The King's Strategy - The Church
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REVIEW
We took some time to recreate the conversation Jesus had with his disciples on the road to Emmaus, and began to learn to tell the OT story the way Jesus did – we used a few hand actions to help us remember – REVIEW PARTS
1.We took some time to recreate the conversation Jesus had with his disciples on the road to Emmaus, and began to learn to tell the OT story the way Jesus did – we used a few hand actions to help us remember – REVIEW PARTS
Encourage - KEEP LEARNING it. It wasn’t till after Jesus explained The Story that the disciples began to make sense of what Jesus was accomplishing!
The good news about Jesus is not a new story, it is the climax and part of the same story that began with God’s promise to Abraham to bless all the families of the earth. So we are now following the same story-line into the New Testament, to understand better all that Jesus accomplished…
Jesus is identified as - the Christ - the Messiah, the promised king from David’s line the one and only son of God, who proclaimed the good news that the kingdom of God is near, and suffered, died, and rose again – so that all who believe in him are forgiven of their sin and welcomed into God’s kingdom, receiving all the blessings and responsibilities that go with it.
Last week we surveyed the book of Acts and looked at how Christ launched his kingdom and laid out his basic strategy for bringing this blessing to all the nations of the world. At the center of his strategy is not Israel, but a growing network of churches!
The big surprise is that the Kings Strategy is - the Church! Jesus had told his disciples before his death ‘I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell will not stand against it’ () but at that time no one was sure of what Jesus was talking about. It was all a mystery, until Jesus gave the Apostles further instructions by his Spirit.
Today we want to look closer at these further instructions… WHY?
Because we live in what you could call “The Church Age” or the “Last Days of the Story of God’s Plan” and believing in Jesus means that we are part of THE KING’S STRATEGY for bringing blessings to the nations - AND Also because
We have over 2,000 years of church history and traditions - that can distract us from the simple instructions Jesus gave by his Spirit and make it difficult to clearly see the way Christ intended for us to serve Him … so lets plug into the story and take a closer look.
We saw last week that before bringing blessing to the nations, Jesus’ disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit. When the Spirit came, the disciples were given a golden opportunity to proclaim the good news, and with the Spirit’s help they do. The Spirit open’s the hearts and minds of three thousand people who believe, and when they believe they respond by being baptized and becoming part of a new community birthed by God’s Spirit. We get a glimpse of this new community in
PRAY…
We saw last week that before bringing blessing to the nations, Jesus’ disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit. When the Spirit came, the disciples were given a golden opportunity to proclaim the good news, and with the Spirit’s help they do. The Spirit open’s the hearts and minds of three thousand people who believe, and when they believe they respond by being baptized and becoming part of a new community birthed by God’s Spirit. We get a glimpse of this new community in
Imagine you’ve ordered a skateboard on Amazon, Black Friday deal… 3 days later a package arrives at your door… with eager anticipation you open the package only to find inside… a text book. How would you feel about that? You’d be upset right! How is a text book going to help you with your transportation needs? You’re probably going to send it back and insist that Amazon does something about it!
Well the Story reveals some specific things about what Jesus had in mind for his Church - Yet we often think of church and shape churches in ways Jesus never asked or wanted. Which must really break God’s heart!
Paul and his team regarded these simple communities, local-churches, as mission critical for bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to all nations!
The Church is a big surprise! Jesus had told his disciples before his death ‘I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell will not stand against it’ () but at that time no one was sure of what Jesus was talking about. It was all a mystery, until Jesus gave the Apostles further instructions by his Spirit.
We saw last week that before bringing blessing to the nations, Jesus’ disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit. When the Sprit came, the disciples proclaimed the good news, three thousand people believed, and they all became part of a new community birthed by God’s Spirit. We get a glimpse of this new community in
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Notice it is through interacting with this community that the Lord adds people who are being saved. This new community is devoted to four simple things
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
The Apostles Teaching
This new community centered around four simple things: The Apostles Teaching (which started with the gospel rooting it in the Story of the OT, and then Christ’s principles for living as his kingdom people), The fellowship (shared experience in the Spirit as brothers and sisters in Christ), the breaking of bread (eating meals together in their homes following the new commandment to love one another as family and celebrating Jesus - communion), Prayers (this new community was taking shape in homes but they also continued to meet in the temple every day to pray). These four things were embedded like DNA in all the early churches.
