Cornerstone Church April 15, 2007
EXTREME MAKEOVER: CHURCH EDITION
Acts 2:42-47
“One day a man was on his way to spend the day with a good friend who lived on a farm.
When the man reached the farm, he turned onto the long, winding road that led to the farmhouse. On the way, he had to pass by the barn. But as he drove by the barn, he stopped and got out because he saw something that both amazed and stupefied him.
Drawn on the side of the barn were twenty targets. Each target had a hole right through the middle of it’s bull’s-eye. There were no other holes anywhere on the barn. Whoever had been using the barn for target practice was definitely a crack shot.
The visitor couldn’t believe it. He got back in his car, drove up to his friend’s farmhouse, and said, ‘John, before we do anything else, I’ve just got to ask you. Who in the world did the shooting on the side of your barn?’
John said, ‘Oh, that was me.’
His friend replied, ‘I can’t believe anybody can shoot that well! We’re talking about twenty targets with twenty dead-center bull’s-eye shots. You mean to tell me you did that?’
John said, ‘Made every shot.’
‘Where in the world did you learn to shoot like that?’ John’s friend asked.
‘It was easy. I shot first, then I drew a target around the bullet hole.’”
THE KINGDOM AGENDA: WHAT A WAY TO LIVE – Tony Evans, pgs. xv-xvi
This effectively illustrates where much of the church is at in America.
We have exhausted a great amount of money, time and effort with little results. The thought overwhelms us to the point that we try to make what we are doing look like bull’s-eyes!
Tony Evans inquired:
“How can we have all of these good churches on almost every corner.
All of these preachers
All of these programs
All of these boards
And still have the mess that we have throughout the land?”
DO YOU EVER ASK THOSE TYPE OF QUESTIONS?
I know I like “Far Side” comics and “The Office” but I do not think I’m that unusual!
The mighty Church of God which is:
Armed with the Word of God
Empowered with the Holy Spirit of God
Given the Authority of God
Frequently looks like a retreating bewildered army instead of an advancing unit that will not give up, shut up, or stop until the Lord Jesus Christ either calls them home or returns.
WHAT HAS BROUGHT ALL OF THIS TO PASS?
Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, now over 30 years old, wrote in one of his books (The Upside Down Church) about the risky philosophies that the American Church has bought into to achieve growth.
These risky philosophies have weakened the church.
This reminds me of the contrast seen between the wise man and the foolish man who built their homes in Matthew 7:24-27. The wise man took the time to build his house upon a solid rock. The foolish man took the quicker route and built his home on the sand. When the trials and storms came the one that had been built with the right principles stood firm.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE RISKY PRINCIPLES:
Risky Rule #1 “If it brings people in; it pleases God.”
Risky Rule #2 “The less confrontational or overt the gospel message, the better.”
Risky Rule #3 “Feed the church what it seems hungry for.”
Risky Rule #4 “Target the church to a particular demographic group.”
How were twelve common and timid men, who had spent time with the Lord Jesus Christ, able to achieve what all of the Bible believing churches in Yuba City / Marysville Area do not seem to be able to accomplish?
Acts 17:6 NIV But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,
THE EARLY CHRISTIANS TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN!
No computers
No mass media (radio, TV, printing, internet)
No sound systems
No fancy buildings
No printing presses
No programs
No bookstores, schools or colleges
Look at their resume! They were not most people’s top choices!
“Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you’re considering for management positions in your new organization. All of them have taken our battery of tests, the results of which we’ve run through sophisticated computer analyses. We’ve also arranged personal interviews for each candidate with our psychologist and vocational-aptitude consultant.
It is our staff’s unanimous opinion that most of the nominees are lacking in qualifications for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. We recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience and managerial ability and proven capability.
We find Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. He seems far too impulsive to be put in a position of oversight. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The brothers James and John place personal interest above company loyalty. And they seem to be impatient with others. Due to this impatience and ambition, they could one day become disgruntled employees.
Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that could tend to undermine morale. We feel it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau.
In closing, one of the candidates shows great potential. He is a man of ability, resourcefulness, and ambition. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your comptroller and right-hand man. All the other profiles are self-explanatory.
Sincerely yours,
Jordan Management Consultants, Jerusalem
Look at Peter before Pentecost:
Matt. 26:74-75 NIV Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Look at Peter after Pentecost (Glance Back in your Bible):
Acts 2:36 NIV “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Acts 2:37-41 NIV When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE?
The power and authority of the Holy Spirit.
DO YOU REMEMBER JESUS PROMISE TO THE DISCIPLES?
Acts 1:8 NIV 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.”
They were empowered by the Power of God the Holy Spirit
They lived to fulfill God’s mandate under God’s authority and not their own agenda.
Acts 5:40-42 NIV His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Imagine the testimony these believers were to those who knew them!
