Tag: Church and Vision

By what standard am I measuring myself? Am I doing life well? How do you know?

A life lived on mission…

…participates in the fulfillment of God’s purposes in Christ (Acts 26:15-16)

• Creation – we are accountable to God (Romans 3:23)
• Character – God desires for none to perish (2 Peter 3:9)
• Covenant – we are to be a blessing to others (Genesis 22:18)
• Christ – we are to exalt him (Philippians 2:10-11)
• Church – we are to be a holy people (1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:19)

…interprets every opportunity as a part of the whole mission (Acts 26:18)

• Seek opportunities to put in a good word for Jesus
• Involve Jesus in regular life activities rather than expecting the church to provide programs for me to be on mission with Christ

…emphasizes personal contact and influence (Acts 26:18) – Acts 1:8 is a summary of the rest of the book of Acts…

• Jerusalem (1-7)
• Judea (8)
• Samaria (9)
• The ends of the earth (11-28)

Questions for further study on this passage: Acts 25:23-26:32

Ken teaches about the proper sequel to being a member of the church, from 1 Corinthians 12:1-7.

Maximum impact is the result of maximum involvement.

Being a Minister
(The Proper Sequel to Being a Member)
I Corinthians 12:1-7

Every member ministering involves:

SURRENDER (1 Corinthians 12:1-3)

Truths that lead us to surrender:

• Position (Mark 8:35)
• Attitude (Isaiah 64:8)
• Identity (Ephesians 2:10)

SOURCE (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

• The One Holy Spirit / the Many Gifts
• The One Christ / the Many Ministries
• The One God / the Many Effects

For Further Study on 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

This is part four of Ken’s summer teaching series on “Church and Vision; Celebrating the Next,” from Ephesians 4:11-12.

[ Here is the video introduction used this week ]

Ken told about his recent trip to DC and not getting a ticket into the best attractions at the Smithsonian, until a security guard tapped him on his shoulder and asked him to following him. The family was taken in under the authority of the guard, and his all-access pass.

They were no longer outsiders looking in but had access due to a hand of grace. Should “church” not be a similar place? A place where the hand of grace in us taps others on the shoulder to invite them into what God is doing here, turning people from spectators into participants.

While we are sinners saved by grace, our label has changed to saint. We are made holy by Christ. Ken mentioned his testimony in one verse (1 Corinthians 6:11). Because of our testimony, we have a task…

1. To minister and serve others (Galatians 6:1) – Ergon is not a product but something to which we have been called.
2. To restore and establish relationships (1 Peter 5:10)
3. To equip others for lifelong service in the kingdom (Ephesians 4:11-12)

The end goal is the fullness of Christ, meaning salvation – Christ is glorified, we are all living lives of obedience, whereby God has turned our brokenness into beauty.

Here are questions for further study of this passage: Ephesians 4:1-16

Our Thinking About Kingdom Awakened.
What is the Ultimate Story?
Acts 28:30-31

Six Truths that Will Build Kingdom Thinking in the Lives of the Church

1. A kingdom focused ministry requires consistency.
   1. Paul was under house arrest for two years
   2. His activities for these two years…
      1. He EXPOUNDED the Scripture
      2. He WITNESSED what he saw and experienced
      3. He PERSUADED people toward the gospel
2. A kingdom focused ministry has an openness to every opportunity.
   1. Paul was under house arrest but was still all about the task of reaching people for Christ (Acts 20:24)
   2. He brought people in, taking every opportunity to “reach out and take in.”
3. A kingdom focused ministry welcomes and serves people.
   1. Jesus had a kingdom vision – Luke 4:18-19
   2. Paul welcomed all types of people.
      1. Synagogue Jews – who wanted to hear for themselves, they came to visit him
      2. Street people – perhaps Paul preached through an open window
4. A kingdom focused ministry becomes a proclamation of the truth.
   1. The Kerygma – the preaching of the gospel (Luke 4:18-19, Romans 10:14, Matthew 3:1).
   2. There is change in every encounter – either the proclaimer or the receiver.
5. A kingdom focused ministry always promotes the centrality of the King, Jesus Christ.
   1. Paul knew who Jesus is – Messiah, One True Light, Savior, Cornerstone.
   2. Paul had a story to tell – Acts 9:1-19, Acts 22:1-29, Acts 26:1-29, Colossians 1:13
6. A kingdom focused ministry creates a liberating confidence in the members of the kingdom.
   1. Boldness – meaning “to be free.”
   2. Unhindered – we must be all about the task of reaching lost people with the gospel of Christ.

How to apply this teaching personally and as a church:

• That which binds us – Community – connecting, belonging, joining (member)
• That which leads us – Faith – guiding, hearing, equipping, serving (ministry)
• That which compels us – Love – multiplying, giving, sending, embracing (mission)

[ Questions for Further Study ]

CHURCH AND VISION, PART 2
Our Thinking About People Revitalized.
Who Belongs in Our Story?
Acts 10:34-43

GOD’S NATURE AND TRUTH FORMING OUR VIEW OF OTHERS (Acts 10:34-36).

• The Nature of God (Acts 10:34): “God does not show favoritism.”
• The Truth of God (Acts 10:35-36): the mission and message

JESUS’ MINISTRY GUIDING OUR VIEW OF OTHERS (Acts 10:37-41).

• History among the People (Acts 10:37)
• Healing for the People (Acts 10:38)
• Hope before the People (Acts 10:39-42)

THE CHURCH’S PURPOSE EXPRESSING OUR VIEW OF OTHERS (Acts 10:42-43)

[ Questions for Further Study ]

Our Thinking about Church Challenged: What is Our Real Story?
Acts 13:16-51

I. The Unfolding Story of the People of God (Acts 13:16-25)

“Household of God” Model within Biblical History
(Ephesians 2:20-22)

II. The Unfolding Activity of God In Christ (Acts 13:26-37)

• Don’t miss your heritage (Acts 13:26-27)
• Join with the personal witnesses of history (Acts 13:28-32)
• Celebrate the certainty of your faith in Christ (Acts 13:33-37)

III. The Unfolding Purpose of the Church to the World (Acts 13:38-51)

The Story:
Message of Christ in Our Hands

The Rest of the Story:
What Will We Do With What We Have?

[ Questions for Further Study ]