Foundations for Christian Mission, Student Workbook, SW04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

7. The King in judgment uses the same standard to determine the fate of both groups; way you treated or mistreated these people, those on the underside of life, so you responded to me .

The Gospel Addresses the Poor, the Recipients of the Kingdom

8. Messiah Jesus’ identity with the poor is total and complete, and relationship with them serves as the basis of relationship with him.

In some very important sayings the “poor” are those addressed by the gospel or the recipients of the kingdom. The expression “good news is preached to the poor” in Jesus’ answer to John the Baptist (Matt. 11.5; cf. Luke 7.22) is borrowed from Isaiah 61.1, which is the text for Jesus’ inaugural sermon in Nazareth (Luke 4.18). In Nazareth it is applied to the congregation in the synagogue; in the answer to John the Baptist it concludes a list of Jesus’ healing miracles which includes terms used in Isaiah to refer to the salvation of Israel. ~ Hans Kvalbein. “Poverty.” The New Dictionary of Biblical

II. Demonstrating Mercy and Justice in the Kingdom Community

A. Proclamation of the Good News to the poor

1. The Church is the body of Christ , the new covenant kingdom community called to continue his work in the world through mission and justice.

a. The members are sealed and anointed by the same Spirit which indwelt Jesus, Eph. 1.13; 4.30; 2 Cor. 1.20-22 with Luke 4.18-19.

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b. They are his members in the world called to demonstrate the character of the Kingdom, first in their own midst, and then in connection to the world.

2. The apostles proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, whose presence ushered in the presence of the future, the inauguration of the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.

Theology. T. D. Alexander, ed. (electronic ed.). Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2001.

3. Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah of God, John 1.41-45; John 4.25-26.