Christianity and the City

Part 2: How should we seek to minister in the city?

Opening discussion: What is our mission in the world as Christians? If we should even try, do we have any hope of improving this world?

I. Living in the Inaugurated Kingdom

The Nature of the Kingdom Luk 4:18-19: Jesus unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. And he began to say to them, Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. Luk 10:8-9: Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. Discussion: What do these passages seem to imply about when the kingdom begins? Luke 21:27-31: And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. And he told them a parable: Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Luke 11:2: And he said to them, When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Discussion: What do these passages seem to imply about when the kingdom begins? Matt. 13:31-33: He put another parable before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. He told them another parable. The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened. Discussion: How does this passage explain the first ones?

Our Relationship to the Kingdom Mark 10:15: Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. Joh 18:36: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. Rev. 1:5-6: Jesus Christ has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father. Discussion: What do these passages suggest about our role in the kingdoms arrival?

II. Living as Sojourners on Earth

Citizens of a Different Land Phil. 3:18-21: For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body. Heb. 13:12-14: Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Discussion: If our loyalty is to heaven, how concerned should we be with this earth? An Old Covenant Model Jer. 29:4-7: Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Discussion: Is this an accurate parallel to the churchs sojourn on earth? What is the significance of the instruction to multiply and do not decrease? What does it mean to seek the welfare of the city? New Covenant Instruction Heb. 13:14-16: For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips

that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 1 Pet. 2:11: Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Discussion: In light of the Old Covenant model we just looked at, what does doing good or keeping your conduct honorable likely include?

III. Living to Model Christs Incarnation

Matt. 4:17, 23: Jesus began to preach, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. John 20:19-21: On the evening of that day, the first day of the week [after the crucifixion], the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. Discussion: What is the similarity between how the Father sent the Son and how the Son sends the disciples (i.e., the sense of the phrase as even so )? Phil. 2:5-7: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Discussion: What is the practical application of having the same mind as Christ?