The Opportunity and the Obligation

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LESSON 2
Biblical Module
The Opportunity and the Obligation
Did God have a missionary purpose for Israel, or
did that have to wait until the Messiah came?
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TOP LINE? BOTTOM LINE?

• Definitions

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What do we mean when we say the bottom line
is...?
Biblical Module

• The decisive point
• The ultimate goal
• The end result

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What do we mean by the term top line?
Biblical Module

• The means or process to get to the bottom line

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The Abraham Connection
Biblical Module
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The Abraham Connection
Biblical Module
1. Explain how the top and bottom lines of the
Abrahamic covenant complement each other in the
outworking of Gods plan to bless all nations?
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The Abraham Connection
Biblical Module

• Abraham received blessings (top line) in order
  to pass the blessings on (bottom line)
• We all have the responsibility to pass on Gods
  blessings
• Luke 1248b
• Matthew 2514-30

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The Abraham Connection
Biblical Module
2. Why did God repeat the Covenant to Abraham
and his descendants throughout the rest of
Genesis?

• Emphasis and reinforcement - because it is
  important
• Draw attention to it

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The Abraham Connection
Biblical Module
3. Name some of the Old Testament stories which
show the bottom line at work. Which nations
were touched with Gods blessing?
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The Abraham Connection
Biblical Module

• Joseph - Egyptians
• The Spies - Caananites
• Naomi - Moabites
• Esther - Persians
• Moses - Midianites
• Elijah - Phoenicians

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The Abraham Connection
Biblical Module

• Maid - Syrians
• Daniel - Babylonians
• Jonah - Assyrians
• David - Philistines
• Solomon - Arabians
• Ezra Nehemiah - Persians

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The Abraham Connection
Biblical Module
4. Does the validity and significance of the
Abrahamic Covenant end with the Old Testament or
does it apply to those of us who are Gentile
believers as well? Discuss Galatians 329 in the
light of this issue.
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The Abraham Connection
Biblical Module
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abrahams
seed, and heirs according to the promise.
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The Abraham Connection
Biblical Module

• The Abrahamic Covenant continues after the OT,
  and does apply to us!
• As soon as we say YES to Jesus we take on the
  responsibility to pass on Gods blessing to
  others.

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The Abrahamic Covenant in the Old Testament
Biblical Module
Did the promise continue throughout the OT
Isaac Jacob receive blessing pass it on
Isaac Jacob receive blessing pass it on
Nations blessed
Nations blessed
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Lesson 2 Overview
Biblical Module

• Israels Obligation
• Israels Opportunity
• Israels Disobedience
• Gods Persistence

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The Two Forces
Biblical Module
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Two Methods of Evangelism in the Old Testament
Biblical Module
CENTRIFUGAL EVANGELISM
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Two Methods of Evangelism in the Old Testament
Biblical Module
CENTRIPETAL EVANGELISM
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Israels Obligation to be a Nation
with a Mission
Biblical Module
Exodus 195-6 Now if you obey me fully and
keep my covenant, then out of all nations you
will be my treasured possession. Although the
whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom
of priests and a holy nation.
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Israels Obligation to be a Nation
with a Mission
Biblical Module

• To be a TREASURED POSSESSION
• (e.g. Jewels - Malachi 317)
• Emphasises
• The high value of PEOPLE
• The PORTABILITY of the message

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Israels Obligation to be a Nation
with a Mission
Biblical Module

• To be a KINGDOM OF PRIESTS
• Emphasises
• To represent God to
  the nations
• To mediate on behalf of
  the nations

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Israels Obligation to be a Nation
with a Mission
Biblical Module

• To be a HOLY NATION
• Emphasises
• To be wholly Gods
• To be set apart for His use

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Israels Opportunities to be a
Nation with a Mission
Biblical Module

1. Israel inherited the Abrahamic
   Covenant

• Genesis 121-3
• Blessed to be a blessing

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Israels Opportunities to be a
Nation with a Mission
Biblical Module

1. Exodus 816-19 913-20 1233-39 321-14

• Gods name declared greater than the Egyptian
  gods - power shown
• Gods name known throughout nations

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Israels Opportunities to be a
Nation with a Mission
Biblical Module

1. Exodus 816-19 913-20 1233-39 321-14

• Egyptians feared the God of Israel (some gave
  possessions to Israel and some even went with
  Israel when they left!)

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Israels Opportunities to be a
Nation with a Mission
Biblical Module

• Proclaiming what God had done for them as a
  nation
• Psalm 961-3
• Land central to the nations and trade routes
• Ezekiel 55
• Deut 328-9

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Biblical Module
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Israels Opportunities to be a
Nation with a Mission
Biblical Module

• The TEMPLE
• Leviticus 1933-34

• Israel was to treat her foreigners well

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Israels Opportunities to be a
Nation with a Mission
Biblical Module

• The TEMPLE
• 1 Kings 841-43

• The Lord will hear the prayer of the foreigner
  for His name sake

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Israels Opportunities to be a
Nation with a Mission
Biblical Module

• The TEMPLE
• Isaiah 561-8

• Foreigners are acceptable before the Lord

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There are 55 other passages which refer to Gods
intentions that all peoples be blessed through
the blessings He was to give Israel.
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How well did Israel do in being a blessing to the
Nations?
Biblical Module
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How did Israel Handle Gods Message?
Biblical Module
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Israels Disobedience
Biblical Module

• Israel forgot her obligation and ignored her
  opportunities to proclaim Gods name
• Intermingling
• Religiously
• God became a local deity
• Solomon - 1 Kings 111-13

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Israels Disobedience
Biblical Module

• Intermingling
• Politically
• Gods special relationship was replaced with a
  monarchy
• 1 Samuel 84-9

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Israels Disobedience
Biblical Module

• Isolation
• From the Nations (e.g. Jonah)
• Israel became greedy proud

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JONAH

• GODS RELUCTANT MISSIONARY

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module

• KEY VERSE 42
• I knew that you are a gracious and
  compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in
  love

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 1 Go to the Great City of Ninevah (12,
32)

• Where?
• Ninevah, capital of Assyria (pop 120,000)
• A city of wickedness
• Compare todays cities of wickedness

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 1 Go to the Great City of Ninevah (12,
32)

• Why?
• To save it - preach against it
• Reflecting Gods heart for the unreached cities
  peoples

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 1 Go to the Great City of Ninevah (12,
32)

• Willing?
• No! - Jonah goes in the opposite direction

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 2 a violent storm arose

• Where is Jonah?
• Asleep, away from the action

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 3 But the Lord provided a great fish
(117)

• Why?
• God hadnt finished with Jonah yet!
• A whale of a place to contemplate

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Biblical Module
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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 4 Divine Intervention (ch 2)

• The Revelation
• Salvation comes from the Lord (29)

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 4 Divine Intervention (ch 2)

• The Irony
• The unmerciful Jonah pleads for mercy
• Jonahs rescue a picture of Gods saving
  mercy

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 5 Go and proclaim (32)

• Proclaim
• kerygma Judgement Good News

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 6 Let everyone call urgently on God (36)

• Result?
• Sackcloth and ashes, even for the king.

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 7 Jonah was greatly displeased... (41)

• Why?
• God didnt fit into Jonahs little theological
  box!
• Do you have a right to be so angry?

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 8 An object lesson

• Gods Question
• Should I not be concerned about that great city
  of Ninevah?

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 8 An object lesson

• The book ends with the question never answered.
  God reached his goal for Ninevah, but did He
  reach Jonah

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module
SCENE 8 An object lesson

• Question
• Is God any less concerned for the great cities
  of Tokyo, Mexico, Bangkok, Amsterdam, Peking

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JONAH Gods Reluctant Missionary
Biblical Module

• Jonah is a picture of the church that is
  unfaithful to the Lords command to go with the
  gospel to the nations of the world.

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Gods Persistence
Biblical Module

• The Exile
• The blessings taken away
• Israel taken to the nations
• Ezekiel 3616-21

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Gods Persistence
Biblical Module

• The Prophets
• Ezekiel 3622-23
• Daniel 915-19

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The Prophets Isaiah 496
Biblical Module

• The statement of Messiahs mission
• Is it too small a thing (restoration of Israel)
  I will also make you a light to the gentiles.

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Gods Persistence
Biblical Module

• The Return from Exile
• Gods Faithfulness
• Emergence of Synagogues
• Jewish Missionaries

• God still achieves His purposes (Isaiah
  4610-11)

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Lesson Review
Biblical Module

• Israels Obligation
• Israels Opportunity
• Israels Disobedience
• Gods Persistence

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Reflection
Biblical Module
How similar to Israel do I or we treat the
blessings God gives today?
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TOP LINE
Biblical Module
BOTTOM LINE
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Focusing on Bottom Line Blessings alone - giving
out ONLY -
will lead to BURN OUT
Biblical Module
Blessings given to US TOP LINE
BALANCE
Focusing on Top Line Blessings alone - receiving
ONLY - is a
COP OUT in regards to the responsibility
BOTTOM LINEBlessings given to other
PEOPLES/NATIONSwhich ultimately Blesses and
Glorifies GOD
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TOP LINE
Biblical Module
LAND, PROSPERITY BLESSING
God provides the MEANS to be a blessing
This is Gods ultimate END RESULT that He and
others are blessed
TO BE A BLESSING
BOTTOM LINE
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Biblical Module

• QUESTION

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i House Keeping i

• Is your homework in the HOME WORK box?
• Put your name tag in the NAME TAG box?

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Mission Sponsor
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Recommended Books
Biblical Module

• Let the Nations be Glad!, John Piper
• Unveiled at Last, Bob
  Sjogren
• Wittnesses to all the World,
  Jim Carol Plueddemann