Unity and Purpose: The True Mission of the Church
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the essence and mission of the church as established by Jesus Christ. We began by reflecting on the importance of unity within the church and the nation, especially in light of recent celebrations like the 4th of July. We welcomed guests and emphasized the significance of community and connection within our congregation.
We are in the second week of our series titled "Called Out," which explores the foundational purpose of the church. The term "Ekklesia," meaning an assembly of people called together for a purpose, was highlighted as the original Greek word used by Jesus to describe the church. We discussed the church's mandate, mission, and ministry, which involve being witnesses, spreading the gospel, and reconciling lost people to God.
We examined Acts chapter 2, where the early church's activities and the arrival of the Holy Spirit were described. The early Christians were empowered to fulfill their mission, and their gatherings were marked by a sense of awe, unity, and purpose. They met in homes and other places, often under the threat of persecution, yet they remained committed to their mission.
The sermon emphasized the importance of understanding the true nature of the church—not as a building but as a community of believers. We reflected on the various perceptions people have about the church and how these differ from the New Testament understanding. The early church was characterized by its devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.
We also discussed the importance of repentance as a central message of the church. The call to repent was a recurring theme in the teachings of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles. Repentance is essential for becoming part of the body of Christ and the church.
The sermon concluded with a call to action for the congregation. We were encouraged to share the gospel, live out our faith, and be a light to those around us. The importance of small groups and community support was also highlighted, as these provide opportunities for deeper connections and mutual care.
### Key Takeaways
1. The True Nature of the Church: The church is not a building but a community of believers called together for a specific purpose. This purpose includes worship, fellowship, and fulfilling the mission of spreading the gospel and reconciling people to God. Understanding this helps us focus on our collective mission rather than the physical structure we meet in. [37:48]
2. The Mandate, Mission, and Ministry: Every believer is called to be a witness, spread the gospel, and reconcile lost people to God. This is not just the responsibility of pastors or church staff but of every Christian. Embracing this calling can transform how we live our daily lives and interact with others. [33:13]
3. The Power of the Holy Spirit: The early church was empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill its mission. This same power is available to us today, enabling us to overcome challenges and boldly share the gospel. Recognizing and relying on this power can invigorate our faith and ministry. [43:32]
4. The Importance of Repentance: Repentance is a central message of the gospel and a prerequisite for becoming part of the church. It involves turning away from sin and putting our faith in Jesus Christ. This message of repentance should be at the forefront of our evangelism efforts. [52:42]
5. Living Out Our Faith: Our lives should reflect the transformative power of the gospel. This means not only talking about our faith but also living it out in a way that others can see. Our actions and attitudes should demonstrate that we have been with Jesus, making our witness more effective. [01:08:46]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[31:31] - Introduction and Welcome to Guests
[33:13] - The Mandate, Mission, and Ministry of the Church
[34:39] - The Early Church and the Holy Spirit
[37:48] - The True Nature of the Church
[39:10] - Different Perceptions of the Church
[40:42] - The Early Church's Devotion and Unity
[43:32] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[45:06] - The Mission of the Church in 2024
[46:38] - The Church's Influence and Growth
[49:43] - Peter's Sermon and the Call to Repentance
[52:42] - The Importance of Repentance
[55:52] - The Early Church's Growth and Community
[58:54] - The Role of Small Groups
[01:00:11] - Persecution and the Church's Response
[01:03:13] - The Church's Mission and Vision
[01:05:59] - The Importance of Evangelism
[01:07:22] - Living Out Our Faith
[01:08:46] - The Simplicity of the Gospel Message
[01:10:04] - The Call to Share the Gospel
[01:11:34] - Recognizing Those Who Have Been with Jesus
[01:13:00] - Invitation to Repent and Believe
[01:14:23] - Prayer and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:42-47
2. Matthew 28:19-20
3. 2 Corinthians 5:18
#### Observation Questions
1. What activities did the early church devote themselves to according to Acts 2:42-47?
2. In Matthew 28:19-20, what specific instructions did Jesus give to His disciples before ascending to heaven?
3. According to 2 Corinthians 5:18, what ministry has God given to every believer?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42-47) reflect the true nature of the church as a community of believers? [37:48]
2. What does it mean to be a witness and to make disciples of all nations as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20? How can this be applied in our daily lives? [43:32]
3. How does the ministry of reconciliation described in 2 Corinthians 5:18 relate to the mission and mandate of the church? [33:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Acts 2:42-47, how can our small group emulate the early church's commitment to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer? What practical steps can we take to foster a sense of awe and unity in our gatherings? [57:27]
2. Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations in Matthew 28:19-20. Identify one person in your life who does not know Christ. What specific actions can you take this week to share the gospel with them? [43:32]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of repentance. Have you experienced a moment of true repentance in your life? How did it change your relationship with God and others? [52:42]
4. The early church was empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill its mission. How can we rely more on the Holy Spirit in our daily lives to overcome challenges and boldly share the gospel? [43:32]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of living out our faith. Think of a recent situation where your actions did not reflect your faith. What can you do differently next time to ensure your life demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel? [01:08:46]
6. Small groups were mentioned as vital for deeper connections and mutual care. How has being part of a small group impacted your spiritual growth? What can you do to encourage others to join and benefit from small groups? [58:54]
7. The sermon called us to be a light to those around us. What are some specific ways you can be a light in your workplace, neighborhood, or family this week? [01:10:04]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Community of Believers
The true nature of the church is not defined by its physical structure but by the community of believers who gather with a shared purpose. This purpose includes worship, fellowship, and the mission of spreading the gospel and reconciling people to God. Understanding this helps us focus on our collective mission rather than the building we meet in. The early church, as described in Acts 2, exemplified this by meeting in homes and other places, often under threat of persecution, yet remaining committed to their mission. They were marked by a sense of awe, unity, and purpose, devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This understanding challenges us to see the church as a living, dynamic community rather than a static institution. [37:48]
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 contribute to the sense of community and purpose within your church beyond attending services?
