ekklesia:

assembly, gathering, congregation

a movement > a location

a gathering > a hierarchy

the resurrection > something entirely different

Matthew 16:17-18

Acts 1:6-8

Acts 2:22-41

The church is a movement... entrusted with the story of the resurrection and life in Jesus Christ!

Matthew 7:24-29

1) knowledge doubling curve

2) age of acceleration

3) information-to-action ratio

> more information than ever before

>> feel overwhelmed by this information

>>> moved without taking action

JESUS: put it into practice

TRANSFORMATION requires:

> that we put the truth into practice

>> a lifetime of practice

>>> community

INTENTIONAL BIBLICAL COMMUNITY

meaningful relationships with other followers of Jesus

Circles are better than rows.

We all crave relationships.

Our relationship with God develops much like other relationships.

Genesis 21:14-21

Hagar and Ishmael are all alone.

Absence of meaningful communication:

- we don't listen to understand;

- we listen to frame our reply.

In the mirror, you see two things:

1) the Problem

2) the Solution

How to Thrive in the Home:

1) unique role of parents

2) unique challenges of parents

Titus 2:2-4

3) unique promises

Luke 1:35

Where are you going to put God now?

Matthew 7:24-29

...it comes down to what you DO with what you’ve HEARD.

Newbie:

Are you consistently putting yourself in an environment where you are being taught the Word of God in a helpful, practical way so that you can apply it to your everyday life?

Beginner:

A few practical, helpful Biblical principles, when applied to your life, will transform you.

The rest of us:

Are you applying what you hear?

The Power of Association:

Intentional relationships over time = change

WHO do you regularly spend time with?

And when you’re together, HOW do you spend your time?

Psalm 103:1

Matthew 4:8-11

Does worship make a difference?

1) The FOCUS of worship

Everyone is a worshiper.

Worship magnifies!

2) The FORMS of worship

3) The FOREVER of worship

Revelation 7:9-17

4) The FORCE of worship

Joshua

Job

Jehoshaphat

David

Paul & Silas

Jesus

WORSHIP is not a suggestion;

it is a command & an expectation.

WORSHIP doesn't "just happen";

you have to set the table.

Matthew 7:13-14

Deuteronomy 5:33

Isaiah 53:6

**The gate you enter determines the road you end up on, and the trajectory for where you travel.

1) Wide & Narrow

2) Easy & Hard

3) Destruction & Life

4) Many & Few

Matthew 7:15-23

Prophet: True or False?

1) the Life test

2) the Teaching test

Is this teaching moving my heart to obey Jesus' teaching?

Does this make me want to do the will of the Father?

3) the Relationship test

What if we were to do life in such a way where we live in the reality of the Kingdom of God every day, all day long?

Acts 2:1-4, 37-39

1) The PERSON of the Holy Spirit

John 16:7-8, 13-14

Acts 5:3-4

Hebrews 9:14

2) The POWER of the Holy Spirit

He is all-sufficient for:

1, Comfort

2, Crisis

3, Conquest

3) The PROMISE of the Holy Spirit

Beyond your conversion... daily living!

The Sermon on the Mount:

Jesus’ manifesto for a whole new way of being human in the reality of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 7:12

The Greatest Commandment / Jesus is quoting:

Deuteronomy 6:5

Leviticus 19:18

Three Rules:

1) The Iron Rule

2) The Silver Rule

There is a very big difference between not doing something to cause suffering, and doing something to alleviate suffering.

3) The Golden Rule

put another person's well being ahead of your own, even if it comes at great cost to you

Which rule are you living by?

"Familiarity breeds apathy."

What if the Golden Rule became the narrative of your story?

2 lies we believe:

1) The main point of life is to be happy.

Truth: The main point of life is meaning.

2) You have to look out for yourself.

Truth: Live for something else, then you discover happiness.

Matthew 7:7-11

Even when God doesn’t give us what we’re asking for, He will change us in the process.

How do you pray beyond your circumstances?

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Ask God to help you SEE beyond your circumstances.

Ask God to help you PERSEVERE beyond your circumstances.

Ask God to help you fulfill HIS Kingdom.

If you want to thrive, then you need something very important:

The Assurance of Your Salvation

1, The Battle

2, The Basis

- witness of The Word

John 5:24

John 6:47

Romans 8:38-39

John 3:16

- witness of the Spirit of God

Romans 8:16

- witness of a redeemed conscience

3, The Blessings

4, The Bestowal