Embracing the Ongoing Movement of Christ
Summary
Today, we gathered as a family—some of us long-timers, some brand new—to begin a journey through the book of Acts. Acts is not just a historical account; it’s the living continuation of what Jesus began, a movement that started with Him and continues through us. We’re not here to chase trends or build programs for the sake of activity. Instead, we’re called to be participants in a movement that changes people, and changed people change the world. This is not a movement that ends or fades; it’s the ongoing mission of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and it’s meant to become part of our DNA as a church.
Movements are different from trends. Trends come and go, but a movement becomes who we are. Just as football became part of Texas’ identity, the movement of Christ is meant to become the core of our identity as a church. We looked at examples like Mission Arlington in Texas and Philip’s ministry among Arabic-speaking communities—modern-day expressions of the same movement that began in Acts. These are not just stories to admire; they are invitations to participate, to let God use us in ways we may never have imagined.
Acts was written by Luke, a careful and compassionate physician, as a sequel to his Gospel. He wrote to Theophilus, but also to us, describing and prescribing what it means to be the church. The church is not a building or a program; it’s the “ekklesia”—the called-out people of God, unified in mission and action. Jesus modeled this movement for us: He shared, He connected, He served, and He made disciples. These are not just church values; they are the very heartbeat of the movement Jesus started.
The movement is driven by two core principles: a deep belief in the Word of God and a dependence on the Holy Spirit. The early church didn’t invent a new mission after Jesus left; they continued what He began, empowered by the Spirit. The same Spirit is at work today, inviting us to participate, to share in new things, to connect deeply, to serve sacrificially, and to make disciples who will carry the movement forward.
This is an invitation to more than learning facts or attending events. It’s a call to let God change us, to become participants in His ongoing movement, and to let that movement shape our lives and our church. The only limitation is our willingness to say yes. May God ignite a fire in us to be part of what He is doing—here, now, and always.
Key Takeaways
- Movements Change People, and Changed People Change the World
True participation in the movement of Christ requires transformation. We cannot encounter Jesus and remain unchanged; as we are changed, we become agents of change in the world around us. This is not about passive membership but active participation that ripples outward into our families, communities, and beyond. [50:54]
- The Church Is Not a Building, but a Called-Out People
The Greek word “ekklesia” reminds us that church is not about a location or a set of programs, but about people called out to live differently. Our unity is not in our preferences or traditions, but in our shared mission and identity in Christ. When we embrace this, we move from being spectators to being the living, breathing body of Christ in the world. [54:07]
- The Movement Is Both Descriptive and Prescriptive
Acts describes unique historical events, but it also prescribes a way of life for us today. While not every detail is meant to be copied, the principles—sharing, connecting, serving, and discipling—are timeless. We are called to discern what God is inviting us into now, letting the Spirit guide us into new expressions of the same ancient movement. [56:20]
- The Mission Is Fueled by the Word and the Spirit
Jesus’ movement was rooted in the Scriptures and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The early church did not invent a new mission; they continued what Jesus taught and did, relying on the Spirit’s guidance. Our effectiveness today depends on the same foundation: a deep love for God’s Word and a daily dependence on the Spirit’s leading. [57:42]
- Participation Is Required—There Are No Bystanders in a Movement
A movement is not sustained by spectators or passive members. Each of us is invited to share in new things, to step into uncomfortable places, and to let God use us in ways we may not expect. The only real limitation to what God can do through us is our willingness to participate and say yes to His invitation. [01:00:46]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:10] - Introduction and About Woodhaven
[05:45] - The Difference Between Trends and Movements
[10:30] - Movements in Society vs. the Movement of Christ
[15:20] - Modern Examples of Christ’s Movement
[22:40] - Mission Arlington: A Living Movement
[29:15] - The Book of Acts: Authorship and Purpose
[33:00] - Descriptive vs. Prescriptive in Scripture
[36:50] - What Is a Missionary Movement?
[41:00] - The Church: Ekklesia, Not a Building
[46:30] - Movements Change People
[50:54] - Sharing in New Things
[54:07] - Connecting and Unity in the Body
[55:24] - Serving Like Jesus
[56:20] - Discipling and Multiplying
[57:42] - The Word and the Spirit
[01:00:46] - Invitation to Participate
[01:03:31] - Prayer and Reflection
[01:05:29] - Announcements and Offering
[01:09:21] - Special Recognition and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Acts – The Movement Continues
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### Bible Reading
- Acts 1:1-5
- Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission, referenced in the sermon)
- Romans 12:4-5 (Unity in the body, referenced in the sermon)
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 1:1-5, what did Luke say Jesus began to do and teach before He was taken up to heaven?
