The Church: A Dynamic Movement of Witnesses

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that the church is not merely a building or a place we attend, but a dynamic movement initiated by Jesus Christ. This movement is meant to transcend physical locations and become a living, breathing mission that advances the kingdom of God. We delved into the historical context of the church, tracing its journey from the early days of Jesus' ministry to the present, emphasizing that the church was always intended to be a collective of people called out to fulfill a divine mission.

The term "ekklesia," which means "called out," was highlighted as the original Greek word for church, underscoring the idea that the church is a community on a mission rather than a static institution. We reflected on how, over time, the church's identity shifted from being a movement to being perceived as a place, leading to periods of corruption and stagnation. However, the Reformers, like Martin Luther and others, reignited the church's true purpose, reminding us that we are a people on a mission for God.

We also discussed the pivotal role of the Holy Spirit in empowering us to fulfill this mission. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would provide the power needed to be His witnesses, starting from our immediate surroundings and extending to the ends of the earth. This power is not for personal gain or political influence but for spreading the message of Jesus Christ.

As we embark on a study of the book of Acts, we are reminded that the movement of God continues today, and we are part of it. Our core identity is as witnesses for Jesus, tasked with sharing His love and truth with those around us. This mission requires us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with the world, bringing hope and salvation to those who are far from God.

Key Takeaways:

- The Church as a Movement: The church is not a building but a movement initiated by Jesus. It is a community of people called out to fulfill God's mission, transcending physical locations and institutional boundaries. This understanding challenges us to see ourselves as active participants in God's work, not just attendees of a service. [26:45]

- Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is essential for fulfilling the mission of the church. Jesus promised that the Spirit would provide the power needed to be His witnesses. This power is not for personal or political gain but for spreading the message of Jesus Christ. [50:07]

- Our Core Identity as Witnesses: Our primary identity is as witnesses for Jesus. This means sharing His love and truth with those around us, starting from our immediate surroundings and extending to the ends of the earth. This mission requires courage and stepping out of our comfort zones. [51:59]

- The Kingdom of God: Jesus' main focus was the kingdom of God, a spiritual kingdom that will one day overtake all earthly kingdoms. For now, it is a kingdom in our hearts, where God reigns supreme. Understanding this helps us align our lives with God's purposes. [43:46]

- Living a Life on Mission: We are called to live every day with a focus on reaching people with the message of Jesus. This involves moving beyond attending church services to actively engaging with the world, bringing hope and salvation to those who are far from God. [58:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [18:21] - Opening Prayer
- [26:45] - The Church as a Movement
- [29:54] - The Reformers' Impact
- [31:37] - Del Sol Church History
- [33:31] - Mission of the Church
- [34:42] - The Book of Acts
- [37:39] - Authorship and Audience
- [39:09] - Jesus' Mission for the Church
- [42:20] - The Significance of 40 Days
- [45:14] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
- [47:16] - Misunderstanding the Kingdom
- [49:14] - Facing Overwhelming Tasks
- [50:07] - The Spirit's Empowerment
- [51:59] - Our Identity as Witnesses
- [54:58] - Jesus' Ascension and Our Mission
- [58:13] - Living a Life on Mission
- [01:01:17] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 16:18
- Acts 1:1-11

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the term "ekklesia" mean, and how does it redefine our understanding of the church? [26:45]

2. How did the early church's identity shift over time, and what role did the Reformers play in addressing this change? [29:54]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Holy Spirit in the mission of the church? [50:07]

4. What was Jesus' main focus during the 40 days after His resurrection, and why is this significant? [42:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding the church as a movement rather than a building impact the way believers engage with their faith community? [26:45]

2. In what ways might the church today be tempted to become more of a place than a movement, and how can this be addressed? [34:42]

3. How does the empowerment of the Holy Spirit differ from other forms of power, and why is this distinction important for the church's mission? [50:07]

4. What does it mean for believers to have their core identity as witnesses for Jesus, and how might this shape their daily lives? [51:59]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current view of the church. Do you see it more as a place or a movement? How might this perspective influence your involvement in church activities? [26:45]

2. Consider a time when you felt the church was more focused on politics or power than on its mission. How did that affect your faith, and what steps can you take to refocus on the mission of God? [29:54]

3. Identify a specific area in your life where you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment. What practical steps can you take to invite the Spirit's guidance and strength in that area? [50:07]

4. Think about someone in your immediate surroundings who is far from God. What is one specific action you can take this week to share Jesus' love and truth with them? [51:59]

5. How can you step out of your comfort zone to engage with the world as a witness for Jesus? Identify one new way you can do this in the coming month. [58:13]

6. Reflect on the concept of the kingdom of God being a spiritual kingdom in our hearts. How can you align your daily life more closely with God's purposes? [43:46]

7. What are some practical ways you can live a life on mission, actively engaging with those around you to bring hope and salvation? [58:13]

Devotional

Day 1: The Church as a Living Movement
The church is not confined to a building or a specific location; it is a dynamic movement initiated by Jesus Christ. This movement is meant to transcend physical boundaries and become a living mission that advances the kingdom of God. Historically, the church has been a collective of people called out to fulfill a divine mission, as indicated by the original Greek term "ekklesia," meaning "called out." Over time, the church's identity shifted from being a movement to being perceived as a place, leading to periods of corruption and stagnation. However, the Reformers, like Martin Luther, reignited the church's true purpose, reminding us that we are a people on a mission for God. [26:45]

Acts 2:46-47 (ESV): "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the church as a movement rather than just attending services? What steps can you take this week to engage with your community in a meaningful way?


