This is the church

Welcome back to church!!!!

.honest talk about my health and were i am at, how we navigate for the near future.

. One of the things that has happened over the course of this year with everything that has been going on in the world, and with all the restrictions we have been under (which is something none of us have ever experienced before.)

. One of the main area of thought for leaders of churches and ministry's is how do we as a church continue to do what we are called to do? What exactly do we do as the church? (we cant meet publicly)

. and for a while everything was up in the air no one knew what was going to happen next.

. and what we quickly realized and this is something that God has been speaking to me more and more about, is that church is not about Sunday’s together. us gathering here this morning doesn't constitute {Church is Back}

. Because if we say church is back then that means that for a while it was gone. but the true church of God never went anywhere, the true church of God is not about a Sunday,while i believe it is super important and vital for us as believers to gather together each week and value the time we do get.

. The church is each and everyone of us everyday day wherever we are, when the bible makes any reference to the church its never about a building or a place its simple about the group of people

Matthew 16:18 NKJV

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

. This is Jesus saying to Peter, Peter you are a leader in the church and i will use you to build my church wherever you are Peter there is opportunity for my church to grow.

. So this is really where my head has been at for quite some time, along with Keith and Peka and all the Elder ship team this is what we have spent a lot of time discussing and planning for..

. How do we stop trying to “do’ church and really begin to be and function as the church we are called to be by God?

Matthew 16:18–19 NKJV

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

. A church that does not positively impact the local community that it is in, is not functioning as the church should. I believe a church or group of believers who are successfully living out the mandate of the gospel

Mark 16:15 NKJV

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

. and there are different mindsets on what this should look like, some would say its all about events and having all these different programs. but i honestly believe and while i have nothing against events and programs, i don't believe that what it is really about, its about love.

. its simply about loving the people in the community the way Jesus does, and its about partnering with other groups that are doing things, its working with the community to provide help and support and shine the Light of God.

. Its not about “ the church” doing all these things and making this and that happen, its about “the church” simply being involved and seen within the community.

. and in the places we are seen and heard, to show love and live our lives and speak in such a way that reflects the love and goodness and God and leads people to the arms of Jesus, where they receive the great gift of salvation for themselves.

. and i Believe that the church in Acts give us a great idea of what this looks like and how it functions, and how when the church does these things it truly does separate us from the rest of the world, as its meant to we are not meant to be and live the same as everyone around us, because we carry the light of God within us everywhere we go.

Acts 2:42–47 NKJV

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

. There is really so much in that, but there are two things i want to point out quickly today.

selling of possession, divided among all, as anyone had need. This is not a call to sell what you own and give it all away, it was simply the early church having awareness of what was happening in the lives of the community around them, and being willing to forgo some of their materiel possession to provided for the desperate needs of others.

2. I believe this one is vitally important! “praising God and having favor with all the people” The people off the early church held favor in their communities, they were looked at as valued members who made a positive difference in the lives of those around them, because they were able to meet the needs of those around them, and they lived in a way they brought honor to Gods church, they were know in their community for all the right reasons!

. Lets pray (This is what we should aspire to!!)