JESUS & HIS CHURCHJESUS & HIS CHURCH

JESUS & HIS CHURCHJESUS & HIS CHURCH

““his bride has made herself ready…”his bride has made herself ready…”

Revelation 19: 7b Revelation 19: 7b

AntiochAntioch

JerusalemJerusalem

THE “INCREASE & SPREAD” PATTERN THE “INCREASE & SPREAD” PATTERN THROUGH ACTSTHROUGH ACTS

CENTRE I – JERUSALEMCENTRE I – JERUSALEM

Acts 6v7 Acts 6v7

““So the wordSo the word of God spread. The number of of God spread. The number of disciplesdisciples in Jerusalem in Jerusalem increased rapidly”increased rapidly”

Trigger for spread ... Persecution Acts 8: 1-4Trigger for spread ... Persecution Acts 8: 1-4

CHURCH in the Gospels CHURCH in the Gospels

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.

Matthew 16: 18 Matthew 16: 18

CHURCH in the Gospels CHURCH in the Gospels

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Matthew 16: 18 Matthew 16: 18

CHURCH in the Gospels CHURCH in the Gospels

Vision & Purpose - Matthew 16: 18 - Matthew 16: 18

Community & Conflict - Matthew 18: 15 - 17 - Matthew 18: 15 - 17

CHURCH in Jesus’ time CHURCH in Jesus’ time (informed by…)(informed by…)

Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people

Exodus 18: 17-23 Exodus 18: 17-23

CHURCH in Jesus’ time CHURCH in Jesus’ time (informed by…)(informed by…)

… men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

Exodus 18: 17-23 Exodus 18: 17-23

CHURCH in Jesus’ time CHURCH in Jesus’ time (informed by…)(informed by…)

… men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

Exodus 18: 17-23 Exodus 18: 17-23

JESUS’ experience of CHURCH JESUS’ experience of CHURCH

- Family - Synagogue

- Temple

So JESUS, where do you go to CHURCH?

Luke 8: 19 - 21

“My mothers and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice…”

Accountability

Small Group

Community

Celebration

Structure

Intimacy

Selfless Communities

City Wide Celebration

JESUS’ gifts to the CHURCH JESUS’ gifts to the CHURCH

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

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 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4: 7-8,10-11 Ephesians 4: 7-8,10-11

JESUS’ gifts to the CHURCH JESUS’ gifts to the CHURCH

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

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 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4: 7-8,10-11 Ephesians 4: 7-8,10-11

JESUS’ gifts to the CHURCH JESUS’ gifts to the CHURCH

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

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 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4: 7-8,10-11 Ephesians 4: 7-8,10-11

THE “INCREASE & SPREAD” PATTERN THE “INCREASE & SPREAD” PATTERN THROUGH ACTSTHROUGH ACTS

CENTRE I – JERUSALEMCENTRE I – JERUSALEM

Acts 6v7 Acts 6v7

““So the wordSo the word of God spread. The number of of God spread. The number of disciplesdisciples in Jerusalem in Jerusalem increased rapidly”increased rapidly”

Trigger for spread ... Persecution Acts 8: 1-4Trigger for spread ... Persecution Acts 8: 1-4

Ephesians 4: 16

“From Him…

“…the whole body, joined & held together by every supporting ligament, grows & builds itself up in love…”

“… as each part does its work.”

Where is JESUS challenging you about his CHURCH?