Here is the audio recording for our Missional Training Sessions . If you were unable to attend, please take some time and review the content in community. There are additional resource for further study below
Summer Missional Training Week 1Isaiah 44:9-17 | Pastor Joshua Michael Soto | June 1, 2011 | 1hr:04mn
What Should Shape The Church?
Definition- “The Church is God’s people saved by God’s Power for God’s Purpose.” Within this definition we have three key elements:
- Identity- Who we are because of Jesus.
- Mission- What we do because of Jesus.
- Gospel- Power to be and do because of Jesus.
Most Churches tend to forget that the “gospel” must inform both their “identity and mission.” When the gospel is left out of the equation the church is reduced to either confessionalism or activism.
- Confessionalism- Correctly understand who they are in Jesus but fail to obey His command.
- Activism- Correctly understand the implications of the gospel but fail to trust in Jesus’ work on their behalf.
How Does The Gospel Reform The Church?
The gospel confronts both misconceptions! How?
- The gospel confronts those who confess Jesus and calls them to be on mission with Jesus.
- The gospel confronts those who are active for Jesus to trust in identity given by Jesus.
Owning Our Sin!
The temptation for everyone is in many cases forsake “mission” and this has lead to a shift in our understanding of “identity.” The forsaking of “mission” and the shifting of “identity” is the byproduct of idolatry.
Case Study: Family Idolatry
There has been a shift within our church of the last two years, from a congregation of predominately college students to a church with emerging families. Statistics: 9 weddings. 12 married couple additions. 10 babies. Praise God. Thus there has been a natural shift from personal freedom in mission to family responsibility as we do mission. This is a natural shift. Problem: Mission is being forsaken because of family. What is family idolatry?
Family Idolatry- I find meaning or worth as a parent or a spouse. Mission is dictated or conforms to my family. My happiness is contingent on the success of my family, relationally, spiritually, physically, economically, and educationally.
- What I Seek- Comfort and security of my family.
- Price I Am Willing To Pay- Money, gospel community involvement, use of my gifts, relationships, my place of influence with unbelievers/de-churched.
- Greatest Nightmare- Loss, failure, or accusation of/against my family.
- Others Often Feel- forgotten, manipulated, or a burden.
- Problem Emotion- Protective
- In Regards To Money- Easily flows to meet the needs of the family but not the needs of the community and unbelievers .
Solution- Repent of sin and believe the gospel. (See Figure 12-1 Church Planter, Darrin Patrick)
Community Group Discussion
Read: Isaiah 44:9-17
- According to verses 9-11, what is the prophet’s verdict on idolatry? In light of what you know about God and the gospel, why is this true?
- According to verses 14-17, what is the subtle seduction of of idolatry? How is idolatry taking something good and making it ultimate?
- Take some time as a group and confess your idolatry. How has your idolatry caused you to forsake God’s mission?
- What groups of people that God has placed you among have you been neglecting?
- Take some time and pray that God would give you a witness among those people.
Additional Resources
What Should Shape The Church? -This document surveys further how the gospel should inform the practice of the church and how the gospel should be seen both systematically and is story form.
X-Ray Questions- This document consist question the help discern heart and motive. The questions were formulated by Dave Powlison and are found in his book, Seeing with New Eye.
The Centrality of the Gospel - This document written by Tim Keller the depth of the gospel and how to keep in central in your life.
