The Church

The ChurchNew Testament to Now

What Is The Church

Matthew 16:16

Established By God

Built On Christ's Foundation

Entrusted To Man - Peter/Disciples

Commissioned To Make Disciples - Matthew 28:16-21 - Go and Make

Holy LeadershipActs 1:1-10

They were taught for Forty Days (vs 1-3) and then told to "wait" on a gift - The Holy Spirit (vs 4-5)

He will restore "the Kingdom" - The Boundless Vision of Man :) (vs 6-7)

His time is not Man's business (vs 7)

Wait on the Holy Spirit (vs 8) - how do we wait?

You Will Be My Witnesses

In Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the Earth (vs 8)

He Ascended before their very eyes! (vs 9-10) - Dumbfounded

Two men appear and say "why are you looking into the Sky" - Christ Will Return! (vs 11)

Now live like you believe it - the Church begins!

The Church - reviewEstablished By God

Built On Christ

Entrusted To Man

Commissioned To Go

Taught for 40 Days

Waiting on the Holy Spirit

If you started a church what would

you do? How would you do it? Why would you do it?

A Short Walk

They went to their meeting place, most likely a wealthy persons home, and Prayed.

Constantly in prayer (vs 14)

Who was there - Disciples, men, women?(vs 14)

They All joined together! Focused on Christ not a man.

Leaders - Stand Up

Peter "stood up" among the brothers/believers (vs 15)

The first thing he addresses is the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. Why? (vs. 16-20)

A New "Witness" is chosen (vs. 23-26) (vs 22 key)

Barsabbas and Matthias chosen - why two and why to only select one of the two?

They "prayed" and "cast lots" - rational (two chosen) and supernatural (lots) factors at play here.

Poised for GrowthStudied Up, Prayed Up, and Waiting on the Holy Spirit

The Church Review 2

Established By Christ - Mat 16:16

Entrusted to Man - Mat 28:16-21

Learned four forty days Acts 1:1-10 - 3 years of daily interaction

Told to wait on the Holy Spirit - John 14:16 & Acts 1:4-5

Constantly in prayer - Acts 1:14

Business in order - Matthias selected - Acts 1:23-26

Holy Spirit TalkWhat is the Holy Spirit?

How do we expand the space we take up in our selves and our churches for the Holy Spirit?

What would someone who had been on an island for years alone reading their bible say about the Holy Spirit?

What would they say after seeing your average American church service?

Why do we relate the Spirit to music and motion almost 100% of the time?

Acts 2:1-13They were "All Together in one place" again. (vs 1)

Sound & Visual representation of power (vs 2)

All of them were filled with the Spirit (vs 3)

This happened on the 5th Day of the Festival of the Harvest - hundreds of Jews there from every nation speaking many languages - how did they get a room:)

Suddenly, bewilderment, utterly amazed, wonders, amazed and perplexed... A wild day!

The Church Review 3Established By Christ - Mat 16:16






They were "all together" - Acts 2:1

"Filled" with the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:4

The Spirit enabled them to speak in the visitors language and spread the gospel - Acts 2

Discussion TimeRead Acts 2:14-47 - Thoughts?

What do you think would have happened if Peter had not stood up? Why did he stand up with the disciples before he stood before the people?

How clear and simple a message did the disciples use to share the fact that Jesus was the Christ? Why do we want more "deep experiences" while pleading less with those dying around us?

Was it the message or the experience that lead to "thousands" being added to their numbers? How far had they traveled at this time to reach thousands?

Do you believe this is a study of the Church? Why?

Church Growth

A studied up, prayed up, filled up and organized group of believers stand up and preach a simple gospel to the community around them. They have not even left the block yet!

Re-read Acts 2:36-41 - People were cut to the Heart!









Peter Stood Up - Acts 2:14

The Spirit enabled them to speak in the visitors language and spread the gospel -Acts 2

Repentance is part of the Gospel - Acts 2:38

Many were added to their numbers - Acts 2:41

The Short Version: Definition of the

ChurchActs 2:42-47

The Outline -Acts 2:42-47

Devoted themselves vs 42 - to:

Teaching vs 42

Breaking of Bread vs 42

Prayer vs 42

In Public vs 46 (their devoted Jews) Solomon's Colonnade Acts 5:12

In Homes Together vs 46

Which lead to Praise and Favor among the people vs 47

Back To The Basics, Back To The Future

Dedicated them selves to:

Teaching vs 42 - Matthew 28:20

Breaking of bread together vs 42 - Matthew 14:19

Prayer vs 42 - Acts 1:14

Simplicity Questions

Is it really this simple?

Why do we complicate a simple Gospel?

Why do we complicate a simple church?

Why are we not able to realize the people of this Dying world are not devoted Jews, or Baptists for that matter? What does that mean?

Where Does the Church Go From

Here?Church Life









Peter Stood Up - Acts 2:14

The Spirit enabled them to speak in the visitors language and spread the gospel -Acts 2

Repentance is part of the Gospel - Acts 2:38

Many were added to their numbers - Acts 2:41

Church Defined - Teaching, Bread and Prayer Together - In Public, In Homes - that lead to many great things - Acts 2:42-47

Missional OrganizationHealing and Preaching - Acts 2-3

Persecution, Preaching and Prayer - Acts 8:3 - Acts 4

Ananias and Sapphira Gift and Death - Acts 5

This is serious business - the Church

So They Organize for Effectiveness: Acts 6:1-7

Stephen Seized and Preaches the Sermon of His Life to Death! - Acts 6-7

The Body - Beyond Acts

Romans 7:4 - Dead to the law through the body of Christ to bear fruit

1 Corinthians 10:16 - Communion to celebrate our participation in the Blood of Christ and the Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 - (27) - The body is a unit

Ephesians 4:1-16 - There is unity in the body which leads to peace - Acts 9:31

Body Questions

What are popular myths about the Church?

Is there a difference between the Church and the Body of Christ? Can we separate them?

What do you think Christ would say about the modern day Church and churches?

Can we become the body and the Church?

Acts 8-28 - The Church Emerges

And Emerges, And Emerges.....

The Church

Spiritual

Transcript of The Church