What have you heard?
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Review ALL IN series. Purpose for the series: how our discipleship process is just beginning like it was for them…
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.
12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico.
13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.
14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,
Review last week: The return of reverence; ananias and Sapphira
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.
Title: What have you heard?
Pray
Recent Headlines:
1. Catholic Church Scandals:
• Archdiocese of Los Angeles Settlements (2024): In October 2024, the Archdiocese agreed to a record-breaking $880 million settlement with 1,350 victims of clergy sexual abuse, bringing total payouts to over $1.5 billion.
• Diocese of Rockville Centre Bankruptcy and Settlement (2024): Facing over 500 abuse claims, the Diocese reached a $320 million settlement in September 2024 after filing for bankruptcy in 2020.
• Mount Cashel Orphanage Settlement (2024): In July 2024, the Archdiocese of St. John’s was ordered to pay over $104 million to 292 survivors of abuse at the Mount Cashel Orphanage in Newfoundland, Canada.
• Diocese of San Diego Bankruptcy Filing (2024): In June 2024, the Diocese announced plans to file for bankruptcy due to hundreds of sex abuse lawsuits, marking its second bankruptcy filing since 2007.
2. Church of England Scandals:
• John Smyth Abuse Case (2023): A report revealed that preacher John Smyth abused up to 130 boys over four decades. The Church failed to report his actions, leading to the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
3. Hillsong Church Scandals:
• Carl Lentz’s Dismissal (2020): In November 2020, Carl Lentz, lead pastor of Hillsong East Coast, was fired for “leadership issues and breaches of trust,” including extramarital affairs. Subsequent allegations of manipulation and sexual abuse further tarnished the church’s reputation.
4. Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Scandals:
• Sexual Abuse Crisis (2019): Investigations revealed that over 700 victims had been abused by approximately 380 Southern Baptist leaders and volunteers over two decades. The SBC faced criticism for inadequate responses and cover-ups, prompting calls for comprehensive reforms.
5. Other Notable Scandals:
• International House of Prayer (IHOPKC) (2023): Founder Mike Bickle was accused in October 2023 of sexual abuse spanning several decades, leading to internal investigations and public outcry.
• Uniting Church in Australia (2024): In November 2024, the Uniting Church faced criticism for prosecuting whistleblower Yolanda Maria Borucki, who exposed pedophile Ashley Paul Griffith. The church’s actions raised concerns about its commitment to transparency and justice.
1. Gateway Church and Pastor Robert Morris:
• Allegations and Resignation (June 2024): Robert Morris, founder and senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, resigned after admitting to “inappropriate sexual behavior” with a 12-year-old girl, Cindy Clemishire, during the 1980s. The church’s board of elders accepted his resignation and initiated an independent investigation.
• Leadership Changes (July–November 2024): Following Morris’s resignation, his son, James Morris, who was slated to succeed him, also stepped down from all church positions. In November 2024, Gateway Church removed four elders after an investigation revealed they were aware of Morris’s misconduct but failed to act appropriately.
2. Stonebriar Community Church and Pastor Tony Cammarota:
• Resignation (July 2024): Tony Cammarota, a pastor at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, resigned due to unspecified “moral failures.” The church leadership cautioned congregants against speculation to prevent further harm.
3. Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and Pastor Tony Evans:
• Departure (June 2024): Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, announced his departure on June 9, 2024. Specific reasons were not disclosed, but it occurred amid a series of leadership changes in the region.
4. Prestonwood Baptist Church and Pastor Mike Buster:
• Resignation (June 2024): Mike Buster, executive pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, stepped down in mid-June 2024. Details surrounding his resignation were not publicly specified.
5. Denton Bible Church and Youth Pastor Tim Mattingly:
• Sexual Abuse Conviction (2022): Tim Mattingly, a former youth pastor at Denton Bible Church, was convicted of sexually abusing 14 girls during his tenure. The church released an internal investigation revealing that red flags were ignored, allowing the abuse to continue.
6. North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship and Pastor Bryan Carter:
• Arrest and Dismissal (2024): Pastor Bryan Carter was arrested during a prostitution sting and subsequently fired from his position at North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship.
Ask again: What have you heard?
In the early church, their reputation was of power and reverence…
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.
How is it that we have so weakened in the eyes of the world around us?
