Part Three: The Society of the Jesus Creed
Chap. 13: A society of Transformation
It is critical to have a goal. Without one, you get lost.
KINGDOM MISSION. Jesus' ministry was summed up by Matthew as, among other things, preaching the good news of the kingdom. For Jesus the kingdom was society that is transforming life. And, importantly, the kingdom is here now and the transformation of lives has begun.
KINGDOM HERE: LET THE TRANSFORMATION BEGIN!
- Kingdom transformation begins by turing to Jesus.
- Kingdom transformation continues by following Jesus. Jesus replace Torah-style living with Jesus-style living. in Jesus-style living the Jesus Creed is central.
- Kingdom transformation is sustained by fellowship. The new society that Jesus created in the kingdom is like family. In fact, Jesus implies that it is at least as important as biological family.
Chap. 14: A Society of Mustard Seeds
Jesus likes paradox. He likens the kingdom to a mustard seed.
HARD GROUND FOR A MUSTARD SEED. A mustard seed is a mundane, insignificant thing. Yet, Jesus says that the kingdom is like that. Jesus sees God's kingdom in the mundane.
- The mustard seed sprouts among the unlikely. Jesus didn't choose a set of powerful leaders; he chose fisherman, a tax collector, a woman with a bad reputation, etc.
- The mustard seed spread from person to person.
- The mustard seed grows peacefully. The other option open to Jesus in his time was a kingdom of the sword. He chose the peaceful way, not the violent way.
A MODERN MUSTARD SEED.
THE MUSTARD SEED IN PERSON. Jesus was a bit like a mustard seed. In his dying, he rose aging and his kingdom exploded into worldwide growth.