Q-1. What does it really mean to be a ‘Family of Churches on Mission’?

Q-2. What do you think the Apostle Paul would be doing if he were alive today?

Q-3. How would the Apostle Paul respond to the changes and turmoil in North Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan ?

Q-4. What would the Apostle Paul say to the churches in multicultural societies like the UK and Europe?

Q-5. If he were planning to visit the UK and speak here for the first time, what do you think the Apostle Paul would say to a “Family of Churches on Mission” if they gathered to hear him at this time, in this centre and city?

Into All the World

25 Feb 2011Dr Len Bartlotti / ELC Oxford

Into All the World

Releasing a New Generation of Apostolic Workers, Vision and Passion

for the Final Frontiers of the Gospel25 Feb 2011Dr Len Bartlotti / ELC Oxford

Romans 15I. Establishing Relationships in the FamilyII. Explaining the Nature

of the FamilyIII. Embracing Nations

to Extend the Family

I - Establishing Relationships

in the Family

Christ the Center

“For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’” (15:3)

I - Establishing Relationships

in the Family

Christ the Center

“May God…give you a spirit of unity as you follow Christ Jesus…” (15:5)

I - Establishing Relationships

in the Family

Christ the Center

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ has accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (15:7)

I - Establishing Relationships in the Family

ChristA. The Manner of His Acceptance• Expressing Love Despite Our Sinfulness

• Establishing My Value and Significance

I - Establishing Relationships in the Family

ChristB. The Method of His Acceptance• Entering Our World as Savior

• Eating at Our Table as Friend

I - Establishing Relationships in the Family

ChristC. The Measure of His Acceptance• Extending His Hands in Service

• Emptying Himself in Sacrifice

I - Establishing Relationships in the Family

ChristD. The Motive of His Acceptance• Embodying the Son’s Submission• Exalting the Father’s Glory

“...Glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”“…In order to bring praise to God.”

II - Explaining the Nature of the Family

A. Christ, Our Head1. Initial Priority

• Servant of the Jews (“the Circumcision”)

II - Explaining the Nature of the Family

A. Christ, Our Head2. Inviolable Promises

“To confirm the Promises to the Patriarchs” (Rom 15:8)

• Abraham: Gen 12:1-3; 17:7; 18:19; 22:18• Isaac: Gen 26:34• Jacob: Gen 28:13-15; 46:2-4

“All Nations will be blessed through you.”

II - Explaining the Nature of the Family

A. Christ, Our Head3. Ultimate Purpose

• “My salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isa 49:6) • “You [the Church] are a Chosen People, a Royal

Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a People belonging to God…Once you were not a people, now you are the People of God.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)

A People from All Peoples

II - Explaining the Nature of the Family

A. Christ, Our Head4. Unbounded Mercy

• “Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10)• “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were

once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ (Eph 2:13)

II - Explaining the Nature of the Family

A. Christ, Our Head

5. Unending Praise• “That the Gentiles (nations) might glorify

God for his mercy” (Rom 15:9)

II - Explaining the Nature of the Family

B. Christ, The Nations’ Hope

1. Praise Among All Nations• “Therefore, I will praise you among the

Gentiles (nations).” (Rom 15:9; Ps 18:49)

II - Explaining the Nature of the Family

B. Christ, The Nations’ Hope

2. Praise From All Nations• “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles (nations),

and sing praises to him, all you peoples.” (Rom 15:11; Ps 117:1)

III - Embracing Nations toExtend the Family

A. Ministers of Christ1. To the Church

• “I am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. I have written to you quite boldly to remind you of them again…” (Rom 15:14-15)

• Ministry to & in the Church—“our people”

III - Embracing Nations toExtend the Family

A. Ministers of Christ2. To the Nations

• “Because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles (nations)…” (Rom 15:16)• Ministry to the nations, crossing cultural

barriers to “a people not your own”

III - Embracing Nations toExtend the Family

B. Priestly Duty1. “Proclaiming the Gospel of God”2. “Offering the Nations”3. “Leading the Nations to obey God”4. “Nations Acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” (Rom 15:16)

III - Embracing Nations toExtend the Family

C. Anointing for Ministry1. Christ at Work Through Me

“What Christ has accomplished through me”

2. The Spirit’s Power Beyond Me“…the power of signs and miracles”

3. The Gospel Proclaimed Fully“From Jerusalem to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ”

III - Embracing Nations toExtend the Family

D. Ambition of Pioneer Apostle 1. My Ambition

“Preach the gospel where Christ is not known”

2. My Rationale“so that I would not be building on someone

else’s foundation.”

3. My Authority“Rather, as it is written…” God’s Plan for

the Nations is revealed through Scripture

III - Embracing Nations toExtend the Family

D. Ambition of Pioneer Apostle 4. My Vision“Those who were not told about him

will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

III - Embracing Nations toExtend the Family

E. Assessment of the Task1.Churches Planted (Finished Work in Eastern Med)2.Pioneer Missions (In Route to Western Med/Spain)3.Apostolic Visit for Blessing & Base4.Apostolic Vision for All Peoples

III - Embracing Nations toExtend the Family

E. Appeal to the Church1.Assist me on my journey2.Affirm our Unity in Christ and mutual Love in the Spirit3.Join me in my struggle4.Pray to God for me5.Refresh our souls together