God himself. Missions according to the Bible is of God, through God, and unto God.

God with us is what constitutes all of his blessings. The blessing is never the goodies apart from God. It’s first the presence of God himself.

When we are called to bless the Lord, we are called to glorify his name. We are blessed because we have the presence of God, and we are to be a blessing to others by being faithful.

The nations were coming to Israel instead of Israel going out to the nations as God’s holy place was centered in Jerusalem. The holy place is no longer only in Jerusalem. It is for every nation, and it’s in heaven. The argument is there’s also a centripetal movement in the New Testament as Jesus is drawing everyone to himself.

In the OT, the nations were coming to Israel. In the NT, Jesus draws the nations to himself.

We don’t know who will respond in faith. Jesus tells us to cast our nets into the deep–where we don’t expect a catch–and we will become fishers of men (Luke 5).

It emphasizes the call to be an evangelist. Every Christian must confess Jesus Christ before men–not only at salvation but as part of their life.

They are seeking worshipers.

The coming of Christ

Christ has the sword and is both Redeemer and Judge.

1. Unity
2. Pietism
3. Liberalism
4. Desire for more missionaries to be sent out

Churches should act together in all matters except when deep differences compel them to act separately.
In other words, be together in all things you can be together on, but not all things, such as gospel proclaiming, can be done together due to differences.

theologically

With this approach, you get to the deepest need of the person first, and you do it all–getting to know the person and presenting the gospel–at once.

You may shorten the potential relationship.

You get to know the person and their needs before sharing the gospel with them. Thus, it’s possible the gospel could be presented more clearly when the time comes.

You may never actually get to the point where you share the gospel which is what serves the person’s deepest need–a need for Christ.

Not all cultures are demonic but instead all have a spiritual root and possess an innate rebellion to God. Therefore, they–like all individuals–have opportunity for radical transformation by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

They seek to come together in their understanding of doctrine as they each seek the mind of Christ.

1. We can break the rules of language in order convey meaning across another culture.
2. Translation between languages

There is no language or culture opaque to the gospel. We can overcome any barriers by unity in Christ.

It includes application to cultural thought horizons and appreciates the history of dogma. We must appreciate not only the context of the text but also the context of the hearer.

The fullness of revelation of Scripture uses ordinary language–not scientific language–full of ambiguity and the context determines the meaning.

Growth. They believe there’s no sowing without reaping and that God is interested in results/outcomes from the mission of the church.

Winnable people. They pour more time into reaching those who are most likely to convert than those who seem resistant.

Instead of taking people out of their social context, we should encourage them to remain and therefore witness within.

The worship of natural objects assumed to have supernatural powers

the worship of a single god while not denying the existence or possible existence of other deities; worship of one god at a time

the worship of many gods

the worship of one god

Other religions all represent paths of escape from God. He asks, “What have you done with God?”

In the most remote and inaccessible places