Day 2: Embracing Our Mandate, Mission, and Ministry
Every believer is called to be a witness, spread the gospel, and reconcile lost people to God. This calling is not limited to pastors or church staff but extends to every Christian. Embracing this calling can transform how we live our daily lives and interact with others. The early church understood this mandate and lived it out despite the challenges they faced. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill their mission, and their gatherings were marked by a sense of awe, unity, and purpose. This same power is available to us today, enabling us to overcome challenges and boldly share the gospel. [33:13]
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you act as an ambassador for Christ in your daily interactions this week?
Day 3: The Power of the Holy Spirit
The early church was empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill its mission. This same power is available to us today, enabling us to overcome challenges and boldly share the gospel. Recognizing and relying on this power can invigorate our faith and ministry. The Holy Spirit's presence was evident in the early church's activities, as they were marked by a sense of awe, unity, and purpose. They met in homes and other places, often under threat of persecution, yet remained committed to their mission. This understanding challenges us to see the church as a living, dynamic community rather than a static institution. [43:32]
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: How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's power in your daily life and ministry?
Day 4: The Importance of Repentance
Repentance is a central message of the gospel and a prerequisite for becoming part of the church. It involves turning away from sin and putting our faith in Jesus Christ. This message of repentance should be at the forefront of our evangelism efforts. The call to repent was a recurring theme in the teachings of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles. Understanding the importance of repentance helps us to align our lives with God's will and to invite others to do the same. [52:42]
Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? What steps can you take today to do so?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith
Our lives should reflect the transformative power of the gospel. This means not only talking about our faith but also living it out in a way that others can see. Our actions and attitudes should demonstrate that we have been with Jesus, making our witness more effective. The early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer was evident in their daily lives, and this same devotion should be evident in ours. By living out our faith, we can be a light to those around us and draw others to Christ. [01:08:46]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to live out your faith in a way that others can see?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We are called together for a specific purpose. Now, I'm just going to be honest with you. I think a lot of people today, a lot of churches today, a lot of religions today mess this up, and they don't realize exactly what the church is for. In fact, all of us probably have these ideas of what the church is for. We'll talk about that in a minute, but the truth is, is that we looked at this last week. He gave us a mandate and a mission and a ministry, and the mandate we saw was to go and be his witnesses and carry the gospel into the world, and that's the mission." [33:13] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What is it that you think about when you hear the word church? What is it that you think about? Everyone probably has a different answer to that question. There are literally thousands of buildings all across the United States and throughout the world that people call church. They call them churches. Some are large, some are small. But the truth is, is that these church buildings are not the church." [36:16] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You cannot become a Christian. You cannot become a part of the body of Christ or be a part, watch this, of the church unless you repent. And by the way, we love it when people come to join the membership of Grace Chapel, but when you fill out that form and you can go and do that, you can fill out the form. If you've never been to our website, there's, there's forms on there for everything. We'll, we'll contact you if you need something, go look at it." [52:42] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We were made for so much more. We were made for more than a house and two cars and a cable TV. We were made for something special and it's given to us in the word of God. You see when, when the church loses its, its way, the church loses its influence. And that's where I think we are in a lot of places today in America, the church has lost its, its way. And because we've lost our way, because we've, we've gone so far away from the mission, we've lost our influence." [46:38] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus said the fields are white under harvest church. We've got to go out into the highways and byways and compel people to come to Jesus. That's what he tells us to do. Jesus' parables are, are filled with agriculture analogies, seeds and planting and watering and harvesting and storing and more, but it's all done in order that we may harvest souls. In Acts chapter two, we're seeing the beginning of the church's role in God's harvest." [01:05:59] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We are in week number two of a series titled Called Out, and it's a series about the church and how Jesus himself set up the church, and he used a Greek word. We looked at that last week, the word Ezekiel. And it just simply means an assembly of people called together for a purpose, and that certainly describes the church of Jesus Christ, doesn't it? We are called together for a specific purpose." [32:00] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We saw last week that when the Holy spirit had, had come, we saw that he began to, they began to speak in tongues, right? They began to speak in tongues and that, that don't let that freak you out. That word tongues just means different languages. They spoke in different languages and God would speak in different languages so that they could actually spread the gospel throughout the entire world." [49:43] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Notice the next day when they pulled Peter and John out of prison and put them front and center and began to ask them, what name they're talking about and where the power they had was coming from. And Peter and John say, it's Jesus, the man you crucified. Jesus, Jesus. Everybody just say Jesus. Man, I hope you say that. I love hearing the name. There's no other name like Jesus." [01:07:22] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We have more churches than anybody on the planet. We have more people that come and get together on Sunday to worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. But we're losing the battle when it comes to sharing our faith and bringing people into the kingdom. Oh, the church today would just live their lives so that society can see a group of people who have been with Jesus. They were amazed and begin to recognize them as having been with Jesus." [01:10:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We don't change our message. The Bible doesn't change. We don't change the message, but sometimes we have to change our methods in order to reach more, more people. That's why we have programs and goals and vision to continue to grow. And the moment that we devalue the importance of reaching more people and growing is the day you need to find another church or get rid of your pastor. I'm serious about that." [01:05:59] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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