The theology of Missio Dei at Lake Forest centers on
2 Corinthians 5:17-20:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Below, you will find four sermons by Michael Flake, Director of Mission, on this passage, designed to explore the Missio Dei and your potential place in it.
| In Christ 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 June 28, 2009 |
In short: God is reconciling the world to himself through Christ. When we are reconciled to God through Christ, we are “in Christ.” And in Christ, we are new creations: ministers of reconciliation with a message of reconciliation. That is: ministers and messengers of what God is doing in this world. | MP3 download - 10.3M |
| Minister of Reconciliation Luke 10: 25-37 July 5, 2009 |
In short: As ministers of reconciliation, we form long-term relationships with the physically and spiritually vulnerable people of our community and world. And, within the appropriate boundaries of those relationships, we perform acts of compassion. | MP3 download - 11.5M |
| Message of Reconciliation 1 Peter 3:15-16 July 12, 2009 |
In short: As messengers of reconciliation, we know and can articulate the reason for our hope in Christ in ways that are gentle and respectful. We share this hope both with our vulnerable neighbors and those curious about our care for these neighbors. | MP3 download - 10.5M |
| Christ’s Ambassadors Revelation 21:1-7 July 19, 2009 |
In short: As Christ’s ambassadors, we see that people’s view of God is often shaped by the appeals our lives make about God. At our best, individually and as a church, we are a snapshot of the new creation where we will live forever with God. | MP3 download - 10.5M |