Genesis Charlevoix: The Ripple Effect of the Gospel

It’s a joy to gather in this place God has provided, but let’s remember: the church is not a building—it’s the people of God on a mission. From our earliest days meeting in libraries and cinemas, to now having a building of our own, our calling has never changed. The building is a tool, not the goal. Our true purpose is to know Christ and make Him known, wherever we are.

Looking at Acts 19, we see how the gospel disrupts and transforms a society. Ephesus was a city steeped in idolatry and spiritual confusion, yet the simple act of sharing the gospel set off a ripple effect—one heart at a time. Like a stone dropped in a lake, the gospel’s impact radiates outward, changing individuals, families, and eventually the culture itself. Gospel transformation is not about behavior modification or religious effort; it’s about heart renovation. When someone realizes their brokenness and trusts Christ, He redeems and renews from the inside out.

This transformation is contagious. As one person is changed, they share the good news with another, and the process multiplies. The story of Ephesus shows us that before there was a riot, there was a revival—individuals turning from idols to the living God. The gospel critiques and confronts the idols of any culture, exposing what we truly love and offering something far greater.

God changes the world through small, faithful steps—tiny pushes on the flywheel, not grand gestures. It starts with each of us sharing the gospel, even if we feel inadequate. No message, no movement. The gospel must be proclaimed before it can be received. As more hearts are changed, the effect multiplies, eventually reaching a tipping point that can reshape a whole society.

Even in the face of opposition, the gospel endures. It doesn’t need to be protected or shouted down; it stands steady and clear amid the chaos. Our role is to join the ripple effect—sharing the gospel in our homes, neighborhoods, and beyond. One small act of faithfulness can change a life, a family, even a community. The question is: what step will you take this week to join in God’s transforming work?

Key Takeaways

• 1. The church is not defined by its building, but by its people living on mission. Buildings are tools, not the end goal. Our calling is to be the people of God, wherever we gather, focused on knowing Christ and making Him known in our community and beyond. [33:39]
• 2. Gospel transformation begins with a single act of sharing the good news. Even if you feel unqualified or unsure, your willingness to speak about Christ can set off a chain reaction that reaches far beyond what you can see. No message, no movement—God works through our small steps of obedience. [53:18]
• 3. True change is a matter of heart renovation, not mere behavior modification. The gospel doesn’t just call us to act better; it invites us to be made new from the inside out. This deep, ongoing transformation is what makes the gospel contagious and powerful in the lives of individuals and communities. [46:10]
• 4. As more hearts are changed, the gospel’s impact multiplies and eventually shapes the culture. Like snowflakes accumulating into an avalanche, individual conversions can reach a tipping point that disrupts and reforms society’s values and practices. The gospel critiques and exposes the idols of every age, offering a better hope. [64:18]
• 5. The endurance of the gospel is seen in its ability to withstand opposition and chaos. While the world may shout and resist, the gospel remains steady, enduring, and ultimately victorious. Our task is not to defend the gospel with force, but to proclaim it faithfully and trust God to guard His glory and bring transformation. [69:51]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [31:53] - Remembering Our Roots: Church Without Walls
• [33:39] - The Church: People on Mission
• [34:51] - Buildings as Tools for Mission
• [36:18] - Scripture Reading: Acts 19:23-41
• [41:07] - The Disruption in Ephesus
• [42:24] - The Ripple Effect of the Gospel
• [43:52] - What is Gospel Transformation?
• [46:10] - Heart Renovation vs. Behavior Modification
• [47:45] - One Small Change, Enormous Impact
• [50:13] - God Changes the World One Heart at a Time
• [52:28] - Four Tiny Steps of Gospel Transformation
• [53:18] - Sharing the Gospel: Our Essential Role
• [61:26] - Multiplication: The Gospel Spreads
• [64:18] - The Avalanche: Cultural Tipping Point
• [65:29] - The Gospel Shakes and Shapes Culture
• [69:51] - The Endurance of Gospel Transformation
• [71:27] - Joining the Ripple Effect: Next Steps

Bible Reading

Acts 19:23–41 (ESV) — 23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Observation Questions

1. What was the main reason for the disturbance in Ephesus, according to Demetrius and the craftsmen? (Acts 19:24–27)
2. How did the people of Ephesus react when they heard Demetrius’ concerns about Paul’s message? (Acts 19:28–29)
3. In the sermon, what analogy did the pastor use to describe the way the gospel spreads and impacts a community? [42:24]
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between “heart renovation” and “behavior modification”? [46:10]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the gospel message was so disruptive to the culture and economy of Ephesus? What does this tell us about the power of the gospel to challenge the idols of any society? (Acts 19:26–27; [41:28])
2. The pastor said, “God changes the world one heart at a time.” How does this approach differ from expecting change through big events or grand gestures? [50:13]
3. The sermon emphasized that gospel transformation is “contagious.” What are some reasons why a changed life can influence others to consider Christ? [47:45]
4. The pastor mentioned that the gospel endures even in the face of opposition and chaos. What does this mean for us when we feel pressure or resistance for our faith? [01:09:51]

Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “The church is not the building—it’s the people of God on a mission.” How does this truth challenge the way you think about your role in the church? Are there ways you’ve been relying on the building or programs instead of living on mission? [33:39]
2. Think about your own life: Is there an “idol” (something you love, trust, or serve more than God) that the gospel is exposing? How can you begin to turn from it this week? [41:28]
3. The sermon described gospel transformation as “heart renovation, not behavior modification.” Are there areas where you’ve been trying to just “act better” instead of letting Christ change you from the inside out? What would it look like to invite Jesus into those areas? [46:10]
4. The pastor said, “No message, no movement.” Who is one person in your life you could share the gospel with, even if it feels like a small step? What holds you back, and how can you take a step of faith this week? [53:18]
5. The ripple effect starts with one small act of faithfulness. What is one “tiny push” you can make this week to join in God’s transforming work—at home, at work, or in your neighborhood? [50:13]
6. When you face opposition or feel discouraged about sharing your faith, how can you remember that the gospel endures and stands steady, even when the world seems chaotic? [01:09:51]
7. The pastor shared a story about how one person’s decision to trust Christ led to a chain reaction in their family and community. Have you seen or experienced something similar? How does this encourage you to be part of the ripple effect? [01:03:09]