The Outreaching Community

Overview Acts 2:42 -47. The outreaching community

Over the last two weeks we have been looking at the example of the NT Church to see if there is any principles which can be implemented into our own situation here at www.cbchurch.org.uk we have been asking the question:

‘What is our purpose as a Church?

As we have looked at the NT Church Acts 2:42-47.

We have seen five characteristics which stand out Worship, outreach, ministry, fellowship, discipleship often we tend to find Churches which are good in a number of these area but will fail in others.

Do you remember our New Year text?

Jer: 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you, ‘declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’

I believe its Gods plan for this Church to develop, in all five key areas.

The first week we had an overview of the five and last week we looked at True Worship as those who worship in Spirit and in truth, and such worship will be authentic and will sustain our lives and attract others, for such worshippers the Father seeks. True worship is being satisfied in God.

The five characteristics tie in with the greatest commandment and the great commission.

Matt 22:37-38 to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souls and with your entire mind…Love you neighbour as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang upon these two commandments.

1. Worship involves Love for God

2. Ministering involves demonstrating Gods love to people.

This week we are looking at outreach as a pattern for Church life, this was an obvious hallmark of the NT Church as we read through the book of

Acts.2:47 And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

This Church pattern of people being added into the Church ties in with the great commission

Matt.28: 18- 20. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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 surly I am with you always to the very end of an age.

3. Evangelism involves sharing the good news.

4. Fellowship involves baptism, which symbolises identification with the Church.

5. Discipleship involves teaching them to obey.

Rick Warren says, ’A great commitment to the great commandment and the great commission will grow a great Church.’

We see that these five principles are embodied in the commandment and the commission.

1.To go is our mandate

Last words of a dying relative are very important. Jesus left us with some last words not dying words because of course he conquered death. The word ‘to go’ in the great commission is present participle in the Greek text it should read as you are going.

Every Christian is commanded to go and share the good news! Not a choice!

It’s very important because it is reiterated no less than five times within the scriptures: Matt.28: 18-20. Mark: 16:15. Luke 24:47-49. John: 29:21. Acts: 8:1

J.Piper said, ‘there are three possibilities with the great commission You can go, You can send. Or you can be disobedient. Ignoring the cause is not a Christian option.

The general election campaigns, leaders hold conferences, laying down their mandates to inspire the party faithful as they go out … speaking to general public to vote to keep their party in power a further 4 years. We also need to know what we have been sent by one who has a far greater mandate than any Prime Minister. His term is eternal, and individuals are voting upon eternal issues when we share this message.

Jimmy Carter recently spoke about mission in his home town over 14 years he had visited 140 homes.

When he was running for political office in 1966 for governor for Georgia, he met 300,000 people to vote for him the comparison struck him 300,000 for me in 3 months/ 140 visits for God in 14 years. What about us what are our statistics for self and God?

2. V18 To ‘go’ in his authority

His authority given by God

Jesus has divine authority as the Son of man which was given to Him by God the Father as a result of His holy life, His atoning death, paying the price for sin and satisfying Gods requirements. God raised Him from the dead and set his seal upon him giving Him all authority in heaven and upon earth.

This authority looked forward to a future fulfilment in Matt.26:64. When he returns. But here we see that fulfilment has already been achieved already. This authority was foretold in: Dan: 7:13-14 Read