Lakeside January 18, 2026 Jeff Bonkowsi - Hope in a Glorious Church

Communion framed the morning as a reminder that thanksgiving and sacrificial love define the life of the people of God. With a pastoral urgency, the church is presented not as an inert institution but as the chosen, glorious instrument through which the kingdom of heaven advances on earth. The narrative moves from Scripture—Saul’s Damascus encounter and Ananias’ obedience—to a theological center: the church exists to carry forward Christ’s ministry, manifest his glory, and see nations transformed. Inclusion (being brought into Christ) is affirmed, but it is set beside a deeper call: alignment with the Spirit’s present power. When believers surrender to the faithfulness of Jesus and align with the Holy Spirit, lives are transformed in ways that mere programs cannot manufacture.

Historical examples in Acts show a people who prayed not for ease but for boldness, signs, and wonders so that God’s name would be magnified and the lost drawn to Christ. That posture reframes weakness as opportunity: persecution and opposition become contexts for divine demonstration rather than grounds for retreat. The sermon presses back against a passive expectation that Christ will someday fix an impotent church; instead it proclaims that the cross has already commissioned believers to operate in supernatural authority now.

Practically, the congregation is urged to move from reactive measures to proactive influence: be a thermostat that sets the spiritual temperature rather than a thermometer that only reports it. Adopt an investment mindset that builds legacy for future generations instead of a debt mentality that reacts in fear to present crises. Cultivate gladness rooted in the Spirit—because joy is integral to the kingdom—and deliberately speak life by declaring kingdom realities into situations. Stories and testimonies close the call: when people live empowered, ordinary places become hubs of revival and renewal. The final benediction sends the people out with a concrete vision: be an alive church, kingdom-focused now, carrying Christ’s power and presence into every neighborhood, workplace, and home.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Church as God's chosen instrument Belief in a glorious church reframes activity as divine partnership: the congregation is the vehicle Christ chose to display his presence and extend his reign. This removes the illusion that the church “serves itself” and redirects every ministry toward transformational ends. When believers see themselves as God’s instrument, ministry becomes about consequences for souls and cities, not merely attractive programming. [43:33]
• 2. Alignment over mere inclusion alone Being included in Christ is foundational, but alignment with the Spirit activates that inclusion into sustained, visible holiness and power. Alignment shifts the burden off human performance and places it on surrender to Christ’s faithfulness—allowing transformation to flow from union with Jesus. This is the difference between membership and movement. [64:16]
• 3. Be a thermostat, not thermometer Reacting to culture merely registers what’s happening; setting the spiritual temperature shapes what will happen. A thermostat posture is proactive—deliberate prayer, prophetic declarations, and courageous witness—that creates conditions for revival rather than waiting for them. This requires imagination, courage, and consistent spiritual leadership. [69:19]
• 4. Speak life; invest for generations Kingdom advance is cumulative: declarations of faith and steady investment in people multiply fruit beyond immediate visibility. Speaking life means naming God’s future now and stewarding resources—time, presence, teaching—toward a legacy that blesses coming generations. Long-term faithfulness outcompetes short-term fear every time. [78:27]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [05:55] - Communion and Remembrance
• [30:12] - Announcements & Community Life
• [35:25] - Kingdom Culture Series Introduction
• [37:51] - Saul’s Conversion & Ananias’ Obedience
• [43:33] - The Church: God’s Chosen Instrument
• [52:09] - Acts 4 Prayer: Boldness & Signs
• [64:16] - Inclusion vs. Alignment
• [69:19] - Thermostat, Not Thermometer
• [78:27] - Speak Life; Investment Mindset
• [80:52] - Testimony & Benediction

1. In the story from Acts 9, what was Ananias’s initial reaction to God’s command? What specific reasons did he give for his hesitation?
2. After being threatened by the authorities in Acts 4, what specific things did the believers ask God for in their prayer? What did they *not* ask for? [53:43]
3. The church is described as God’s “chosen instrument to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth.” [43:33] What are some of the adjectives used to describe this glorious church? (e.g., triumphant, pure, powerful, vibrant). [58:18]

1. A distinction was made between “inclusion” (being saved) and “alignment” (a surrendered response to the Holy Spirit’s power). [01:04:16] Why is it possible for a believer to experience inclusion without living in alignment? What does it mean to be saved by the “faithfulness of Jesus” and not just our own faith in Him? [01:05:41]
2. The early church prayed for boldness and for signs and wonders, not for their problems to be taken away. [54:13] What does this prayer reveal about their understanding of God’s power and the church’s mission in the face of opposition? How does this challenge our typical prayer requests when we face difficulties?
3. The idea of being a “thermostat” is about proactively setting the spiritual temperature, while a “thermometer” just reacts to it. [01:11:39] In what areas of life (family, work, community) is the church often tempted to act like a thermometer, simply reflecting the culture's temperature? What do you think keeps us from being thermostats?

1. Ananias was asked to do something that seemed risky and counterintuitive. He questioned God but ultimately obeyed. [01:08:37] Can you think of a time when you felt God asking you to do something that felt uncomfortable or illogical? How can Ananias's story encourage us to move past our hesitation and into obedience?
2. We are called to be thermostats, not just thermometers. [01:09:19] Think about your primary environments this week—your home, your workplace, or your friendships. What is one practical way you could “set the temperature” for the kingdom of heaven in one of those places, rather than just reacting to the existing atmosphere?
3. An investment mindset focuses on building a long-term legacy, while a debt mindset reacts to immediate crises out of fear. [01:15:26] Where in your life are you currently operating with a “debt mindset”? What would it look like to shift to an “investment mindset” in that area, building toward what is good instead of just reacting to the negative? [01:15:56]
4. We were encouraged to speak faith declarations over our lives, our church, and our region. [01:18:27] Which of the declarations shared felt most needed for you personally right now (e.g., “God is going to do exceedingly and abundantly more,” “This region is going to be a hotbed for revival,” or “My life will have a positive kingdom impact for generations”)?
5. Coming into alignment with the Holy Spirit is about surrendering to the power that is already alive in us. [01:04:40] What is one area where you tend to rely on your own performance or works instead of living out of the Spirit's indwelling presence? [01:00:46] What would it look like to surrender that area to Him this week?
6. The testimony at the end was about a church that became known as “the alive church” because they decided to infiltrate their community with God's presence. [01:23:58] What does an “alive church” look like to you? What is one thing our small group could do together to “leak God's presence” into our community?