This new community is centered around four simple things: The Apostles Teaching (which started with the gospel rooting it in the Story of the OT, and then Christ’s principles for living as his kingdom people), The fellowship (shared experience in the Spirit as brothers and sisters in Christ), the breaking of bread (eating meals together in their homes following the new commandment to love one another as family and celebrating Jesus - communion), Prayers (this new community was taking shape in homes but they also continued to meet in the temple every day to pray). These four things were embedded like DNA in all the early churches.
The Apostles Teaching (which started with the gospel rooting it in the Story of the OT, and then Christ’s principles for living as his kingdom people), The fellowship (shared experience in the Spirit as brothers and sisters in Christ), the breaking of bread (eating meals together in their homes following the new commandment to love one another as family and celebrating Jesus - communion), Prayers (this new community was taking shape in homes but they also continued to meet in the temple every day to pray). These four things were embedded like DNA in all the early churches.
The Apostles Teaching (which started with the gospel rooting it in the Story of the OT, and then Christ’s principles for living as his kingdom people),
The fellowship (shared experience in the Spirit as brothers and sisters in Christ),
the breaking of bread (eating meals together in their homes following the new commandment to love one another as family and celebrating Jesus - communion),
Prayers (this new community was taking shape in homes but they also continued to meet in the temple every day to pray). These four things were embedded like DNA in all the early churches.
At first the apostles did not fully understand what was happening all they knew was that this was new community – the church – that Jesus said he would build. At first they probably see it as a renewal movement within Israel - But as Jesus promised, he would give further instructions by his Spirit, which he gives primarily through Paul and his letters to the churches.
So let’s look at one of his letters - turn to
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
What is this mystery that was not revealed in OT - in the Story.
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
The mystery is that everyone both Jew and Gentile who believe the gospel are made part of one body and are heirs of God’s promise to Abraham! - they become members of the same people group - The CHURCH
The new Community - the church - is this mystery that was not revealed to people in the past but has now been revealed to the Apostles (). He explains
The new community is multi-ethnic! All the nations are being brought into it, through faith in Jesus, to be part of God’s promise!
Back up a bit to the end of Chapter 2 v 17
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Paul is explaining that through faith in Jesus we become part of the same family - we have the same Father - we are members of his household - our human families and heritages we were born into - our cultural, ethnic, social backgrounds - no longer separate us. We are ‘born again’ through faith in Jesus - we are born into a new family - his Church - and this family is more important than our cultural heritage! (it overrides all divisions)
in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
For this new family to function well we need a new foundation - and that foundation - principles to live by - is being laid out by Christ’s apostles and prophets, Jesus himself is holding it all together - He is the corner stone ().
Paul is explaining that through faith in Jesus we become part of the same family - we have the same Father - we are members of his household - our human families and heritages we were born into our cultural, ethnic, social backgrounds - no longer separate us. When we are ‘born again’ through faith in Jesus we are born into a new family - the Church - and this family is more important than our cultural heritage! (it overrides all divisions)
The new community is a real family built on a the foundation of Jesus and his teaching.
So for the family to function well we need a new foundation - and that foundation - a new set of principles to live by - is being laid out by Christ’s apostles and prophets, And Jesus himself is holding it all together - corner stone ().
...which the Apostles are laying out for us under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which is one of the things God specifically called Paul to do!
Laying out the teaching for this new family to follow and to build on is one of the things God specifically called Paul to do!
Paul explains that laying out the teaching that will shape this new family is part of the specific role God has given him in the mission.
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Paul’s specific role in the mission has two parts. He is to proclaim the gospel to the gentiles and he is also to make clear for everyone God’s plan for his church (the mystery that used to be hidden ).
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
The word translated ‘the plan’ in the ESV is a form of the Greek word for ‘House Law’ - the proper order and workings of an extended family. Throughout all his letters Paul consistently uses family language in reference to the church and he gives many instructions for how to live as part of God’s family – the church.
and this new multi-ethnic family is being built on a whole new foundation, that is being laid out by Christ’s apostles and prophets, with Christ himself being the corner stone ().
