Spirit led Church

What is a Focus: Christ-filled Church

Why: Those are the core values that the first Church (disciple)taught us

This month I am preaching on a series, "The Why Behind the What." Why, as Christ Follower we do the things we do?

Last week our What? was “Great Commission," and our why was because we love God with our whole hearts, minds, and souls we believe in it. Today we are learning What is our focus as the Church? And Why is it the focus?

?

During Holy Week, I received the call by John, our DS, about an opportunity to pastoring my first two local churches. He asked me if I would be willing to go from full-time student to part-time student to take this pastoring position that required its pastor to be full-time. I had many questions, but because nothing was concrete, he said that the only thing he could tell me was it was ft, with a house and in the heartland district. I asked John by when he needed to find out, and to my surprise, I had until 6 pm that day; mind you, I got the call at 4pm. Luckily, my mom and brother were visiting me from California to discern and process all that over some homemade tacos.

The answer was obviously yes. With fear, doubt, yet excitement, I said yes. And a month later, I was told that I will be coming to Irvington and webster, and a month after that, I was asked to go for a covenant meeting. It is where the DS introduces some of the congregants to the upcoming pastor. I met some of you that Tuesday. We each had an opportunity to share something about ourselves. I share that I liked to cook and then was interrupted by the sound of Uncle Wayde’s ringtone. I knew that you all were like family when Wayde asked me in front of my DS, "Young lady, are you married or single" Everyone seemed to know Uncle Wayde's sense of humor. A couple of you shared something about yourself, but I remember that most of you shared what you would like to see in Irvington UMC. It moves me how many of you care for this Church. And I find it fascinating how many of you grew up in this Church. It's funny how some started coming here because of your parents, and now you come because this is home for you.

(WEBSTER TALK ABOUT THE GOAT)

You all have kind and caring hearts, and I see a lot of love for God. I am excited to serve alongside you, but I believe we all have to be on this page to be successful. My focus for the Church is to be a Spirit-led and filled Church. The way to do that is to be influenced and take the steps that the first Church did. We can read it in the book of Acts 2:42-47. It is what I am preaching from today

The book of Acts is filled with stories of the disciples building the foundations of the Church that we are called to be. After Jesus ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit descended to the disciples and those figuring out what to do now that Jesus was gone. I hope to preach about the Holy Spirit, which I love to teach and learn about. But let me give you a give glimpse.

Jesus had mentioned needing to leave so that "Helper" can come. He would be the one who would reside with us here on earth and the one that will be with us to help us. It is because of the Holy Spirit that we are never ever alone. He appeared to them for the first time, surprising everyone. People started speaking in different tongues to the point where some thought that they were drunk. The believers were never the same since then. That same Holy Spirit that showed up is the same one present this morning, and everywhere we go. We just have to ask Him to make us aware of Him.

After the Holy Spirit came, the early Church began.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day, they continued to meet in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

****PRAY****

In the segment that we just read, if we follow it carefully, we can find 4 qualities that a spirit-filled church has and something that I hope we all desire for Irvington/webster.

1) We read that the apostles were devoted to Jesus’ teaching. Doing miracles in His name like Jesus taught them to break the bread both in fellowship and communion form and prayer. As a holy church, I pray that Irvington can be that to others. It can be a place that when you come and sit you, won't hear me but hear the words of Jesus. That you will leave not only wanting a closer relationship with our Savior but knowing how to do it. Growing up, I heard sermons that would tell me what I should do but never told me how. Let us be the Church that when people talk to the pastor and speak to the congregants (which is you), they may desire the love and devotion you all have for God.

I would like you to think of someone right now that when you think of them, you know that they have Jesus in their hearts. I know we have talked about Joyce. You can be a ms. Joyce to someone else. She and I know that only Jesus living in her heart can make her a sweet and loving Christ follower. I think of my mom. When things were rough when she was stressed out for any reason, there was never praise missing from her mouth. In fact, it was through her that I knew at a young age. That, in fact, Jesus was real.

