1. LESSON 2 The Opportunity and the Obligation Did God have a missionary purpose for Israel, or did that have to wait until the Messiah came? Biblical Module

2. TOP LINE? BOTTOM LINE? Definitions

3. What do we mean when we say: ‘the bottom line is...’? n The decisive point n The ultimate goal n The ‘end result’ Biblical Module

4. What do we mean by the term top line? n The means or process to get to the ‘bottom line’ Biblical Module

5. Watch Video The Abraham Connection

6. 1. Explain how the top and bottom lines of the Abrahamic covenant complement each other in the outworking of God’s plan to bless all nations? Biblical Module VIDEO DISCUSSION The Abraham Connection

7. n Abraham received blessings (top line) in order to pass the blessings on (bottom line) n We all have the responsibility to pass on God’s blessings n Luke 12:48b n Matthew 25:14-30 Biblical Module The Abraham Connection

8. 2. Why did God repeat the Covenant to Abraham and his descendants throughout the rest of Genesis? n Emphasis and reinforcement - because it is important n Draw attention to it Biblical Module The Abraham Connection

9. 3. Name some of the Old Testament stories which show the “bottom line” at work. Which nations were touched with God’s blessing? Biblical Module The Abraham Connection

10. n Joseph - Egyptians n The Spies - Caananites n Naomi - Moabites n Esther - Persians n Moses - Midianites n Elijah - Phoenicians Biblical Module The Abraham Connection

11. n Maid - Syrians n Daniel - Babylonians n Jonah - Assyrians n David - Philistines n Solomon - Arabians n Ezra & Nehemiah - Persians Biblical Module The Abraham Connection

12. 4. Does the validity and significance of the Abrahamic Covenant end with the Old Testament or does it apply to those of us who are Gentile believers as well? Discuss Galatians 3:29 in the light of this issue. Biblical Module The Abraham Connection

13. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Biblical Module The Abraham Connection

14. n The Abrahamic Covenant continues after the OT, and does apply to us! n As soon as we say YES to Jesus we take on the responsibility to pass on God’s blessing to others. Biblical Module The Abraham Connection

15. The Abrahamic Covenant in the Old Testament Nations blessed Isaac & Jacob receive blessing & pass it on Abraham receives blessing & passes it on God blesses Abraham & makes a covenant with him Isaac & Jacob receive blessing & pass it on Did the promise continue throughout the OT Nations blessed Biblical Module

16. n Israel’s Obligation n Israel’s Opportunity n Israel’s Disobedience n God’s Persistence Biblical Module Lesson 2 Overview

17. The Two Forces CENTRIPETAL an attracting force CENTRIFUGAL an expansive force Biblical Module

18. Two Methods of Evangelism in the Old Testament CENTRIFUGAL EVANGELISM Jonah Joseph Hebrew girl taken to Syria Exile Biblical Module

19. CENTRIPETAL EVANGELISM Queen of Sheba Ruth Naaman Two Methods of Evangelism in the Old Testament Biblical Module

20. Israel’s Obligation to be a Nation with a Mission Exodus 19:5-6 “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Biblical Module

21. 1.To be a TREASURED POSSESSION (e.g. Jewels - Malachi 3:17)Emphasises: The high value of PEOPLE The PORTABILITY of the message Israel’s Obligation to be a Nation with a Mission Biblical Module

22. 2.To be a KINGDOM OF PRIESTS Emphasises: To represent God to the nations To mediate on behalf of the nations Israel’s Obligation to be a Nation with a Mission Biblical Module

23. 3.To be a HOLY NATION Emphasises: To be wholly God’s To be set apart for His use Israel’s Obligation to be a Nation with a Mission Biblical Module

24. 1. Israel inherited the Abrahamic Covenant: Israel’s Opportunities to be a Nation with a Mission Biblical Module Genesis 12:1-3 Blessed to be a blessing

25. 2. Exodus 8:16-19; 9:13-20; 12:33- 39; 32:1-14 Israel’s Opportunities to be a Nation with a Mission Biblical Module God’s name declared greater than the Egyptian gods - power shown God’s name known throughout nations

26. Israel’s Opportunities to be a Nation with a Mission Biblical Module – Egyptians feared the God of Israel (some gave possessions to Israel and some even went with Israel when they left!) 2. Exodus 8:16-19; 9:13-20; 12:33- 39; 32:1-14

27. 3.Proclaiming what God had done for them as a nation Psalm 96:1-3 4.Land central to the nations and trade routes Ezekiel 5:5 Deut 32:8-9 Israel’s Opportunities to be a Nation with a Mission Biblical Module

29. Israel’s Opportunities to be a Nation with a Mission Biblical Module 5.The TEMPLE Leviticus 19:33-34 Israel was to treat her foreigners well

30. 6.The TEMPLE 1 Kings 8:41-43 The Lord will hear the prayer of the foreigner for His name sake Israel’s Opportunities to be a Nation with a Mission Biblical Module

31. Israel’s Opportunities to be a Nation with a Mission Biblical Module 6.The TEMPLE Isaiah 56:1-8 Foreigners are acceptable before the Lord

32. There are 55 other passages which refer to Gods intentions that all peoples be blessed through the blessings He was to give Israel.

