Missional Living in a Complex World, Part 1 2

Earlier this week, I had the honor to speak at the CORE Conference hosted by the Missouri Baptist Convention.  I greatly appreciate the brothers and sisters who make up the churches and leadership in that state.  They did a great job with the event and were outstanding hosts.  It was nice to be able to see friends again, and meet new ones.  The conference was streamed live; so, sometime in the future you may be able to locate the presentations on-line.

Since my assigned topic was on missional living, I thought I would share some of my presentation with you today.

It is not Rocket Science

Missional living is not rocket science.  When we look at the great number of discussions and writings about “missional,” it is easy to assume that it is a difficult matter to understand–and close to impossible to live out in our world today.  Such is certainly not the case.  Now, while I’m all for such discussions and publications (I’ve been a contributor to this conversation.), the reality is that missional living is nothing new for the Church.

Missional Living Occurs…

Missional living occurs when Kingdom Citizen live according to the Kingdom Ethic in the world.  People enter the Kingdom though the confession that Jesus is Messiah (Matt 16:13-19), and are to live according to the standard of the King.  His Ethic transcends the ethics of the kingdoms of this world.  For example, “you have heard it said, ‘do not commit adultery’, but I tell you…”  For example, “you have heard it said, ‘do not murder,’ but I tell you…”  For example, “the rulers of this world lord it over their subjects, but the first is to be last…”  For example, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom? Take a look at these little children here…”

The Kingdom Ethic is the standard by which Kingdom Citizens are to live in relation to God (e.g., Matt 22:37-40); other Kingdom Citizens (e.g., Matt 18:15-20); and those who are outside of the Kingdom (e.g., Matt 28:18-20).  Packed into this divine rule is what we find throughout the Scriptures.  As a Kingdom Citizen, we do not have the option to relate to God on our terms or desires.  There are appropriate guidelines by which we engage with other brothers and sisters.  This rule instructs us about how to interact with those who have never confessed Christ as Lord.

And while this Ethic is to be lived out in covenant with other Kingdom Citizens in what is understood to be Kingdom Communities (i.e., local churches), missional living is specifically directed toward the relationships with those outside of the Kingdom.

(A note is needed here.  While space will not permit me to address the comprehensive nature of the other two relationships related to Kingdom living, it is important to understand that a breakdown in fellowship in these other two areas, hinders missional living.  When Kingdom Citizens walk out of fellowship with God and other brothers and sisters, global disciplemaking is hindered.  When the Spirit of God is grieved, Kingdom expansion is affected.)

Missional Living Requires…

Both actions and words are requirements for missional living.  Kingdom Citizens are to “let their lights shine before men that they may see the good works and praise the Father Who is in heaven.”  But Kingdom Citizens must also “preach the gospel in season and out of season.”  We cannot do one without the other.  While some situations will require that we spend most of of the time living out the Kingdom Ethic before unbelievers (e.g., 1 Peter 3:1-2), we must proclaim the gospel.  Without the sharing of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:21) no one will be saved.  Other situations will require more time spent on our words.  Peter’s encounter with Cornelius is an example of this matter. And while Peter spent most of his time preaching, his loving actions as a Jewish man being willing to enter into the home of a Gentile communicated the nature of the Kingdom Ethic (Acts 10).

The following diagram, developed by my friend and colleague Tim Beougher, reveals the range Kingdom Citizens often find themselves on as they journey through life encountering those outside of the Kingdom.  Sometimes we’re closer to the right, other times we are near the left.  Many times we find ourselves somewhere between the two poles.

In my next post, I’ll plan to conclude with six principles for missional living in a complex world.  Stay tuned.