pat loughery

Live from the Missional Matrix conference in Seattle (Shoreline), WA:

Scot McKnight, author and blogger at Jesus Creed.

I want to begin with Mary. I came to Mary, via the Magnificat, Luke 2.

What kidn of woman would sing this sing in the timne of Herod the Great? The real Mary was a feisty, tough woman. A woman with character and strength. What did Mary expect? 2 things: Herod was giong down, and Jesus was going up. Knew that her son would be messiah, and not one bit afraid to correct Jesus on her own opinion of what messiah was and should be… Luke 3:23. I often begin my classes on Jesus with Mary, because it and the Magnificat give us a picture of messiahship.

Understanding what missional means starts with Mary, then Jesus – what is missionary activity about. Matt 10. In order to see that, look at how Matt structures his gospel to beter understand that.

Matt 4:23, Jesus goes to all the villages, teaches in the synagogue. preaches the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all who have any sickness and disease. Matt structuers by teaching; preaching; healing sections. Then Matt 9:35, again Jesus teaches in synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all sickness and disease. Matt brackets this discussion.

Magic moment: Mat 10:1. jesus calls disciples to him – and they would all teach, preach and heal. What Jesus does, he calls 12 people to do. He did it, he calls 12 people to do the same. The implication: We become Jesus in other parts of the world where he is not (not literally, but as messengers with authority).

Missional activity: you become Jesus to the world.

Missional means: Jesus, Kingdom, Presence, Behavior. Being Jesus, brining the Kingdom, doing these in our community, and acting the Gospel out.

THings about being missional:

1. Jesus. Centers on him. Become the presence of Jesus in our world. what does the community need; do it. Scott tells a story

2. The toolbox: start locally.

a) In the beginning, JNesus prohibited foreign missions. Go to your local neighbors first. SOmetimes it’s easier to be concerned about people in Africa, Tahiland, New Orleans than to be concerned about our neighbors. It’s cooler to go to New Orleans to help Katrina victims than for us to hang out with our neighbors.

b) Have a good reputation. Jesus’ orders: Don’t take anything from anbody. DOn’t take from them; live for and serve them.
c). Be morally discerning. The Bible isn’t a rulebook; it helps us to be shrewd and innocent.

d) Be spiritually dependant. When you get caught, don’t plan ahead – the pirit will give you words to say. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT MISSIONAL WORK IS TO LIVE ITO AND LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD. It’s a bit scary for us.
e) recornize that there is risk involved. the gospel is socially divisive. one of the greatest things Jesus taught at the end of Matt 10:40-42 was

To be missional then is to be Jeus, extending the Kngdom in daily life in our world.

f)

Do these 5 L’s in love:

1) Look – to our neighbors

2) Listen to people – what are they saing. Sometimes we know the answer befor epeople start talking, but

3) Learn – from what they say

4) Locally – starting at home.
5) Link concretely to people in our world