Western Bible Conference Renew Our Souls

Sunday’s Theme: Renewed Mind A disposition which guides all of life into the “ways” which God reveals A disposition which guides all of life into the “ways” which God reveals An orientation of my being By revelation – I Cor 2 mystery By self-giving – Phil 2 self-emptying By attention – Col 3 things above

Monday’s Theme: Renewed Passion Loving as the essence of reality (Dt. 6/Mk 12) Loving as the essence of reality (Dt. 6/Mk 12) –My doing must arise from His being –Holiness is inseparable from Love –Perfect Love is what He desires to fill our hearts with

Spirit Renewal or His Forming of the Soul Me and Spiritual Disciplines Me and Spiritual Disciplines –The ‘tension’ in preparation –Years of concern over “prayerlessness” Bad (theological) Arithmetic Bad (theological) Arithmetic –He bestows His Mind –He sheds His Love abroad in my heart –Now…It’s all up to me!

What is the new in renewing? The Image of God (Gen 1-2) 1. LIFE IS HIS ALONE TO CREATE, DEFINE 2. INTIMACY INSEPARABLE FROM GLORIFYING HIM (POTENTIAL HINDRANCES MUST BE FACED) 3. CREATED FOR FELLOWSHIP 4. HE HAS MADE US FOR FRUITFULNESS 5. FULLNESS OF LIFE MEANS THAT ALL HUMAN FELLOWSHIP MUST REFLECT TRIUNE INTIMACY

Personhood as the key to reality No worship, No Law, No mediators… No worship, No Law, No mediators… He is not after my performance He is wants to fill my heart (living soul Gen 2:7) He is not after my performance He is wants to fill my heart (living soul Gen 2:7) Relationship takes mutual commitment: Relationship takes mutual commitment: –Conversation with understanding –Learning about the other’s “ways” –Desiring to please in a healthy manner –Willing to sacrifice for the other’s sake

Re-Formation to Counter De-Formation Gen 3 Intimacy Destroyed Intimacy Destroyed Self-Glorification Self-Glorification We vaunt ourselves – Individualization We vaunt ourselves – Individualization The “other” is deemed as a means to my end The “other” is deemed as a means to my end Hindrances (desires, passions apart from Him) become our ‘gods’. We become what we worship Hindrances (desires, passions apart from Him) become our ‘gods’. We become what we worship Gen 4 – an act of worship becomes a place of murder

At base what the Spirit wants to form in me (soul) Beginning? Gen 5:1-3 > 4:26 SPIRITUAL FREEDOM PERSONAL TRUST OPENNESSFRUITFULNESS/SELFLESSNESS “WALK” (22), “REST” (29) “TO BE IS TO BE IN RELATIONSHIP”

The ‘forming’ of a people Ex. 19:4-6 (1) "Brought you to myself" Redemption/Deliverance (2) "If you obey" Authority/Obedience (3) "Kingdom of Priests“ “Nation” Communal/Fellowship (4) "Kingdom of Priests" Outreach (5) "Holy Nation" Character/Growth

The Spirit’s Formation in the Family Dt. 6-7 (1) "Brought you out of Egypt“ 6:12,21 Redemption (2) “These words shall be on your heart“ 6:6 Authority/Obedience (3) “Teach them diligently to your sons in your house“ 6:7 Communal/Fellowship (4)”Write on the posts and gates 6:9 “Brings you in…gives you“ 6:10 Possession of Promise “Show your love for the alien’ 10:19 Outreach (5)”Love with ‘all’, hand, forehead, 6:5,8 “For you are Holy“ 7:6 Character/Growth

Formation of the “New Israel” Mt 4:17-22 (1) “Repent“ 4:17 Redemption (2) “Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” 4:17 “Follow me“ 4:19 Authority/Obedience (3) “left and followed“ 4:20, 22 Fellowship (4) “Fishers of Men“ 4:19 Outreach (5) “Follow Me" “Be ye perfect, even as Your Father in Heaven is perfect” Character/Growth

Great Commission Matt 28:18-20 (1) “Baptizing them“ 28:19 Redemption/Deliverance (2) “All authority” 28:18 “Teach them to observe all I command you“ 28:20 Authority/Obedience (3) “Make disciples” 28:19 Communal/Fellowship (4) “Of all nations“ 28:19 Outreach (5) “In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" Character/Growth

Formation of the Church Acts 2 (1) “Repent“ 2:38 Redemption/Deliverance (2) “Apostle’s teaching” 2:42 Authority/Obedience (3) “house to house“ 2:42,46 Communal/Fellowship (4) Nations present 2:37ff. Outreach (5) “Shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit“ 2:38 Character/Growth

FORMED IN BEING AND DOING REDEEMED/RECREATED BEING OBEYDOING RELATEDOING SHAREDOING CHARACTER BEING

OBJECTIVES - MEANS - GOALS INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS / \ REDEMPTION DISCIPLESHIP SANCTIFICATN / \ SHARINGMEANS/ GRACE ACCOUNTABLE | SELF-GIVINGMIND OF CHRIST HOLINESS ServingThinkingCharacter | GLORIFY THE TRIUNE GOD

Me and the “donkeys” Tell me about your quiet time Tell me about your quiet time What are you reading? What are you reading? Who are you discipling? Who are you discipling? When were you filled with the Spirit? When were you filled with the Spirit?

Three ‘areas’ I have to watch Relationship over Function Relationship over Function What Prayer really is What Prayer really is A definition of grace A definition of grace