2) Another thing we read in this section is that a spirit-filled/led church is a growing church. Now, I do not want this to be misunderstood. I do not believe that a successful church is based on the number of people that there are. However, by growing Church, I mean that Church that is part of the community. The Church might be small but active. Growing in the community. Irvington/webster, let us be part of our community. My prayer for this Church is that we encounter those who do not go to Church to invite them everywhere we go to volunteer. I know it's a pastor's heart to find churches for those who are unchurched. And unfortunately, there are many of those. They can be our neighbors, coworkers, and even family members.

At that meeting that I mentioned earlier, I wanted to not only listen to what everyone in the meeting would say, but I wanted to hear what was your dear and closest to Irvington's heart. What were Irvington's core values?

I heard most of you say that one thing that you wish to see in Inrvinton(Church) is more kids. Younger families. Brothers and sisters, the beginning of a dying church, have two things the mindset of doing things because that's how it has been done and the lack of children and younger families. The family thought I'm new in town; I can guarantee that several children and young families are unchurched. It is possible to have children as part of our church family. However, I hate to break the bad news, but they will not come on their own. I am not able to do it on my own either. Please do not expect the pastor or, in these cases, Shannon to do everything. I am thankful for people like her and todd and his family. But this is our Church; this is a team effort. I started attending. Volunteering CR near here a done thing that CR teaches is the concept of insanity. Insanity is doing the same thing in expecting different results.

Changes might need to occur to see Irvington/Webster flourish. The changes will not be made by one person nor be made for the sake of change. You all have a saying which is why it is why we have SPR meetings. It is less than an hour l9ong, and we talk about things that we can do at Church. Our next one is this Tuesday at 7pm.

I know that it might be uncomfortable talking to others about Jesus or Church because we do not want to sound like fanatics nor judgmental. Unfortunately, Christians have been getting a bad rep. This is where the Help and Guidance of The Holy Spirit. The disciples were called drunk and made fun of, yet the day that Holy Spirit showed up, they did not fear nor care.

Just think, the day that we begin to have children, will we be struggling with finding someone to volunteer to teach them? Something to think about

3) The first Church was nothing but a Radiant Church. Wherever they went, they showed the wonder and signs of God. Through miracles and sharing the good news. Everywhere they went, people knew that they were believers. This is what having Jesus on our hearts does. They will see something different in you. Have you ever met a newborn Christian. Especially when you meet them years before, and then you see them again, something noticeably different about them, but you cannot tell. J

*Irvington, I want to encourage you. A couple of weeks ago, I called a young lady who wanted the Church to reach out. She grew up in this Church and attend for a couple of years before being transfer to a new foster house. She shared a bit about her childhood, and she did have a rough. However, she remembers some sweet memories were coming with her foster mom to Irvington. She called because she is looking for a church for her family to come together, and she thought of Irvington. You never know what type of impact you may indirectly have by being part of the church family. There is hope for us.

4) The early Church was not tied up to a building; in fact, there was not a building to be tied up to. The disciples would go house to house, town to town. Paul knows as the first missionary was sharing the good news through letters while in prison. You may or may not know this, but The people are what makes the Church. We are meant to be a going church. We are meant to be part of the great commission and make disciples of Christ out there. Make believers by our actions, our character, and by allowing the Holy Spirit to shine through us.

I know we all have busy schedules, and again I repeat, God cares about our heart and having a relationship with Him rather than what we could do. But of the love but it is part of our duty as Christians to go beyond the walls of the Church and serve Him.

There are many ways that we can do that here in Irvington; right across from us is the center of the mission needing help, whether it is during open hours or after-hours putting things away. We have a couple of events coming up. One thing month, we are passing balloons, juices, and school supplies. We need 5 volunteers to come and help pass out stuff and interact with others. That is an excellent place to reach out to non-believers or inviting non-churchgoers to Irvington/Webster. If you can’t make it, we will have another event in September, but I encourage you to bring stuff to give out the last day is next week. There are more things that we can do, but I have learned to take baby steps. I do not want us to burn out. But this is a great starting point.

The Church I join you all in the desire of wanting the best for Irvington/webster. In the desire of hearing children in the background and welcoming new families. My ultimate hope and desire are for us to be a spirit-filled and led Church. For us to do that, we need to be Godly. Growing, glowing, and Going Church. Remember that the Church is made from imperfect people, so we will not do everything perfectly but take peace that God knows and sees our hearts. He sees our intentions and our desire to serve and be a spirit-led church.