We believed the lie that church was just a

commodity to be consumed.

Church isn’t a building. Church is a gathering.

1. Ekklesia is community. Acts 2:42 NIV; Acts 2:43-47 TPT

• Teaching—an act of sharing

• Fellowship—an act of relationship

• Breaking Bread—an act of intimacy

• Prayer—an act of connection also...

• Radical Generosity

• Daily Meetings

• Worship

2. Ekklesia is of the Spirit. Matthew 25:1-13 NIV

• Oil = Holy Spirit

• Light = Gifts of the Spirit

Summary: Ekklesia is a community of the Spirit.

The tsunami is presence and power.

Like a tsunami, the presence and power of God will bring:

1. Death Isaiah 6:1-6

• The tsunami will demand that you die to the prejudice of who you think you are.

2. Life John 4:5-10

• “Living Water” is vital for your life.

3. Invitation Isaiah 55:1-2

• Come to the water.

NEXT STEPS:

̈ Today I’m asking Jesus to save me for the first time.

̈ I sense Jesus asking my to die to something in my life. (Optional:

what specifically?)

̈ I need the living water that Jesus is offering.

̈ I’m accepting the invitation to “come to the water” today. (Optional: what does that mean for you?)

1 | GREATER FAITH - Hebrews 11:1-12:2

BIG IDEA | Greater faith shifts the way in which we see.

Hebrews 11:1

Greater faith shifts the way in which we see:

1. Our God Hebrews 11:3, 5

2. Ourselves Hebrews 11:24-27

3. Our Circumstances Hebrews 11:13; 12:1-2; 11:6

Greater Faith Benefits:

• Helps us to see again (v. 1)

• Changes our perspective (v. 3)

• Opens our eyes to beauty and wonder (v. 3)

• Opens our eyes to opportunity (v. 4)

• Opens the door to intimacy with God (vs. 5; 6)

• Gives strength to persevere (v. 7)

• Gives courage to do new things (v. 8)

• Lends capacity to endure, no matter what (v. 9)

• Lends hope (v. 10)

• Provides belief for the impossible (vs. 11; 12)

• Provides belief for a better story for ourselves and others

• Offers optimism—the belief for God’s promises being fulfilled (vs. 17-22)

• Rescues individuals who then rescue nations (vs. 23-27) • Opens the way for miracles to take place (vs. 28-29)

• Tears down obstacles (v. 30)

• Provides escape (v. 31)

• Builds champions (vs. 32-38) with the power to: o Conquer kingdoms

o Establish true justice

o Shut the mouths of lions

o Extinguish the fire of enemies

o Escape from death by sword

o Go from weak to strong

o Make battle-ready warriors who then draw upon angelic ranks with which to war

o Enable mothers to see their dead children raised back to life

o Endure great suffering

o Keep the hidden (the unknown) alive

BIG IDEA | Jesus is greater than the power of death at work in your life.

Hebrews 10:19-20; Matthew 27:50-52

GOD | Hebrews 10:22-23

1. Come Closer

2. Cling to Hope

ONE ANOTHER | Hebrews 10:24-25

3. Cheer one another on

4. Come together

NEXT STEPS

• Today I’m asking Jesus to save me for the first time.

• Strategies I’m employing for coming closer to God: (What?)

• Strategies I’m employing for clinging to hope: (What?)

• This week I will cheer somebody on: (Who? When?)

• Stategies I’m employing for coming together with my church family: (What?)

DIGGING DEEPER (Groups)

1. How did you celebrate Easter this year? What will you remember about Easter this year?

2. What did you learn about the temple veil from this study?

3. What keeps us from coming close to God? How can we overcome those barriers?

4. What tends to kill hope in our lives? How can we cling more tightly to hope?

5. Who has cheered YOU on this week? Who have you encouraged? Who needs your encouragement at this time?

6. How are you coming together with God’s people? Are there people missing that you usually fellowship with? How can you reach out to them?

7. Pray together!