September 10-11, 2005, Selected

DIVINE DESIGN!
DESIGNED TO BE DYNAMIC!

*** Jeremiah 31:33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the Lord. "I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.." [NLT]
*** Daniel 2:44-45 "During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed; no one will ever conquer it. It will shatter all these kingdoms into nothingness, but it will stand forever. That is the meaning of the rock cut from the mountain by supernatural means, crushing to dust the statue…. God has shown…what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its meaning is certain." [New Living Translation]
*** Acts 1:3 “After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” [New International Version]
*** Acts 1:8 “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." [NIV]
*** Acts 1:15 “In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)” [NIV]
*** Acts 2:1 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” [NIV]
*** Acts 2:36-40 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 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."
*** Acts 2:41 “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” [NIV] Now…3,120 + maybe
*** Acts 2:42-47 “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.” [NIV]

FIVE PURPOSES FOR THE CHURCH!
*** Acts 2:42-47 “They devoted themselves to…to the fellowship,…. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” [NIV]

GOD DESIGNED THE CHURCH TO BE DYNAMIC AND THAT MEANS:
1. THE CORE – EVANGELISM or MISSION!
*** Mark 1:38 “Jesus replied, "We must go to the nearby towns, so that I can tell the good news to those people. This is why I have come." [Contemporary English Version]
*** Luke 19:10 “The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.” [CEV]
*** Matthew 28:19 “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….” [NIV]
*** Acts 1:8 “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." [NIV]

LOST PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD!

A CORE VALUE OF CHANDLER CHRISTIAN CHURCH IS EVANGELISM or MISSION!

*** Acts 18:9 “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, "Don't be afraid! Speak out! Don't be silent!” [NLT]

HOMEWORK: INTERCESSION & INVITATION!
_______________ ______________ ______________ ______________

2. THE COMMUNITY – FELLOWSHIP or MEMBERSHIP!
*** Acts 2:42, 44, 46 “They devoted themselves to…the fellowship… [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [46] They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts….” [NIV]
*** 1 Peter 3:8 “And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.” [Living Bible]

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS ABOUT BELIEVING AND BELONGING!
*** 1 Tim. 3:14-15 “I am writing these things to you….so you will know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God….” [New Century Version]

IN A FELLOWSHIP THERE ARE PRIVILEGES AND OBLIGATIONS!

- ATTENDANCE! - Hebrews 10:25 “Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other….” [CEV]
- SERVICE! - Galatians 6:10 “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.” [NCV]
- GIVING! - Romans 12:13 “Share what you have with God's people who are in need.” [God’s Word to the Nations]
SMALL GROUPS!

HOMEWORK: GET CONNECTED!

EVANGELISM/MISSION! and FELLOWSHIP/MEMBERSHIP!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Eph. 3:20-21 [NIV]