Week One: His Church
9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying,“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
Revelation 1:9
Seven Stars = Seven Angels
Even Candlesticks = Seven Churches
Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build My church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Matthew 16:18
The Book of Acts records the birth of the church.
The 120 in the Upper Room were filled with the Holy Spirit.
It spilled out into the public square and it got peoples attention.
Speaking in tongues was only a sign of the presence of God but it was so much bigger.
The Purpose
Mankind was designed for the breath of God.
Jesus sacrifice restored our original design.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses unto Christ.
As a result 3K came to Christ on day one.
It was that witness that sent John to the Island of Patmos.
Church
Ekklesia
“Called Out One’s”
They were the influencers of their time. The came together to help bring solutions to the problems of their day.
Jesus promised to build “His” church.
A group of Holy Spirit filled influencers who are filled with wisdom to help communities navigate the issues of life.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
Acts 2:42-45
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:46-47
Early Church
Steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine.
Fellowship, breaking of bread.
Prayers
Reverence
Signs & Wonders
Together
Generosity
Daily in the Temple
Unity
Praising God
Favor with all people
Grew Daily
Who would want to be part of this?
Early church looked nothing like what we have created today.
IN my early years of Bible College: Book of Acts & My Church
They didn’t match up.
Focus was services not service.
Church service or Church Service?
Yet, I have duplicated the same thing.
Consumers vs contributors
“What was born in the fire cannot survive in the smoke.”
Tim Storey
We have lost more people over the years due to gossip, division, offense, etc.
We don’t need to worry about satan attacking the church, we are doing a good enough job for him.
The Church isn’t …
A place we go or Something we do
It is WHO we are
It is our purpose, to carry God’s presence into the market place.
It is bigger than men’s, women’s, youth, MC, children’s ministries.
These are housekeeping chores
To Love God & Love People.
We must become great at producing people who are great at the Great Commandment & the Great Commission.
My biggest fear in life is succeeding at something that doesn’t affect someone else’s eternity.
We must look like the prototype.
The early church spread due to persecution.
The Apostle Paul was responsible to the expansion of the church.
First due to his persecution of them and then due to his promotion of Christ.
Paul traveled on three missionary journey’s establishing churches in the influential cities of his time.
Many of the churches in the book of Revelation were established by Paul.
The church is the Bride of Christ.
Watch your mouth.
Be careful how you treat her.
You can mess with me but don’t mess with my bride.
The church was so important that Paul suggested that the church in Corinth cast out a sinful man.
Losing that community caused him to get things right.
Jesus loves the church.
So do I.
Jesus loves the church so deeply,
He is willing to correct her.
We have turned the church into a consumer based center.
What does it have to offer me?
Is it convenient?
Do I like the music?
The message?
The Church Jesus is coming back for is a powerful church, a spotless church.
He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.
Ephesians 5:27
Be the Church.
Intentional.
Early Church
Continue in the Apostles’ doctrine.
Fellowship, breaking of bread.
Prayers
Reverence
Signs & Wonders
Together
Generosity
Daily in the Temple
Unity
Praising God
Favor with all people
Grew Daily