Healing. Haha. I guess that could go along with touch, but I'm talking physical healing. I don't know how you would go about that...but would be crazy... maybe? We will do greater things??? Think about it. I love everything though.

Yeah, for sure healing. I imagined that probably fitting in with the teaching on KINGDOM. But maybe it needs more. Thanx Alex!!!

Hey Britt,
I really wanted to share this with you because it relates to this series..I just didn't know where it fit in:) I came across this article and it deals with global mission, especially for north americans, and when dealing with incarnational lifestyles. I thought you might enjoy reading it : http://msainfo.org/articles/desperately-needed-more-outsiders-a-biblical-mandate-for-cross-cultural-missions.

God bless you friend

hey britt,

Maybe "Discipleship"? "Christ's Mission of teaching and nurturing His flock". This could tie into "Kingdom" though by making "eternal friends" in imitation of how Christ has befriended us.

John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for ALL THINGS that I heard from My Father I have MADE KNOWN to you.

Amplified Bible says: [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.]

Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Hey Bethany... that link was not working... I would love to check it out... do you have a different link?
britt

When thinking of the incarnation of Jesus and how I can be on mission in Santa Barbara, I am often reminded of how Jesus did not only touch, renew and restore, but he GAVE. I find that I have almost daily opportunities to give in my community. However, I have noticed that both myself and my believing peers still have many questions about how we can give like Jesus gave in such a way that we reflect His light. Some questions: Do we give time, resources, or money? To whom do we give? How much? Are there times when I should not give? Do I have to fulfill every need if I can?

In addition, while studying the book of Isaiah over this past year, I have been learning a lot more about God's heart specifically towards the poor, the widows and the fatherless. I feel that these populations are very special to God and that we often think of serving (or giving to) them abroad, but not in our own communities in California. I think it would be neat to focus on these populations and how we can give and love them in a practical way in our own communities.

I'm not sure where GIVING and the poor, widows and orphans would fit into your sermons, but I do feel like the church has a need and a desire to understand these populations more and how they can in turn GIVE. For my job I oversee a program that assists homeless youth. Each day at work I encounter the poor and the fatherless and every day I am learning something new. If you want to learn more on these populations I am open to answer any questions you may have. Below are some questions/ideas I hear/encounter a lot that may feed some of your studies.

- Some say the "poor" only refers to the homeless. However, many poor people are couch surfing and attending school or living with more than one family in one bedroom apartments, on SSI, etc.
- What if the homeless man uses my money to feed his alcohol habit? Then how can I give to him?
- Many think that homeless and street kids are only a nuisance and are out looking for adventure. However, the majority of them are abused and fatherless, simply trying to survive and be loved. In fact, one third of foster youth who emancipate in SB County become homeless (every time I am reminded of this stat it makes me so sad).
- I was recently told that there are about 1000 foster kids in SB county and only about 66 foster parents (and that is the number of parents, not even the number of homes). There is definitely a need and plenty of opportunity to give to these kids.

Hope this helps, even if only a little bit.

Oh wow Emily, that does help. These are the same kind of thoughts and questions I have been having. I love that you are on the front lines... good job. I don't have any answers, but I know that we as the Church need to do way better at listening to and understanding and addressing these needs. You are so right. The info you have shared is helpful and the questions you pose are piercing. Please share anything else you have... you've got me thinking.
Thank you!
britt

weird! okay try this one

http://msainfo.org/articles/desperately-needed-more-outsiders-a-biblical-mandate-for-cross-cultural-missions

Dear Britt,

Although Intimacy with Jesus is foundational in what I think is missing and that was covered in your early teachings, what about Mission in terms of Intercessory Prayer. The more biographies of the saints I read, the more I see that those that had others partnering with them in Prayer had much more effective and radically anointed ministries.

just a thought...

sue

Hey Britt,
I would encourage you to consider Missio Christi / GO!!! As you know and are currently teaching, Jesus did minster in His immediate context - in the marketplace of His culture. Also, as you know in Acts 1:8 Jesus said; "...You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, AND TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. The call of Christ in relation to Missio Christi is for us as Christians to be His witnesses in our immediate context (the marketplace) and making disciples of ALL NATIONS (Mathew 28:18-20). For Missio Christi to be complete, we has Christians need to be reminded and exhorted that Jesus died to redeem us to God by His blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and Nation (Revelation 5:9).

You're missing the Resurrection.

Thank you for the series, Britt, I am really enjoying it from Down Under, but at one study per week it is not enough for us retirees – I’m also reviewing Hebrews from 2007 (did that ever really finish?).
In Missio Christi (fortunately I did 5 years of Latin), you might consider spending time on Jesus Himself and how He conducted His Mission. If we are to conduct our mission, we should understand the real Jesus and how He went about it, understanding that He was not politically correct, He did not baulk at openly criticising hypocrites like the Pharisees, He did not sit, discuss, and politely accept contrary views, He was dismissive of those who had excuses for not following Him, that while He was gentle and kind, He was also bold and firm, and brooked no error.
In a world where political correctness has taken hold to an alarming degree, and churches of all theological and spiritual persuasions, monotheistic, polytheistic, and pagan get together to find common ground, Christians seem to be apologising for repeating what Jesus told us, He and He alone is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus was no wimp when it came to the truth.
I have just finished a book by John MacArthur entitled “The Jesus You Can’t Ignore”, to quote the back cover, “These days Jesus is often portrayed as a pacifist, a philanthropist, or a docile teacher. He strikes a plastic – and sometimes pathetic – pose in the minds of many. Some prefer the meek and mild Jesus who heals the sick, calms fears, and speaks of peace and goodwill. These things do represent a portion of the Messiah. But tragically, too many have never been exposed to the rest of him. They have never seen a full 360 degree view of the Saviour”.
I recommend this book as providing great insights into the character and nature of Jesus, as revealed by the way He treated people He encountered, and the way he dealt with issues.
Too often we quote Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers ...” as a proof text for being conciliatory on all matters of disagreement, accepting any and all views as valid, accepting that we are actually entitled to hold such views, without understanding that the peace referred to here is not between nations or between each other (although it can be), but between us and God. We cannot make peace with God without accepting Jesus, Jesus Himself told us that, and if we read the Gospels as a narrative of how Jesus conducted Himself, rather than simply what He said and did, we begin to see a very different picture of Jesus that should inform our own conduct.
Naturally, it is only with Him in us that we will get anywhere near close.

P.S. Thinking of your favourite pastime, I was trying to devise a fresh understanding of Revelation 21:1, and decided that if you interpret the words “no more” to mean “not more”, as in the same or less, that might give you some hope.

Thanx Wayne... great insights! The "and there is no longer any sea" of Revelation 21 is disturbing for us surfers. But, (1) the presence of the LOrd will far outweigh the riding of waves, and (2) I believe the idea of there being no sea is a Jewish idiom for there no longer being any separation between peoples. There will be no more goodbyes. At least I hope that is the case... sounds better than no more waves!
blessings
britt

This may have already been said, as I know it has been touched upon within other areas. But I was thinking [Love/Obedience/Abide]. Maybe it could all fall under "Walk"? I know, there is so much to cover... but 1 John is all about how we will be recognized as belonging to Christ by our love, by our obedience... and neither of these two can happen unless we are abiding.
"But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." 1 John 2:5-6
Obviously, love has been discussed, as it was love that initiated the incarnation in the first place. But that's kind of how the regeneration of a human heart is "fleshed out"... (1 Cor.13, and 1 John 4:12-16. All of 1 John really. ) Blessings!!