HOMESSTUDYNOTES

WitnessingasaLifestyle
Thusitiswritten,andthusitwasnecessaryfortheChristtosufferandtorisefromthedeadthe thirdday,andthatrepentanceandremissionofsinsshouldbepreachedinHisnametoallnations, beginningatJerusalem..." NKJVLuke24:4647

Introduction
ThecrossisthecentralthemeoftheBiblefromGenesisallthewaytoRevelation.Thecross speaksaboutGodsplanforredemptionforallnations(inGreekisethnos,whichstandsfor race,tribe,nationandpeople).Thepromiseofredemptionisgiventoeveryoneanditnot onlyrepresentseternallifebutalsoforgivenessofsins(Ephesians1:7),righteousness (Romans5:17),freedomfromthecurseoflaw(Galatians3:13),adoptionintoGodsfamily (Galatians4:5),deliverancefromthebondageofsin(1Peter1:1418),peacewithGod (Colossians1:1820)andbeingfilledwiththeHolySpirit(1Corinthians6:1920). WecanpersonalizeGodsplanforsalvationbecausewearepartofhumanityand thereforethisplanisalsoextendedtous.Therefore,becausewearepartofhumanity,it becomesourdutytoreachouttotherestofhumanity.Itisnottheotherwayround! InActsChurch,wearenotonlycommittedtoreachtheunreachedandthelostwithgospel ofsalvation,butwealsowanttomakethelastcommandofJesustomakedisciplesofall nationsourfirstpriority.Aswedrawtoacloseinourseriesonthe5Ws,letourpassionfor thelostberenewedandletourpartnershipintheworkofmissionsthroughFirstPriority betakentonewheights. Keytext:Matthew28:1820

Centralityofthe_____________
The___________isthecentralthemeofGodsplanforredemption!Themessageofthe crossisthatGodsolovedtheworldthatHegaveHisonlybegottenSon,thatwhoever believesinHimshouldnotperishbuthaveeverlastinglife(John3:16). WhenweunderstandhowmuchGodlovespeopleandthatHesentHisSontodieonthe crossforallnations,wewillalsograsptheurgencyofbringingthismessageofsalvationto asmanyaspossible.WewillnotfocusonjustourownneedsandletitovershadowGods ultimateplanforredemption.WewillbecomebelieverswhowillactivelypartnerwithGod tothegospelreachedtheendsoftheearth.

HOMESSTUDYNOTES

CrossCultural____________________
Themessageofthecrossisonethatisforallnations.However,whenwetellpeopleabout GodsplanforsalvationandHislove,weneedtoshareitinawaythatcanbeunderstoodby thepeoplewearereachingoutto.Inthisregards,itwillbebeneficialforustoconsidertheir backgroundandculturebeforesharingthemessage.Considerthefollowing: 1) _________________________howcanwerelatethemessageofthecrossto peoplefromdifferentculture? 2) _________________________howcanweadapttotherules,norms,customs, andlanguageofthenewculturewhensharingamessage? 3) _________________________howwecancommunicatethemessageinthe languageanddiscourseinthemannerthatisunderstoodbyothers? Wealsoneedtorememberthat,whileitisimportantforustosharethemessageofthe crossinawaythatcanbeunderstood,themessageitselfcannotbecompromised! WeonlyhavethelibertytomaketheGospelunderstandable;nottomaketheGospel acceptableBeramKumar.

_______________and_______________
BeingawitnessforChristtakescommitmentandconsistency.Inotherwords,itmust becomeourlifestyleandnotanafterthought.Itmustnotbesomethingthatwedoonlyto feelgoodaboutourselves.Itisourdutytosharethemessageofthecross! Forustothateffectively,wemustfirstmeetthephysicalneedsofthosewearereachingout to.James2:1516putsitaptlyIfabrotherorsisterisnakedanddestituteofdailyfood, andoneofyousaystothem,Departinpeace,bewarmedandfilled,butyoudonotgive themthethingswhichareneededforthebody,whatdoesitprofit?St.FrancisofAssisisaid PreachtheGospelatalltimesandwhennecessaryusewords. LivingourlifeknowingwhereverGodhasplacedusatisalsoourharvestfield;andknowing thatourgoodworkswillopenthewayforthegospeltogoforth;willhelpusprioritisehow (andwhat)wedowithourdays.