2. In Matthew 28:18-20, what specific instructions does Jesus give to His followers before He leaves?
3. The sermon described the church as “ekklesia”—the called-out people of God. What does this word mean, and how is it different from the way we usually think of “church”? [41:00]
4. What are some modern-day examples of Christ’s movement mentioned in the sermon, and what do they have in common? [22:40]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon said, “Movements change people, and changed people change the world.” Why is personal transformation necessary for the church to impact the world? [50:54]
2. The early church didn’t invent a new mission after Jesus left; they continued what He began, empowered by the Spirit. What does this suggest about the role of tradition and innovation in the church’s mission today? [57:42]
3. The sermon emphasized that the church is not a building or a program, but a people unified in mission. How might this understanding challenge the way people typically participate in church life? [41:00]
4. The movement is described as both descriptive (telling what happened) and prescriptive (showing what we should do). How can we discern which parts of Acts are meant to be models for us today? [33:00]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon said, “The only limitation to what God can do through us is our willingness to participate and say yes to His invitation.” What is one area where you sense God inviting you to participate, but you’ve been hesitant? What’s holding you back? [01:02:13]
2. Think about the difference between being a “member” and a “participant” in the movement of Christ. In what ways have you been more of a spectator than a participant? What is one step you could take this week to move from watching to joining in? [41:00]
3. The early church was unified not by preferences or traditions, but by a shared mission and identity in Christ. Are there preferences or traditions in your life that sometimes get in the way of unity or mission? How can you lay those down for the sake of the movement? [54:07]
4. The sermon highlighted sharing, connecting, serving, and discipling as the heartbeat of the movement. Which of these comes most naturally to you, and which is most challenging? What is one practical way you can grow in the area that’s hardest for you? [56:20]
5. The movement is fueled by a deep belief in God’s Word and dependence on the Holy Spirit. How are you currently cultivating these two foundations in your daily life? Is there a specific practice you want to start or strengthen? [57:42]
6. The sermon gave examples like Mission Arlington and Philip’s ministry among Arabic-speaking communities. Who in your life or community is already living out the movement? How can you support or join them? [22:40]
7. Jesus often invited people to share in new things, even when it was uncomfortable. What is one “new thing” God might be inviting you to try this month, either in serving, connecting, or sharing your faith? [52:04]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to ignite a fire in your heart to be part of His ongoing movement, to give you courage to say yes, and to help you see where He is already at work around you.
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Ignites the Movement of Christ
True participation in the movement of Christ begins with a personal transformation that cannot be overlooked or minimized. Encountering Jesus is not a passive experience; it changes who we are at our core. As we allow God to work in us, we become agents of change, influencing our families, communities, and the wider world. This transformation is the spark that sets the movement in motion, rippling outward in ways that extend far beyond our immediate circles. It is not about merely belonging to a group but about actively living out the change Jesus brings.
This movement is alive and ongoing because it is fueled by changed people who refuse to remain the same. When we embrace this reality, we step into a role that impacts the world around us, becoming part of a legacy that began with Jesus and continues through us today. The invitation is clear: be changed, and then be the change. [50:54]
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18
Reflection: What is one specific way God is inviting you to be changed right now so that you can become an agent of transformation in your immediate community?
Day 2: The Church Is a People Called to Live Differently
The church is not defined by a building, a program, or even a set of traditions. The Greek word “ekklesia” reminds us that the church is a called-out people, united not by preferences but by a shared mission and identity in Christ. This means that the essence of church is found in the relationships and actions of those who follow Jesus together. When this truth is embraced, the church moves from being a passive gathering to a living, breathing body actively engaged in the world.
This identity calls for a shift in perspective—from spectatorship to participation. It challenges believers to live differently, embodying the values of Jesus in everyday life. The unity of the church is found in its mission, not in uniformity of style or opinion. This understanding frees the church to be dynamic and responsive, rooted in the calling to be distinct and transformative in society. [54:07]
“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
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally live out your identity as a “called-out” person this week, moving beyond attendance to active engagement in your church family?
