The early church father Augustine once said the real problem we have in our lives is not the rules we are breaking or not breaking, but “inordinate love,” meaning we love the wrong things...or even love the right things wrongly. As an example, you can love your nation (which can be a good thing), but if you love your nation more than anything in the world (including God), that can lead to racism and militarism. Augustine says there isn’t anything wrong with loving your nation; it’s when we love God less than anything else (children, job, spouse). He says the only way that we will ever be healed is if we love God more than anything (including ourselves).
The book of Acts is not the “beginning” of the “church,” it is about God’s continuing mission in the world. There has only ever been one plan, God’s. In this series of the book of Acts we hope to do three main things: 1) To see the continuing mission of God as He brings to fulfilment His church, 2) That people would have a good idea what to look for in a church if/when they transition out of our town (or church), 3) Create a deeper understanding that when we live on mission for Jesus, we won’t understand everything He is doing, but we can trust Him.
