Welcome to OUTGOING

What does it mean to be priestly? Reflections on 1 Peter What does a life of priestliness look like in 1 Peter?

And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain— For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace— Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me!

’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray— I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Who would you rather evangelise? Theo The Theist Alan The Atheist

When you picture God, what do you imagine? When you picture Jesus, what do you imagine? When God pictures you, what does He imagine? What are your gut reactions...

15 Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fulness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. Colossians 1

When you picture God, what do you imagine?

the invisible God

When you picture God, what do you imagine? John 1:18 “No-one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.” the invisible God

When you picture God, what do you imagine? 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. the invisible God

When you picture God, what do you imagine? 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. Christ 15 Christ is the image of the invisible God

When you picture God, what do you imagine? GOD Known Unknown

When you picture God, what do you imagine? Known God Unknown

When you picture God, what do you imagine? Known John 14

When you picture God, what do you imagine? Known John 14 6 Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.

When you picture God, what do you imagine? Known John 14 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.

When you picture God, what do you imagine? Known John 14 8 Philip said, Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.

When you picture God, what do you imagine? Known John 14 9 Jesus answered: Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?

When you picture God, what do you imagine? Known John 14 Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

When you picture God, what do you imagine? Known John Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?

When you picture God, what do you imagine?

God is Jesus-Shaped

When you picture Jesus, what do you imagine? 15 Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

When you picture Jesus, what do you imagine? 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fulness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

When you picture Jesus, what do you imagine? Jesus is God-Sized

God is Jesus-Shaped

When God pictures you, what does He imagine?

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.

When God pictures you, what does He imagine? 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation

When God pictures you, what does He imagine? 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.

Jesus is God-Sized God is Jesus-Shaped

Coffee Time

Philippians 2 5 Have this mind among ourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Philippians 2 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

Philippians 2 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah 45:22 “Before me every knee will bow and every tongue confess.”

1 Corinthians 1 17 For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the gospel— not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: ”I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

1 Corinthians 1 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,

1 Corinthians 1 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

What does this tell us about... Divinity? God’s heart towards us? Us and our evangelism?

Divine beings created humanity in order for us to mine gold and other precious materials for them. God created us to test us, to see if good would triumph over evil. God created us so that we could give him glory. TAKERS

Who is this God? 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

What is glory?

“If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.” John 8:54

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:23-24

31 When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.” John 13:31

John 17:1-5 1 After Jesus said this, he looked towards heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17:1-5

22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. 24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. John 17:22,24

What is glory?

Lordship

Majesty

Strength

Wisdom

Holiness

Jesus shows us… God is Giver Therefore, repent and believe the good news!

I don’t believe there is a god and I’m not sure I want one!

Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour, All for love’s sake becamest poor; Thrones for a manger didst surrender, Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor. Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour, All for love’s sake becamest poor.

Thou who art God beyond all praising, All for love’s sake becamest man; Stooping so low, but sinners raising Heavenward by thine eternal plan. Thou who art God beyond all praising, All for love’s sake becamest man.

Thou who art love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship thee. Emmanuel, within us dwelling, Make us what thou wouldst have us be. Thou who art love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship thee.

Recommended Reading:Colossians How does Jesus shape: our view of God our view of ourselves our view of ministry our view of the world around us

NEXT WEEK... The Surprising God Jesus is not the God of the pub discussion or the philosophy department. Exploiting the shock value of Jesus in evangelism!