Sunday June 26, 2022
Introduction: I love the church. Our church. I don’t know what comes to mind or what you feel when you hear the word church, but chances are it is a far cry from what the first church people thought or experienced.
Nobody was bored in the first century. They didn’t think building, rows, pews, robes, hymnals, bands, liturgy, etc. No Bibles, bands, or banners.
The church was simply a gathering of people who came together around one belief: that Jesus is the risen Christ, the son of the living God.
That was all they had. That was enough. The church was a movement.
Acts 1:14- “They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
AND THEN
Acts 2:1-4- “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”
Three thousand people from 14 different language groups heard the Good News of Jesus Christ and believed!
Sometimes people say: “Ken, I don’t really like a big church.” You would
not have enjoyed opening day of the church. You might not enjoy heaven.
Revelation 7:9-10 -“ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Jesus said it, He predicted it!
Matthew 16:18 – “and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
Jesus said “I will build my gathering of people!
Just as Jesus predicted: it was a gathering that rallied around one idea—Jesus is the resurrected Christ, the Son of the living God.
a. You couldn’t go to church; you were the church.
b. The church wasn’t for church people . . . there weren’t any.
c. The church wasn’t about a location . . . there wasn’t one.
d. The church wasn’t about style, liturgy, or ritual . . . there weren’t any.
The mission of the church was to do one thing: create followers of Jesus Christ.
THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH WAS TO DEVELOP FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST! EVERYTHING CENTERED AROUND THE RISEN LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!
WHAT DOES A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST LOOK LIKE?
These weren’t casual, consumer Christians, these were fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ!
Acts 2:42 – “They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together and to prayers.”
THIS WAS A MOVEMENT, THIS WAS A GATHERING OF PEOPLE, THIS WAS THE CHURCH THAT JESUS WAS BUILDING AND HE’S STILL BUILDING TODAY!
THREE IMPORTANT THINGS: WHAT WAS THE ATTITUDE OF THEIR HEART?
- They Devoted themselves to a relationship with God.
Devoted– loyal, intentional, sedulous, diligent, faithful and true
The church was devoted to the Apostles teaching.
They were devoted to prayer.
These were people who believed that Jesus is the Savior and whose lives reflect his teaching.
They involved their lives in activities that cultivated a relationship with God.
Teaching and Prayer. Teaching and Prayer. Teaching and Prayer!
These people loved to meet with God!
2. They Devoted themselves to a relationship with one another.
They devoted themselves to fellowship! Koinonia- A unity brought about by only the Holy Spirit.
They broke bread together in one another’s homes!
There was a deep sense of spiritual communion with Jesus Christ and with one another.
This fellowship cemented the believers to the Lord Jesus Christ and to one another!
These people loved to meet with one another!
3. They Devoted themselves to growing the family.
Acts 2:47-“…….. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
Acts 4:4 – “But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.”
Romans 10:13-15- “For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
Approximately 3 billion people on this planet have never heard the good news of Jesus Christ!
The church is a hospital for the sick and not a museum for the saints!
Many churches have bought seaworld, closed the gates and they’re just watching the fish do tricks!
Here’s what I’ve come to know and believe, The church is a fishing vessel and not a cruise ship!
THE CHURCH- It’s people like you
Who refuse to make it about a building.
People like you who give and serve.
People like you who realize that when you gather in your home or office you are the church.
People like you who realize that when you serve the poor you are the church.
People like you who realize that when you pray for the sick, you are the church.
It’s why we will continue to grow as a church. Go on short-term mission trips. Raise money. Train leaders.
We agree with Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. And He, Jesus Christ is still building His church. His gathering of people.
CONCLUSION: I don’t know what comes to mind or what you feel when you hear the word “church.”
But from now on, I hope you will think: a multiplying, multicultural, multigenerational gathering of people who believe that Jesus is the Savior and whose lives reflect his teaching.
The church began as a movement. It’s still moving. And by God’s grace, we will be part of that movement—the church for our generation.
Encounter God……..Experience Family………Enlarge the Kingdom
WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU!