2. Various ways to grow the church

5. Fletcher

7. How did it all start?

8. The Story (overview) Peter
Before Jesus died Jesus promised Peter he would be the rock upon which Jesus would build his church
Jesus died
Jesus rose
Jesus forgives Peter for denying Him
Jesus leaves earth
For days, Peter tries to figure it all out
The Holy Spirit whom Jesus had predicted showed up
Peter establishes the church in a sermon

9. 1. Who do you say that I am?
Before Jesus died Jesus promised Peter he would be the rock upon which Jesus would build his church
Peter looking back, remembers a retreat

10. Mt 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; NIV

11. 1. Who do you say that I am?
Before Jesus died Jesus promised Peter he would be the rock upon which Jesus would build his church
Remembers a retreat
“Thou art the Christ; the son of the living God”
You are Peter(petros- the rock) and on this rock I will build my church.
The confession
Someday Peter you will establish my church

12. 2. Jesus came through on His promise
Jesus died
Jesus rose
Jesus forgives Peter for denying Him
Just before Jesus leaves earth
He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit

13. Acts 1:6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

14. 2. Jesus came through on His promise
The coming of the Holy spirit is linked to spreading the story
When the Holy Spirit comes
You will be my witnesses
Close by
Further out
Really far away
Many don’t want to make the presence of the Holy Spirit about spreading the gospel
People want the Holy Spirit to infill and comfort
Pentecost or Shavuot has many names in the Bible (the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Harvest, and the Latter Firstfruits). Celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover, Shavuot is traditionally a joyous time of giving thanks and presenting offerings for the new grain of the summer wheat harvest in Israel.
The name "Feast of Weeks" was given because God commanded the Jews in Leviticus 23:15-16, to count seven full weeks (or 49 days) beginning on the second day of Passover, and then present offerings of new grain to the Lord as a lasting ordinance.

15. 2. Jesus came through on His promise
Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

16. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” NIV

17. 2. Jesus came through on His promise
He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit just as he leaves
The Holy Spirit came with power
People from all nations heard the message in their own language
How have you called upon the Holy Spirit in your life?
Is it to help you and better your life?
Is it to help you have courage and power to step out of your comfort zone to tell people about Jesus
Think of people all the people groups who need Jesus
Story of Dwight and Barbara Gradin
Heros of the faith
Wycliff bible translators
Viet nam
Learn the language of the Je people
Translate new testament into their language and their text
Write it down
Convert the chief of the tribe
Due to war, had to leave
Able to go back recently
Hundreds of people in the Je tribe are following Jesus

18. 2. Jesus came through
Think of people all the people groups who need Jesus
Social groups
Political groups
Nationalities
Have you spent any time learning their culture and language?
What “language” do they speak?
What is offensive to them? What do we say/do that hurts?
What opens doors?
It is offensive for Christians to dump their culture onto another culture assuming they “should learn our ways.”
Story of Dwight and Barbara Gradin
Heros of the faith
Wycliff bible translators
Viet nam
Learn the language of the Je people
Translate new testament into their language and their text
Write it down
Convert the chief of the tribe
Due to war, had to leave
Able to go back recently
Hundreds of people in the Je tribe are following Jesus

19. EVERY PERSON NEEDS JESUS!

20. 2. Jesus came through Rather than… Ask yourself…
Being angry at a group of people about…
Social issues
Politics
Sexual identities
immigration
Ask yourself…
What will it take for this group of people to hear the gospel through me?
How do they feel? Alone, picked on, targeted?
What presuppositions are key in their outlook on life?
How do I love them?

21. GOD IS BRINGING THE WORLD TO OUR DOORSTEP

22. 3. Peter becomes the foundation of the church
For days, Peter tries to figure it all out
The Holy Spirit whom Jesus had predicted showed up
Peter establishes the church in a sermon
“with many words”

23. Acts 2:23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead…
36 “ …Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

24. Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. NIV

25. 3. Peter becomes the foundation of the church
For days, Peter tries to figure it all out
The Holy Spirit whom Jesus had predicted showed up
Peter establishes the church in a sermon
“with many words”
Recalls the words “Who do you say that I am?”
Courageously points the finger “ this Jesus whom you crucified”
Lord- the one I bow down to
Messiah the promised one from God

26. 4. Peter creates the admission requirements for the church
Peter establishes the church in a sermon
Repent – Admit sin
Ask forgiveness
Receive forgiveness
Be baptized
Identify with Jesus
The church was born

27. So What? We live in a culture that lumps all religions in a pool
Who makes up the Church of Jesus Christ?
Beyond denominations
Built on the question “Who do you say that I am?”
a. crucified/raised to life
b. Lord
33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
c. Messiah

28. So What? d. repent e. be baptized
f. Acts 4:12 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people… 11 Jesus is…“‘the stone you builders rejected,     which has become the cornerstone.’12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Not about denominations
Who do YOU say that He is?