Recap of defining Ekklesia and her purpose?

Matthew 16:18 (NASB95)

18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Church = Ekklesia or Ecclesia

1 a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly.

People ask me what is the purpose of the church?

Why should we go to church?

Called Out by Name Together to do what?

The Ekklesia is to overpower darkness with light.

The Ekklesia is to use the keys of the kingdom of heaven to bring heaven to earth.

The Ekklesia is to bind what is to be bound and loose what is to be loosed.

Be Fruitful, Multiply, Fill, Subdue and Rule Over

We are His Bride, His Ekklesia.

We are called out by name, to experience Him together and be transformed by Him and then sent out and commissioned to bring heaven to earth.

What was the first gathering of the Ekklesia?

-Acts 2 in the upper room.

The first gatherings of the Ekklesia were in courtyards of homes and sometimes temples.

The purpose of the church is to:

-Experience Love, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Deliverance, Freedom, Heaven

-Become Love, like Jesus, filled with Holy Spirit, Delivered, Free, Like Heaven

-Give Love, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Deliverance, Freedom, Heaven

There are Seven Core Attributes of His Ekklesia.

1.) Repentance

There are many more signs and side effects of the Ekklesia.

Repentance

1.) Repentance, Commitment, Born to be loved, repentance or change of mind. Stay at the table, Spirit of the Lord

Repentance = changed mind.

Repentance is to return to Truth.

Repentance is to return to connection to God.

Do you have an experience where you had a change of heart and mind while gathering together?

What two things lead us to repentance?

God’s Kindness

Godly Grief

Confession is exposing the identity you have been operating out of.

Confession is telling the truth about the lies you believe about yourself and God.

There are Seven Core Attributes of His Ekklesia.

1.) Repentance

2.) Be Baptized

2.) Baptism, Actions, that speak of your love, because I’m loved I show my love, I do and be from being loved not to get love or rest. Spirit of Wisdom, Fire of loving

Baptism

There is no real record of Jesus baptizing people in water himself, but there are hints in John.

Maybe we have a preconceived idea of being baptized then and now.

To be submerged in a love and faith that changes who you are.

First action as a new person.

First action in faith.

Actions that say I will continue to submerse myself in...

Baptized:

Greek 907 baptizo verb,

· dip repeatedly,

· to immerse,

· to submerge

Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be ‘dipped’ (bapto) into boiling water and then ‘baptised’ (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change

What did Jesus submerge the disciples in?

He submerged them in His love and Father’s love.

You being loved has nothing to do with your actions it has everything to do with His.

Baptism is the first of actions that speak of faith.

It also says I want to be submerged in You more.

When people are squeezed with the pressures of life, what they are submerged in comes out.

Ekklesia #4

There are Seven Core Attributes of His Ekklesia.

1.) Repentance

2.) Be Baptized

3.) Receive Holy Spirit

3.) Baptism in Holy Spirit, Response, Tithe, response of love, hunger I want all and I have tasted. Receive Holy Spirit and all that comes with that, Spirit of Understanding, Fire of Response to Him with external evidence.

Father is looking for men and women who don’t have enough ways to show His love to the people in the earth.

Luke 24:49 (NASB95)

“And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Born to Respond is:

Being baptized in Holy Spirit

Being baptized with fire.

The outward evidence of what is hidden within.

It is a BOLD outward evidence of God’s character and power in our lives.

Acts 1:4–8 (NKJV)

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

Holy Spirit has

Is/has come upon:

to arrive, to overtake, descending and operating in one.

Implies to become one.

When what is inside you becomes what is outside of you.

Witnesses:

1. One who is a spectator of anything. historical sense.

2. Become an example of. ethical sense.

My definition:

What you show on the outside, shows what Christ is.

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has made you just like Jesus.

What does it look like if you could respond with the power of Holy Spirit in your life?

Ekklesia #5

What are the core attributes of an authentic Ekklesia?

Acts 2:38–47 (NASB95)

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;

and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

There are Seven Core Attributes of His Ekklesia.

1.) Repentance

2.) Be Baptized

3.) Receive Holy Spirit

4.) Devoted to apostles’ doctrine

4.) Apostles doctrine, Submission, I recognize that life comes from you and from the body, and I look for a place to give away and become the way. Apostles culture of heaven on earth, Spirit of Counsel, Fire to give life to others.

Apostle

Acts 2:42 (NKJV)

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Doctrine/teaching?

The first books of the new testament were written in AD 50 and this takes place in AD 30, so it’s not teaching as in reading from the bible.

Many times we here this word as a coach or teacher who knows the answer to give to others.

This word is rooted in being teachable first then an example to motivate others to do the same.

Doctrine means, to become

Jesus was the perfect example of this way of leading.

Jesus is perfect theology

He was referred to as Teacher by His disciples.

Tell me, I’ll forget Show me, I’ll remember Involve me, I’ll understand

Jesus was sent to show us THE WAY.

He told, showed and involved his disciples.

Doctrine means, to become an example of.

Hebrews 13:7–8 (NASB95)

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Apostles Doctrine is A way of life.

Healing, Delivering, Forgiving, Good News, Releasing the captive, Opening doors for prisoners, Introducing people to Jesus.

This whole concept of continuing steadfast in the apostles’ doctrine is to give influence to help people meet Father. To help the church become like Him.

Authority = Life Giver

Understanding where your life source is in the flesh and who you are a life giver to.

Who has brought you closer to who you were created to be?

Cells in a body give life to the cells around them.

Healing is often used by God to dislodge logic and independence to get you to see The Way.

We often can think I don’t need anyone or anything to find the right path.

Look to understand the way Jesus and the disciples lived.

Who in your life is representing The Way to you?

Who is God asking you to give life too?

