Multidirectional
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· 6 viewsThe church is strategiically designed by God to be an empowered community that changes the world
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Introduction
PRAYER
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
PRAYER
Churches that follow the example of the early church in Acts sometimes describe themselves as being “Inward in fellowship, Upward in worship, and Outward in evangelism.”
In other words, the church is “multidirectional.”
Today I have chosen a metaphor to help us see God’s plan for the church. One thing that stands out with the Early Church is that it was “Multidirectional.”
Some describe a Biblical church: “Inward in fellowship, Upward in worship, and Outward in evangelism”, In other words, “multidirectional.”
Let me illustrate — there are two common types of antenna: directional and multidirectional. A directional antenna is designed to pick up signals in the specific direction you point them. Multidirectional antenna are designed to pick up signals from multiple directions.
When I look at the early church in Acts, I see a multidirectional entity: with a simultaneous focus that is: inside, up high, and all around.
The early church was set in motion on the Day of Pentecost, approximately 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
From that day forward, the church grew exponentially because they were empowered by the Spirit of God, led by His Word, and sent out by His commission. The church in Acts, is the best example of what the church is meant to do and be.
“At the height of the Cold War, Billy Graham visited Russia to meet with their political and religious leaders. Many conservatives in the US criticized him for not taking a more prophetic role. One accused him of setting the church back 50 years. Graham responded, “I am deeply ashamed. I have been trying very hard to set the church back 2,000 years.”” — Philip Yancey (What’s so Amazing About Grace”)
“At the height of the Cold War, Billy Graham visited Russia to meet with their political and religious leaders. Many conservatives in the US criticized him for not taking a more prophetic role. One accused him of setting the church back 50 years. Graham responded, “I am deeply ashamed. I have been trying very hard to set the church back 2,000 years.”” — Philip Yancey (What’s so Amazing About Grace”)
Although the early church is our best example, there’s no need to put it on a pedestal. They had plenty of problems — they were human. We should be encouraged as we look at how the early church connected with God, one another and the world. Their example can encourage us to realize that we, the church today, can be a community like no other.
Inside
Inside
Big Idea: The church is strategically designed by God to be an empowered, multidirectional community that changes the world
In which direction did the early church focus her time energy, and devotion? (Inside, Up High, and All Around)
Inside
Inside
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
Acts 2:46
One of the most powerful sermons in history was preached on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two. Peter preached powerfully and 3,000 people believed. The transformation they experienced through the message of the Gospel caused them to have a new perspective regarding: possessions, time, and their very identity
New People — New Devotion — New Priorities
New People — New Devotion — New Priorities
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!
Jesus explained to Nicodemus in terms of being born again…brand new life (John 3)
New People, New devotion & priorities
New devotion & priorities
They were transformed…their devotion/priorities were transformed
Whatever their lives were like before…changed forever because the Messiah had come!
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Something powerful was happening to them as individuals and this dramatically effected their outlook…they were drawn together as a new community — it was organic
It was like they all woke up from a deep sleep at the same time…life was new and exciting because of Jesus
New Community
New Community
Something powerful was happening to them as individuals and this dramatically effected their
outlook…they were drawn together as a new community — it was organic — an inward focus
Devoted themselves — diligent, persevere continually, became core to them as new people in Christ
To the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, breaking bread....and prayer
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Common — Koinos — they shared everything — practical, loving, and unforced
They didn’t move in to the same home…but they came together regularly and cared for one another without reservation
Their powerful community fellowship doesn’t fit well in our culture of rugged individualism
It was like they all woke up from a deep sleep at the same time…life was new and exciting because of Jesus
Life was new and exciting because they had something overwhelmingly powerful in common. Jesus…He was the center of it all.
When we come to know Jesus, personal devotion to His community (family, etc) is not optional
My relationship with God
My relationship with the Church
My life out in the real world
When we come to know Jesus, personal devotion to His community (family, etc) is not optional
Yes....we have free will
Yes....we have free will
Nobody is saved simply by identifying themselves as a member of the church
However...