33. How well did Israel do in being a blessing to the Nations? Biblical Module

34. How did Israel Handle God’s Message? Biblical Module

35. Israel’s Disobedience Israel forgot her obligation and ignored her opportunities to proclaim God’s name Intermingling Religiously – God became a ‘local deity’ – Solomon - 1 Kings 11:1-13 Biblical Module

36. Intermingling Politically God’s special relationship was replaced with a monarchy 1 Samuel 8:4-9 Israel’s Disobedience Biblical Module

37. Isolation From the Nations (e.g. Jonah) Israel became greedy & proud Israel’s Disobedience Biblical Module

38. JONAH GOD’S RELUCTANT MISSIONARY

39. KEY VERSE 4:2 “…I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in love…” JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

40. Where? Ninevah, capital of Assyria (pop 120,000) A city of wickedness Compare todays cities of wickedness SCENE 1 “Go to the Great City of Ninevah” (1:2, 3:2) JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

41. SCENE 1 “Go to the Great City of Ninevah” (1:2, 3:2) JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module Why? To save it - “…preach against it…” Reflecting God’s heart for the unreached cities & peoples

42. SCENE 1 “Go to the Great City of Ninevah” (1:2, 3:2) Willing? No! - Jonah goes in the opposite direction JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

43. SCENE 2 “…a violent storm arose…” Where is Jonah? Asleep, away from the action JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

44. SCENE 3 “But the Lord provided a great fish…” (1:17) Why? God hadn’t finished with Jonah yet! A “whale” of a place to contemplate JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

46. SCENE 4 Divine Intervention (ch 2) The Revelation “Salvation comes from the Lord” (2:9) JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

47. SCENE 4 Divine Intervention (ch 2) The Irony The unmerciful Jonah pleads for mercy Jonah’s rescue a picture of God’s saving mercy JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

48. SCENE 5 “Go and proclaim…” (3:2) “Proclaim” = kerygma : Judgement & Good News JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

49. SCENE 6 “Let everyone call urgently on God” (3:6) Result? Sackcloth and ashes, even for the king. JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

50. SCENE 7 “Jonah was greatly displeased...” (4:1) Why? God didn’t fit into Jonah’s little theological box! “Do you have a right to be so angry? JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

51. SCENE 8 An object lesson God’s Question: “Should I not be concerned about that great city [of Ninevah]?” JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

52. SCENE 8 An object lesson The book ends with the question never answered. God reached his goal for Ninevah, but did He reach Jonah JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

53. SCENE 8 An object lesson Question: “Is God any less concerned for the great cities of Tokyo, Mexico, Bangkok, Amsterdam, Peking…” JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

54. Jonah is a picture of the church that is unfaithful to the Lord’s command to go with the gospel to the nations of the world. JONAH God’s Reluctant Missionary Biblical Module

55. The Exile The blessings taken away Israel taken to the nations Ezekiel 36:16-21 God’s Persistence Biblical Module

56. The Prophets Ezekiel 36:22-23 Daniel 9:15-19 God’s Persistence Biblical Module

57. The Prophets: Isaiah 49:6 The statement of Messiah’s mission “Is it too small a thing (restoration of Israel) … I will also make you a light to the gentiles.” Biblical Module TOP LINE BLESSING BOTTOM LINE BLESSING

58. God’s Persistence The Return from Exile God’s Faithfulness Emergence of Synagogues Jewish Missionaries God still achieves His purposes (Isaiah 46:10-11) Biblical Module

59. n Israel’s Obligation n Israel’s Opportunity n Israel’s Disobedience n God’s Persistence Biblical Module Lesson Review

60. How similar to Israel do I or we treat the blessings God gives today? Biblical Module Reflection

61. Nations blessed Isaac & Jacob receive blessing & pass it on Abraham receives blessing & passes it on God blesses Abraham & makes a covenant with him Nations blessed Israel inherits the promises and is responsible to pass them on God Glorified TOP LINE BOTTOM LINE Biblical Module

62. Blessings given to US TOP LINE BOTTOM LINE Blessings given to other PEOPLES/NATIONS which ultimately Blesses and Glorifies GOD Focusing on Top Line Blessings alone - receiving ONLY - is a COP OUT in regards to the responsibility Focusing on Bottom Line Blessings alone - giving out ONLY - will lead to BURN OUT Biblical Module

63. BOTTOM LINE TOP LINE LAND, PROSPERITY & BLESSING TO BE A BLESSING This is God’s ultimate END RESULT: that He and others are blessed God provides the MEANS to be a blessing Biblical Module For every blessing that we receive from God there is a corresponding responsibility to bless others!

64. n QUESTION Biblical Module

65.  House Keeping   Is your homework in the HOME WORK box?  Put your name tag in the NAME TAG box?

66. Mission Sponsor

67. Let the Nations be Glad!, John Piper Unveiled at Last, Bob Sjogren Wittnesses to all the World, Jim & Carol Plueddemann Recommended Books Biblical Module