The Kingdom of God, Student Workbook, SW02

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T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

2. As our lights shine in doing justice and compassion, others will glorify God, Matt. 5.16.

3. We are God’s workmanship created in Christ for good works, Eph. 2.10; Titus 2.11-14.

4. Called to be an agent of good in a fallen and sick world

5. While the Church does not through its good works bring in the Kingdom, we do give undeniable testimony as to its presence through our actions and advocacies, Phil. 1.27-28.

B. This agency for good works is especially in deeds of freedom, wholeness, and justice in ministry to the poor.

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1. Jesus inaugurated his ministry with the Year of Jubilee quote of Isaiah 61 about his anointing to preach to the poor, Luke 4.18ff.

2. The story of the Good Samaritan as an example of fulfilling the second commandment, Luke 10

3. Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father: visiting orphans and widows in their affliction, and an unspotted testimony in the world, James 1.27.

4. The poor as rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom to come, James 2.5

5. Ministry to the poor serves as a litmus test of the authentic faith of those who profess to be in the Kingdom, 1 John 3.17-18.