hope. Each of us has a role to play in advancing God’s mission of extending his blessing, grace, and mercy to all. To be ready is to live each day with no regrets because we gave our all for the sake of the Gospel. Paul uses the metaphors of light/darkness and sobriety/drunkenness to capture the mood.

Second, Paul says, “Live well.” This is not a prosperity message. Paul is not calling us to affluence and security in the present. Paul is calling us to a life lived well for the sake of the Gospel. We are children of the day. Therefore Paul deploys the familiar triad of faith, love, and hope. In verse 8, Paul describes these as armor. Paul is under no illusion that the Christian life is easy. Yes, our future is absolutely secure¬—Jesus died for us so that we may abide with him now and forever. But we will continue to face hardships, persecution, and challenges. Such times serve as opportunities for offering a profound witness for the Gospel. We are not to shrink back in fear but to shine like stars on a dark night (Phil 2:15).

No matter the score, by the end of the fourth quarter, God’s love will prevail. This is the hope that Paul announces. Now is no time for clock watching or for computing how much time is left. Rather we are to be ready daily and live fully for God’s mission in our day. Let us live courageously by faith, be known to the world by love, and serve tangibly as voices of hope to others who desperately need what only the Gospel can provide. Amen.

Here is a draft of a reflection on Phil 4:1-9:

1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

God’s kingdom advances through the visible witness of God’s people in the world. The Gospel comes to us on its way to someone else. Our manner of living matters profoundly. It is vital for us to embody fully the Gospel of Jesus so that we can stand firm in our faith before a watching world.

In the book of Philippians, Paul writes to instruct and exhort the Christ followers in Philippi to serve as witnesses of the Gospel. The key is for them to embrace a vision for life centered on the cross and modeled by Jesus. Such a life runs counter cultural to the dominant visions of success and satisfaction of Paul’s day and ours. In our Scripture lesson, Paul unpacks what it means to “stand firm in the Lord.” Let us listen carefully to Paul’s words.

First, Paul roots his words in a profound love for his friends in Philippi. He piles on terms of endearment in verse one. He describes his fellow Christ followers as those “whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown” and as “my beloved.” This relational language is crucial for connecting with his audience. Paul is modeling the sort of Christian community that he desires to see exist in Philippi. It is one rooted in mutuality and love. There is the old adage, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Paul exemplifies this maxim. Paul desires to teach the Christian life but fundamental to this is an ethic rooted in love between Paul and the Philippians. As we seek to build a community that stands firm in the LORD, we must begin on a foundation of love for one another. This core of the Christ following movement goes back to Jesus himself who taught, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

Second, Paul moves to a crucial element for maintaining a community of love: unite around the Gospel. Divisions with churches are not a modern problem. Most of us have experienced the trauma caused by strife and broken relationships between brothers and sisters in Christ. Apparently two leaders of the church in Philippi Euodia and Syntyche were at odds with one another. Paul moves to heal the rift. But notice his tactic. He calls them to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2). This language is identical to 2:5 and 3:15. What does it mean to have the “same mind in the Lord”? The issue is intentionality. Paul calls for Euodia and Syntych (and implicitly all who read Philippians) to center their wills and intentions on God’s mission. Jesus modeled a life focused on accomplishing God’s work through his becoming human and embracing death on a cross. When we learn to put the mission of the Gospel before our own wants and needs, we will discover a unity among like-minded Christ followers. Unity does not mean the loss of individuality or a conformity to group think, but it does require that we surrender ourselves fully to the work of the Gospel. Such a mindset fosters an atmosphere where true unity in Christ is possible.

Third, Paul presses Christ followers to embody a recognizable and contagious joy. Paul is not demanding that believers slap on fake smiles or repeat clichéd expressions such as “It’s all good” or “Praise the Lord” in the face of trying circumstances. Rather he is reminding the community of faith of their security in God through Jesus Christ. At the heart of verses 4¬–7 is the expression “The Lord is near.” This truth changes everything. Paul testifies to the abiding presence of Jesus with the church and also of Jesus’ imminent return. We can live lives of joy because our future is absolutely secure in God’s hands. This security allows us to manifest lives of gentleness and to undergird all that we do in trusting prayer to God. True joy emerges from living out our faith daily. Such joy serves as a tangible sign of hope in a world in which so many toil and suffer through a joyless existence.

Last, Paul sums up his creed by urging his hearers to live lives that demand an explanation. Verses 8–9 exhorts us to incorporate right attitudes and practices into our daily habits. Following Christ alters our mode of existence. The world looks different. Our thinking shifts away from negativity and turns to the beautiful and true. Author and speaker John Maxwell says, “Your attitude will determine your altitude.” If we desire to live lives that witness for Christ, we must nurture the habit of consistent reflection on good and positive things. Moreover, our living roots itself in new role models. The popular and the trendy fade into black as we begin to take seriously the lives of those who taught us the faith. In 3:17 Paul wrote, “Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.” In other words, following Christ molds into one right thinking and right living.

Our world desperately needs the hope, peace, love, and joy that the Gospel brings. The Apostle Paul boldly calls those who follow Christ to stand firm in the Lord as a visible witness to the surrounding culture. His words invite us to imagine how a community of such people looks. It is rooted in a mutual love for one another that manifests itself in a community unified around God’s mission, living joyfully in light of a secure future, and fostering godly attitudes and practices into habits. What would your life look like if you gave yourself fully to Paul’s challenge? What if fully trusting and following Jesus Christ were the only way to become the persons whom Paul describes? What is keeping you from moving forward today? Amen.

Goodbye to 2010

“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.” — Leslie Poles Hartley (English writer, 1895-1972)

“The past is never dead; it’s not even past.” William Faulkner

“Dwell on the past and you’ll lose an eye. Forget the past and you’ll lose both eyes.” Alexander Solzenitsyn

“What’s past is prologue.” — Shakespeare from The Tempest

“Be not the slave of your own past.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Personal Goals for 2011:
1) Be the best father that I can be for my daughters Micaela and Katrina.

2) Recognize the gift of each new day and work to make it a masterpiece.

3) Nurture and cultivate the many friendships that I (re)discovered over the last few months of 2010.

4) Live with a profound a sense of gratitude.

5) Live by faith, be known by love, and serve as a voice of hope.