Most people understand being a “good Christian” as following Jesus, knowing Jesus, and relating to Jesus. This has led many people to the (wrong) conclusion that they can be a “good Christian” without being connected to a church. Today, 80 percent of Americans say they can be what Jesus intended them to be without being connected to a church, a body of believers. The truth is, Jesus lived and breathed and did everything He could to create a community of people called the church.
- Ephesians 1 says He rules all things for the church.
- John 17 says He sanctified Himself for the church.
The church is a big mess with all kinds of craziness, but we can’t get rid of it, because Jesus died and rose for it.
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.
