Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

From Bunker to Beachhead
by Tom Goodman
June 2, 2010

Some Christians prefer life in the bunker, hiding away from what they perceive as the overwhelming forces of unbelief in their culture. But faithful believers know they are called to influence, to persuade, to win hearts and minds. They know their own lives are to be kingdom beachheads in God's gracious invasion of a fallen world.

Another word for the beachhead mentality is "missional." It simply means to live with the keen awareness that you are supposed to be participating in God's redemptive mission.

"We're on a mission," Jake Blues explained to his band in a memorable line from The Blues Brothers. "From God," added Elwood Blues in a nasal Chicago accent.

Who woulda thought The Blues Brothers was so theological?

(Of course I'm being tongue-in-cheek. The 1980 film was a vehicle for some great blues songs, but mind the R rating for language.)

Jake and Elwood had their own notion of what it meant to be on a mission from God. But what does it really involve?

Across the next three weeks, we're going to be in a short series I'm calling "From Bunker to Beachhead." I've been marinating in the pages of the book of Acts, and in the third and fourth chapters of Acts I see some things we need to do if we're going to move from a bunker mentality to a beachhead mentality as believers.

The first thing we need to do is get into the world with both words and deeds. We can't leave off one or the other: We need to share the message of Jesus and meet needs in the name of Jesus. That's what we'll see in our study of the third chapter of Acts this Sunday. We'll watch Peter heal a lame man in Jesus' name -- and offer an astonished crowd divine forgiveness in Jesus' name. He set the pattern for our work today.

As a part of the message, I'm going to introduce you to a special summertime missions challenge. I want us to assemble home health care kits for a ministry called Baptist Global Response. When I was in Zambia last summer I saw how these home health care kits were used by missionaries to build relationships with families in need. I want our church to partner with our missionaries in this simple act of kindness.

Join us this Sunday @ 10 to learn more!

--Tom

Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored," with its Links to Your World -- interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday.

Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them!

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From Bunker to Beachhead by Tom Goodman June 2, 2010 Some Christians prefer life in the bunker, hiding away from what they perceive as the overwhelming forces of unbelief in their culture. But faithful believers know they are called to influence, to persuade, to win hearts and minds. They know their own lives are to be kingdom beachheads in God's gracious invasion of a fallen world. Another word for the beachhead mentality is "missional." It simply means to live with the keen awareness that you are supposed to be participating in God's redemptive mission. "We're on a mission," Jake Blues explained to his band in a memorable line from The Blues Brothers. "From God," added Elwood Blues in a nasal Chicago accent. Who woulda thought The Blues Brothers was so theological? (Of course I'm being tongue-in-cheek. The 1980 film was a vehicle for some great blues songs, but mind the R rating for language.) Jake and Elwood had their own notion of what it meant to be on a mission from God. But what does it really involve? Across the next three weeks, we're going to be in a short series I'm calling "From Bunker to Beachhead." I've been marinating in the pages of the book of Acts, and in the third and fourth chapters of Acts I see some things we need to do if we're going to move from a bunker mentality to a beachhead mentality as believers. The first thing we need to do is get into the world with both words and deeds. We can't leave off one or the other: We need to share the message of Jesus and meet needs in the name of Jesus. That's what we'll see in our study of the third chapter of Acts this Sunday. We'll watch Peter heal a lame man in Jesus' name -- and offer an astonished crowd divine forgiveness in Jesus' name. He set the pattern for our work today. As a part of the message, I'm going to introduce you to a special summertime missions challenge. I want us to assemble home health care kits for a ministry called Baptist Global Response. When I was in Zambia last summer I saw how these home health care kits were used by missionaries to build relationships with families in need. I want our church to partner with our missionaries in this simple act of kindness. Join us this Sunday @ 10 to learn more! --Tom Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored," with its Links to Your World -- interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.