I Am Connected Series

I Am Connected?Acts 2:41-47?

I am connected to the Body vv.41-42

? Through Jesus

For a different life

?I am connected to the Mission vv.43-45 ?

To see God do the miraculous

To sacrifice what is necessary

I am connected to a Group vv.46-47 ?

Doing life together

Sharing life in Christ with others

Illustration on being connected: 2 then 4 then 8 people back to back sitting down—pushing each other up.? Turn to Acts 2:41-47. Today we finish up this short series entitled, “I am _______”

We’ve identified 4 basic characteristics of what it means to be a part of Rush Creek. We’re not saying member any more. It’s a $5 fine for anyone who uses the word “member.” 20 years ago we did away with committees and went to teams. Committees are the worst possible way to make decisions in a church so we just did away with them. But for awhile, people were used to saying committee instead of team so we fined you if you said “committee.” We’re using the term partner instead of member because partners have a stake in the vision and mission of the enterprise whereas members don’t really. So if you say member, or if I say member, fine me $5!? So are the 4 basic characteristics of someone who belongs to Rush Creek? What can you say about yourself as you consider yourself joined to and a part of Rush Creek??I am a Christ-follower (build) I have surrendered my life to Christ and am following Him and his path for my life?I am a Partner I accept the role and responsibilities of a partner who owns the mission and the vision of the church?I am a Servant I serve in a needed position here at Rush Creek on a regular basis. And finally this morning:?I am Connected At the end of today’s worship service, you can become a part of Rush Creek by coming right over there under the cross and we’ll give you a Partner’s Covenant Card to review and sign. This will be the last Sunday anyone will be able to join this way. The next opportunity will be in our First Step Experience in January.

So now as we read this very familiar text, I pray we see it with fresh eyes this morning and that our hearts are challenged by this band of brothers and sisters who were thrust into the limelight of history by becoming the very first church.

Acts 2:41-47 (on screen)

If you’ve studied this passage you know the background: that 50 days after Jesus’ death on the cross as the Passover Lamb, 10 days after His ascension, a group of believers were praying together and the Holy Spirit came upon them like a mighty rushing wind. They poured out into the streets near the southern steps of the temple. (Scroll thru Southern steps 1,2, & 3 at a 2 second pace) We’ll be there next May—if you grab one of the 1 remaining spots on the tour--and began speaking in the languages of those who were in Jerusalem from other countries for the feast of Pentecost. A huge crowd gathered and Simon Peter took the opportunity to preach Jesus. As a result, 3000 Jews were immersed in the huge ritual bathing pools at the foot of the southern steps of the Temple.? So now what are they gonna do? They’ve embraced Jesus as the Messiah. They’ve got a brand new understanding of the Law and Prophets they’ve been studying since they were children. How will these 3000 new Christ-followers relate to each other and to those who in the city and beyond? They begin to connect to each other in a way that had never happened in human history. ? When you study the passage, you see that they were connected in at least 3 ways. There’s a parallel there for us and our connection as Rush Creekers.

I am connected to the Body (build) vv.41-42 (on screen)

So after Peter preached, how many responded to the gospel? 3000. I don’t know how they got 3000 baptized that day. No doubt all 11 of the disciples were dunkin’ people one after another. If only the 11 baptized, that would be 272 people for each of them. Can you imagine? Maybe they got a few more leaders to help them. Still, their arms had to be warn out (limp “Hey, how are you; good to see you”). ? But I want you to see they were connected to what was now the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ.” The N.T. is full of references to the Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:15-16 is one of my favorites: “But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.” So after the bodily ascension of Jesus, He sent His Spirit to form a physical representation of His body: we are His hands, His arms, His smile, His feet.