I would submit that it is not simply because of a lack of miracles and signs, but that we have stopped believing in the greatest miracle of all…
Over the past 2000 years, there has been a dilution of what it means to be a believer…
Being a believer was so distinctive in the early church that there was a clear distinction:
12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico.
13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.
14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,
Believers in the Lord…
It was so distinctive that they believe that those who did not believe did not dare to associate with them…
It’s not that they weren’t together, or that evangelism wasn’t done.
According to verse 14, they were constantly adding to their number…
No, it’s that they weren’t associated by vicinity or relationship…
Rather, there was such a respect for those who called themselves believers that an unbeliever would not dare to claim to be of the Way without actually believing…
13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.
none of the rest associated with them…
Far cry from what happens today where the world and the church not only look the same, but there are many who are Christian by name only…
It’s no wonder the world has no respect for the Church, when it isn’t clear who is part of the church in the first place!
We have wolves in sheep’s clothing preying on the defenseless, but the church is more worried about being relevant than being transformed…
13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.
They were held in high esteem…
Again a contrast from today where the world mocks the church because the church is no better than the world…
This is what the legalists of the holiness movement were trying to restore.
They recognized that there was a dissolving line between the world and the church and sought to see that line solidified, but…
Their mistake was that behavior modification is a false sense of holiness.
Last week we talked about simulated holiness and it’s impact…
Simulated holiness… Simple behavior modification.. Doing what seems right without being made right by transformation…
Real transformation follows reverence and repentance.
We as the church have given up on the hope of real transformation.
The greatest miracle is salvation and the transformation of a soul blackened and marred with sin being washed in crimson blood, raised white as snow.
It’s no wonder we don’t see miracles of healing and deliverance when we don’t believe in the miracle of transformation.
It’s not enough to act or behave a certain way…
6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;
And all of us wither like a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment…
Dirty rags…
It’s not enough to do the right things…
We must be transformed!
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
This is the process of transformation we begin when we declare Jesus as Lord…
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
We begin this transformation, and are continually transformed from Glory to Glory..
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
This takes a continual immersion in the presence of God and a submission to His will…
In other words… we are transformed as we pursue His glory…
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
In pursuit of His glory, we will be continually transformed into His likeness and His image..
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
It’s not enough to pursue His glory only when it is convenient…
It’s not enough to pursue His glory only when we feel like it…
it’s not enough to pursue His glory as a part of life or as a hobby…
The pursuit of His glory is all encompassing, in every part of life…
31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
When we take seriously that which we have been called to, it will reflect in our effectiveness in evangelism…
14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,
I also believe, if we will take seriously that which we have been called to…
Not minimizing the victory available to us in the transforming power of Jesus…
I believe we will see the miracles the first century church saw…
But how can we see what they saw when we do not prioritize what they prioritized?
They gave all they had, not just monetarily, but they gave their lives for the sake of this gospel…
Will you dedicate your life to the pursuit of His glory?
Will you give yourself to Him?
This isn’t the diluted call of a feel good gospel that says you can have Jesus AND…
No, this is a biblical line in the sand, declaring that it is either all about Him or not of Him at all…
You can’t have the life you want and Jesus too…
25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Jesus isn’t an add-on to your plans, He is the plan…
He’s not an option you can take on the road with you, HE IS THE WAY…
Victory over sin isn’t an option, it is a necessity for life…
Sin is actively trying to kill you, but you have been offered life through Jesus, victory over a foe you cannot defeat for yourself…
The world is looking to the church, hoping for a glimpse of something real and authentic, but what they have seen in the recent years have been scandals of every kind, the failure of an institution, and a group of silent believers…
Isn’t it time for the Church to rise up and be the church again…
Not an organization, but an organism…
A body of believers, walking in victory, believing real change can occur…
Living a life of transformation…
Sold out to the King of Kings, always in pursuit of His glory…
Let’s give the world something other than scandal and statistic to look at…
Let us be found in pursuit of His glory, sold out for His cause, being transformed as we become more and more like him…
So I ask again…
What have you heard?
What have you heard?
Will you believe the whispers of the enemy that would keep you in defeat…
Or will you believe the report of the Lord that declares us to be victors?
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
Overwhelmingly conquer…
Will you trade your life for the pursuit of Him?
Salvation/Repentance Altar Call
Pray for healing
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