Conflict Caused by Gospel Advance
Wherever there is forward movement of the gospel there will be conflict. We anticipate conflict with unbelief and false religious systems, but the story of the early church Jerusalem Council reminds us that sometimes there is conflict between our traditions and cultural norms, and what God is doing as He brings people to Himself. The deliberations of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 demonstrate a proper understanding of the balance between doctrinal absolutes and cultural norms. The lessons from Acts 15 are not just for missionaries on the front lines of ministry. They are for churches at home as we strive to be doctrinally faithful and culturally effective.
God Is on Mission
As we have been learning from Pastor Trent’s series in Genesis, the foundations of who man is and how he relates to God are found in the stories of this ancient book. This week we will look again at Genesis chapter 3 and the story of mankind’s fall from perfection. We will focus in on how God responds to man’s fall by continuing to pursue His eternal purpose, which spans the entire story of humanity and culminates in a glorious future.
Tracking with the Apostle Paul
After writing the longest of all of his theological discourses and several chapters of instructive application, Paul brings his letter to the Romans to a conclusion in chapters 15 and 16. In verses 14-33 of chapter 15, he reviews his ministry to that point, explains his future goals and asks for help from the church at Rome. Those verses give us marvelous insight into Paul’s thinking and help us shape our goals for HBC’s engagement with world missions.
