Ms. Robyn Robertson, 17/02/2012

We need a vision.

Step1: Apply the whole Gospel to the whole of us

What is a holistic ministry?

– commitment to serve the “whole person”

Psa 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

In the past, before the time of electricity, we use the lamp and we move one step at a time.

Are we reading the Bible?

Are we reading the Bible applying the truth not just the convenient truth?

Are we reading God’s Word, applying the truth not just the convenient truth and developing intimacy with Him everyday?

Jos 1:8-10 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (9) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (10) So Joshua ordered the officers of the people:

We don’t go to the front line if we are not prepared, unless we are listening to the people commanding us.

Joh 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. (32) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

To obey is not simply to listen, it means to listen and obey.

God is saying we need to step it up, be more than a servent, be a stewart.

People who truly love, because they are freed through the truth of God, are the more revolutionary people on earth! They are explosive in human society.

Gal 5:22a But the fruit of the Spirit is love

When we eat a fruit salad, we can pluck out those we don’t like. Sometimes we are like that with the fruit of the Spirit.

Patient is love’s stability

Kindness is love’s conduct

Goodness is love’s character

Faithfulness is love’s commitment

Gentleness is live’s humility

self-control is love’s victory

Joy is love’s strength

Peace is love’s security.

Joh 8:48-59 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” (49) I am not possessed by a demon, said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. (50) I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. (51) I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (52) At this the Jews exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. (53) Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” (54) Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. (55) Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. (56) Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” (57) You are not yet fifty years old, the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” (58) I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (59) At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Jesus not only slipped out from their view but he had hidden himself from the church then.

Are we currently applying the whole Gospel? Is there any part of the Gospel that offends us?

Rom 8:7-12 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. (8) Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (9) You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (10) But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. (11) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (12) Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation–but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.

Mat 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We have what He has commanded us so we can fulfil it. Before we can be used by God to reconcile man to Him, we ourselves must be first reconciled to God.

2Co 5:20-21 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (21) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Lam 3:55-57; 40-42; 22-26

Step 2: Apply the whole Gospel to the whole of mankind

A message is not a message unless it is announced. Wherever our front line is, do the people see you or me or Jesus? Do they see good people doing good things or do they have an encounter with Jesus through his ambassadors?

Gospel = Message or News

News

• To draw attention to “newly received” information
• Noteworthy information about recent or important events
• intelligence
• presented to others

Evangelism is founded based on this.

In Rom 10 we read about the need for the people to hear the Gospel.

We don’t need beautiful faith, we need beautiful Gospel. It’s not about us. It’s about God.

Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.

Robyn’s father is a senior pastor, her husband is an executive pastor and her brother is a pastor of evangelism. They normally sit at the front row. During a celebration, she had a vision and saw many people in the altar – Indians. She visited India a few years ago. She they felt Jesus beside her, she could not see him. Those people were desperate and kept talking. After a while she understood what they said – “you promised us hope but gave us money, you promised us a good life but you gave us things that don’t last.” She was only in India for 3 months. She heard Jesus told her to “just give them to me.”Later, she and her husband were working full time in India. They worked in the slums. The husband wanted to “prospertize” them but she wanted to help them with micro-financing. She then remembered what Jesus told her – “just give them to me.”

A question to the Church: Can the nations draw near?

In Mark, we read about Jesus cleansing the temple. The traders prevented the people (the nations) from drawing close. The church should be the access points for others to reach Jesus. Are there walls to be broken down?

Isa 2:2-5 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. (3) Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (4) He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (5) Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Are we shining a light that is catching people’s attention or are we blocking the view that people from outside cannot see what’s happening inside.

Robyn then showed a video clip, this time with audio.

“Our home is so bright now!”

Even more amazing is what Jesus does when the light enters the light of someone.