“What Shall We Do?” Acts 2:37-47
My early childhood years were spent in a small crossroad community. Our neighborhood wasn’t culturally diverse, but we were religiously diverse.
We neighborhood children would often play church.
We agreed on many things … there should be a sermon, Lord’s Prayer (we argued about transgressions vs. debts), there had to be an offering.
But there were also great theological discussions – the ones that 7 year olds can have. Baptism was a point of contention. We discussed infant baptism verses believer baptism, methods from sprinkling to pouring to immersion. Theological differences run deep – even in children.
We found ourselves at the local farm pond. After we had baptized each other a number of times, our congregation grew to include the neighborhood pets. Of course, we didn’t want heathen pets. The dogs were generally submissive, but the cats presented a challenge. They didn’t seem to mind sprinkling too much; pouring was about acceptable. Immersion presented the real challenge.
Harry was the Baptist preacher’s kid, so he was nominated to immerse the first cat. Determination paid off and he managed, with much difficulty, to baptize one cat.
We walked Harry home (because he couldn’t see too well out of his left eye and his arms and face were bleeding and clothes torn). We got a little more adult supervision after that.
In our simplistic childish practical theological viewpoints we reached a couple of decisions:
Baptism should be a voluntary & personal decision.
Cats are pagans.
PENTECOST
Acts chapter 2 tells us about the first Christian Day of Pentecost – when the church was born.
120 men and women went out of the upper room and preached the gospel, in different languages, giving their testimony, sharing their faith.
As Acts 1:8 says – they became “witnesses” for Jesus
After they spoke, Peter gave an open air sermon – how did the people in the crowd respond?
The gospel message evokes a wide variety of responses.
During my missionary work in Latin America, I preached in many public squares and open air meetings.
The people responded in many ways.
Some ignore you
Some wonder why you would do such a thing (curiosity)
Publicly mock you
I remember one meeting, a young man, Segundo, came and asked “¿Y, que es lo que quiere que haga?” What do you want me to do?
The response is the same as 2000 years ago: repent (inward sign) and be baptized (outward sign)
In Acts 2 … The people responded … with the heart and the head.
1. They were “cut to the heart” – an emotional response
This is a graphic phrase – healing is needed!
It presents an open wound – you can’t ignore it
Spiritual surgery is needed – that’s what Jesus does best! He heals the broken heart.
2. They asked a question “What shall we do?” – a practical (rational) response
There was a need to act on the feeling
You cannot not do something – the gospel demands a response
Peter told them – Repent and be baptized
First Repent = change, heart and mind (inward sign)
Second Be Baptized = show the world (outward sign of a changed heart)
RESULTS
When people respond, things happen.
Segundo responded to the invitation to repent and be baptized, and he is the leader of a struggling congregation that just completed 18 years of ministry in a community that doesn’t want people to accept Jesus.
Obvious Result #1 – numerical growth
2:41 - More than 3000 were added to their number that day
2:47 – And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved
A healthy church continues to present the gospel to every generation … and baptize new believers.
When a church stops sharing the gospel message – it becomes a club, another organization, etc.
Obvious Result #2 – changed lives
This was not just the recording of names in a book in heaven (a heavenly membership record), assuring these folks of an eternal destiny, it meant “repentance” = a release from living for self to living for God and others. It changed their lives.
A group of people divided by language and culture were brought together in the church. And they acted very differently than before – because they had repented, changed.
V. 2:42 – a spiritual unity
People who didn’t care to learn about God before … spent time learning (devoted themselves to the apostles teaching)
People who normally wouldn’t socialize together … spent time together (fellowship, breaking of bread)
People who normally wouldn’t share the same religious values … spent time in prayer
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE DEMANDS AN ANSWER
A very sad time for me in Bolivia was the memorial service for Pastor Romolo Tirado. He was electrocuted while standing in a baptistery at the beginning of a baptism service. They had just set-up a new sound system and he was using an ungrounded microphone. No one was baptized that day.
During the memorial service, one by one, the baptismal candidates came forward to declare their decision to proclaim publically their faith and follow Jesus in baptism.
After that many others came forward, accepting Christ. Many said, “I don’t want the pastor to die in vain.” And, “I don’t want Jesus to have died in vain.”
There was unexpected revival. And the Lord added to their number that day.
THE GOSPEL DEMANDS A RESPONSE
What is your response?
What do you say to Jesus?
Yes – No (check one)
No response is as good as a “no” response.
I showed the children a picture of Jesus’ Baptism. I gave them copies to take home and color.
The coloring book artist’s rendition showed Jesus, standing in water and in front of John the Baptist (I refer to him as John the Anabaptist).
Over their head was a dove – God’s Spirit (represents God’s presence). It lets us know that God brings peace, love, provision, all we need for our lives to be whole.
