We Take God at His Word

We are the Church

TLK 1

Bottom Line: We are called to be a people that take God at His Word

Connection

Thank you- house team, leadership, Edward, the staff, Jerry, my family, Kendra and the kids, Jesus

Today is an exciting day for me… Kendra and I have been praying about this day since we realized God was calling us to this place…History of us and Crossroads… But for you, there might be some other feelings, emotions, and thoughts as we begin this new chapter

Today might be similar to a specific day for those of us who enjoy footbal… as you know I am a Steeler fan but we actually have something in common… we both have new coaches… we haven't experienced that in a while but here we are

The day of the first press conference is an interesting one→ What is this guy going to be about, what is his strategy, convictions, etc… is he going to clean house

I realize today can feel like that for you

What is this guy all about, am i going to be looking for a new place, what was the team thinking hiring a steeler fan…. And so many more questions

That’s why we are starting this new series… it will give you a peak into my heart and my passion…. The Church

Truth

Now when I bring that word up, there might be 15 different ideas floating around in this room so i want us to get on the same page before we move forward

1. The Church is not a building, it is a people

Matthew 16:18→ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

this word that Jesus uses was a common word in his day…. It means a group of people who gather or assemble together

Jesus is going to build a gathering of people

2. The Church is a separate and significant people

Acts 20:28→ Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God,which he purchased with his own blood.

Paul is reminding the leaders of the Ephesian church if what Jesus did to build this gathering… it is important… not because of us but because of Him

3. The church is a people with a specific purpose

1 Corinthians 10:31→ So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

The Church is to bring God glory in all that it does.

Now that we are on the same page… we are going to spend the next four weeks diving into how the early church was described when it was launched into existence… and how we can also live in this calling that God has given us as His Church

Acts 2:41-47→ Background→ this is happening during the first century reign of the Roman empire. Jesus has resurrected, spent 40 days walking the earth, revealing himself to hundreds and hundreds of people… Charges His people to go make disciples of all nations, then ascends into heaven, and a few days later during the feast of Pentecost the Holy Spirit descends and dwells in the believers. In the midst of chaos Peter preaches a sermon and 3000 people come to a saving faith in Jesus. Launching to Church onto the pages of history… Then we get to how the early church was described.

This is the passage we are going to be using as a launching pad for this series because this is what we are suppose to look like… how amazing would that be

V. 42→ apostles teaching→ here we see a picture of a people devoted to hearing about Jesus… But is where I want to drill down… What is being talked about here is just the apostles talking about their experience with Jesus… They learned about Jesus through the teaching of the O.T, the life of Jesus, and the letters written by the apostles to churches around the known world….

We know these teachings today as the Bible… God’s Word

What we have to understand today church is the significance of this book

66 books, about 40 authors, compiled all over a span of 1500 years…. It documents one narrative, because it was not penned by God through people…. Still the most reliable ancient text known to mankind… and it is not even close

This book documents how God has pursued His prized creation to restore them back to Him

This Book is the words of our Creator written so that we can understand who He is and who we are in light of Him.

Jesus talks about the importance of these words in Matthew

Matthew 7:24-27→ after greatest sermon ever taught

God’s Word is the only thing worthy and stable enough for us to build our lives on… nothing else can hold… so many different things promise us security, purpose, identity, comfort, peace… and non of them can actually deliver… you know this!

How many times have you devoted your life to something only to end up heart broken, disappointed, unsatisfied

Jesus tells us that only the truth we find in His Word can satisfy, bring peace, and make it through the storms of live

But here is the thing… It is not just about hearing or reading God’s Word…. It is about trusting God

From Genesis to Revelation the call of God to His creation is to simply trust Him

Jesus says it here… if you trust me, you are going to take me at my Word

Church…. We are called to be a people that take Him at His Word

To get into this book and understand it… apply it… live it out

Application

How do we do this?

Spend time in His Word Daily

Personal and corporate

Teach God’s Word to others

If you are going to teach it…. You gotta know it

Allow God’s Word to be the lens with which we see reality

Far too often do we see people allow their emotions, feelings, and opinions influence how we understand the Bible… We need to flip that… the need God’s Word to influence our emotions, feelings, and convictions

Kyle how do I know this is trustworthy

The gospel→ God came in flesh, lived among humanity, died a sinner's death… then came back to life… and it is highly documented historically.

Jesus is the only one who can satisfy that longing in your soul

Church, imagine being a people who took God at His Word

Not just when it lines up with what we want…. But every day… trusting the creator of the universe and the Word He has given us

This is the foundation of everything… This is where we get our hope, peace, and truth

We are called to be a people who take Him and His Word.