Big Idea: Radically re-defining “church”
The Church is…part of a community, called out from sin and into transparent relationships for the purpose of making Jesus famous in their city.
I. Church never ends. Acts 14:26-28
From there they sailed back to Antioch where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. After they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported everything God had done with them and that he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they spent a considerable time with the disciples.
II. Diversity is always difficult, but in the church, it’s required! Revelation 7:9-10
After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!
III. "The Church is the Church only when it exists for others" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
"and by others...he means EVERYONE." - Chris Poirier 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.
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