Rethinking Church: Embracing Deconstruction for Impact
Summary
The sermon is the second part of a series titled "Rethink: Deconstructing Modern Christianity." The pastor begins by addressing the concept of deconstruction, often seen negatively in the church world. He emphasizes that deconstruction can be necessary for personal growth and breakthroughs, using examples from finances, health, and relationships. The pastor then expands on the concept of the pulpit, suggesting that it should not be limited to a physical platform in the church. Instead, every member should see themselves as ministers, every business as a pulpit, and every gathering as a church, allowing the gospel to reach a wider audience.
The pastor then discusses the importance of the church, or eklesia, making a positive impact in the city. He challenges the traditional notion that ministry is confined to the institution, suggesting that wherever two or three Christians are gathered, there is an opportunity for the eklesia to thrive. The pastor expresses dissatisfaction with the modern-day "big sea church," comparing the results and fruit of the church today to those seen in the book of Acts. He suggests that the church today is not experiencing the same level of fruitfulness due to a different mindset or understanding of faith and how to do church.
The pastor discusses the impact of Paul's preaching in the marketplace public hall, emphasizing that Paul's approach changed when he began to rethink his identity. He went from being a religious leader in the synagogue to becoming a marketplace contributor involved in the welfare of the city. This shift in approach led to different results and allowed Paul to have a lasting impact in Ephesus. The pastor then emphasizes the original intention of Jesus for the church, which was not to build a static institution or organization, but rather a mobile people movement that would operate 24/7 in the marketplace to impact everyone and everything.
The pastor focuses on the theme of persecution faced by the apostle Paul and his companion Barnabas. Despite the challenges, Paul remains resilient and dedicated to his mission. The pastor discusses the impact that the Apostle Paul had on the church in Corinth, emphasizing that Paul's authority and influence over the church was evident during his extended stay in Corinth. The pastor concludes by discussing the transformation of Saul of Tarsus into the apostle Paul and the change in his ministry strategy. The sermon highlights the importance of adapting and being flexible in ministry, as well as the perseverance required to continue spreading the message of salvation.
Key Takeaways:
- Deconstruction is not always negative; it can be necessary for personal growth and breakthroughs. It allows us to challenge our existing beliefs and mindsets, leading to positive outcomes in various areas of life. [12:45]
- The concept of the pulpit should not be limited to a physical platform in the church. Every member should see themselves as ministers, every business as a pulpit, and every gathering as a church, allowing the gospel to reach a wider audience. [22:30]
- The church today is not experiencing the same level of fruitfulness as seen in the book of Acts due to a different mindset or understanding of faith and how to do church. We need to rethink our approach to faith and church to achieve greater impact. [35:10]
- Paul's transformation from a religious leader in the synagogue to a marketplace contributor involved in the welfare of the city shows the importance of adapting and being flexible in ministry. This shift in approach led to different results and allowed Paul to have a lasting impact. [48:20]
- Jesus' original intention for the church was not to build a static institution or organization, but rather a mobile people movement that would operate 24/7 in the marketplace to impact everyone and everything. We need to align with this vision to fulfill the true purpose of the church. [59:15]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Matthew 16:18: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
2. Ephesians 4:11-12: "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
3. Acts 19:9: "But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus."
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 16:18, what does Jesus mean when He says He will build His church on Peter? What does this imply about the role of believers in the church?
2. In Ephesians 4:11-12, what roles does Christ assign to different people in the church? How does this contribute to the building up of the body of Christ?
3. In Acts 19:9, what is Paul's response to those who refuse to believe and malign the Way? What does this tell us about Paul's approach to ministry?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' statement in Matthew 16:18 challenge or affirm our understanding of the church? What implications does this have for our role as believers?
2. Considering Ephesians 4:11-12, how does the diversity of roles within the church contribute to its growth and unity? How does this align with our understanding of the church as a body?
3. Reflecting on Acts 19:9, what can we learn from Paul's approach to ministry when faced with opposition? How does this inform our understanding of effective ministry?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Matthew 16:18, how can you contribute to the building of the church in your current context? Identify one specific action you can take this week.
2. Based on Ephesians 4:11-12, what is one way you can use your unique gifts to serve others in the church or community this week?
3. Considering Paul's response in Acts 19:9, how can you remain resilient in sharing the gospel, even in the face of opposition? Identify a specific situation where you can apply this resilience.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Deconstruction for Growth
Deconstruction is often viewed negatively, especially in religious contexts. However, it is a necessary process for personal growth and breakthroughs. It allows us to challenge our existing beliefs and mindsets, leading to positive outcomes in various areas of life. [12:45]
Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Reflection: What is one belief or mindset you hold that may need deconstruction? How can you approach this process with an open heart and mind?