Are you applying what God is speaking to you to your life with your actions?

Why, We are Followers of His Voice?

God partners with people to release His voice, sound, way….

His voice in others that cause us to come alive.

Looking for Sources of Life:

How do you know who is a life giver to you or us?

How do you know they bring life to you or us?

Eating Healthy

Parents and children who demonstrate good ways.

1 John 2:6 (NKJV)

6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

For you, walk in His Way.

For those who are leading or giving life to you, they should be walking in His Way.

This is tricky because they are sent to help you walk in His Way, so some of that Way you will not yet have walked.

Who?, they will remind you of Jesus.

You will also notice they feel like they care and want what is best for you.

When Jesus picked His disciples, I wonder what they thought of Him?

They know nothing about what He has done.

I bet he at least appeared to care.

By the time he said eat me this had to be resolved.

“Who else has the Word of God” says they know He is their life giver.

Gifts given on earth that can’t be in heaven

Christ the son of God.

On this rock.

If a true believer is fruit of a leader, did Jesus need His disciples?

If He told them who He was it would not be true fruit.

Who chooses who?:

John 15:16–17 (NKJV)

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My Name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

1. Father chooses,

2. Son chooses

3. Followers choose.

Did you choose your parents?

In today’s world it is often followers who are choosing mentors to become what they want.

God’s way seems to be He chooses who to represent His Way, and He doesn’t choose who you would most of the time.

How do you know they bring life to you or us?

Jesus said, “you will know them by their fruit.”

It can’t be by how you feel.

Grafting into a tree.

John 15:1–5 (NKJV)

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Safety:

How do life givers keep us safe?

Did Father keep His Son safe?

It is not the safety of flesh and blood it is safety of the soul.

Abuse:

We are in a society that never wants to be misled again.

So we will do it our way first.

The church misled me, so I will find my own way.

My parents misled me, so I will find my own way.

Authority misled me, so I will find my own way.

“The abuse of ‘wrong use’ is not an excuse for the abuse of ‘no use’.”

Ted Hanson

We use this one the most to dismiss who God has sent us.

Closing:

What was the first gathering of the Ekklesia?

-Acts 2 in the upper room.

The purpose of the Ekklesia is to, Experience, Become and Give everything we receive from Jesus.

There are Seven Core Attributes of His Ekklesia.

1.) Repentance

2.) Be Baptized

3.) Receive Holy Spirit

4.) Devoted to apostles’ doctrine

The Way

Doctrine means, to become an example of.

Apostles Doctrine is A way of life.

Apostles Doctrine is heaven’s culture displayed through His Church.

Apostles Doctrine is the glory of Jesus in you being revealed through you.

Activation:

Jesus, would You help me surrender to You and Your way?

Jesus, I devote myself to You and Your Way.

Jesus, would You help us become an example of You and Your Way?

Other Resources:

The seven attributes of an Ekklesia:

1.) Repentance, Commitment, Born to be loved, repentance or change of mind. Stay at the table, Spirit of the Lord, Fire of being loved

2.) Baptism, Actions, that speak of your love, because I’m loved I show my love, I do and be from being loved not to get love or rest. Spirit of Wisdom, Fire of loving

3.) Baptism in Holy Spirit, Response, Tithe, response of love, hunger I want all and I have tasted. Baptism in Holy Spirit and all that comes with that, Spirit of Understanding, Fire of Response to Him with external evidence.

4.) Apostles doctrine, Submission, I recognize that life comes from you and from the body, and I look for a place to give away and become the way. Apostles culture of heaven on earth, Spirit of Counsel, Fire to give life to others.

5.) Fellowship, Contribution, Who am I, as a contributor to the body, We are a body and we carry what heaven is for the world, Fellowship, Spirit of Might, Fire to Be clothed in Christ.

6.) Communion, Community, Free will, Choice, breaking of bread. I give because of who I am not what you have done, we can do all things. Communion, Spirit of Knowing, Fire to be community

7.) Prayer, Destiny, generations, sealing and floors, Spirit of Fear of the Lord, Fire of Purpose, Faith Hope and Love

Acts 2

Repent, Baptism, receive the gift of Holy Spirit, devote to Apostles way, fellowship breaking of bread, and prayer.

Core Values:

I am

Born to Be Loved, Born to Be Wild, Born to Respond

We Are

Followers of His Voice, Family, Here for Others, United

Doctrine or Teaching

1322 διδαχή [didache /did·akh·ay/] n f. From 1321; TDNT 2:163; TDNTA 161; GK 1439; 30 occurrences; AV translates as “doctrine” 29 times, and “has been taught” once.

1 teaching. 1a that which is taught. 1b doctrine, teaching, concerning something.

2 the act of teaching, instruction. 2a in religious assemblies of the Christians, to speak in the way of teaching, in distinction from other modes of speaking in public.

1321 διδάσκω [didasko /did·as·ko/] v. A prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb dao (to learn); TDNT 2:135; TDNTA 161; GK 1438; 97 occurrences; AV translates as “teach” 93 times, and “taught + 2258” four times.

1 to teach. 1a to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses. 1b to be a teacher. 1c to discharge the office of a teacher, conduct one’s self as a teacher.

2 to teach one. 2a to impart instruction. 2b instill doctrine into one. 2c the thing taught or enjoined. 2d to explain or expound a thing. 2f to teach one something.

To become an example

Romans 1:5 (NASB95)

5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,

Romans 12:10 (NASB95)

10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Psalm 86:11–12 (NKJV)

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord;

I will walk in Your truth;

Unite my heart to fear Your name.

12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,

And I will glorify Your name forevermore.

John 14:6 (NKJV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Hebrews 13:7–9 (NASB95)

7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.