Community & Discipleship

How Does Christ Build His Church (Act. 2:39~47)

2015.09.06Stephen Cha

Christ builds his church by rescuing sinners and making them one family in God, and he sends that family as witnesses to the nations. The church grows through devotion to the gospel of Jesus' death and resurrection, and the Lord adds to its number day by day.

Jesus rescues sinners and makes them part of God's family (38-39)

Jesus builds his church by rescuing sinners. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit convicted the hearers of their sin, and Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Those who turned to Christ received more than forgiveness. The Spirit came to dwell in them, and they were adopted into God's family. The promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.

The church is devoted to the gospel of Jesus and his cross (42-43)

The first thing the church devoted itself to was the apostles' teaching, and that teaching was about who Jesus is. He is the promised Messiah, the one who died for us, and in his death all the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled. Fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer all flowed from knowing the gospel. As believers grew deeper in understanding Christ's cross and resurrection, they experienced the nearness of God, and wonders and signs followed. Knowing Jesus must come before our activities.

Gospel-shaped love makes the church a family and a witness (44-46)

Those who believed held all things in common, and they sold their possessions to meet the needs of others. Their life grew in two directions. Upward, they loved God and his Word more deeply. Inward, they shared their lives together as brothers and sisters from many places. Because of this, they also found favor with outsiders, who saw that Jesus was the reason for their love. The church is called to be a witnessing body that shows the gospel through its life together.

The Lord adds to his church and sends his people to the nations (47)

The Lord, who is sovereign and Lord over all, added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Preaching was the means, but Jesus himself was at work, raising up leaders and blessing the church. Even when persecution scattered believers, Jesus sent them to new places with the gospel so that more people could hear and be added. Jesus builds his church by sending his people to wherever the gospel must be heard.

Belong, become like Christ, and bless the city and the nations

Our mission is to help you belong to the church community, become like Christ, and bless the city and the nations. For belonging, we will strengthen small groups and pastoral care so that no one is left without someone to pray with them. For becoming like Christ, we will offer discipleship pathways, including one-to-one mentoring, faith at work, and servant leadership. For blessing the city, we will create more chances to serve, pray, and share the gospel. Even if we fail along the way, we will grow together as a church that is a blessing.

Apply to Life

  • Let us make the gospel of Jesus' death and resurrection the center of our lives every day.
  • Let us find a small group and a church family where we can truly belong, pray together, and share our decisions.
  • Let us grow as disciples by joining one-to-one mentoring and the core classes that are offered.
  • Let us take the next step to serve, pray, and share the gospel at work and in the city, even when we feel unready.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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