Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

130 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 1

E. For gifts

1. As tokens and emblems of the Holy Spirit’s sovereign supply within the Body of Christ, spiritual gifts are God’s gracious endowments and benefits flowing from the bounty won through the victory of Christus Victor , Eph. 4.7-10.

2. Clarification

a. God has given pastoral offices to the Church in order that its members may be equipped for the work of the ministry, Eph. 4.11-16.

b. The Holy Spirit sovereignly dispenses the gifts to the members of the body for the common good, 1 Cor. 12.1-11.

3. Implication: Stewarding our gifts together for the common good of the Church is the core of spiritual giftedness, 1 Pet. 4.10-11.

F. For evangelism and mission

1. As proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, evangelism and mission is the unashamed declaration of the victory of Christ over the powers of evil, the penalty of sin, of its effects in both the curse and death, and his restoration of creation through the Father’s sovereign will and unmerited grace, Matt. 9.35-38.

2. Clarification

a. The Gospel is the saving message of God regarding his saving work in Christ, who reigns now as Christus Victor, Rom. 10.9-10; Acts. 2.33ff.; Col. 2.15; cf. Gen. 3.15. b. We proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ, and proclaim repentance and faith in his name, Col. 1.13-14; 1 John 3.8; Matt. 12.25-30. c. We are to obey the Great Commission to go into all the world and make disciples of Jesus among all people groups, Matt. 28.18-20; Mark. 16.15-18; Luke 24.47-48; John 20.21.