'If you haven't found something worth dying for, you haven't found something worth living for.' Much like today the early church experienced opposition to the gospel. In Acts 7 we hear about Stephen, a martyr who died because he was unashamed of declaring the goodness and promises of God. For many of us there is not an immediate threat of death if we share the gospel with those around us. But perhaps there is a threat to our pride, our reputation, our image. In those moments we ask ourselves 'is it worth it?'. For many of us the answer is yes, because we have not found something, but someone worth dying for. 

Conversations About Race is an ongoing series of discussions with members of Open Heaven about racism in the UK, their experiences, and how we can be an inclusive church community. In this episode, Joe speaks to students Michael and Renae about their reaction to George Flyod's death, the #BlackLivesMatter movement and their experiences growing up in the UK education system.

Empowerment is one of our values at Open Heaven. Much like the early church we believe giving people opportunities to step into their calling and develop their gifts is crucial to outworking the Kingdom of God. This is not a mission for the few. We all have unique skills to contribute to the community. We all have a part to play.

Our prayers can resonate. They resonate when they are in line with the plans and purposes God has for the world. When they are in line with His will they have the power to shake and break strongholds and bring about His kingdom on earth. It doesn't matter how loud or eloquent our prayers are because we pray in Jesus' name. It is by Jesus' authority, His power, that these prayers are answered. So how do we pray these kind of powerful prayers?

In this episode Ness speaks to John and Sheryl about their experiences of racism in the UK and abroad, and how we can be a welcoming and diverse church community. 

In chapter 4 of Acts we find the priests and teachers of the law in Jerusalem conflicted. They know a great miracle has happened, but when they look at Peter and John they see ordinary, unschooled men. How could they have healed a man? The answer is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave them the boldness to declare healing and the courage to proclaim Jesus Christ as saviour to thousands. God chooses to work with 'ordinary' people, and He wants to fill us with the Holy Spirit over and over again. 

The early church was not a philosophy of goodness with no power. They actively declared healing over people in the faith and knowledge that as we partner with the Holy Spirit's power, we release healing in our lives and the lives of others. It is not just physical healing either. Jesus forgives us, healing deep emotional wounds and making us whole where we have been shattered. We don't need to beg and plead for this restoration. We declare God's goodness with confidence because His character is one of healing.

For the early church community wasn't just about attending the same event every week. Being in community meant being in each other's lives throughout the week, sharing thoughts and possessions, being available and accessible, and supporting one another practically and in prayer. However, this model is not meant to be exclusive. As churches met in homes, others were invited in to experience the warmth and generosity of community. Multiplication was the goal, and still is today.   

The realities of living in community are often a little messy. Bringing together various personality types and opinions into one group doesn't come without its challenges. Yet this is the kind of group Jesus chose to spend His time with. He intentionally brought together 12 disciples with different backgrounds and over time He reformed and reordered their ideas by giving them a Kingdom perspective. There is a gap between the messy reality and the ideal of community, and discipleship happens in the middle. Are you prepared to open yourself up to discipleship today? 

Resurrection is a persistent and predominant theme running throughout the Book of Acts. It’s inescapable. The apostles come back time and time again to the resurrection of Jesus. It’s as if it is the most prominent thing on their mind. In this passage Peter explains the coming of the Holy Spirit through the resurrection of Jesus, retelling His story in the process. Imagine you had been there, living and following Jesus, witnessing his incredible life and ministry, weeping with the other believers over his death when suddenly he is once again alive. Of course you would tell and retell that story over and over again.