There were lines (rays) coming down from above. The scripture says there was a voice from heaven: “This is my son, whom I love. He makes me happy.”
We become God’s children when we accept Jesus. God loves us, and God wants us to make him happy, like Jesus made God happy.
Galatians 3:26-27 “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
God said to Jesus: “this is my son, I love him; he makes me happy.”
God loves us. So much that he sent Jesus (John 3:16).
What is our response to God’s love?
Following Jesus will make God happy. It'll make you happy too.
[Note: from what I understand, life is better when God is happy with us. Today we won’t talk about what life’s like when God’s not happy with us. But it’s worth thinking about.]
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for August 3, 2008
“Jesus Empowers His Disciples for Ministry”
John 20:19-23
Maybe you heard …
A mother took her child to visit a formal liturgical church. The lights were lowered and the priest came down the isle carrying lighted candles. All was quiet until the little girl started singing “Happy Birthday to you ….”
Birthdays remind us that we’re getting older.
This week our congregation celebrates 99 years in this building. (I don’t’ think anyone here was present on that first Sunday meeting in this place)
Why did the ministry continue?
It was handed on to the next generation.
The next generation was trained and prepared.
The next generation was trusted with the work.
What is the future of Maple Grove?
It depends on us … and how we do ministry … and how we empower the next generation for ministry.
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT
To see why some churches grow and others do not, a major study was undertaken world wide. (About 12 years ago Natural Church Development was first published.) It was the most comprehensive research ever done on churches – thousands of churches, in every part of the world were studied.
It was found that the emphasis should not be on developing growth (principles), but on developing healthy qualities for churches to grow (both spiritually and in number)
We want to be a healthy church!
The study revealed 8 qualities or characteristics of healthy churches. We are on a journey to look at these qualities and look at ourselves to see how we use these qualities in our church.
Last week we began our consideration of the first of these quality characteristics of a healthy church: A healthy church has leadership that empowers the members for ministry.
We want to be healthy – we want to be a healthy church.
Jesus and the disciples are an example; they were together for three years of training, preparation, etc.
After the resurrection … Jesus was going to leave … And he was going to leave the continuation of his ministry in the hands of his disciples.
That’s the context of today’s scripture passage
THE PURPOSE OF LEADERSHIP
Last week’s scripture: (let’s review)
Ephesians 4:12 – “to prepare God’s people for works of service”
Prepare = “katartizo” (Greek)
Pastor Neilson Asis is director of the “Katartizo” Healing and Discipleship Center
Uses of the word in the Greco-Roman world:
Medical term – “setting of a broken bone”
In the New Testament – Jesus used the term (MT. 4:21 James & John were “preparing” their nets when Jesus called them) – “mending broken nets” “preparing them for service”
Paul (Gal 6:1) – restoration
Heb 13:20-21 – equip
1 Peter 5:10 – to perfect
Paul was telling the Church in Ephesus that Jesus gives the church leaders for a purpose:
Leaders are to heal, mend, restore, equip, perfect
Leadership is a very personal and intimate ministry!
LEADERSHIP IN A HEALTHY CHURCH
The Natural Church Development study found that healthy churches had leadership that was:
1. People oriented (as opposed to project oriented)
We had Music in the Meadow – important because it didn’t focus on the event – it focused on the people setting up, serving food, singing, running the sound system, parking, moving them around. … And on the people who came.
It worked because the project didn’t become more important than the people involved.
Jesus took time for people – “who touched me” to the sick woman; he changed his schedule to heal the centurion’s daughter; he spent time with the woman at the well; while suffering he addressed mother’s needs while on the cross;
This is central to the Gospel message: love God, love others
Remember Matthew 25:31-46 – separation of sheep and goats – this was based on how we treated people
A project (event, program, etc.) is not worth it, if it comes at the expense of people.
2. Relationship oriented (as opposed to goal oriented)
When we play “The Mennonite Game” it reminds us that relationships are important.
Reaching the goal is not more important that the relationships we develop along the way
I remember going to the Bolivian town of Toro-Toro with ministry students.
Our Goal: evangelistic services in town to help launch the local church
There were relationship issues among the students (differences needed to be calmed, Aymara/Quechua).
Instead of organizing our evangelistic service, we went hiking. We worked on our relationships as Christians.
We didn’t have a service that first night – but the following evenings were great – because we didn’t have one that first night.
3. Team oriented (as opposed to authoritarian oriented)
Is a church leader a dictator or a team player
Dictator – gets more done, more quickly, but change comes through death or revolution
Team developer – goes slowly, but firmly, change is not as intrusive
Our Pastors, Elders, Commission Directors, Leaders are not so much authoritarians (dictators), as they are team builders.
This should not be a surprise – it’s what Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus – Leaders are to deal with people, not with “things” as we build the body of Christ together.