Day 3: Living the Movement: Sharing, Connecting, Serving, Discipling
The book of Acts is both a historical record and a guide for how the church is to live today. While not every detail is meant to be replicated exactly, the principles of sharing, connecting, serving, and discipling remain timeless. These actions form the heartbeat of the movement Jesus started and invite believers to discern how God is leading them now. The movement is not static; it is dynamic and Spirit-led, calling for new expressions that remain faithful to the original mission.
This means that participation in the movement requires attentiveness to the Spirit’s guidance and a willingness to step into new roles or ministries. It is a call to embody the values Jesus modeled—selflessness, community, and multiplication of disciples. The movement is both descriptive of what happened and prescriptive for what should happen, inviting each believer to live out these principles in their unique context. [56:20]
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.” — Acts 2:42-43
Reflection: What is one practical way you can begin to share, connect, serve, or disciple someone in your life this week, following the example of the early church?
Day 4: Rooted in Scripture and Empowered by the Spirit
The mission of Jesus and the early church was deeply rooted in the Word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This foundation is not optional but essential for the movement’s vitality and effectiveness. The early believers did not create a new mission but continued Jesus’ work, relying on the Spirit’s guidance and the Scriptures’ authority. Today, the same Spirit invites believers to depend daily on God’s Word and Spirit-led direction to carry forward the mission.
This dependence shapes every aspect of the movement—from decision-making to ministry expression. It calls for a love of Scripture that informs and transforms, and a sensitivity to the Spirit that empowers and directs. Without this foundation, the movement risks becoming a human effort rather than a divine work. Embracing this dual foundation ensures that the church remains faithful and fruitful in its mission. [57:42]
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” — Acts 1:8
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper daily dependence on both Scripture and the Holy Spirit’s leading in your personal walk with God?
Day 5: Saying Yes: Active Participation Over Spectatorship
A movement cannot be sustained by passive observers; it requires active participants who are willing to step into new and sometimes uncomfortable places. Each believer is invited to say yes to God’s invitation to share in new things, serve sacrificially, and be used in unexpected ways. The only real limitation to what God can do through the church is the willingness of its people to participate fully.
This call to participation challenges believers to move beyond comfort zones and familiar routines. It is an invitation to trust God’s leading and to embrace the unknown with faith. When the church says yes together, the movement grows and impacts the world in powerful ways. The question is not whether God is at work, but whether we will join Him in what He is doing here and now. [01:00:46]
“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” — Mark 16:15
Reflection: What is one “yes” you can give today to step into a new area of service or witness that God is calling you toward?
Quotes
Movements change people and people that are changed, they change the world. Right? Movements change people. In other words, if you are honestly going to follow Christ and be and do what he wants you to do, then you can't experience that without change. You can't stay the way you were and just say, yeah, I want to be a follower of God and just accept that base level and then move on. If you're truly honestly a part of the movement, then it's going to change you and if you're changed then the world around you is going to change and you're going to influence it. [00:34:51] (36 seconds)
A movement doesn't have members, it has participants. It's one of those things I struggle when it comes and we're going to talk a little bit about what the word church means here in just a moment but I struggle when we talk about having a church family and then we invite people to become members because I always just imagine more of this country club kind of atmosphere, and that is not who we are as a body of believers. You can't have a movement that just has members filling a room and just having people sit in the pews or sit on the bench and us talk about what everybody else is doing. You're not a part of the movement, okay? To be involved in movement it requires participants and so you have to be involved, you have to go with it and actually do things. [00:44:36] (53 seconds)
This isn't a religious movement that had a leader and it lasted for so many years and we just study it in history. We live this movement out today and so it makes it much different than anything that the world has ever experienced. [00:28:36] (15 seconds)
What I'm talking about is being unified in the movement, unified in the mission. What do we do? We connect with each other and with one another. The thing that Jesus did best, he served. That's our next word. We share. We connect. What did Jesus model for us? What was a part of his process? What made this movement was that he was serving? He was serving when typically people would think that you shouldn't serve, like washing his disciples' feet or going and talking to a prostitute or going and drawing water with a woman at a well that he shouldn't have even spoke to. [00:54:16] (39 seconds)
I want you to share in new things that you've never done before, but you can't sit because a movement requires participation. And I hope it just burns a fire inside of you that you can't wait to be a part of. That when you hear the stories and we share them on stage and we talk about what God's doing around us, and some of those I know about because some of you have come and talked to me, things that are happening in our Filipino community, things that are happening with Philip and he's sitting among Muslim people once a week sharing, the things that are happening in your life groups, the people that you're inviting that are coming and being a part. I love that. God loves that. [01:01:22] (52 seconds)
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