They proclaimed the Word
They lived the life
They were locked up and persecuted
They praised God, dusted themselves off, and went right back at it!
WOW!
Let’s think about this in today’s terms.
Hey there is old Joe and Charlie from the mill. Remember when they use to drink, smoke and get into fights all the time. Yes, I remember. Charlie gave me a black eye once in a dispute. They said that they have become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Yeah, right! I suppose they got some religion now. It probably won’t last long. I’m not so sure you are right. I saw them proclaiming Christ the other day and they were really being mocked by the others during lunch. They did not loose their temper or try to fight back. They told the others they loved them and kept on sharing. They don’t drink any more, they don’t get mad any more and they cannot stop talking about Jesus! Maybe there is something to their faith after all!
CHRIST TRANSFORMS PEOPLE!
2 Cor. 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
The power of God needs to be present in our lives!
“If you can explain what is going on,
then God didn’t do it.”
Warren Wiersbe
“If the Holy Spirit were taken from the
New Testament Church 90% of what they were doing would come to a halt. If the Holy Spirit
were taken from today’s church
only 10% would come to a halt.”
A. W. Tozer
As I was thinking about all of the hurts that I had heard about in people’s lives this past week I was struck again with the overwhelming heaviness that the church needs to be the church.
CHRIST ALONE IS OUR HOPE!
We have solid goals for the year coming year and beyond. We have made plans to do this or that by God’s grace. As important as those are they must be subordinated to God’s plans.
We need a new sense of Awe, Fear and Respect for God and a vision of what He wants accomplished in this world.
We need to do things His way!
We need His empowerment!
We need His guidance!
God has outlined in the Scriptures His definition of a W.E.L.L. Church.
Well = “a Spiritually Healthy Church”
WHAT IS GOD’S PRESCRIPTION FOR A WELL CHURCH?
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 NIV
Outline (Outline idea from Greg Laurie – The Upside Down Church)
A WORSHIPPING Church
An EVANGELISTIC Church
A LEARNING Church
A LOVING Church
A WORSHIPPING CHURCH
“They devoted themselves to …”
Acts 2:42a
Devoting (proskartereo)
“To remain/endure”
“Steadfast”
“To cleave faithfully”
“Single-minded devotion”
“Fidelity to a certain course of action”
“...Used metaphorically of steadfastness and faithfulness in the outgoings of the Christian life, especially in prayer...”
The Complete Word Study Dictionary, New Testament
by Spiros Zodhiates
ILLUSTRATED:
How do college or NBA Basketball Players reach the 85-90% range in Free Throws at the foul line? By continual, steadfast devotion and practice!
Their devotion to the right priorities overflowed into a worshipping body of believers! People who praised God because they knew of His blessings, enablement and power in their lives!
“Everyone was filled with awe…”
Acts 2:43a
Awe (phobos)
Fear
Holy terror
Reverence
“…praising God and enjoying the favor
of all the people.”
Acts 2:47a
We are not here as consumers – receiving a good or service
We are not hear to beat our area competitors in the religious market in town.
We are here to exalt Christ
We have been saved to accomplish His purpose and plan!
Phil. 3:8 NIV What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
2 Cor. 4:7 NIV But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
AN EVANGELISTIC CHURCH
“Those who accepted his message were baptized,
and about three thousand were added
to their number that day.”
Acts 2:41 NIV
“…praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
And the Lord added to their number daily those
who were being saved.”
Acts 2:47 NIV
It is undeniable that healthy sheep reproduce. The Lord never told us to go hide in a corner with a defensive posture waiting for the Lord to return.
People in our society certainly are not silent about what they believe!
Hollywood pleads its case. The Gay agenda promotes its cause. The radio and television talk shows spew forth their philosophy.
Christians, likewise, are not silent about what they believe.
They will tell you about the latest fads out there. They will give their views on almost any subject from abortion to schooling.
There is, however, one subject where the silence, becomes deafening!
The Eerie piercing silence which comes from not sharing the good new of the gospel.
Greg Laurie states that the Great Commission has become the Great Concession.
One day our world will be toast!
Not because of Global Warming but because of God’s judgment.
Acts 17:31 NIV For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
Rom. 1:18-20 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Recent Survey of 1,000 Church Attenders when asked the question: Why does the church exist? They gave these answers:
89% “To take care of my family’s and my spiritual needs.”
11% “To win the world for Christ.”
It remains constant that only about 32% of the United States’ population professes Christ as their Savior. Around 80% of the growth in churches is transfer growth as Christians play musical churches.
Why don’t we evangelize? Besides being timid, frightened, or not wanting people to respond negatively, the number one reason appears to be:
WE JUST DON’T CARE!
We have an: “I’M GOING TO HEAVEN – TOO BAD YOUR NOT” attitude!
Can we be honest about this? If we can, perhaps there is hope as we seek the Lord and pray for this to be different! World wide missions are important, but I wonder if we give to them to ease our conscience! It reminds me of Ebenezer Scrooge went it came to caring about the poor.
“At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.”
“Are there no prisons?” asked Scrooge.
“Plenty of prisons,” said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
“And the Union workhouses?” demanded Scrooge. “Are they still in operation?”
What shall I put you down for?’” “Nothing!” Scrooge replied.
“You wish to be anonymous?”
“I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge. “Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned -- they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there.”
Charles Dickens – A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Neither do we win people to Christ by boycotts or by arguments with them over their philosophical points of view.
It is nothing less than tragic how many Christian Ministries spend more time, money and effort trying to reform pagans through boycotts than preaching the gospel.
It is the power of the Gospel that sets hearts free!
Matt. 28:18-20 NIV Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The lifestyle of these early Holy Spirit filled believers made them:
An Attractive Church
“…enjoying the favor of all the people.”
A Growing Church
“And the Lord added to their number daily
those who were being saved.”
A LEARNING CHURCH
“They devoted themselves
to the apostles’ teaching …”
Acts 2:42a NIV
New Christians want to grow:
1 Pet. 2:2 NIV Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
They do, however, need teachers.
We need teachers who teach the word
We need people who will then obey and live what they are taught
THE APOSTLES’ TEACHING was the authoritative body of teaching of the Apostles prior to the written record of the Word of God.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Isa. 55:8 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
Deut. 8:1 NIV Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers.
Key truth (obey God):
“Everything visible and physical is always controlled or derived from that which is invisible and spiritual. So if you want to fix the visible and physical problems, you’ve got to address the spiritual and invisible issues first.”
THE KINGDOM AGENDA – WHAT A WAY TO LIVE – Tony Evans, pg. 5
A LOVING CHURCH
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
Acts 2:44-46 NIV
They shared and cared for one another!
Their fellowship not only touched their heart but it touched their pocketbook as well!
True unity of Spirit is a powerful testimony to the lost world that Jesus Christ is real!
So here we are the first Sunday after Easter 2007.
Do we need Ty Pennington and the Design Team to come and help us out?
Extreme Makeover: Church Edition
No!
Instead of shouting out – Move that Bus!
Maybe we should cry out to God in prayer and say:
Remove that Stuff!
Remove that stuff from our lives that keep us from serving Him fully!
Heb 12:1 NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Remove that stuff from our church that would detract from people truly seeing the power of the Resurrected Christ living in us.
Getting rid of all of the kitsch stuff
we have added to Christianity.
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
Hans Hofmann
We have God’s prescription for a WELL Church.
A WORSHIPPING Church
An EVANGELISTIC Church
A LEARNING Church
A LOVING Church
We have God’s Blueprint for His Church found in the Word of God.
In 1 Corinthians 3 God refers to Christians as:
God’s Children – spiritual babies maturing
God’s Field – waiting for a crop to blossom
God’s Building – spiritual house built with Living Stones
So the mission of the church is simple:
“The goal is to partner with God to move people through the stages of spiritual growth. Changed lives are the bottom line, the ended end result. Christ formed in people is the goal.”
Simple Church, pg. 62 – Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger
WHAT TYPE OF CHURCH DO WE WANT TO HAVE?
WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE DO WE WANT TO BE?
If we take time to do church God’s way, loving what He loves and empowered by His AUTHORITY, PURPOSE and POWER nothing can stop us.
Matt. 16:18 NIV And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
We need to remember that the Lord uses ordinary people who love Him. He is always the One who supplies whatever resource that we need to accomplish what He wants.
“You can never be too small for
God to use, only too big.”
Warren Wiersbe
“If you want a better world,
Composed of better Nations,
Inhabited by better States,
Filled with better Counties,
Made up of better Cities,
Comprised of better Neighborhoods,
Illuminated by better Churches,
Populated by better families,
Then you have to start by
Becoming a better person!”
THE KINGDOM AGENDA – WHAT A WAY TO LIVE – Tony Evans
For the unbeliever this starts by placing your faith and trust in what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the Cross. That through His Death, His Burial and His Resurrection, He accomplished eternal salvation for all those who believe!
For the believer this starts by living out Christ’s commands and precepts in your life daily.
Living for Christ is the key to contentment at work
Living for Christ is the key to contentment at home
Living for Christ is the key to contentment in life
I pray that we will take seriously Christ’s commands!
Reaching people with the gospel
Teaching those we reach
I pray that we will begin to weep for the lost! They will perish! There are no second chances!
Rev. 20:13-15 NIV The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
I pray that our worship will pour forth from hearts consumed by Christ!
I pray that we will believe that we can do anything God asks us to do.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will empower all that we do for Him!
Holy Spirit do an Extreme Makeover in each of us removing the stuff that keeps Jesus
from shining clearly through us!
