THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR A PRACTICAL BIBLICAL THEOLOGY Keith Wasserman, Founder/Executive Director Good Works, Inc. A COMMUNITY OF HOPE - Since 1981

THE HALLWAY OF LIFE

Principals of Discipleship FORGIVENESS IS THE CENTERPIECE OF THE GOSPEL Forgiveness requires humility, wisdom, discernment, grace and faith – receiving it and translating it to others. See Matthew 6:14-15 Forgiveness is evidence/indicator of maturity in our lives There is a time and a season. A time to… overlook “He who covers over an offense promotes love” Proverbs 17:9 “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” Proverbs 19:17 “Love covers over a multitude of sins” I Peter 4:8 A time to… confront “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault” (Matthew 18:13-19) God will CONTINUALLY send us people to practice forgiveness on. The STORY OF THE KING AND HIS SERVANT

THE CONTINUUM OF MATURITY (see article on our web site) Forgiveness is the centerpiece of the gospel. It is what makes the good news GOOD. Association (Romans 12:16) with the poor to serving the poor to loving the poor to knowing the poor (I Thess 2:8)— to seeing the kingdom We must therefore develop a “theology” of: 1. Develop a THEOLOGY OF FAILURE Fail often in order to succeed sooner. Create an atmosphere where people spell faith E X P E R I M E N T A T I O N. Give your fellow-workers permission to experiment, innovate, risk take and fail-- …. and there will be fruit which will remain!

Develop a THEOLOGY OF UNITY God has already given us unity It is our job to preserve it It takes work to preserve the unity God has already given us. This is the work of love: humility, gentleness &“bearing with”. Once we are in unity, nothing can stop us. Nothing!” (Matthew 16:18) Develop a THEOLOGY OF THE FEAR OF GOD The beginning of knowledge (1:7) Is to hate evil (8:13) Is the beginning of wisdom (9:10) Adds length of life (10:27) Is a fountain of life (14:27) Teaches a man wisdom (15:33) Helps us avoid evil (16:6) Leads to life (19:23) + humility brings wealth, honor and life (22:4)

The oil refinery story “He has shown you O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” -- Micah 6:8 “Evil men do not understand justice. But those who seek the Lord understand it fully” -- Proverbs 28:5 “Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former” – Matthew 23:23