Mission & Metaphors.
.
2 Cor 2: 14 (NIV)
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession & uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
.
- how are these images encouraging?
- how are they challenging?
[ ego. / vainglorious. ]
- are there any potential dangers
for viewing evangelism in this way?
1. Triumphal Procession
◘ Joyful, victorious, the battle is won
◘ Freedom, Independence vs. a lack of free choice
... As captives, we don't set the strategy
but if we are 'prisoners' then it is to a good & loving God
◘ Whose is the victory? // By your own efforts..
how foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Gal 3:3 (NLT)
◘ Other refs. "Captive"~ where else? ... also in 2 Cor 10: 5
we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Col 2:15 *disarmed // Rom 6: 17-18 slaves to righteousness
2. Aroma
◘ Other refs. cf. Eph 5: 1 - 2 - Christ's example
Follow God's example... & walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us & gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering & sacrifice to God.
◘ Fleeting; ethereal / - - 'even on a rough day?'
- - 'do we top up God's light with some of our own jazziness?'
◘ A reminder - ourselves as the living sacrifice of Romans 12
3. Lanterns
◘ Jesus as light → direction / illumination
◘ Powerful, unfettered, authentic: "setting forth the truth plainly"
◘ Not wanting to be seen/ sins to be known/
character called into question
◘ Factions believing that they are the light /
self-righteous behaviour vs. 'the weaker brother'
◘ Other refs.
Gen 1:3 // Jn 1: 1 - 13 // Ps 119 v. 105
Matt 5: 16 Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds
& glorify your Father in heaven.
2 Cor 2: 14 (NIV)
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession & uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
.
- how are these images encouraging?
- how are they challenging?
[ ego. / vainglorious. ]
- are there any potential dangers
for viewing evangelism in this way?
1. Triumphal Procession
◘ Joyful, victorious, the battle is won
◘ Freedom, Independence vs. a lack of free choice
... As captives, we don't set the strategy
but if we are 'prisoners' then it is to a good & loving God
◘ Whose is the victory? // By your own efforts..
how foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Gal 3:3 (NLT)
◘ Other refs. "Captive"~ where else? ... also in 2 Cor 10: 5
we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Col 2:15 *disarmed // Rom 6: 17-18 slaves to righteousness
2. Aroma
◘ Other refs. cf. Eph 5: 1 - 2 - Christ's example
Follow God's example... & walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us & gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering & sacrifice to God.
◘ Fleeting; ethereal / - - 'even on a rough day?'
- - 'do we top up God's light with some of our own jazziness?'
◘ A reminder - ourselves as the living sacrifice of Romans 12
3. Lanterns
◘ Jesus as light → direction / illumination
◘ Powerful, unfettered, authentic: "setting forth the truth plainly"
◘ Not wanting to be seen/ sins to be known/
character called into question
◘ Factions believing that they are the light /
self-righteous behaviour vs. 'the weaker brother'
◘ Other refs.
Gen 1:3 // Jn 1: 1 - 13 // Ps 119 v. 105
Matt 5: 16 Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds
& glorify your Father in heaven.