Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

P ART II: T HEOLOGICAL AND M ISSIOLOGICAL P RINCIPLES AND I NSIGHTS • 131

3. Implication: Proclaiming Christ as Lord and Messiah is the essence of heralding the good news of the Reign of God.

G. For justice and compassion

1. As a witness to the present reality of the reign of God in the world today, justice and compassion are the gracious and generous expressions of the Church of God in response to the glorious deliverance and benefits of Christus Victor , Gal. 6.10.

2. Clarification

a. As the new creation of God, the Church displays the very life of the Kingdom in its relationships and practices, Matt. 5.13-16. b. As agents and ambassadors of Christ, we demonstrate in our words and deeds the ways of the citizenship of heaven, 2 Cor. 5.20; Phil. 3.20-21. c. As grateful members of God’s incendiary fellowship, we joyfully share who we are and what we have with those less fortunate, as a joyous expression of our thanks to God for his goodness to us, 1 John 3.16-18; Matt. 22.34-40. 3. Implication: As the new creation of God, the Church gives tangible evidence in her good works of the reality of the Kingdom come through the victory of Jesus Christ over evil.

H. For the world

1. Even though Christ has defeated the devil, destroyed the power of evil, and paid the penalty for sin, we still live in a fallen world, subject to sin, decay, and death.

2. In this world believers will still experience tribulation, John 16.33.

3. The devil continues to roam about, seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5.8.

4. Though ultimate victory comes only when Christ consummates his work at the Parousia , we are called to proclaim his victory in the world, and demonstrate the