Rows and Circles 2

Introduction

This month we started a series called Rows and Circles. We are exploring together what the Bible describes to be the church and see its impact on us as individuals, families, and communities.

We have called this series Rows and Circles because here we may find ourselves in rows but once we leave this gathering we all have many circles of influence.

If we are to have the influence on our families, communities, and workplaces that we are meant to as per Matthew 5:14-16 New Living Translation

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Then we need more than an idea or an opinion, we need to know who we are, how we belong and what you belong.

Review Last time we were together

Text: Matthew 16:13-21 NLT

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

“Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.””

“Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.”

Jesus’ mission was to turn the lights on for humanity. This achieved through a Revelation of Who he is which changes who YOU are then who WE are out working in what WE do both individually and corporately.

1. Jesus here defines ‘The Church’ both universal and local.

He does it by using an existing concept and redefines it to define a new way of thinking about who those who would join His kingdom as believers. He was announcing His Kingdom and the community of believers He was forming. Explaining the pathway in and consolidating the reality what happens when you belong.

Grk word ekklesia the community or assembly. Jesus took a word and redefined it to describe what He wanted to build. It simply means ‘called out ones’.

It was generally used to describe the ruling people of the city. Jesus flipped it and called out his people as those who would establish a kingdom of love, joy and peace and declare the good news of Jesus to everyone.

But notice how he was to establish it with the discourse around Peter

2. Jesus tells us the process of understanding you and the church.

Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.””

a) You have a revelation of Who Jesus is (Cross road).

b) You then understand who you are. (Identity)

c) You then discover you part in His Church (Mission)

Discover who He is, Then you discover who you are, Then you find your part within this new community Jesus was forming. The Kingdom of God

a) You need a revelation of Who Jesus is (Cross road).

Notice the question Who do people say that Jesus is? Vs 13

It’s clear that many people had opinions on who Jesus was and His mission. Matthew here is contrasting the difference between hearing opinions and discovering truth.

Jesus has a goal in this question. He is not feeling insecure about Himself. There is a greater point. It cant be what you think or feel it has to be who He is.

When you discover who He is then you are at a cross road in you life. I don’t know if you remember this but you discover something that isn’t kosher in this world. There is a binary reality. The Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of the evil one.

What do I do now? IF all this is true then what does that mean and how should I respond?

If you want to see this more check out Acts when the disciples are first encountering the Holy Spirit and people have to make a choice. They can see its all real but now they have to make a choice.

NB whenever Christians get lost it is often because they have forgotten who He is and therefore who they are. Next time you are talking to someone who is losing their faith ask them who is Jesus and the reality of his Birth, Death and resurrection.

If you want to know who Jesus is then beware because its a dangerous thing. It will change every aspect of your life.

2. Once we discover who He is then we discover who we are:

Peter had a past. He was impulsive, he made rash sometimes regrettable decisions.

His name at this point was Simon meaning reed. Tossed around by the storms, prevailing stuff going on.

But Jesus gave him a new name and a new start. His identity came from being made a new person on the inside (or at least that was about to happen)

Do you need a fresh start?

3. You then discover you part in His Church (Mission)

“…Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

This gathering or Church is a community. It is a powerful group of people that come together for purpose and focus. They are on mission, They have a job to do.

Most of the New testament is helping us understand what it means to be a part of this community. This community is mean to be so attractive that people want what you have.

Here’s some aspects of this new community:

From the passage itself first i see:

1. A community that is free.

Free On the inside, changing every day into the image of Jesus.

Free from the fear of death

Free from the issues of the world because we look to and belong to a differvent Kingdom.

2. A Community of transformed people

eg Peter

3. A community that is unified

4. A community that is patient with each other

Are patient with each other

“You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”

James 5:8 NLT

5. A community that supports each other

“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.”

James 5:13 NLT

6. A community that Loves and forgives one another

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:32 NLT

7. A community that speaks well of each other

“ Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.”

James 4:11 NLT

8. A Community that assembles as the Church

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT

That’s more than Sundays. It’s our impact in the community, its working together to make our Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and then the rest of our worlds. We have a message so powerful and amazing. It’s bigger than climate change, world peace and animal rights. It’s a revolution of love and life.

9) A community that Encourages each other

Hebrews 10:25 “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

10)A community that does acts of Love and good works

Hebrews 10:24 “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,”

Conclusion

We could go on for days with what it means to b a part off this amazing community called the Church and I encourage you to take a fresh look in scripture at this concept. It takes commitment and staying power to see it established.

However and lastly never lose your love for His Church.

But this year I believe the Holy Spirit is asking you to get a fresh revelation of who Jesus is, and then who you ar followed by your part in this amazing community of faith here called Wave Church.

What is He asking of you for 2023 for your time, finances and actions in this community. It’s time to step up and see our world changed.

It’s up to you and me. It’s our choice. We can stand together and fight for each other or we can just fight each other.

We can be a club or a church. A powerful body of people that brings Heaven to Earth.

Imagine a group that are one s He and the father are one. That pray for each other, encourage each other, call out each other, forgive each other and work together so that when we assemble people can find hope, life and Joy.

What’s it going to be friends?