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Contending Locally

Contending Locally. 2010 Spring Retreat. Introduction. Examples of people contending for the faith that were instrumental in my life. Teachers. We are limited, God is unlimited! We are no better than anyone else. God contends with us as uses us to contend with others. Relatives.

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Contending Locally

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  1. Contending Locally 2010 Spring Retreat

  2. Introduction • Examples of people contending for the faith that were instrumental in my life. Teachers • We are limited, God is unlimited! • We are no better than anyone else. • God contends with us as uses us to contend with others. Relatives Church members Friends Employers Acquaintances

  3. Introduction - overview

  4. Your “local” identity

  5. Your “local” identity – cont’d • Union with Christ – at heart defines “where” believers are, not vaguely but exactly. • True believers can never ultimately “leave” this location • This is foreign compared to daily experience all analogies come short (e.g. marriage). Where did Paul derive this? • Belonging to the Church – Our place in the body of Christ, not a spiritual “park” but a “home” • Growing believers will never ultimately “leave” this location

  6. Your “local” identity – cont’d • Living in family – where God has placed you, cared for you, and worked on your heart. • Believers value family as a way of valuing God. • Knowing your calling – God’s gifts specifically to you. No one else has this exact “tool belt.” • Believers will know themselves more as they strive to know God more.

  7. Facing the struggle • Why must we “contend”? Sin contends against God and God contends against sin • Define ‘sin’ biblically – sin as idolatry (making good things into ultimate things)? • Sin is an affront to God’s holy character and rebellion against God’s righteous rule • Sin isknown by means of God’s Law • Sin places a person under God’s righteous wrath

  8. Facing the struggle – cont’d • Confess sin corporately – really facing sin • Sin need not lead to death, it can lead to the joy of forgiveness (personally and as a group) • Despair of own efforts and righteousness, lean on God entirely as the Contender • Fight sin spiritually – lifelong struggle • More intense opposition (principalities/powers) • More pervasive presence (thoughts, motives, good deeds) • More abundant resources – the Holy Spirit

  9. Contending Locally

  10. Why do we believe what we believe? • A common question – why do we buy what we buy? (Example, Shoptimism) • A common answer – “you were raised with it, others were raised differently” Relative, from below • We believe what we believe because God is Who He is! Absolute, from above • God is the covenant God – inclusive, not exclusive. No glory to us or to our ancestors, all glory to God! • God is the living God – Union and communion, He works, He seeks, He finds, He calls, He answers

  11. Why do we live the way we live? • “Why do you take religion so seriously?” or “I am a Christian but I don’t really practice it…” • We live the way we live because of the way God is toward us • God is loving, we will be loving • God is gracious, we will be gracious • God is patient, we will be patient • We seek to show God’s communicable attributes

  12. Practical essentials • Be friendly and care • Apply the Word • Unexpected joy • Faithful intercession • Opportunism • Use the church • The small moments of being outside with neighbors. Shopping… • You complain, what truth speaks to you. Others complain, share it with them. • Sickness or loss of job taken with joy. • How can I pray for you? • Stay up on what is happening in world and lives, serve and speak accordingly. • Invite to church, prepare for their coming, talk about church

  13. Challenges to contending locally • “One-talent” syndrome or “we are a small group, what lasting good can we do?” • Realism balanced with God’s supernatural power (e.g. Mustard Seed, Yeast) • No “proselytizing” fear, the god of tolerance • Show good Christian love, breaks down the fear and re-defines “tolerance” • “I can’t speak well” or “I am an introvert” • Reflect often on God’s grace, not something that usually comes thunderously, but “still small voice”

  14. Conclusion – how to begin? • Contend at Home – Family worship as a source of strength for each member. Manage time. • Contend at Church – the church militant…now, the church triumphant…later • Contend in the community - faithful presence as worker, neighbor, fellow-sinner. Use the gifts God has given for the opportunities He provides.

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