The credit goes to: Andy Stanley

My goal: To get you to re-think your thinking about the church

 (Gr.) An assembly or gathering; a congregation

Kirche (Ger.) “The Lord’s house. A holy place.”

No such thing as a kirche: “… the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands.” Acts 7:48 (NLT)

A tough question to ask: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

Even tougher: “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

The ekklesia will not fail! Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church [ekklesia], and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” -Matthew 16:13-18 (NLT)

The Great Commission: Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)

We are commissioned to be His witnesses, everywhere! So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8 (NLT)

The first sermon of the church: “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know…” Acts 2:22 (NLT)

Ouch! “But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.” Acts 2:23 (NLT)

The Good News: “But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.” Acts 2:24 (NLT)

The eyewitnesses agree: “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.” Acts 2:32-33 (NLT)

Just so we are clear: “So…let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:36 (NLT)

Oops! “Brothers, what should we do?” Acts 2:37 (NLT)

Peter replied, “Attend church regularly!”

Seriously... Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins.” Acts 2:38a (NLT)

The promise: “Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38b (NLT)

And it is available for everyone! “This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles - all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:39 (NLT)

On opening day...the first altar-less altar call! Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. Acts 2:40-41 (NLT)