The Restoration of Eden’s Good through Ministry Engagement

Passage

Proverbs 11:30

Sermon Summary

• We are given a stunning identity: The Tree of Life
• We are given this identity by a stunning cause: The gifted righteousness of Jesus
• We are motivated to stunning behavior: we will fight for the inner most (soul-deep) well being of those around us

Followers of Jesus seem to profoundly underestimate the importance of their roll as bringers of robust and substantive good to the community and culture around them.

The ancient text of Scripture has called God’s people to be deposits in the lives of those round them…not withdrawals. God has provided for his people to bring these deposits of good by depositing his righteousness within them by grace. The change is so profound that servants of the Lord should be willing to take friendly and enemy fire for their struggle to serve those around them.

‍

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. Do you relate people as “vehicles” or “obstacles” for your agenda?(Paul Tripp)
3. Or do you relate to people as a virtual “miracles” of creative wonder worthy of the profoundest regard and deepest respect.
   • Does the velocity of your life remove all possibility of tender curiosity about the people and places around you?
4. We cannot give what we ain’t been given. We are to pour ourselves out because of the fullness of Christ’s provision. He makes us right…righteous…or makes us who we were designed to be as humans before there was a fall that ruined us morally, spiritually, psychologically, relationally and in every other realm. How does the Gospel and Jesus giving us his righteousness make giving to others possible?
5. What prices are you willing to pay in the struggle and fight for the well being of the inner most being (souls) around you?

Resources Consulted:

• The Book of Proverbs, Bruce Waltke
• Proverbs, Derek Kidner
• Proverbs:The Tree of Life, Graham Goldsworthy
• The Christ of Wisdom, O Palmer Robertson
• Good and Angry, David Powlison

‍

‍