Jesus' Predictions: The Transformative Power of the Church
Summary
In today's message, we explored the concept of "predicting outcomes for money," or gambling, as a metaphor to introduce the idea of Jesus' predictions during His time on earth. Unlike gambling, Jesus' predictions were not for personal gain but were profound truths that defied human logic and understanding. Many of these predictions came true during His lifetime, and the few that remain unfulfilled should be trusted with the same certainty. One of the most significant predictions Jesus made was about the church, or "Ekklesia," a movement that would transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
Jesus' prediction of the church was made in an insignificant place to seemingly insignificant people, yet it has become a global movement. This movement, as we discussed, is not about buildings or traditions but about a gathering of people committed to the mission and purpose of Jesus. The church's expressions may change over time and across cultures, but the core mission remains unchanged. When the church veers from this mission, it risks becoming irrelevant or even harmful.
We also delved into the early church's beginnings, particularly the events following Jesus' resurrection. Despite initial disbelief, the resurrection became the cornerstone of the church's message. Jesus' followers were tasked with spreading this message to the ends of the earth, a mission that seemed impossible but was empowered by the Holy Spirit. This empowerment was not for political or military power but for the power to witness and share the transformative message of Jesus.
The early church was marked by its outward focus, multicultural inclusivity, and commitment to multiplication. It was not about maintaining the status quo but about expanding the reach of Jesus' message. This movement was anchored in the resurrection, which validated Jesus' identity and mission. Today, we are called to continue this mission by repenting, changing our minds, and turning to Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. Baptism serves as a public declaration of this commitment, symbolizing our identification with Jesus and His movement.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus' Predictions and the Church: Jesus made predictions that seemed impossible, yet many came true, including the establishment of the church. This serves as a reminder that His remaining promises are trustworthy. The church is not about buildings or traditions but a movement of people committed to Jesus' mission. [07:08]
2. The Core Mission of the Church: The church's expressions may change, but its core mission remains the same. When the church veers from this mission, it risks becoming irrelevant or harmful. We are responsible for representing Jesus accurately in our generation and community. [13:57]
3. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The early church was empowered by the Holy Spirit, not for political power but to witness and share Jesus' message. This empowerment is available to us today, enabling us to live out Jesus' teachings and make a difference in the world. [23:34]
4. Repentance and Baptism: Repentance involves changing our minds and turning to Jesus for forgiveness. Baptism is a public declaration of our commitment to Jesus and His movement. It symbolizes our identification with Him and our participation in His mission. [33:54]
5. The Global and Inclusive Nature of the Church: The church is an outward-focused, multicultural, and multiplying movement. It is for every person, regardless of background or culture. We are called to continue this mission, sharing the message of Jesus with the world. [36:53]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:08] - Jesus' Predictions and the Church
- [11:07] - The Resurrection and Its Impact
- [13:57] - The Core Mission of the Church
- [17:28] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
- [23:34] - The Global and Inclusive Nature of the Church
- [29:32] - Repentance and Baptism
- [33:54] - The Significance of Baptism
- [36:53] - The Church as a Movement
- [40:22] - Understanding Sin and Forgiveness
- [43:22] - Invitation to Respond
- [46:35] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 16:13-18
2. Acts 1:6-8
3. Acts 2:36-41
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 16:13-18, what significant prediction does Jesus make about Peter and the church? How does this relate to the concept of "Ekklesia"? [07:08]
2. According to Acts 1:6-8, what kind of power does Jesus promise to His followers, and for what purpose? How does this differ from the power they initially expected? [13:57]
3. In Acts 2:36-41, what was the reaction of the people when Peter explained who Jesus was and what they had done? How did Peter instruct them to respond? [29:32]
4. How does the sermon describe the early church's focus and mission, and what role did the Holy Spirit play in this? [23:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' prediction about the church in Matthew 16:13-18 suggest about the nature and mission of the church? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the church as a movement rather than a building? [07:08]
2. How does the empowerment by the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:6-8 redefine the disciples' understanding of their mission? What implications does this have for the church today? [13:57]
3. In Acts 2:36-41, Peter calls for repentance and baptism. What does this signify about the early church's understanding of salvation and community? How does this compare to modern practices? [29:32]
4. The sermon mentions the global and inclusive nature of the church. How does this reflect the events of Pentecost in Acts 2, and what challenges might this present to contemporary churches? [36:53]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on Jesus' prediction about the church being a movement. How can you contribute to this movement in your local community, beyond just attending services? [07:08]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of staying true to the core mission of the church. In what ways can you help ensure that your church remains focused on its mission? [13:57]
3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers. How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment in your daily life to witness and share Jesus' message? [23:34]
4. Repentance and baptism were central to the early church's response to the gospel. Have you experienced these steps in your faith journey? If not, what might be holding you back? [33:54]
5. The sermon highlights the church's outward focus and multicultural inclusivity. How can you personally embrace and promote inclusivity within your church community? [36:53]
6. Think about a time when you might have misrepresented Jesus or the church. What steps can you take to better represent Jesus in your interactions with others? [13:57]
7. The sermon calls for a change of mind and turning to Jesus for forgiveness. Is there an area in your life where you need to change your mind or seek forgiveness? How can you take a step towards that this week? [40:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Trust in Jesus' Predictions
Jesus made predictions that seemed impossible, yet many came true, including the establishment of the church. This serves as a reminder that His remaining promises are trustworthy. Jesus' predictions were not for personal gain but were profound truths that defied human logic and understanding. One of the most significant predictions Jesus made was about the church, or "Ekklesia," a movement that would transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. This movement is not about buildings or traditions but about a gathering of people committed to the mission and purpose of Jesus. The church's expressions may change over time and across cultures, but the core mission remains unchanged. [07:08]
Matthew 16:18 (ESV): "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Reflection: What is one promise of Jesus that you find difficult to trust? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?