Day 2: Expanding the Concept of the Pulpit
The pulpit should not be limited to a physical platform in the church. Every Christian should see themselves as ministers, every business as a pulpit, and every gathering as a church, allowing the gospel to reach a wider audience. [22:30]
1 Corinthians 3:16 - "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?"
Reflection: How can you expand your concept of the pulpit in your daily life? What opportunities do you have to minister to others outside of the traditional church setting?
Day 3: Rethinking the Fruitfulness of the Church
The church today is not experiencing the same level of fruitfulness as seen in the book of Acts due to a different mindset or understanding of faith and how to do church. We need to rethink our approach to faith and church to achieve greater impact. [35:10]
Acts 2:46-47 - "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the fruitfulness of your church community? What changes in mindset or approach might be necessary?
Day 4: Adapting and Being Flexible in Ministry
Paul's transformation from a religious leader in the synagogue to a marketplace contributor involved in the welfare of the city shows the importance of adapting and being flexible in ministry. This shift in approach led to different results and allowed Paul to have a lasting impact. [48:20]
1 Corinthians 9:22 - "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."
Reflection: In what ways can you adapt and be more flexible in your ministry? How can you use your unique skills and talents to contribute to the welfare of your city?
Day 5: Aligning with Jesus' Vision for the Church
Jesus' original intention for the church was not to build a static institution or organization, but rather a mobile people movement that would operate 24/7 in the marketplace to impact everyone and everything. We need to align with this vision to fulfill the true purpose of the church. [59:15]
Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Reflection: How can you align with Jesus' vision for the church in your daily life? What steps can you take to be part of a mobile people movement that impacts everyone and everything?
Quotes
"Jesus didn't say I'll build my static institution or organization Jesus said I will build a building less mobile people movement designed to operate 247 in the marketplace for the purpose of impacting everybody and everything that's what he said and the early church believed him and the early church did exactly that and the results they got is proof in the pudding that Jesus chose the right strategy." [09:22]
"Paul wrote this when he got converted he wrote this in Ephesians chapter 4 he says and he gave some Jesus gave some as Apostles some as prophets some as evangelist some as pastors some as teachers for the equipping of the Saints for the work of the ministry for the building up of the body of Christ." [10:38]
"I grew increasingly dissatisfied with the fruit, the results, and especially in comparison to the results that I see in the book of Acts when I see the fruit, the results that 11 men starting in Jerusalem in an upper room had over a short period of time on the then known world without technology without all of the resources as we have today." #!!03:14!!#
"Every member is a minister, every business a pulpit, every gathering a church... when the church becomes the eklesia, everything changes... the congregation no longer consists of only those who gather in the building but also of the people in the city." #!!32:22!!#
"This went on for two years from this Pulpit that all of the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord not some not most all just all of Asia no Instagram no YouTube no airplanes all okay when Paul began to rethink his identity and his approach he saw different results." #!!26:15!!#
"Why are we talking about deconstructing modern Christianity because I mean that's that's a kind of a it's a trendy term right now deconstructing Faith there's a lot we see in the news and you know big Nam celebrities deconstructing their faith and it's become we have friends maybe #!!01:38!!# you know somebody who says I'm deconstructing or I deconstructed my faith so why are we why are we talking about and and I think because we hear that I think in church World especially we we get a bad connotation when we hear the word deconstructing like someone's deconstructing their faith oh no it's it's falling apart and it's always negative but can I just say that there's sometimes there are some times when we need to deconstruct." #!!01:38!!#
"Jesus didn't say I will build my church... he didn't say I will build my synagogue... he didn't say I will build my temple... he didn't say I will build my... Global Empire of synagogues or... T... he didn't say that at all... Jesus said I will build... my eklesia... eklesia is the exact word Jesus used... it simply translated mean meant a social political Gathering of citizens who were called together to attend to the concerns of their city." #!!06:22!!#
"I mean there's one time that Paul got beat up so bad left for dead #!!15:18!!# stoned left for dead outside the city you know what Paul did Paul got up and went back into the City and I was like man that dude's built different than me I'd be like peace out like I'm out of here right I mean I mean Paul went back in the city started preaching again I this guy's built different."
"If I can understand that God still moves with the same power and the same Authority if not more so when I move my Pulpit to the marketplace and when I can preach from here when I CH when I change and rethink from thinking Church that all of my spiritual walk and all of my all of my time with God is is spent in my religious part of my life is in church if I can change that thinking and realize that I no no I'm part of the eklesia which is a gathering of citizens who take care of the concerns of their City." #!!23:39!!#
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