Perspectives

Bethel Bible Church (Tyler, TX) has had the great privilege of hosting "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement". This study program is a ministry of the U.S. Center for World Mission - a non-denominational parachurch ministry that works with churches, mission agencies, and campus ministries around the world.

Perspectives is not so much a course, as it is a "movement" involving tens of thousands of God's people throughout the world finding their niche in God's overall purpose to bless the nations. Since its beginning in 1974, dozens of other seminars, courses, and materials have been developed after the pattern of the course, both in the United States and abroad.

• Learn more about the history of the Perspectives Program.
• Learn more about the core ideas of the Perspectives Program.

This last Monday night, we had the privilege to hear from Dr. Ron Blue. He spoke about the Kingdom. It was great! Below are some of the notes from the evening. If you have a chance to go to Perspectives in your area... Go!

The Messengers of the Kingdom

Psalm 145:11-13

11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the children of man your2 xmighty deeds,
and ythe glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

When we hear "Kingdom" in the scripture we need to think God's Authority.


The Meaning of the Kingdom

God's Realm - Royal Territory

God's Reign - Royal Authority

• First Coming: Satan's power is BROKEN
• Intermediate period: Satan's power is RESTRICTED
• Second Coming: Satan's power is DEFEATED

So... we are not rosy optimists or distraught pessimists, but biblical realists.

The program: Pardon - Preach - Power - Peace

The Mandate of the Kingdom

The gospel of the Kingdom: "Good news of Christ's conquest."

• Triumph over death (1 Cor. 15:20-26)
• Triumph over sin (Rom. 6:1-11, 23)
• Triumph over Satan (Heb. 2:14-15)

The Prayer of the Kingdom: Mt. 6:10 - Christ's Dominion and Christ's Invtervention

Intercessory prayer must be offered in rebellion against the status quo that...

• His name may be honored even where it is denied
• His message may be effective even where it is denied.

The Messiah and the Kingdom

The Day of the Lord (Mal. 1:1-10; Mt. 11:2-6; Mt. 12:17-21)

Suprise Messiah - not political conquest but spiriutal healing

God at War (Mt. 12:22-29)

Victorious Messiah: he came to conquer the power of the devil.

Strategic Prayer

Prayer is not magic, but through prayer we participate in God's work to...

• Redeem people from allegiance to false gods (idolatry)
• Relesae people from the strongholds of false ideas (fatalism)

The Mission of the Kingdom

Jesus came into a "diabolical war zone" to overcome Satan and his demonic forces. But instead of issuing judgment on the nations, He introduced salvation through grace. Our "spiritual warfare is not beligerent. We depend on God's supernatural power through...

Faithful evangelism

• FORM - family, occupation, religion, message

Gracious Service
Ron Blue tells a story about a church that had 5 services with well over 10k and the place kept growing. *Their strategy - every member agrees (when they become a member - maybe a covenant) that if a friend, family, co-worker ever has a problem - the church is informed and then some people will go with a gift (fruit or flowers) and then say, "we heard you had this ... (problem / circumstance) and we wanted to pray for you." Then they pray on the spot right there... follow up three days later with a visit. Pray again. The guy told Blue that they never have to ask people to come to church, they end up asking, "can we visit your church?" - The church keeps growing like crazy.

Persistent Prayer

I also heard today that Ed Stetzer is going to be writing for the new edition of the Perspectives text book.