A Common Faith

Church Growth God’s Way [Acts 2:42] They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. What does it take to become a community of believers who are united in truth and in deed? What does it take to become a healthy body of believers who want to do church God’s way? The answer is here in this one verse – four components the early church focused on in order to become a healthy body that continued to grow. Here they are: Teaching (Doctrine) Fellowship [koinonia] Communion [a service] Prayer [a pouring out] What was the result can be seen in the following verses [Acts 2:43-47]. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe [God’s power was at work]. The apostles performed many signs and wonders [God authenticated their/ His message.] All those who had believed were together and had all things in common [God unified them]. ‘Church’ was a place where believers came together and had all things in common. And what happened as a result of that? They began selling their property and possessions and shared them with those in need. They worshipped together in the temple and together in their homes [Communion]. They ate together genuinely and with gladness. They were praising God wherever they went. Verse 47 tells us two amazing things many church growth experts seem to miss: They were (continuously) having favor with all the people [even unbelievers]. The Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Their love for each other spread out into the community to where those outside the church were also affected and amazed. In Jn 17:23, Jesus prayed the following prayer to The Father-- “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” Scripture teaches us that it is inward growth that leads to outward growth. It also reminds us that outward growth is not our doing! Who added to their number daily those who were being saved? There’s even another component that indirectly was very evident – the apostle’s leadership. The congregation of believers continually devoted themselves steadfastly persistently, consistently, with conviction, unwaveringly, unfalteringly, loyally and faithfully to the apostle’s teaching. That was and still is the responsibility of the flock. The responsibility of the apostles (leaders, shepherds) was to uncompromisingly teach the truth according to God’s Word, which means to teach it as Jesus Himself did. Jesus was and is about truth…the whole truth. The Holy Spirit Himself is called The Spirit of Truth? Many times (in Scripture), Jesus expressed these 5 words – I tell you the truth. We are called to proclaim the truth…God’s truth! As Paul directed young Timothy – Preach The Word! [2Tim 3]. It’s all right in here in this one verse – how to do church, how to be the church, how to grow as the church. Together, let’s be the church that Christ created!

Looking Ahead Last week, I introduced the upcoming weekly studies for our Sunday and Wednesday gatherings. Below is a brief overview of each study so we can all know what to expect over the next couple of months. Sunday Mornings – The Book of Acts Theme: Being the Church Christ Created To tell God’s story! It is His-Story of the Gospel…told His way for His church! Together, we will seek God’s purpose and process for how HE wants His church to function. Sunday Evenings – Revelation 1–3 Theme: The Revelation of Christ [from and about Him]. Jesus is the main character in His-story. Jesus Christ in His glory – who He is; what He is able to do; and how HE is worthy of our worship. Revelation is viewed by many as a mystery. It’s not! It’s an unveiling of a mystery! It’s not just a book about end time events (those don’t happen until chapter 4)! The Book of Revelation… Reveals Jesus in His glory (Transfiguration) – as He was before; as He is after; as He is now – on His throne! Reveals God’s warning to His church of the danger of sin…and our need for His correction Reveals the end of human history…as Christ (The Messiah) comes in glory to set up His earthly reign Reveals the ultimate victory of Christ over all opposition – human and demonic Reveals the new heaven and the new earth…and the eternal joy of all the saints Wednesday Evenings – Job 1–2 Theme: Letting God be God Subtheme: Answering life’s toughest questions Job is the oldest book in Scripture. Chaps 1-2 reveal to us how we are to fear God and shun evil (just as Job did). The rest of the book reveals (at times) how God will and does allow us to suffer. God will also allow Satan opportunities to test our love, devotion and commitment to Christ. Thus, we must learn to accept our suffering and allow it to draw us closer to God and who HE is. It is our choice to not question and blame God – doing so, causes us to wander further away. This study will be heavily “inspired” by Ray Stedman’s book – Let God Be God. I’m excited for what God has in store for us through these powerful studies. Let's come ready to learn, grow, and be transformed. Pastor Damon May 14 Psalm 101, Pt 3 May 18 Morning: Acts Intro Evening: Revelation Intro Wednesday, May 21 Job Intro May 25 Morning: Luke 24:45-46 Evening: Rev 1 May 28 Job 1

2025 Vision [Prov 29:18]  Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. [KJV] Through the years, Prov 29:18 has been used in order to help establish a particular vision for ministry. While it is wise to do this, in its proper context, this verse can communicate to us something far deeper. Literally, the Hebrew word for vision means: divine revelation; prophesy; a word from God. With this in mind, a better way to state the first part of this verse is: Apart from The Word of God , the people perish. That’s a terrifying truth! Another important word in the beginning of this verse some translate as perish . Its literal meaning is: to be loosed ; to go one’s own way ; without restraint . Some modern translations have chosen to translate this verse with a heavy emphasis on without restraint . For instance, the New Living translation translates the verse this way -- When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. While this can be true, the NLT does seem to go more the extreme route. The Amplified Bible takes these two important Hebrew words and carefully translates Prov 29:18 this way: Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His Word], the people are unrestrained. This proverb is very similar to how the author of Judges sums up his entire book-- In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes [Jdg 21:25]. When there is no recognized authority, most will choose to live however they want – unrestrained . Isn’t this one of the overall issues that we all deal with in our Christian walk? How are we to walk in a way to where God and His Word are our overall authority? Simply, we must allow Him to be. We cannot follow His Word properly unless we seek to know it fully. That’s why the second part of this verse says – But blessed is the one who keeps the law. To be ‘blessed’ by God is more than just happy (as most translations translate it). It is receiving God’s very best – His precious presence and the confidence that comes with knowing that He is pleased with and by how we live. As Gotquestions . com states – “We are blessed when we keep God’s directives . ” To begin the process of seeking God’s vision for Judson in 2025 and beyond, let’s lay our groundwork in and from God’s Word. Who does God say that HE says He is? And who are we to be (as His church)? The oldest book in Scripture is the book of Job. In the first two chapters, The Spirit of God reveals to us how we are to fear Him and shun evil (just as Job did). The rest of the book reveals that (at times) God will allow us to suffer and will also allow Satan opportunities to test our love, devotion and commitment to Him. As a result, we must learn to accept our suffering and allow it to draw us closer to God and who HE is instead of choosing to question and blame Him, which causes us to wander further away from Him. The last book in the Bible is Revelation. The first chapter of this book describes to us Jesus in His Divine state. The next two chapters are God’s letters of judgment to His churches, and the remaining chapters outline God’s judgment of the world. Yes, Jesus is returning to get us (His church). Yet, Scripture reveals the main reason He will come again is to judge; and His judgment begins with His church [chs 2-3]. In order to prepare us to discern what God’s overall vision is for us at Judson Baptist, it is necessary to know what it means to be “His” church. This is the theme of the book of Acts. We are taught how the church was born and how it grew. And in this, we are given our “duty” as redeemed Christians – to be the church Christ created. ‘Be’ must come before ‘say.’ We must first be what we are called to proclaim . Here is what I am proposing for our weekly studies (3 total) - - Sunday mornings -- the book of Acts (beginning with Lk 24) Sunday evenings -- Rev 1-3 Wednesday evenings -- Job 1-2 Pastor Damon

Luke 15:11-32

Judge Not? [Mt 7:1-2]