Family Chapel

In our cultural moment, there is a deep suspicion of all kinds of institutions and authorities - whether the government, corporations, the media, and even the church. But God in His goodness and wisdom has designated elders to exercise leadership in the church. Elders in the church are shepherds of the flock, who are to have the character qualities of personal integrity, missional intensity, faithful longevity, and joyful generosity. And as shepherds, elders have been entrusted with the ministry responsibilities of leading, protecting, and teaching the church. In so doing, these shepherds of the flock look like and lead like the True Shepherd - Jesus Christ.

As Paul continues to carry out ministry in Ephesus, he gets to see true revival break out. In our passage, we see that true revival is a supernatural act of God’s sovereign grace which exalts the name of Jesus and challenges the strongholds of culture that brings real life change, but also stirs up spiritual backlash. As we are coming out of this strange season of isolation and disruption, may we seek God's face to bring true revival in our own lives, our church community, and in our city!

Following Athens, Paul does ministry in two other strategic cities, Corinth and Ephesus, for the sake of gospel expansion as his second missionary journey ends and he transitions to his third. WIthin the fast paced narrative of Paul's missionary journeys, the author Luke makes sure to show that the gospel mission is not just conversion, but rather making disciples. In this passage, we are introduced to Priscilla and Aquila, Apollos, and the disciples of John who all illustrate the work of discipleship. In the same way, the commission and mandate for us still stands, Family Chapel is to make disciples for the sake of the gospel mission and the strength and health of our church.

After making his way through Macedonia, Paul eventually arrives in Athens. While in Athens, Paul is deeply moved by the city because it is filled with idolatry. He ends up confronting the rampant idolatry by pointing people to the God who is greater. As we find ourselves tempted to find our ultimate meaning, hope, or identity in various idols, we too need to turn away from our idolatry and turn to our God who is greater.

As Paul continues his second missionary journey, he wants to break new ground in Asia Minor, which made sense both geographically and strategically. But he is constantly blocked by the Holy Spirit and he ends up being redirected to a completely different region - Macedonia. And like Paul, we too can face unplanned obstacles in life that derail our plans. So, how should we view these unplanned obstacles? Well, we see that under God's sovereignty, these unplanned obstacles are actually unexpected opportunities for the unstoppable Gospel to advance. Rather than complaining about our failed plans, we ought to see what God is doing through His plan and faithfully move forward in obedience.

In the narrative, we see several big decisions made all for the sake of the Gospel. Jewish leaders decide to put aside their own people's self interests for the sake of the Gospel and the Gentiles are asked to observe ritual observances for the sake of Gospel fellowship. Paul and Barnabas part ways each for the their own purpose for the sake of the Gospel. And lastly Timothy is circumcised for the sake of the Gospel. As we look to be a missional church prioritizing the work and leading of the Holy Spirit, we will be asked to also adjust, face discomfort, and make sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel. And in the end, our hope is that God will receive the glory due from Family Chapel.

Paul and Barnabas embark on their first missionary journey, traveling through Cyprus, Pamphylia, and Galatia. As they carry the Gospel overseas to different peoples and places, we can glean some important strategies for contextualizing the Gospel. To communicate the Gospel in ways that make sense to others, we need to recognize relevant pain points, present acceptable evidence, and give an appropriate call for response. While the Gospel we present must never change, how we present the Gospel must change for each unique context.

The church in Antioch serves as a great missional hub that sends out Paul and Barnabas to carry out the Gospel on their first missionary journey. Through Antioch, we see some of the foundational pieces of being a sending church. A sending church is founded on God's Word. A sending church is fueled by God's glory. And a sending church commissions God's people. God has called every local church to engage in his great global mission as they faithfully engage as senders.

Our culture and society (even many Christians) seek to find meaning, purpose, and identity in our success and achievements. Therefore, both successes and failures are tremendous threats to our lives without the guiding truth of the gospel. We will explore these dangers of success, failure, and shame in the story of Abraham's family line, particularly focusing on Jacob, Leah and Rachel (Gen 27-33). Then we will see how the Gospel brings new identity (answering our shame) and new purpose (answering our drive) that gives us a solid rock on which to stand no matter what our lives may bring.

In our cultural moment, we are in a place where the self has been psychologized, our psychology has been sexualized, and our sexuality has been politicized. As such, our sexuality is a self-created identity that must not just be tolerated but celebrated. But in this confusing cultural moment, the Gospel brings clarity by upholding God's good design for sexuality and by redeeming us of our sexual brokenness through the work of Christ. Furthermore, the Gospel empowers us to love our neighbors well in their sexual brokenness as we seek to build the kind of community that embodies the grace and truth that is found in Jesus Christ.