Growing in Jesus is a community event
We are meant to look to one another for encouragement and support
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
We are supposed to depend upon one another for encouragement to keep our focus upon Jesus our Lord and Savior — the one that brought us into the family of God
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
See to it....daily --- get r done!
We are meant to bear one another’s burdens — devoted to God and one another
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
The “me, me, me” philosophy of our sinful nature is destructive to our community in Christ.
Application
Application
How do you feel about the church?
How important are: church attendance, financial giving, Bible studies, fellowship, and other areas of involvement?
Think about how you can be more of a blessing to the church
Do you pray for your brothers and sisters in the Lord regularly?
Another aspect of the multidirectional focus of the early church that we can learn from is that they regularly worshipped together — Inside…and also
Up High
Up High
They experienced God in profound ways
Because of the Holy Spirit working in them and their devotion to the teaching of the apostles — the truth of Jesus the Messiah came to life in their individual hearts and among them as a fellowship.
They were in awe of God’s amazing works…to put it mildly
Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
They were powerfully drawn to worship
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:
Throughout the book of Acts we find many examples of the church praying, worshipping, and celebrating God’s power among them — all flowing together — naturally
What is our position toward God?
What is our position toward God?
Sadly, a church can pass by a whole year of sermons, studies, and services without really experiencing God this way
What is your position toward God? What do you want from Him? Do you desire to know Him?
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
This encourages us to get into God’s Word, for sure (they devoted themselves to it)....but it goes much deeper than that
This encourages us to get into God’s Word, for sure....but it goes much deeper than that
He is challenging us to crave Jesus Himself
now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
We were talking to our granddaughter Kaelyn a couple nights ago — video chatting is awesome — I don’t know how it came up but she started talking about a new discovery…artichokes. She said she loves them…they are so good. She and her mom were fighting over the hearts. We were really surprised that she would even taste them. But once she experienced them…she tasted and realized how good they are.
now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Application
Psalm
Application
Do you crave more of Jesus in your life and here at Powerhouse?
What is causing you to not pursue God?
How often do you pray together with people from the church family?
How can we as a church make sure we are moving toward God?
How can we protect our zeal and hunger for Him?
The early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, focused inside — inward, in fellowship, caring for one another’s needs, and studying God’s Word. They focused up high as they took every opportunity possible to gather together in celebration and worship
The church would be a shipwreck without fulfilling her call to focus on the world — the lost people that need to know the love of Jesus — inside, up high, and...
All around
All around
Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
says the Lord added to their numbers daily — people being saved
The church was not ashamed of the Gospel
This is why, over time, they began to face heavy persecution and had to flee for their lives
This is why, over time, they began to face heavy persecution and had to flee for their lives
The diaspora — didn’t shut them up — it caused to message to be spread everywhere
God saves people and then sends them out with the Good News
One way to share Jesus is to share a meal…Jesus did it…why couldn’t we
Tim Chester says that we east some 21 meals a week. Have one with a non-believer should be a priority for us. Whatever we do, we must strive to help others know this Savior as we do — Greg Breazeale
Application
Application
Application
Do you have a burden for those around you that do not yet know Jesus?
Who are these people? What are their names? What is their life like?
Are you willing to share the message of Jesus with them?
Tell them your story
Be willing to listen more than you speak
Then when you do speak you will be able to speak to their hearts
Be willing to share a meal with them
Conclusion
The church is strategically designed by God to be an empowered, multidirectional community that changes the world
The early church is a powerful model for us to follow
Let’s learn to embrace their multidirectional focus
Inside
Loving care, fellowship, devotion to the Word of God and prayer
Up High
Praise and Worship — let’s make it a part of who we are
We have much to celebrate
We serve the living God, our Creator, the one that gave us new life in Christ
Worship is a natural response to our wonderful Lord
All Around
We are Christ’s ambassadors
We have the message of hope and life — it is meant for the whole world
LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE, SHARE HOPE
Together…let us focus on these things --- let us be known for them --- let our light shine