Day 2: Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a pivotal role in empowering believers to fulfill the mission of the church. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would provide the power needed to be His witnesses, starting from our immediate surroundings and extending to the ends of the earth. This empowerment is not for personal gain or political influence but for spreading the message of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit equips us with the courage and strength to step out of our comfort zones and engage with the world, bringing hope and salvation to those who are far from God. [50:07]

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 areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment to be a more effective witness for Jesus? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in these areas today?


Day 3: Our Core Identity as Witnesses
Our primary identity as believers is to be witnesses for Jesus, sharing His love and truth with those around us. This mission begins in our immediate surroundings and extends to the ends of the earth. Being a witness requires courage and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones. It involves living a life that reflects the love and truth of Jesus, engaging with the world, and bringing hope and salvation to those who are far from God. As we embrace this identity, we become active participants in God's work, advancing His kingdom on earth. [51:59]

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of Jesus? What practical steps can you take this week to share His love and truth with them?


Day 4: The Kingdom of God
Jesus' main focus was the kingdom of God, a spiritual kingdom that will one day overtake all earthly kingdoms. For now, it is a kingdom in our hearts, where God reigns supreme. Understanding this helps us align our lives with God's purposes, living in a way that reflects His kingdom values. As we seek to advance the kingdom of God, we are called to live with a focus on reaching people with the message of Jesus, moving beyond attending church services to actively engaging with the world. [43:46]

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"

Reflection: How can you align your daily life with the values of God's kingdom? What changes can you make to ensure that God's reign is evident in your heart and actions?


Day 5: Living a Life on Mission
We are called to live every day with a focus on reaching people with the message of Jesus. This involves moving beyond attending church services to actively engaging with the world, bringing hope and salvation to those who are far from God. Living a life on mission requires intentionality and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones. It means being open to the opportunities God places before us to share His love and truth with others, making a difference in the lives of those around us. [58:13]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to live a life on mission for Jesus? How can you be more intentional in sharing His message with those around you?

Quotes

The gates of hell aren't going to be able to withstand the movement, the advancement of the church. This gives the idea of movement. Jesus said that the church will power through whatever hell could put in its way. The church is meant to be. The church is meant to be a movement. [00:26:45]

In the original Greek that most of the New Testament is written in, the original word for the Christians, the original word for church was ekklesia. Ekklesia. You're now bilingual because now you know a Greek word. And that word ekklesia basically means called out. The church was originally an assembly or a group of people who were called out on mission for Jesus. In other words, the church was originally a movement. [00:27:14]

The Reformers were great men and women of God, like Martin Luther, William Tyndale, Marie Dantier, Anne Askew, and many others who helped get the church back on focus of being a movement. They wanted people to know church is not a place you go to. Church is a movement you belong to. And that happened about 500 years ago. [00:29:54]

And yet, the danger that we face as Del Sol Church and the danger that every church faces is the temptation to stop being, a movement, and start being just a place that provides services. Or even worse, to be just a place where people simply come and attend for an hour on Sunday, but they never move beyond that. [00:34:42]

Jesus gave us our mission. Remember, Acts is a continuation of Luke's gospel, and what was Luke's gospel about? The message of Jesus recorded by Luke is that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth to be with his people, to care for people, and to teach God's truth to people. [00:39:09]

The flood in Genesis lasted for 40 days, preparing the world for a whole new day. And when Moses was on Mount Sinai, he was there for 40 days getting prepared by God to lead the people of Israel through the wilderness. The 12 spies went into the land that God promised them, the promised land, for 40 days, scoping it out and making a plan so that the Israelites could go in and take over the land. [00:42:20]

Being the church that Jesus wants us to be. It's a church where first, we know that Jesus gave us our mission. But number two, we see that the Holy Spirit gives us the power that we need. The Spirit gives us the power that we need to stay on mission for God. He opens our hearts. He opens our minds to understand the supremacy of God's kingdom and to lay aside our own little kingdoms and let Jesus be king. [00:45:14]

Jesus looks at the disciples and he knows that the secret to their success back then and he knows that the secret to our success today is the power of the Holy Spirit. Because get this, you can't do the work of God without the Spirit of God. You can't do the work of God without the Spirit of God. If you're gonna do God's work, you're gonna need God's help. [00:50:07]

The Spirit reminds us that our identity is witnesses for Jesus. That is our primary identity, as witnesses for Jesus. He said we would receive power, power for our own, and gain? Nope. Power politically? No, no way. Something far better. What's the power for? Look at the second half of verse 8. He says you will receive power. Then he says you will be my witnesses. [00:51:59]

And the fact that we're sitting here with God's word in our hands, that we're hearing this message, this partial fulfillment of the command that Jesus gave almost 2,000 years ago, and it happened with a group of ordinary people who were filled with the spirit of God to carry out the mission of God. And this was not just a promise that Jesus made to the first Christians back then. This is a promise for you and for me today. [00:54:58]

So let's not settle for anything less than living a life on mission, living every day with a focus of reaching people around us with the mission of God. and the message of Jesus Christ. Let's not settle for anything less from that because guys, we're surrounded by people who are far from God. In your life, in your neighborhood, people that you see each and every day, people you interact with online, we're surrounded by people who are far from God, who are hurting, who are grieving, who are struggling, who don't have a sense of hope, who don't have confidence in life, who can't sleep at night because they don't have peace, people who are blinded to the wonderful truth of God is and all that he can give them. [00:58:13]

Help us not to get distracted, but to live every day with gratitude for what your son Jesus did for us. And then give us a burden in our hearts for others to know what he's done for them too. Thank you for sending your spirit to accomplish that mission that you've given us. Onward we go. [01:01:17]

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Transcript
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