Rev. Johns hopes this teaching series will launch our church to new levels of confidence and vision, moving us from apprehension to anticipation. Through history the Church Jesus founded has powered forward with unstoppable courage. It should be no different in our time. Fasten your seatbelts and take a close look at ‘the church in action’. The book of Acts is so much more than historical records of first century church activity; it is inspiration for Christ – followers living in all times.
Part #1 October 19 Risky Business Acts 2:1-21A church engaged in mission is imbued with unstoppable courage and confidence – the result of being filled with the Spirit of God.
Part #2 October 26 R.S.V.P. Acts 2:36-41
A continually growing church has a heart for evangelism and never stops inviting people to follow Jesus.
Part #3 November 2 Join the Crowd Acts 2:42-47
The unstoppable church knows how important it is that everyone be immersed and integrated into a welcoming, growing community of Christian fellowship.
Part #4 November 9 Help Wanted Acts 6:1-7; 13:1-5The unstoppable church empowers you for ministry and inspires you to serve.
Part #5 November 16 Momentum Acts 2:47; 4:4; 6:7 (Matthew 13:31-33)
Unstoppable churches ‘get with the program’ of God’s ever – expanding Kingdom, increasing in numbers, impact and influence.
Sunday October 19, 2008
Rev. D. Johns
Part #1 “Risky Business”
Scripture Readings: Acts 1:1-8 and Acts 2:14-21
Opening illustrations: my recent encounters
1. Observing Rick Mercer attempt to wakeboard behind the Seguin on Lake Muskoka Thanksgiving Weekend on Sunday Oct. 12, 2008
2. Spending time with Adam kreek of Victoria, Gold Medal winner for Canada in the 2008 Olympics in China – men’s 8 rowing – after bitter disappointment 4 years earlier in Athens
While one was humourous and one serious, they both exhibited unstoppable courage and unstoppable confidence.
This is single-minded focus in action, like the early church. It develops in the classrooms of challenge and discipline, it is given power by the dynamic Holy Spirit of God, and it brings together teamwork and commitment; total concentration on the goal.
That goal for the church, whether first century or 21 first century is this: point people to life in Christ.
Track with your ancestors in the faith, and see the risks they took to live for Jesus.
A. Speak, witness, preach (Acts 2, Acts 4:1-22, Acts 5:17-42)
B. Prayer (Acts 4:23-31, Acts 12)
C. Money (Acts 2:44-45, Acts 32-35)
D. Life (Acts 6 & 7 = Stephen; Acts 8:1 = scattered church)
Part #3 Join the Crowd Acts 2:42-47
The unstoppable church knows how important it is that everyone be immersed and integrated into a welcoming, growing community of Christian fellowship.
It begins with the common purpose of shared mission that Jesus downloads on the disciples in Acts 1:8. It transitions to Acts 1:14, the ‘upper room’, where they “they all joined together in constant prayer”. Still “all together in one place”, (Acts 2:2), the Holy Spirit descends in power so that all praise and proclaim “the wonders of God.” (Acts 2:2-11)
PURPOSE – PRAYER – PRAISE – PROCLAIM
But it’s not over - the crowd grows – together. Acts 2:42-47 = connected to God, connected to each other, connected to the world, the group dynamics include: - education, fellowship, prayer, reverence, signs of God at work, sharing, daily worship, home meetings, respect from the community, and growth.
CONNECTED AS BUILDING BLOCKS (1 Peter 2:4-10)
CONNECTED SO AS TO RE-CONNECT (2 Corinthians 5:18)
THE UNSTOPPABLE CHURCH EMPOWERS YOU FOR MINISTRY AND INSPIRES YOU TO SERVE.
Part #4 Help Wanted Acts 6:1-7; 13:1-5
• We see that church growth (6:1 = “when the number of disciples was increasing”) creates its own set of conflict & problems. Note that the leadership team presented the solution and offered a rationale based on priorities/values. The “whole group” bought the idea and helped solve the pressing problem.
• The action resulted in further growth (6:7 = “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples increased rapidly.”
• Note that the solution was not to increase the number of Apostles but to make it possible for the Apostles to better do what they were supposed to do: pray & preach!
• Lessons from Acts 6 include: … So, what ‘side-tracks’/distracts you from your main responsibility? (and sometimes it is even ‘good stuff’) … Do you know your main responsibility? … Never assume that support work is any less spiritual than the ‘glory’ work (6:3 = “choose those … who are known to be full of the spirit and wisdom”) … don’t let things get in the way of prayer and preaching in your church!
• Barnabas and Saul (13:1-5) are called and consecrated in the context of the Christian community in worship and prayer … so, if one is neglecting worship disciplines (see Hebrews 10:25) how can one either expect to be chosen for ministry leadership or be ready to choose ministry leaders?
• Some workers get to be in the spotlight; others are labeled “helpers” … 13:5 = “John was with them as their helper” … reminds us of another John (The Baptizer) – see John 1:19 - 28 & 3:28 – 30 … “He must increase, I must decrease” … so, if I am called and commissioned to be a helper I must understand that role and be content with that designation
UNSTOPPABLE CHURCHES ‘get with the program’ of God’s ever-expanding Kingdom, increasing in numbers, impact and influence
Part #5 MOMENTUM Acts 2:47; 4:4; 6:7 (Matthew 13:31-33)
The Possibilities of Growth
• Little becomes much when God is involved … (in the beginning, there were just eleven disciples; like a mustard seed; like the loaves and fish;)
• Harvest time Matthew 9:37 = “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field”
The Principles of Growth
• God causes the growth, no one else can take the credit … (1 Corinthians 3:6, 7 = “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” and Acts 2:47 = “And the Lord added to their number daily”)
The Promises of Growth
• This is Kingdom business: Matthew 4:19 = “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Bringing it home
Do I need to change my view of church? Can I see our church growing its influence in our community? Am I ready to join with others to make a commitment to impact in my world for Christ?
