Responsibility toward the World
In this leadership session, Dana emphasizes our responsibility toward the world as Christians. He begins by encouraging participants to jot down questions for a Q&A session the following day. Dana highlights that while our primary responsibility is to serve Jesus Christ, this service entails a duty toward the world. He references 1 John to illustrate that our first responsibility is to be separate from the world, which involves both a negative aspect of being delivered from worldly influences and a positive aspect of being sanctified to reflect Christ's glory. Dana explains that this separation allows us to become lights in the world, contrasting with the darkness around us. He stresses the importance of declaring the gospel, not just living as witnesses but actively sharing our faith. Dana acknowledges the fears and hesitations many have about evangelism, suggesting that leadership must model outreach and be convinced of their role in it. He concludes by urging leaders to seek God's guidance in finding ways to connect with the community and to create opportunities for non-believers to engage with the church.
Outline of Main Points
- Introduction to responsibility toward the world
- Separation from the world as a Christian duty
- Being a light in the world through sanctification
- Importance of declaring the gospel
- Addressing fears and hesitations about evangelism
- Leadership's role in modeling outreach
- Seeking God's guidance for community engagement
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