Day 2: The Unchanging Mission of the Church
The church's expressions may change, but its core mission remains the same. When the church veers from this mission, it risks becoming irrelevant or harmful. The church is responsible for representing Jesus accurately in each generation and community. This involves staying true to the mission of spreading Jesus' message and living out His teachings. The church is not about maintaining the status quo but about expanding the reach of Jesus' message. [13:57]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the church's mission in your community today? How can you ensure that your actions align with Jesus' teachings?
Day 3: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
The early church was empowered by the Holy Spirit, not for political power but to witness and share Jesus' message. This empowerment is available to us today, enabling us to live out Jesus' teachings and make a difference in the world. The Holy Spirit provides the strength and courage needed to spread the transformative message of Jesus. This empowerment is not about gaining control or influence but about being a faithful witness to the truth of Jesus' resurrection and His teachings. [23:34]
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (ESV): "And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
Reflection: How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's power in your daily life? What specific area of your life needs His empowerment today?
Day 4: Repentance and Public Commitment
Repentance involves changing our minds and turning to Jesus for forgiveness. Baptism is a public declaration of our commitment to Jesus and His movement. It symbolizes our identification with Him and our participation in His mission. This act of repentance and baptism is a powerful statement of faith and a commitment to live according to Jesus' teachings. It is a call to turn away from past mistakes and embrace a new life in Christ. [33:54]
Acts 2:38 (ESV): "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to repent and seek forgiveness? How can you publicly declare your commitment to Jesus today?
Day 5: The Inclusive and Global Church
The church is an outward-focused, multicultural, and multiplying movement. It is for every person, regardless of background or culture. The early church was marked by its outward focus, multicultural inclusivity, and commitment to multiplication. This movement was anchored in the resurrection, which validated Jesus' identity and mission. Today, we are called to continue this mission by sharing the message of Jesus with the world. [36:53]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you embrace and promote the inclusivity of the church in your interactions with others? What steps can you take to share Jesus' message with someone from a different background or culture today?
Quotes
Jesus predicted many outcomes, but he did not predict most of those things for money. He did not wager anything with anybody on those outcomes because nobody would have taken him up on the bet because it didn't make any sense for most of the things that he predicted. There were incredibly, incredibly bad odds. [00:01:33] (18 seconds)
And Jesus made this prediction, which we looked at last week, if you were here, Andy kicked this off for us last Sunday. We looked at this prediction that he made and it all started by Jesus saying, hey guys, to his followers, hey guys, what are people saying about me? Like, who do people say that I am? What's the word on the street? [00:03:10] (16 seconds)
And throughout this series, what we're gonna do is we're gonna take a look back together to ensure that as the church, as the movement of Jesus, that we are staying on track. Because the reality is that expressions of the church, the expressions of this movement of Jesus, they're gonna change from time to time. [00:07:13] (16 seconds)
You and I, as Jesus followers, think about this. You determine for the people that you interact with what Christianity looks like and acts like and talks like and sounds like and reacts like. And so if we don't get this right, then we risk misrepresenting our savior and we risk misrepresenting, we risk misrepresenting, wow, that's a. [00:09:06] (24 seconds)
And so last week, as I mentioned, that we kind of set this whole thing up. Andy set this whole thing up. Today, because it's all been set up now, we're going to jump right in. And the way we're going to do that is we're going to talk about Easter for just a moment. Every single year at Easter, at least for us, for the last few years, we have said the same thing over and over again. On Easter Sunday, nobody expected a resurrection. [00:09:54] (22 seconds)
He says, this is what it's time for. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Now they would have been at least somewhat familiar with the concept of the spirit of God. Because if you look at their Jewish scriptures, which is now the Old Testament, the first half of our Christian Bibles, if you look at their Jewish scriptures, the Holy Spirit or the spirit of God would come and anoint, come upon specific people for specific tasks. [00:14:28] (26 seconds)
And they're thinking to themselves, we're going to go be witnesses for you. Does that mean we're going to go testify about something in court? And by the way, to this point, to everything that he said to this point about Jerusalem and Judea, this would have made sense to them because that's where they're at. That's where they're from. But then Jesus goes on. He says, you're also going to be my witnesses in Samaria. [00:15:44] (18 seconds)
The message of Jesus was not simply a, you might also like type message. And the reason I say that is because at that time in that culture, they had all kinds of gods and you would just adopt the gods of whatever area that you were in. And this is not, the message of Jesus was not just something that you simply added on to your other gods. [00:17:01] (22 seconds)
And so these followers of Jesus, as they now have the ability to speak these languages, they go out into the streets and they start having conversations with people and they're speaking their languages and the people are just shocked. They're like, what in the world is happening? And we're told that their reaction was this, aren't all of these people who are speaking Galileans? [00:23:34] (18 seconds)
And Peter says, if you repent and you turn to God, you'll receive something else. You'll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. That same Holy Spirit that came on Samson so that he could do those mighty things. The same Holy Spirit that came on the prophets. That Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, it will come on you. [00:33:54] (18 seconds)
The message is the exact same today as it was all the way back then. Repent, change your mind, submit to Jesus, and then be baptized, every one of you. Being baptized, this is how you publicly identify with Jesus as a follower of Jesus and as part of his ecclesia, his movement. [00:38:20] (21 seconds)
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