Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Acts 1 A REFOCUSSED VISION
The Australian Church
Steve Irwin's enthusiasm
Steve Irwins risk taking
The Church
•Committed to Jesus Christ and His Word
•Committed to the body of Christ His Church
•Committed to the ministry of Christ, His Work
The Church
•Committed to Jesus Christ and His Word
1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all
that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day He
was taken up, after He had given orders through the
Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. 3 After
He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to
them by many convincing proofs, appearing to
them during 40 days and speaking about the
kingdom of God.
The Church
•Committed to Jesus Christ and His Word
•Committed to the body of Christ His Church
•4 While He was together with them, He
commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but
to wait for the Fathers promise. This, He said,
is what you heard from Me; 5 for John
baptized with water, but you will be baptized
with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
From a small prayer
meeting to large global
movement...
Some think the Book of Acts tells
the story of the church bringing
the gospel to the world.
It doesn’t.
The Book of Acts tells the story of
God’s Spirit overcoming the
reluctance of the church to bring
the gospel to the world.
The Church
•Committed to the ministry of Christ, His Work
•6 So when they had come together, they asked
Him, Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel
at this time?7 He said to them, It is not for you to
know times or periods that the Father has set by
His own authority. 8 But you will receive power
when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you
will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea
and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Witnessing
•Certainty
•Contagious
•Continuing
Refocusing Vision
Acts 1
7) He said to them: "It is not for you to know
the times or dates the Father has set by His
own authority.
8) 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."
Resource Issues
Scope Issues
And the word of God continued to
increase, and the number of the disciples
multiplied greatly in Jerusalem…
Acts 6:7
TO BE AUTHENTIC WITNESSES
Will Require
Continual
Change In
Three Areas:
(All in Acts 1)
PERSONAL & CORPORATE
Refocusing Vision
Renewing Vitality
Restructuring Ministry
The people of God are
discerning God’s purpose
and plan for their
congregation at this place
and time.
Refocusing
Vision
The Upper room implies there is a lower room (and there is)
David's casket is there. Its a place of inspiration, remembering and inspiring; making us
Committed
Compelling
Courageous
TO BE AUTHENTIC WITNESSES
Will Require
Continual
Change In
Three Areas:
Refocusing Vision
Renewing Vitality
Restructuring Ministry
Renewing Vitality
12) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill
called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk
from the city. 13) When they arrived, they went
upstairs to the room where they were staying.
Those present were Peter, John, James and
Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and
Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the
Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14) They all
joined together constantly in prayer, along with
the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and
with His brothers.
Acts 1
Prayer: A Reflex Reaction
Renewing Vitality
What can YOU do to protect and grow YOUR personal spiritual vitality?
What can WE do to protect and grow OUR corporate spiritual vitality?
Concert of Prayer
Prayer & Fasting
Cultivate the habits.
Acquire the skills.
TO BE AUTHENTIC WITNESSES
Will Require
Continual
Change In
Three Areas:
Restructuring
Ministry
15) In those days Peter stood up among the
believers (a group numbering about a
hundred and twenty) 16) and said, "Brothers, the
Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke
long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas,
who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus-- 17) he
was one of our number and shared in this ministry." 18)
(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought
a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all
his intestines spilled out. 19) Everyone in Jerusalem heard
about this, so they called that field in their language
Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20) "For," said Peter, "it
is written in the book of Psalms, "'May his place be
deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, "'May
another take his place of leadership.'
Acts 1
21) Therefore it is necessary to choose
one of the men who have been with us
the whole time the Lord Jesus went in
and out among us, 22) beginning from
John's baptism to the time when Jesus
was taken up from us. For one of
these must become a witness with us
of His resurrection."
Acts 1
Qualifications
Functional Structure
23) So they proposed two men: Joseph called
Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and
Matthias.
24) Then they prayed, "Lord, you know
everyone's heart. Show us which of these two
you have chosen 25) to take over this
apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go
where he belongs."
26) Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to
Matthias; so he was added to the eleven
apostles.
The people of God are
realigning resources,
organizational structures
and ministry systems to
better accomplish the
mission.
Some people can’t be
bothered with
complicated stuff like
restructuring anything.
You need only two tools:
WD-40 and duct tape.
If it moves and shouldn't,
use the tape .
If it doesn't move and
it should, use WD-40.
Lord Jesus Christ, I want you to
bring me to the place where I am open
to any change,
anywhere,
anytime,
that will make me/us more effective in
fulfilling your vision for this church.
TO BE AUTHENTIC WITNESSES Will Require
Continual Change In three Areas:
Renewing Vitality
Refocusing Vision
Restructuring Ministry
The Church
•Committed to Jesus Christ and His Word
•Committed to the body of Christ His Church
•Committed to the ministry of Christ, His Work