The church is not a building or an organization …
The church is the “body of Christ”
The church is people (you and me) together for the common purpose of serving our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE RESULT
Ephesians 4:12
“so that the body of Christ may be built up” (healthy, body building program)
Ephesians 4:13
“until we all reach unity in the faith … and become mature”
Good leadership (in all areas) produces healthy, unified churches.
THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS
How did Jesus empower his disciples?
They learned from his teaching
The learned by doing with him (sent out, healing, baptizing, feeding 5000)
What did Jesus empower his disciples to do
What does Jesus want his disciples to do?
Love others, share the gospel,
TRUST IS IMPORTANT
Jesus trusted the disciples to carry on the ministry.
God could have done it by him/herself – sometimes it’s easier to do the job yourself.
It’s a mystery – God entrusted us with the work of the Kingdom.
Every generation must learn.
IT’S HARD TO TRUST
I remember the first time my daughter drove off on her own.
I was full of fear and anxiety and dread and …. a knot in my stomach.
We had driven together, practiced, gone over the rules, etc.
The car was powerful
The car was expensive
Her life was precious
How did Jesus feel when he left the disciples in charge?
How does God feel about leaving the church in our hands?
Leaving the work of the kingdom in our hands?
What about you?
Are you worrying God?
How does God feel about leaving his church in our hands?
What is your area of leadership in the church – maybe you lead a three year old class, or your an Elder.
Are you empowered for ministry?
Are you empowering others for ministry?
Jesus tells us, “As the Father sent me, I am sending you.”
I played a game of “Simon Says” with the children.
Obedience and conformity seems to be the object of the game. Another object of the game is for the leader to try and trick us.
Who is Simon? And why does he want us to do things?
Some say it is a reference to Simon Peter, the disciple called by Jesus, but who later denied Jesus, and than later became one of the main leaders of the Disciples. Simon Peter learned to show his love for Jesus, to imitate Christ. If Simon Peter knows how to imitate Christ, he would be a good one to tell us what to do.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 “you became imitators of us and of the Lord”
Ephesians 5:1 “Be imitators of God”
We also need to be aware of when the evil one is trying to trick us.
If we called the game “Jesus Says,” what would Jesus ask us to do?
We can find much of that in the Bible.
In real life we should play “Jesus Says”
John 20:19-23
Maybe you heard …
A mother took her child to visit a formal liturgical church. The lights were lowered and the priest came down the isle carrying lighted candles. All was quiet until the little girl started singing “Happy Birthday to you ….”
Birthdays remind us that we’re getting older.
This week our congregation celebrates 99 years in this building. (I don’t’ think anyone here was present on that first Sunday meeting in this place)
Why did the ministry continue?
It was handed on to the next generation.
The next generation was trained and prepared.
The next generation was trusted with the work.
What is the future of Maple Grove?
It depends on us … and how we do ministry … and how we empower the next generation for ministry.
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT
To see why some churches grow and others do not, a major study was undertaken world wide. (About 12 years ago Natural Church Development was first published.) It was the most comprehensive research ever done on churches – thousands of churches, in every part of the world were studied.
It was found that the emphasis should not be on developing growth (principles), but on developing healthy qualities for churches to grow (both spiritually and in number)
We want to be a healthy church!
The study revealed 8 qualities or characteristics of healthy churches. We are on a journey to look at these qualities and look at ourselves to see how we use these qualities in our church.
Last week we began our consideration of the first of these quality characteristics of a healthy church: A healthy church has leadership that empowers the members for ministry.
We want to be healthy – we want to be a healthy church.
Jesus and the disciples are an example; they were together for three years of training, preparation, etc.
After the resurrection … Jesus was going to leave … And he was going to leave the continuation of his ministry in the hands of his disciples.
That’s the context of today’s scripture passage
THE PURPOSE OF LEADERSHIP
Last week’s scripture: (let’s review)
Ephesians 4:12 – “to prepare God’s people for works of service”
Prepare = “katartizo” (Greek)
Pastor Neilson Asis is director of the “Katartizo” Healing and Discipleship Center
Uses of the word in the Greco-Roman world:
Medical term – “setting of a broken bone”
In the New Testament – Jesus used the term (MT. 4:21 James & John were “preparing” their nets when Jesus called them) – “mending broken nets” “preparing them for service”
Paul (Gal 6:1) – restoration
Heb 13:20-21 – equip
1 Peter 5:10 – to perfect
Paul was telling the Church in Ephesus that Jesus gives the church leaders for a purpose:
Leaders are to heal, mend, restore, equip, perfect
Leadership is a very personal and intimate ministry!
