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Mentoring paradigms reprise 2 (30/1/26)

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Chan says that the world focuses on our affluence/acquisitions (what we have) our associations (who we know), our appearance (how we look) our abilities (what we can do) and our accomplishments (what we have done).   We can orientate life around the external (the red bar) or the internal (the blue bar). The red bar is the default way of the world; the blue bar 'is the discipleship way of God'. We need both so that the stature and substance of a person can reflect their true status in life.   Red focuses on externals . Blue focuses on the inner-life . Red values accomplishments . Blue values authenticity . Red values performance results . Blue values growth and learning . Red – competence first. Blue – character first. Red – doing good with the aim of looking good . Blue – doing good flows out of being good . Red – display : outward show. Blue – depth : inward security. Red esteems status . Blue esteems substance . Red – competitive and boastful. Blue – genuinely cele...
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Sermon at FFMC 25/1/26. Is He Worthy? The One on the Throne (Rev 4:1-3, 8-11)

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Is He Worthy? The One on the Throne After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2  At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3  And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. ( 4  Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5  From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumbling and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6  and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four liv...
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Mentoring paradigms reprise I (23/1/26)

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 Paradigm 1 The substructure of life is "who we are, what we do when no one sees". It involves "a life of worship, lived before God in fear of him and held together by humility and perseverance." We are to be "firmly anchored in God through the practice of the spiritual disciplines. It is "the work of a lifetime."   The structures of life are areas we need to guard in our personal life. "Time with family...kindred-spirit friends...in the community of God's people." It also involves sleep, diet and exercise.    The superstructure represents the outward accomplisments of our life and ministry. It is built by competence and skill...by working excellently as unto the Lord, in obedience and faithfulness."    Read 1 Samuel 13:1-14. What substructures and structures were lacking in Saul's life? What effect did this have on the superstructure of his life? He disobeyed God's law (either the commandment of Samuel (13:8, cf. 10:9) of t...
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Acts 52. Roundup

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1. From your study of Acts, what would you say the church is?   The new community of believers, Jew and Gentiles together.  Those who are 'saved'. (2:47) Their activity is given in 2:42-47   2. What is the church’s mission? Witnessing to Jesus' death and resurrection. Witnessing to Jesus as judge (10:42)  Declaring forgiveness of sins through Jesus (5:31,  13:38) Reasoning with and convincing (18:4) Healing and ministering to people Breaking the power of Satan (16:19. 19:11)    3. In a few sentences, summarize the Christian message—who Jesus is, what He has done, and how we should respond. (Try to avoid Christian jargon that an unbeliever wouldn’t know.)  The Jewish Messiah. - the promised One.  Foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures Anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power (10:38)  Died on a tree (10:39, risen from the dead (10:40)  We have forgiveness of sin through him. Repent, believe in Him (16:31)   4. Who is t...
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Acts 51: Acts 28:17-31

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 For Thought and Discussion: Why do you think Luke wrote so little about the church in Rome? How did his choice of information in 28:17-31 serve his overall plan for Acts? Acts does not give the history of individual churches. Rome was already evangelized. Luke wanted to descrbe how the gospel reached Rome through an apostle through the work of the Spirit   Acts describes the foretold reception of the gospel by Gentiles (1:8) even as it describes the rejection of the Jews. Paul is potrayed as a non-political figure, innocent of legal charges.      For Thought and Discussion: Why do you think Luke ended Acts where he did? What does this tell you about the theme of Acts?    At the end of Acts the gospel is stll being proclaimed without hindrance. The task is unfinished.   For Thought and Discussion:  a. Why was it so important to Luke to show how Paul related to the Jews?   Paul approached the Jews first. He was courteous. He made the...
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Acts 50. Acts 27:1-28:10

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 3. Think about each of Paul’s comments and actions. What do you learn about him (his gifts, character, beliefs, attitudes toward people, view of God, and so on)?  leadership. He took charge  confidence, steadiness. Even though he was a prisoner.  closeness to God: an angel appeared to him. He belonged to God and worshipped God. He had faith. He gave thanks to God  bravery. Rising above danger  concern for people compassion for the sick God in control of everything  Ready to speak up.   4. Paul’s life was saved several times on this trip: land was sighted, the crew did not abandon the passengers, the centurion kept the soldiers from killing the prisoners, nonswimmers could float ashore even though the ship ran aground, and the viper was somehow harmless.  a. What did the Maltese natives conclude from all this (see 28:4-6)? Paul deserved death: we misjudge culpability from external circumstances Paul was an invincible god: we misjudge power fr...
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Acts 49. Acts 27:1-28:10

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1. Briefly summarize what happened on the voyage to Rome (see 27:1–28:16).   Paul was placed in the care of a centurion and put on a ship The ship sailed on the Mediterranean It was caught up in a storm and was on the brink of capsizing.for 2 weeks Paul took control of and dealt with the situation. The vessel ran around in Malta with everyone safe Paul gained honour because he survived a snake bite, then healed the father of the chief Roman official there. He stayed in Malta 3 months  Doing God’s will doesn’t mean we have a smooth journey    2. What did Paul say and do during the trip to Rome?  27:9-10   He warned the centurioi not to proceed with the voyage: “ Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 27:21-26  He encouraged the men with God's promise. “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. ...
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