All of this is according to God’s eternal purpose!
Paul also explains that his specific role in the mission, given to him by God’s grace, has two parts. He is to proclaim the gospel to the gentiles and he is also to make clear for everyone God’s plan for his church (the mystery that used to be hidden ). The word translated ‘the plan’ in the ESV is a form of the Greek word for ‘House Law’ - the proper order and workings of an extended family.
This new family is all part of God’s eternal plan for revealing God’s wisdom to the highest heaven!
So this new family is all part of the Story of God’s plan to bring blessing to all nations!
It is clear that Paul sees the existence, maturity and multiplication of these simple church communities - these families of families - built on the apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer - as essential for bringing blessing to all the nations. Paul clearly says (). that these simple communities are essential for upholding the truth of the gospel!
It is clear that Paul sees the existence, maturity and multiplication of these simple church communities as vital for the mission as part of God’s eternal plan (). Paul clearly says (). that these simple communities - shaped by the Apostles teaching are essential for upholding the truth of the gospel!
All of this is confirmed by Peter who builds on the Old Testament story quoting a prophecy from Isaiah () that God would lay a stone in Zion (Jesus) that would cause Israel to stumble but would become the cornerstone of something new! - the church… Look how peter Describes the church
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
calls the churches as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” who’s primary purpose is to bear witness to Jesus and how he has rescued us from darkness and made us part of his kingdom of light! ().
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
calls the churches as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” who’s primary purpose is to bear witness to Jesus and how he has rescued us from darkness and made us part of his kingdom of light! ().
The king’s strategy now comes into clearer focus!
Believers in Jesus are baptized and become part of simple communities that are devoted to the apostles teaching, fellowship, a shared meal celebrating Jesus, and prayer.
This new community is multi-ethnic! All nations are being brought into it, through the gospel, to be part of God’s promise.
This new community is a real family, with family ties that are stronger than ethnic or social divisions, built on the foundation of Jesus and his teaching.
This family of families is all part of the Story of God’s plan for bring blessing to all nations and revealing God’s wisdom to the highest heaven!
The strategy is to bring blessing to the whole earth through the church, these simple families of families, centered on Christ and his purposes, networked together through the work of key leaders, as they all work together with the Spirit as a family of families bearing witness to Jesus and multiplying to the ends of the earth.
The strategy is to bring blessing to the whole earth through the church, these simple families of families, centered on Christ and his purposes, networked together through the work of key leaders, as they all work together with the Spirit as a family of families bearing witness to Jesus and multiplying to the ends of the earth.
This is what every person who believes in Jesus becomes a part of! This is the mystery that has been revealed by the Spirit, through the Apostles to guide us as we live in the final part of the story of God’s plan. We are part of the same strategy today.
Table Talk Questions:
1. When we believe in Jesus we are born into his family. Review the core elements of the simple church family described in .
2. How is a community devoted to these things helpful in advancing the mission? How is participation in a community like this different from our modern day idea of ‘going to church’?
3. What are some things you can be doing to shape your life, your family, and your church around Christ’s plan for bringing blessing to the nations during our chapter of The Story?
Jesus and his Apostles regarded the churches as mission-critical for bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to all nations and this is our part of the Story of God’s plan! So let’s follow the Story-line of God’s plan to see what it reveals about the church…
NOT USED:
reveal the Church as the King’s Strategy for bringing blessing to all the nations. So to make sense of this we need to follow the Story-line of God’s plan, and look at closely at the further instructions Jesus gave by his Spirit…
Paul was a Jewish zealot who was persecuting the church, and throwing Christians in prison, until he had a dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Modern Day - Syria) where Jesus asks him - Why are you persecuting me? To attack the church is to attack Jesus himself! - If Jesus feels this way about his church, then surely neglecting the church is to neglect Jesus himself! Jesus tells Paul that he has been chosen to spearhead God’s plan for blessing the nations and his letters reveal more about Christs intentions for his church…