Sermon Cloud

Anniversary Sunday. Acts 2:42-47 This is a compelling picture to me. People who trust and treasure Jesus, are filled with the Holy Spirit, love each other, and are sent into the world.

Gospel.  The Gospel is changing us, freeing us from our attempts at self-salvation. The Gospel frees us from trying to save ourselves from our sins because Christ has died to save us from our sins. The Gospel frees us from this drive to free ourselves from fears of insignificance. Madonna in VF: “All of my will has always been to conquer some horrible feeling of inadequacy. My drive in life is from the horrible fear of mediocre. I still have to prove I’m somebody. This struggle will never end.” In Jesus our fears of insignificance melt because we are made sons and daughters of God, fully loved and fully accepted by the most important person in the universe. We are called to extend the Gospel to others. My challenge: Join me in the next year becoming more intentional in introducing others to Jesus and including them in our community. 82% non-Christians said they would likely respond to an invitation to go to church if invited by a friend. Many at Apostles have experienced life-transformation and were brought here by a friend. However, 98% of church goers never invite anyone to church. I envision a church culture where including our neighbors and friends is normal. Not just inviting them to church, but including them in your lives, inviting others into your home, loving, serving, respecting, listening to them, praying for them and humbly introducing them to Jesus – having gospel conversations. NOT INDIVIDUALISTIC. “People need to encounter the church as a network of relationship rather than a meeting you attend or a place you enter.” Steve Timmis. Most people in our city will be attracted to the life and interactions of a Gospel Community before they are attracted to the Gospel. Let’s commit to the Gospel, being changed by it and introducing others to it, not treating them as disposable or discarding them if they don’t believe; not projects, but people. Join my family as we seek to do this in increasing measure. Hospitality.

Community. You were made for community, in the image of God who is a Social being – persons in community. Sin turns us inward and makes us self-focused. Sin damages our experience of shared life, the exp as persons in community. Jesus died to save us from this self-focus, restore us to God and to one another. Purchase the Holy Spirit for us to subdue our selfishness and move our hearts to God and to one another, empower us to love, give, forgive, serve, correct, be corrected…This is the difference Christian Community and worldly community. We are a dwelling place of the Spirit of God so that we see the power of the Spirit at work among our relationships, restoring human relationships to God’s design given in Jesus. Renewed Commitment to Community. Lecture. Worship Gatherings. Gospel Heard. Lab. Community Groups. Gospel Applied. Why you need this? Moves you out of isolation and self-focus into more robust spirituality. Catalyst/ Context for Spiritual Growth. Heb 10:24-25. Not events, but relationships. Lead. Place for our people to lead out in mission to our neighborhoods. Entry Point and Outlet.  Move in a little closer. Lecture is not enough. Lab is needed. Hurt in the past and given up: no one bats 1.000. You might become more like Jesus who forgives. Lecture and Lab together help make us the kind of people who can lead.

Mission. John 20:21-22. Sends us with same mission, passion, suffering love and the same power – the Holy Spirit rested upon Jesus to empower him to fulfill his mission and if we posture ourselves correctly he will rest upon us for that same mission. You are invited to play a role in this mission. – SERVING. Way of Life - NOT: What part will God play in my story? BUT: What part will I play in God’s story. How will I be used by God in my daily routines of life. Finding a place to serve. Illus: Referee; Leech. Get involved: Operations; Children’s; CG Host; Welcome Team; Video; Design; Contribute. Join us as we extend our missional footprint. Apostles expressions; Church planting; World Orphans; DFN India; Love146; Adoption Fund; Internal Urban Initiatives (Brenda Murray). Mercy Ministries in our city.

Systems and Structures can accommodate movement of God; accelerate the movement of God; but cannot initiate the movement of God. We must become a people of prayer.