Winning the World

138 Wi nn i ng the Wor l d: Fac i l i tat i ng Urban Chur ch P l ant i ng Movement s

3. The Principle of Tradition : Judge all models against the tradition of the apostles, 2 Thess. 2.13-15 (ESV) – But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. [14] To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. [15] So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

a. God, the source of our salvation, chose us as through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth.

b. We were called through the Gospel spoken by the apostles, which will result in our obtaining eternal glory in the Lord Jesus Christ.

c. In light of this selection and salvation, we are to stand firm and hold to the traditions of the apostles.

4. The Principle of Contextualization : Use your freedom in Christ to win people in the context of their culture and experience, 1 Cor. 9.19-22 (ESV) – For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. [20] To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. [21] To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. [22] To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

a. We are free from all, yet, we are to make ourselves servants to all in order to win as many as possible.