Embracing Love and Empowerment in the Church

 

Summary

In reflecting on over 30 years of church ministry, I find myself more at peace and in love with the church than ever before. My journey has been driven by a desire to align closely with the biblical vision of the church. This vision is characterized by a community deeply in love with God and each other, a community that the world looks upon with amazement due to its profound love. The early church was known for its love, and I yearn to see that same love manifest in our congregations today.

Scripture paints a picture of a church empowered by the Holy Spirit, where every individual contributes to building up the body of Christ. This empowerment is not just for internal edification but also for being effective witnesses to the world, multiplying the church through sharing faith. Additionally, the early church was marked by a willingness to sacrifice, even to the point of rejoicing in suffering because of their belief in eternal rewards. Such a church is truly unstoppable.

In recent years, we have been striving to embody these biblical principles, and while we have not fully arrived, God has been doing incredible things among us. People often ask what we are doing differently, and it felt insufficient to simply list our practices on a website. Instead, we have initiated the Church Intensive, inviting small groups, pastors, and future church planters to experience firsthand what we are pursuing. This initiative aims to expose, encourage, and remind us all of the possibilities outlined in Scripture as we collectively strive toward this vision.

Key Takeaways:

- The essence of a biblical church is rooted in love—love for God and love for one another. This love should be so profound that it astonishes the world, drawing them to the community of believers. Our challenge is to cultivate such love within our congregations, making it the defining characteristic of our church life. [00:40]

- Empowerment by the Holy Spirit is crucial for the church's mission. Each believer is gifted with spiritual manifestations to build up the body of Christ, and this empowerment extends to being effective witnesses in the world. We must embrace and utilize these gifts to fulfill our calling. [00:53]

- Sacrifice and suffering are integral to the Christian journey. The early church embraced these with joy, understanding their eternal significance. We are called to adopt a similar mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities to demonstrate our faith and hope in eternal rewards. [01:06]

- Striving for a biblical church is a continuous journey. While we may not have fully achieved this vision, the pursuit itself is transformative. It requires dedication, openness to God's leading, and a willingness to learn and grow together as a community. [01:20]

- The Church Intensive is an initiative to share our journey and inspire others. By inviting others to experience what we are doing, we hope to encourage and remind them of the biblical possibilities for the church. This shared experience fosters a collective striving toward a common goal. [01:47]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Reflecting on 30 Years of Ministry
[00:26] - The Vision of a Loving Church
[00:40] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
[00:53] - Witnessing and Multiplication
[01:06] - Embracing Sacrifice and Suffering
[01:20] - Striving for a Biblical Church
[01:35] - Sharing Our Journey
[01:47] - Introduction to Church Intensive
[01:58] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 2:42-47 - The Fellowship of the Believers
2. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Spiritual Gifts
3. Romans 5:3-5 - Rejoicing in Suffering

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Acts 2:42-47, what were the key characteristics of the early church community?
2. How does 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 describe the role of spiritual gifts within the church?
3. In Romans 5:3-5, what is the relationship between suffering and hope?
4. What specific aspects of the early church does the pastor express a desire to see in today's congregations? [00:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the love described in Acts 2:42-47 serve as a witness to the world today? [00:40]
2. What does it mean for each believer to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and how does this empowerment contribute to the church's mission? [00:53]
3. How can the early church's attitude towards suffering, as seen in Romans 5:3-5, influence our perspective on challenges and sacrifices in our faith journey? [01:06]
4. What are the potential challenges and benefits of striving for a biblical church as described in the sermon? [01:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own church community. In what ways does it reflect the love and unity of the early church, and where might it need growth? [00:40]
2. Identify a spiritual gift you believe you have. How can you use this gift to build up your church community and be a witness to others? [00:53]
3. Think of a recent challenge or sacrifice you faced. How did you respond, and how might the early church's perspective on suffering change your approach in the future? [01:06]
4. What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper love for God and others within your church community? [00:26]
5. How can you personally contribute to the vision of a biblical church as described in the sermon? What practical actions can you take this week? [01:20]
6. Consider participating in initiatives like the Church Intensive. How might such experiences help you and your church grow towards the biblical vision discussed in the sermon? [01:47]
7. How can you encourage others in your church to embrace the biblical principles of love, empowerment, and sacrifice? [01:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Love that Astonishes the World
The essence of a biblical church is rooted in love—love for God and love for one another. This love should be so profound that it astonishes the world, drawing them to the community of believers. Our challenge is to cultivate such love within our congregations, making it the defining characteristic of our church life. [00:40]

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a person in your church community who you find difficult to love. How can you intentionally show them love this week in a way that reflects Christ's love for you?


Day 2: Empowered for Mission
Empowerment by the Holy Spirit is crucial for the church's mission. Each believer is gifted with spiritual manifestations to build up the body of Christ, and this empowerment extends to being effective witnesses in the world. We must embrace and utilize these gifts to fulfill our calling. [00:53]

"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one spiritual gift you believe God has given you. How can you use this gift to serve your church community and witness to those outside the church this week?


Day 3: Joy in Sacrifice and Suffering
Sacrifice and suffering are integral to the Christian journey. The early church embraced these with joy, understanding their eternal significance. We are called to adopt a similar mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities to demonstrate our faith and hope in eternal rewards. [01:06]

"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake." (Philippians 1:29, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge or hardship. How can you view this situation as an opportunity to grow in faith and demonstrate the hope you have in Christ?


Day 4: The Transformative Pursuit of a Biblical Church
Striving for a biblical church is a continuous journey. While we may not have fully achieved this vision, the pursuit itself is transformative. It requires dedication, openness to God's leading, and a willingness to learn and grow together as a community. [01:20]

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." (Philippians 3:12, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your spiritual life where you feel God is calling you to grow? What steps can you take this week to pursue growth in this area?


Day 5: Sharing the Journey of Faith
The Church Intensive is an initiative to share our journey and inspire others. By inviting others to experience what we are doing, we hope to encourage and remind them of the biblical possibilities for the church. This shared experience fosters a collective striving toward a common goal. [01:47]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone you can invite to join you in a church activity or small group this week? How can you encourage them in their faith journey?

Quotes

I can't believe that I've actually been doing Church Ministry for over 30 years now and uh the last few years just been really wrestling going okay I want exactly what the Bible emphasizes I I I want it all and I've been pursuing church that way and I can honestly say I've never been more at peace um with the church and more in love with the church more excited about the church uh when I look in scripture I see a group of people that that were known for their love like they were lovers of God the person of God like like individuals they couldn't get enough of him and and then they were lovers of each other where where they became this body the world would look on and and be amazed by their love and I'm like where do I see that when do I see a church like that [00:01:48]

and then and then I also see this power in scripture where it's like every person has the spiritual manifestation of the Holy Spirit to build up the body and not only that but what what Jesus prom about no you'll have power to be my Witnesses you know so they're out sharing their faith and they're out multiplying the church and then I also see a church Mark marked by sacrifice where people weren't afraid to suffer and actually wanted it and rejoice in it because they believed in their Eternal reward I mean a church like that is Unstoppable and so the last few years we've been striving for that here and God's been doing some amazing things in no way have we gotten there [00:48:64]

but everyone's been asking okay what are you guys doing and it just it didn't seem like enough if we just wrote a few things on a website and said here read here's what we're doing so we thought okay let's let's invite people just small groups to come for a few days let's invite pastors and future Church Planters to come and just experience what we're doing so that's what the church intensive is all about is we're just trying to expose people encourage people remind them of what's possible in scripture and uh as we all strive for this same goal [01:28:64]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?