Ripe for Harvest

348 • R IPE FOR H ARVEST

4. Keep your eyes on the big picture: the resolution of the war, not merely the condition of the fight of the battle, Rev. 19.8.

5. Remind yourself and others of the final outcome, 1 Cor. 15.24-28.

V. Developing a Made-up Mind: Teaching Strategies to Develop a Warfare Consciousness

A. Develop approaches to instill a warfare perspective.

Overcome your distaste of the biblical warfare motif; constantly refer to the already/not yet Kingdom of Christ’s presentation.

1. Biblical viewpoint, Eph. 6.10-18

2. The principle made plain: The universe is at war, and we are called to represent Jesus of Nazareth in the fight, 2 Tim. 2.2-8.

3. Analogy: America’s mobilization after Pearl Harbor

4. Ramification: Academic training that purports to be authentically Christian must arm its church members with a mind to represent Christ in spiritual warfare. a. The warfare motif of Scripture is a revelation from God, and is not subject to be ignored or resisted because of post-modern political correctness issues. b. We must not yield to the latest evangelical opinions offered on the concerns of our day; defend the Great Tradition of the Church. c. Mastery of the Story of God in Christ should be our goals in our theology, worship, spiritual formation, and witness. d. We equip for the sake of the warfare, not for using gifts to satisfy our own perceived needs: affirm the principle that leadership is representation.

Context Values/Vision

Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter