September 30, 2007
Shane begins by telling the story of “Baby Jessica”
Intro: Every church has basically the same overall mission. Whether they articulate it or not, al Bible believing churches have as their same goal to reach people for Christ and to help them understand how to live out that life.
At LifeQuest, our desire is for you to understand what that means and how we structure ourselves to develop mature followers of Christ. We want everyone from pre-school to senior adults to be able to not only articulate the mission of the church, but to be able to explain how we do what we do.
The strategy for developing mature followers of Christ at LifeQuest Church is to help people connect, grow, and serve.
Big Picture of Acts 2:
Jesus has risen form the dead and has gone back to heaven.
Disciples are gathered for worship.
Holy Spirit comes and they begin to speak in other languages.
Jews from all over the world are in Jerusalem and are amazed that the disciples are specking in languages they do not understand.
Some people begin to mock them accusing them of being drunk.
Peter steps up and lays out for them the message of Christ.
“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” Acts 2:36-41 (New Living Translation)
This is the very beginning of the church as we know it.
This is the connect area.
Basically everything that happens here on Sunday morning, from the greeters in the parking lot, to the coffee table in the lobby, to the Sunday school classes for adults and kids, to the worship celebration is to help people connect with God.
However, connection with God cannot just happen on Sunday morning. Our desire is that you connect with God on your own throughout the week.
Devotional Guides on back table.
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonder. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.” Acts 2:42-26
This is the grow area.
These people understood community and relationship. They knew that true fellowship was not just a meal, but was meeting one another’s needs and pulling together to provide for one another.
At LifeQuest, the best way to insure this happens is by being involved in a Life Group.
This is serve area.
Obviously with all they were doing they were serving and touching lives.
The life of this new church was contagious. And because of them connecting, growing, and serving together, the world has never been the same.
“all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47
Show video to finish the “Baby Jessica” story.
What would happen in our church, our community and our world if we took seriously the biblical challenge to connect, grow and serve?
