MVBC Conference (11/8/2023) #1

Charting the Course: An Origin Story! (An Explosion of Divine Momentum…)

Context:

While Luke addresses his letters to Theophilus, (Luke’s patron who financed his research and writings?, God-fearing gentile?), Luke’s two volume set was most likely written assuming a large / wide audience. Yes, Theophilus, .... (Not one particular group or specific church) but most likely for all the churches, including those which Luke personally knew (Antioch, Philippi, Rome, etc.)

Outline of Acts:

JERUSALEM

Development in Jerusalem (1:1-6:7)

JUDEA/ SAMARIA

Development in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee (6:8-9:31)

Development/ Expansion to the Gentiles (9:32-12:24)

ENDS OF THE EARTH

Development in (what is now) Turkey (12:25-16:5)

Development/ Expansion to Europe (16:6-19:20)

Development/ Expansion from Jerusalem to Rome (19:21-28:31)

Summary Statements:

JERUSALEM

Acts 6:7 (ESV)

And the word of God continued to increase (spread), and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

JUDEA/SAMARIA

Acts 9:31 (ESV)

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

Acts 12:24 (ESV)

But the word of God increased and multiplied.

ENDS OF THE EARTH

Acts 16:5 (ESV)

So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

Acts 19:20 (ESV)

So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

Acts 28:30–31 (ESV)

He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Main idea:

God has done marvelous things… and will still do even more amazing things through the growth of His Church!

God is doing amazing things through the growth of His church!

Intended Response:

You are part of His church.... where do you fit in with His plan?

Find your place in His plan… .in His story!

Take your next steps by stepping into your place in God’s Story… to the ends of the Earth!

Structure:

Strategic Spiraling (1:8) — Origins of Redemptive Momentum

Geographical (6:7; 9:31)

Kingdom (6:7; 12:24; 19:20)

Gospel (6:7; 12:24; 19:20)

These are redemptive spirals that have continued to twist and turn throughout time.... and now have incorporated each one of us… in their purposes, plans, and products… Now that we have a general course that you will embark on if you choose to join us each night… to see where your fit in with this Incredible Journey, let’s look at where it all began for the church.... Let’s take a deep dive into Acts 1:8… where this redemptive momentum has its explosive beginning…

Explosive Beginning (1:8) (Explosion of Divine/ Redemptive Momentum)

Identity Confirmed:

Supernaturally Empowered:

Biblical Theology:

Conclusion/ Application:

Main Themes: (Church growth in 3 areas: geographical, kingdom, church)

The gospel spiral (Geographical growth) (6:7; 9:31)

The growth of the Church, Word, and Kingdom. (Kingdom growth) (6:7; 12:24; 19:20)

The growth of the Church through the expansion of the Word. (Gospel growth) (6:7; 12:24; 19:20)

Title/ Theme for the week: How it started… and where it will end!/ Where am I?/ Development of Missions: A study through Acts./ Telling the story of Gospel expansion!/ An Incredible Journey! — (There and back again!)… while the story has already been written… it has not been fully lived out.... those in the early church have passed the baton to us… and we are to continue to live out this incredible story of gospel growth to the ends of the earth! The question is.... what are we to do… how do we fit into the story… what is our role in this incredible story of redemption and reconciliation?...

Notes/ Sermon Body:

Acts 1:8 is the key verse of the entire book of Acts. It gives us the road map we are to follow if we are going to understand the rest of the book.

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

We are going to dig a bit deeper into Acts 1:8 tomorrow (You won’t want to miss it).

For now I want you to simply see how this summary verse introduces how we can frame and understand God’s strategic plan of redemption gain momentum as the church grows.

1-7: Jerusalem

8-12: Judea & Samaria

13-28: The Ends of the Earth

We see this growing great commission spiral that begins in Jerusalem (1:8) and continues to grow in this geographic/ ethnic/ Kingdom/ Gospel spiral that leads us to chapter 28.... but it doesn’t end there. I think that is probably one of the most amazing things about this commission… it didn’t end with chapter 28.... it is still going on… and you and I are part of the story.... you and I are part of the commission......

Don’t let that point slip past you.... If you are a born again believer this morning.... then you have been called by God to participate in what God is doing around the world!

Tonight, as we kick off our time together I want to help you see the roadmap that we’ve been given clearly so yes, you’ll be able to see how each of our sessions fits together… but more importantly… I want you to see how the book of acts flows and develops… so that you can continue to read and study it on your own long after this week comes to an end. I want you to be able to read God’s Word… and realize where you fit into His story of redemption that is still being played out.... I want you to be able to walk away from this week with the desire to see where your place is as part of this Incredible Journey that God has initiated..... and make the intentional decision to engage in what God is doing…

When you look at the narrative given to us in the book of Acts, I want you to see that the main context of the events recorded are the growth of the church. Acts is an origin story. Just like we can read about how Superman became Superman… Spiderman became Spiderman… Wolverine became Wolverine… We see through the book of Acts how the Church became the Church.

As we walk through an overview of this origin story today… I want you to see, yes, the church grew. But, more than that, I want you to see how the church grew. God planned for the Churches growth in strategic and intentional ways to maximize the potential for Redemptive Momentum in the world.

We are going to spend our time tonight tracing the origins of Redemptive Momentum as the church grows… and as God’s plan progresses. God grows the church in at least three ways. Geographical/ethnic growth/ Kingdom growth/ Gospel growth.

1. Tracing (Origins of) Redemptive Momentum

Geographical & Ethnic Growth (6:7; 9:31)

Kingdom Growth (6:7; 12:24; 19:20)

Gospel Growth (6:7; 12:24; 19:20)

These are redemptive spirals that have continued to twist and turn throughout time.... and now have incorporated each one of us… in their purposes, plans, and products… Now that we have a general course that you will embark on if you choose to join us each night… to see where your fit in with this Incredible Journey, let’s look at where it all began for the church.... Let’s take a deep dive into Acts 1:8… where this redemptive momentum has its explosive beginning…

2. Explosive Beginning (1:8) (Explosive Divine Momentum)

Identity Confirmed:

Supernaturally Empowered:

Application/ Conclusion

Main idea:

God has done marvelous things… and will still do even more amazing things through the growth of His Church!

God is doing amazing things through the growth of His church!

God will accomplish what He has started! (That means that as His church… He will use us to bring his amazing redemptive journey to its final destination!) (Gen. — OT — Jesus — NT Church — Today’s Church ----------- Mission Accomplished)

What God is calling you to do right now.... is part of what He has been doing for years.... drawing people to Himself.... redeeming and reconciling mankind for His glory.... accomplishing His plan.... making His vision of what mission accomplished looks like a reality —> Rev. 9:__ (?).

(The Holy Spirits transforming power present in the lives of the followers of Jesus and their communities is as significant as the miracles that happen in the ministry of Peter and Paul… demonstrating that… )

The life and work of Jesus continues in the life and work of His church!

Intended Response:

Understand that it is God’s mission that we are on.

Understand that it is by God’s power we are able to be effective in His mission.

Realize your place in this incredible journey of redemption....

Participate in what God is doing…

Take the gospel to cities and regions where Jesus Christ has not yet been proclaimed!