Missional Hermeneutic: Engaging God's Mission

Missional Hermeneutic

• It involves interpreting the scriptures as a guide for participating in God's mission, allowing faith communities to engage fully

Value of Missional Hermeneutics

• Provides a framework by positioning believers within a grand narrative of redemption
• Lends symmetry to the study of the Bible
• Prevents getting lost in complex biblical narratives

Missional Direction in Biblical Narrative

• Creation (Genesis 1-2): God created heaven and earth, with humanity as the pinnacle
• Fall (Genesis 3-11): Human sin disrupts creation, permeating all order
• God's holiness and love is evident in the Tower of Babel narrative, initiating steps toward redemption
• Israel (Genesis 12:1-3): Israel emerges as the initial form of God's people, showcasing a redeemed community aimed at serving nations via prayer, worship, wisdom and prophetic reminders
• Jesus: Jesus inaugurates God's reign on earth as the Messiah and Redeemer
• The Church: Functions as a complete representation of God’s people
• It is a community sent for eternal purposes
• New Creation (Revelation 20-21): Represents the culmination of redemption, fully countering sin's effects on creation

Mission vs. Missions

• Mission: Encompasses everything that God is doing in creation and what He calls humanity to in cooperation
• Missions: Specific activities that God's people undertake to partake in His broader mission

God's Redemptive Mission

• Shaped by God's character, independently of worldly needs or demands
• Originates from God's inherent nature and is not a human-engineered plan

Deuteronomy, Exodus & 1 Peter Connection

• Deuteronomy & Exodus: God embodies His mission in a community and chooses them as His special people
• 1 Peter: The concept of Christians being called out as God's special people and a holy nation mirrors the language in Deuteronomy & Exodus

Chris Wright's Scriptures on Creation

• Genesis 2:15: Humans were created as servants of creation, responsible for tending it
• Psalm 148: Emphasizes that all creation reflects God's work and glory
• Psalm 96:10, Isaiah 65:17, Romans 8:18-25, Revelation 21: Redemption extends to all of creation
• Psalm 108:5, Isaiah 42:6, Acts 1:8, Philippians 2:10-11: The entire world is the scope of God's redemptive plan

The Great Reminder (Matthew 28:19-20)

• The Bible depicts a unified redemptive narrative with diverse stories
• Blessing others is mandated through Abraham's family, indicating that those blessed by God should bless others
• God’s redemptive saga reveals the character of in its complete form, and was active even in the Old Testament

Beginning of Redemption

• Genesis 10-11: After Noah, societies became complex and self-reliant, symbolizing this through the Tower of Babel construction
• Genesis 12: Abraham's family was chosen to represent God and extend blessings
• Heightened understanding of God's desire to bless nations was reflected in the messages of prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Daniel

OT Verses on God as Redeemer

• Isaiah 2:1-4: All nations flowing toward God's house once it is established
• Micah 4:1-4: Nations flowing to it

Rahab, Ruth, and Jonah connections

• Missionary Motif: Prophets insist Israel's unique calling is not for privilege
• Rahab: God's love extends to Rahab, despite her being forsaken
• Ruth: Ruth was an ethnic outsider included in God's community
• Jonah: Illustrates God's loving forgiveness for those who repent, contrasting with exclusive views of God's people

Holy People & Kingdom of Priests

• Holy People: Set apart with distinct purposes, they are unique in God's view and are shown in Leviticus 19 via moral and ceremonial laws
• Priestly: Showing God in their lives by demonstrating love for God and others.

Deuteronomy on Loving God & Neighbor

• Deuteronomy 6:4: Prioritize loving God
• Deuteronomy 16:19-20 & 15:1-11: Practice justice in dealings
• Deuteronomy 23:10-11: Maintain fairness in land management
• Deuteronomy 23:19-20: Implement equality in financial matters

Genesis Pattern

• God’s work began with Abraham, expanding into a large family then Israel and finally, a multi-ethnic community of believers through Christ

Jesus' Focus Points

• Matthew 10:5-6: Jesus focused on the Jewish people
• Luke 10: Disciples were sent to places Jesus intended to visit
• Mark 10:35-45: Breadth of Commission

Jesus' Ministry

• His concern for Gentiles was evident in His ministry to the Samaritan woman (John 4) and the Centurion (Luke 7)
• His earthly ministry includes non-Jewish people, broadening God’s design
• All nations will hear the message of one true God

The Mission of the Church

• Bears witness to the Good News and the coming of God’s Kingdom
• It proclaims the redeeming power of Jesus, transforming humanity and influencing culture
• The church is the clearest picture of God's people

Significance of Pentecost

• empowering the church as visible witness sent to proclaim God's Good New
• Mission of redemption continues, the Spirit comes

Missiological Emphasis of Acts

• Luke shows how the first-century church advanced
• He is repeatedly interested in Gentile nations (ethne)
• Historical, theological, evangelistic, pastoral and apologetic are all part of Luke's intent
• The chief purpose is missiological

Holy Spirit Outpourings

• Key theme = empowerment to witness the Gospel
• First Jerusalem: introduces the "empowerment-witness" motif (Acts 2:1-4)
• Second Jerusalem: disciples pray for boldness (Acts 4:31)
• Samaritan: new center of missionary outreach (Acts 8:14-17)
• Damascus: Saul proclaims Jesus in the synagogues (Acts 9:15-17)
• Caesarean: Spirit falls on Gentiles, who become full participants (Acts 10:44-47)
• Antiochian: spirit directs early missionary church (Acts 13:1-4)
• Ephesian: entire church empowered (Acts 19:1-7)

The Biblical Gospel

• Unique events, plus life, death and resurrection
• Uncompromising Claims: God has acted to save humanity and no other God or source of salvation exists
• Undivided Loyalty: Requires total loyalty from believers

The Mission of God's People

• To care for God's creation, be chosen, walk in God's ways, represent and draw others to God and be uncompromisingly loyal

Paul's Statement “Every spiritual blessing"

• Assured via grace, death and resurrection
• Defined as justified, saved, reconciled, forgiven, redeemed, adopted, made alive and sealed with the Spirit

Sending and Supporting Churches

• Mission-sending churches are truth-walking churches
• Involves practical support
  • Sending (propempo in Greek to provide for someone's journey), going in faith and supporting with the gifts of giving

Explore missional hermeneutics, interpreting scriptures to guide participation in God's mission. Understand its value in providing a framework for believers within a narrative of redemption. Discover missional direction from Creation to the Church.