Acts 1:1-14

The Holy Spirit empowers God’s people to be witnesses of the good news of Jesus Christ, beginning in Jerusalem, then Judea, then Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth.

We can confidently and courageously be witnesses of Jesus by understanding the power, purpose, and plan of the mission God has entrusted to each of us.

Back to Church Sunday is a Sunday of belonging, and together is where we belong. If there was ever any doubt, or any sense of taking it for granted, COVID-19 has reminded us how much we need each other. It has reminded us that we belong in community. Most importantly, it has reminded us that we are stronger together!

Matthew 26:6-13

Tell God about your desire to love the specific person you shared about extravagantly. Ask him to give you ideas and opportunities (and the courage!) to love this person (or a few people) in surprising and extravagant ways.

Matthew 22:33-40

Go to God together and ask him to help you make love more than just a theory in your life. Listen to what he has to say about ways you can move towards a love that looks less clean and more messy. Pray for openness and the courage to turn theory into action, and then go out and do it! Pray through some specific areas or people in your life that feel too safe and clean to be real love, ask God to change your heart and give you the courage to take action this week to make those areas look more like his heart.

A name gives a person value. It’s hard to believe some people have value, isn’t it? But here’s a life-changing statement for us: their lives have the same value as ours. That’s hard to believe sometimes. But it’s true. The world might say otherwise and the crowds might shout something different, but Jesus doesn’t. He knows each of their names and often walks past crowds of people to go have a meal at the house of the one person we struggle to love the most.

He walks past the well-known people to get to the person who appears to be worthless.

Jesus knows our names.

My name.

And yours.

Acts 9:19-31

1. How are we PRACTICING unity with those who are here?

2. How are we ACCEPTING those God is sending us into our unity?

3. How are we INVITING those who aren't here into our unity?

Colossians 3:9-15

God, in the power of the Holy Spirit, has designed and issued a uniform to you. But we still have to make the conscious decision to put it on each morning.

We are called to be clothed in:

- Compassion

- Kindness

- Humility

- Meekness

- Patience

- Love

- Christ

1. Handling Conflict Directly

2. Handling Other People's Concerns

3. Handling Different Convictions

4. Honoring Leaders

5. Upholding Unity

6. Seeking Healing & Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:3-6

1. Unity is a gift from God.

2. Unity is maintained, not created by man.

3. Unity grows over time. (we've had to hit the "reset button" with COVID)

4. Unity is most opposed by pride and self-interest.

5. Unity is a uniquely Christian adornment.

6. Unity requires a doctrinal center--the gospel.

7. Unity does not mean uniformity.

8. Unity depends upon grace and gifts.

9. Unity grows when it is stretched, pressured, and even threatened.

10. Unity glorifies God and attracts unbelievers.

Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37; 5:1-11

Ephesians 4:3-6

- Over the past 6 months, we’ve experienced sickness on a global scale.

- But we can fight spiritual sickness right here in our church/community

- It’s going to take ALL of us working together as ONE