Acts 2:42-47

Beginning of the church Church - Ekklesia: Gathering of people/assembly

Matthew 16: 13-20

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Jesus was building a people not a

Not a building

Not a program

Not an activity

Devoted to the apostles’ teaching

Fellowship

Communion

Prayer

Hindrances

• God’s Word - Devotion to other things

• Fellowship - Fear of being known - exposing needs/ sharing

• Communion - Individualism I don’t need others. I am better by myself

• Prayer - BUSY Don’t think it is necessary or does anything

EMPOWERED BY HOLY SPIRIT. - Not meant to do on our own power…

• Daily encounter in God’s Word - plan Bible Project, Lectio 365, Bible App

• Being Known - Commitment to DNA regularly knowing others, others knowing you

• Communion with God - Be still and Know. Wait on the Lord.

• Communion with others - MC Meals and other life together

• Prayer - Corporate, On your own, spouse, family, others. Pray for people to be saved… God can do it….