Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Student Workbook, SW16

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D O I N G J U S T I C E A N D L O V I N G M E R C Y : C O M P A S S I O N M I N I S T R I E S

2. Strength: fulfills the prophetic engagement aspect of the Church in the world; recognizes that confrontation will be the norm with the world, John 15.18-19

3. Problem: can tend to view nothing in the world system as redemptive or helpful in communicating God’s will to the lost

E. Implications of these church/world models

1. Regardless of which model seems to be most persuasive to you, remember that Jesus Christ is Lord of all and head of the Church.

a. 1 Cor. 11.3

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b. Eph. 4.15-16

2. Because Jesus is Lord, no amount of loyalty to the state or its structures is able to have final say over the Lord’s own word, Matt. 28.18-20.

IV. Biblical Models of Church in the World for Urban Communities

A. We are called to be neighbors : we serve the well-being and care for all those with whom we live in our urban neighborhoods.

1. Biblical model: the Good Samaritan, Luke 10.29-37