Incarnation and Kenosis – The Call to Cultural Self-Emptying
The only model given by Jesus to his disciples by which to accomplish their mission as ambassadors of peace and reconciliation is that of incarnation. “As the Father sent me, so I send you into the world” (Jn 17:18 – firstly, a prayer commitment; Jn 20:21 – secondly, the commissioning). Incarnation is to go into the world as it is and to ensure its’ transformation in accordance with God’s will from the inside out. The world into which Jesus came was political and military. He was born in Bethlehem because Caesar Augustus called for a census of the world’s populations. He then had to flee to Egypt when his life was threatened by Herod. The world was also cultural. Jesus participated at a wedding at which he contributed to both the quality and the quantity of the...
Spiritual Disciplines
Inspired by The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible and adapted by Jeff Pratt Confession: Sharing your deepest weaknesses and failures with God and trusted others, so that we may enter into God’s grace and mercy and experience his ready forgiveness and healing. Lev. 5:5, Ezra 10:1, Ps. 32:5, Prov 28:13, Matt 3:6, James 5:16, 1 Jn. 4:15 Fasting: The voluntary abstention from an otherwise normal functions – most often eating – for the sake of intense spiritual activity. Deut. 8:3 ; 2 Chron 20:3 ; Dan 9:3 ; Joel 2:12-13 ; Matt 4:2 Fellowship: Engaging with other disciplines in the common activities of worship. study, prayer, celebration, and service, which sustain our life together and enlarge our capacity to experience more of God. Ps 133:1-3 ; Matt 18:20 ; Actes...
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