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Our Role as Christian Professionals in the Market Place and the Church. Who was in the Centre of Jesus’ life while he lived on earth? Who is the centre of your life What is the purpose of your life. Holy Spirit: To bring everyone in the World to Jesus.
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Our Role as Christian Professionals in the Market Place and the Church
Who was in the Centre of Jesus’ life while he lived on earth? • Who is the centre of your life • What is the purpose of your life
Holy Spirit: To bring everyone in the World to Jesus Our Challenge: To bring Jesus to everyone in the world
Call to His service • Church work (adminstrators, officers who work either full or part time to get the church organization going) • Work of the Church. Our call to evangelize the world. In Eph 4 we have calling into different office, In Rom 12 we have received different giftings. In Gal 5 we have freedom to pool our gifts together to build an effective local church.
It is not permissible for anyone to be idle • We are called by Jesus • To work in his vineyard • To take an active, conscientious and responsible part in the Great Commission (Matt 28: 18-20)
The World, not the church becomes the place and the means for each of us to fulfill our Christian vocation, because the world itself is destined to glorify God the Father in Christ
I am the light of the world • Is 2:2-5, And it will come about in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord will be placed on the top of the mountains, and be lifted up over the hills; and all nations will come to it. • Ps 27:1a, ¶ <Of David.> The Lord is my light and my salvation; • Is 60:19 The sun will not be your light by day, and the moon will no longer be bright for you by night: but the Lord will be to you an eternal light, and your God your glory. • John 8:12-I am the light of world
You are the light of the world • Matt 5:14 You are the light of the world. A town put on a hill may be seen by all. • Light is meant to be seen- it is also to enable people around to see • Our good deeds/works must be seen (agathos-good in quality) • Light may differ in intensity-what is your wattage. 40-60-100
The candle does not light itself- We are lit by Jesus • The candle does not position itself-We are positioned by Jesus. Immediately you consider that you determine your position by yourself you are bound to fail • On what basis do you change jobs” professions. What determines the choices you make
God has a plan and a purpose for your life • You have a significant role in God’s masterplan (1Pet2:9) • You can’t keep quiet (Es4:14) • Moses made a choice that required faith • The slave girl in Naaman House intervention brings healing to a great man
Isaiah 53 • Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? • Acts 26: 1-3 • Paul before King Agrippa 1…so Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: • 2”King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense.. • 3…because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
Acts 26: Paul before King Agrippa • 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” • 28…Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” • 29…Paul replied, “Short time or long – I prayed God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
Acts 24: Paul’s trial before Felix • 10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. • 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave.
Acts 26: Paul before King Agrippa • 19”So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. • 25”I am not insane, most excellent Festus, “Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable • Acts 17: Paul in Athens • 16While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. • 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
Acts 17: Paul in Athens • 22Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. • 23For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. • Acts 17: Paul In Athens • 32When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject. • 34A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Acts 14: Paul & Barnabas in Lystra • 12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. • 13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. • Acts 17: Paul In Athens • 30In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. • 31For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
1 Corinthians 9:19 – 23 • All things to all persons • 9Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. • 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. • 1 Peter 3:15 Be ready to give an answer…. • But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Why do you find yourself in the market place • By chance or by purpose • Daniel 6:1-6 Excellence is a key to make people ask • Have you identified the unknown GOD in the area of your operation. I mean what is it that you can use to break the ice in the market place, your professional groupings where ever you find yourself…….
Why are people challenging the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ in market place? • His Uniqueness. • Create the condition where people will ask
Some communication principles • Mastery of content is a necessary foundation • Our image of the audience and understanding of the context shape the form of the message • Cultural patterns of a society influence communication • The credibility of the messenger is important for effective communication • The messenger’s personality and life expieriences modify the form of the message
What one thing can I do to make the world a better place Ps 85:10-13