Open Up: Open Doors

Intro

We are wrapping up our series, Open Up. The theme of the series has been the call to open up in ways that can’t be restricted. Open up about our weaknesses and allow others to step into the space to be our strength. Open up about the good things God is doing in your life so that others can be encouraged in their own walk with Jesus. All this openess is inspired by the fact that God himself was open with us. Jesus held nothing back when he died on the cross. When you read through the bible, you get a sense of the God’s heart and plan for all of us.

This morning is the culmination of the series. We’ve been working towards something, and it is the AGM this afternoon. This morning is meant to be a launching point for this afternoon.

So to get us into the mindset for the message, I want to ask you this question:

Question #1: When you think of the perfect world, what kinds of things come to mind?

maybe it is a TV show or movie you watched. Maybe it is something you read in Scripture as John or one of the prophets describes what heaven is like. What comes to mind when you think of the perfect world?

As I’m sure you’ve figured out, I’m a big movie buff. I love a good movie. Sci-fi is kind of my thing but I’m open to most movies.

When it comes to this idea of the perfect world or the perfect society, from the movie perspective, humanity has figured out the thing that causes conflict and has found a way to destroy it, thus creating a utopia. And the movie always starts the same way. You are introduced to the main character, and everything seems to be amazing, perfect even. Then something happens. They see something they weren’t supposed to see or start feeling something they aren’t supposed to feel, and suddenly the perfect world that they have always known starts to fall apart. The perfection they thought they saw was all a facade, and deep down there is something very wrong with the system.

But deep down, we all feel this urge that life could be so much better. We could do community better. Deep down we long to be a part of something that is so special, so amazing, that we can’t help but be a part of it every single day of our lives.

I’m going to read a passage out of Acts 2. This is a passage you will hear me speak about a lot, because every time I come back to this passage, I want it for us more and more. I want church to look like this.

Scripture:

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

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.

A few things that jump out to me in this passage:

A) They wanted to be together

v. 46 says that every day, they were at the temple. Every day they were each in others homes, sharing a meal and being filled with joy.

Every day they made time to be together, to worship, to learn, to eat together.

B) They were filled with awe in their soul

that word awe can mean reverence, fear, profound respect, often for a deity.

I would say, in a lot of ways, we have lost our awe of God, and I’m definitely in that group. I was chatting with a pastor friend of mine, and we were reflecting about how the PAOC came out of a holiness movement. We came out of a movement that fled from any hint of sin and ran towards a deeper sesnse of God’s presence. Now, so many long to be relevant, often at the cost of holiness.

But this early church was filled with the awe in their souls. That awe would cause them to worship differently, pray differently.

C) Signs and wonders were happening

people were being healed. The gifts of the Spirit were at work. People who have studied the early church and church revivals talk about the tangible sense of the presence of God. Every depiction when the presence of God falls, the gifts of the Spirit begin to work.

D) Everything they needed was found in the church

if people had needs, others would sell property to help meet their needs.

what’s mine is yours didn’t stop within the confines of marriage, it extended to the church family.

but needs didn’t stop at physical needs. When you are a part of community that loves each other so deeply, who forgives each other freely, your emotional needs can be met. There’s no loneliness when we’re always together.

Question #2: Would you want to be a part of that church? Why or why not?

It is time to stop trying to be perfect and start being present. It is time to stop coming to church because it is right thing to do and start coming because you can’t wait to see what God is going to do next

It is time to stop hearing about the gifts of the spirit working in other places and start telling how God is moving in powerful and tangible ways in our church

Was the church perfect? No. From this passage on, the entire New Testament is about encouraging the believers to stay on track. Why? Because we are people who make mistakes. We’re all selfish in our own ways, and that selfishness has a tendency to create division or hurts. Its why church is all about grace and truth in perfect unity.

I remember listening to a pastor say that if you ever found the perfect church that each and every one of us needs to stay away because we would mess it up.

To be this church, we are going to have to be creative. We can’t meet in each others homes right now, but it doesn’t mean we can’t meet. It might mean booking the church or the youth centre. It might mean going to a part and braving the cold. It might mean figuring out Zoom or Jitsi and having a video chat with someone.

It means mens events, women’s events, kids stuff, youth stuff. Workshops and work bees, and serving our community.

It means finding every reason we can to open the doors of the church and inviting people in.

It means trading small talk for real talk. What is God teaching you today? What scripture are you memorizing or meditating on today? Who are you praying for today?

It means coming to church with our hands open, not figuring out what the bear minimum we can give is, but being willing to give more then enough for a mission or a fellow believer who needs help

It is figuring out whether you are the hands of Christ, and finding some feet to go with you to change the world

And in the midst of the excitement and joy, people are going to want to be a part of what we’ve got, and what we’ve got is Christ. Lives won’t just be changed, they will be saved by the encounters that will be created.

Question #3: How are you going to open the doors of the church?

Let’s Pray!