The Mission of God Part 2

THE MISSION OF GOD Church of the City God is relentlessly committed to whatever it takes in order to establish, maintain, and extend intimacy with humans. God is relentlessly committed to whatever it takes in order to establish, maintain, and extend intimacy with humans.

This includes inviting humanity into that exact mission as we become beneﬁciaries of its goodness. THE MISSION OF GOD Church of the City Community - Love One Another

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35 (NIV) THE MISSION OF GOD Church of the City First Layer of Mission - Money and Possessions (easy)

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need…

Acts 4:32-35 (NIV) First Layer of Mission - Money and Possessions (easy)

…Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a ﬁeld he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 4:36-37 (NIV) THE MISSION OF GOD Church of the City Second Layer of Mission - Time and Gifts (difficult)

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word…” Acts 6:1-4 (NIV) Second Layer of Mission - Time and Gifts (difficult)

…This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 6:5-7 (NIV) THE MISSION OF GOD Church of the City Third Layer of Mission - Your Very Self (impossible)

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them oﬀ.

Acts 13:1-3 (NIV) THE MISSION OF GOD Church of the City Second Layer of Mission - Time and Gifts (difficult) Second Layer of Mission - Time and Gifts (difficult)

TIME Second Layer of Mission - Time and Gifts (difficult)

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INTERESTS Second Layer of Mission - Time and Gifts (difficult)

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GIFTS AND TALENTS Second Layer of Mission - Time and Gifts (difficult)

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GIFTS AND TALENTS