The Apostle – Core Strength

Ephesians 4:11 NIV

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

These roles are for building the church and fostering maturity, and they only happen through the Holy Spirit.

Apostle - Starter & Visionary: You help launch new ministries, connect people, and bring fresh ideas to grow the church. You’re the “let’s build something new” kind of person.

Apostle vs apostle

Like 12 disciples, but there were many, so there were 12/13 Apostles but also the role that many can step into as a function of building the church to maturity

Sent on a mission

Acts 13:1–3 NIV

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

So simple an apostle is someone sent with a vision to lay a foundation

Duplo Exercise

Divide into 6 to 8 groups, and you might want a spread of generations

Now nominate someone to be the apostle, they are going to come and get a vision of what you are going to build and access to the instructions (they can come back to them)

They can only instruct how to build the model; they can not touch the pieces

When you think you have completed building it, and it looks like the original or the instructions, I will come and check.

Now, some are different colours and some are different pieces, but all make the same model, 1 -8.

Questions

What worked well, and what difficulties did you face in the group? (what happened)

What does this tell us about the role and barriers apostles face in the church?

Hard to explain a vision you have that others don’t.

having to adapt

Frustration, uncomfortable

Ability and Encouragement

Foundation-setters. Building vision, sending culture, and spiritual stamina (patience).

Ask what happened in the groups

Focus: The apostolic role as visionary people and foundation-layer. Scripture: Ephesians 2:19–22

Ephesians 2:19–22 NIV

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

It is a body, a foundation is built on Godly Character as much as passing on a vision, modelling the way and enabling others.

I was reading that the last 100 years we have lived in unique times, as the gap between generations is at its greatest. What is wonderful is that people are living longer and that diversity in age is in the church. Also, research shows that the batten has been held in the hands of the older generations for longer. Sadly, there hasn’t always been a generation in the church to step into the roles needed to build the church body. So, there is sometimes tension on the needs of the body.

That is why we need mature apostles to bring a vision and foundation that builds a healthy intergenerational church.

Backpack analogy (Core strength)- what is essential as a church, what helps us be adaptable, what is dead weight.

When we gather and a message (sermon) is shared, the essentials are:

To testify to God’s story

To evoke transformation

To encounter God

Do you agree that these are good things?

Acts 13:3 NIV

So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Pray for those who identify as sent ones, have ideas and visions for the church and community.

If you have had an apostle come up in your test or you have been moved in your spirit today, that this is something God has put on your life, come join me to receive prayer.