LEADERSHIP IN A HEALTHY CHURCH
The Natural Church Development study found that healthy churches had leadership that was:
1. People oriented (as opposed to project oriented)
We had Music in the Meadow – important because it didn’t focus on the event – it focused on the people setting up, serving food, singing, running the sound system, parking, moving them around. … And on the people who came.
It worked because the project didn’t become more important than the people involved.
Jesus took time for people – “who touched me” to the sick woman; he changed his schedule to heal the centurion’s daughter; he spent time with the woman at the well; while suffering he addressed mother’s needs while on the cross;
This is central to the Gospel message: love God, love others
Remember Matthew 25:31-46 – separation of sheep and goats – this was based on how we treated people
A project (event, program, etc.) is not worth it, if it comes at the expense of people.
2. Relationship oriented (as opposed to goal oriented)
When we play “The Mennonite Game” it reminds us that relationships are important.
Reaching the goal is not more important that the relationships we develop along the way
I remember going to the Bolivian town of Toro-Toro with ministry students.
Our Goal: evangelistic services in town to help launch the local church
There were relationship issues among the students (differences needed to be calmed, Aymara/Quechua).
Instead of organizing our evangelistic service, we went hiking. We worked on our relationships as Christians.
We didn’t have a service that first night – but the following evenings were great – because we didn’t have one that first night.
3. Team oriented (as opposed to authoritarian oriented)
Is a church leader a dictator or a team player
Dictator – gets more done, more quickly, but change comes through death or revolution
Team developer – goes slowly, but firmly, change is not as intrusive
Our Pastors, Elders, Commission Directors, Leaders are not so much authoritarians (dictators), as they are team builders.
This should not be a surprise – it’s what Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus – Leaders are to deal with people, not with “things” as we build the body of Christ together.
The church is not a building or an organization …
The church is the “body of Christ”
The church is people (you and me) together for the common purpose of serving our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE RESULT
Ephesians 4:12
“so that the body of Christ may be built up” (healthy, body building program)
Ephesians 4:13
“until we all reach unity in the faith … and become mature”
Good leadership (in all areas) produces healthy, unified churches.
THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS
How did Jesus empower his disciples?
They learned from his teaching
The learned by doing with him (sent out, healing, baptizing, feeding 5000)
What did Jesus empower his disciples to do
What does Jesus want his disciples to do?
Love others, share the gospel,
TRUST IS IMPORTANT
Jesus trusted the disciples to carry on the ministry.
God could have done it by him/herself – sometimes it’s easier to do the job yourself.
It’s a mystery – God entrusted us with the work of the Kingdom.
Every generation must learn.
IT’S HARD TO TRUST
I remember the first time my daughter drove off on her own.
I was full of fear and anxiety and dread and …. a knot in my stomach.
We had driven together, practiced, gone over the rules, etc.
The car was powerful
The car was expensive
Her life was precious
How did Jesus feel when he left the disciples in charge?
How does God feel about leaving the church in our hands?
Leaving the work of the kingdom in our hands?
What about you?
Are you worrying God?
How does God feel about leaving his church in our hands?
What is your area of leadership in the church – maybe you lead a three year old class, or your an Elder.
Are you empowered for ministry?
Are you empowering others for ministry?
Jesus tells us, “As the Father sent me, I am sending you.”
I played a game of “Simon Says” with the children.
Obedience and conformity seems to be the object of the game. Another object of the game is for the leader to try and trick us.
Who is Simon? And why does he want us to do things?
Some say it is a reference to Simon Peter, the disciple called by Jesus, but who later denied Jesus, and than later became one of the main leaders of the Disciples. Simon Peter learned to show his love for Jesus, to imitate Christ. If Simon Peter knows how to imitate Christ, he would be a good one to tell us what to do.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 “you became imitators of us and of the Lord”
Ephesians 5:1 “Be imitators of God”
We also need to be aware of when the evil one is trying to trick us.
If we called the game “Jesus Says,” what would Jesus ask us to do?
We can find much of that in the Bible.
In real life we should play “Jesus Says”
Sermon Synopsis for July 27, 2008
“A People Prepared for Service” Ephesians 4:11-16
Maybe you heard …
One Sunday, a young boy arrived to his Sunday school class late. His teacher knew that the boy was usually very prompt and asked him if anything was wrong. The boy replied no, that he was going to go fishing, but that his dad told him that he needed to go to church instead. The teacher was very impressed and asked the boy if his father had explained to him why it was more important to go to church rather than to go fishing. To which the boy replied, "Yes, ma'am, he did. My dad said that he didn't have enough bait for both of us."
Two Elders were talking …
Elder 1: “I didn’t see you at church last Sunday; I hear you went to the races instead of coming to church”
Elder 2: “That’s not true, and I’ve got the fish to prove it”
I asked the children if they ever go fishing. Some went with their dads, others with their grandparents or aunts & uncles. They learned to fish from them. The children explained all about fishing and how to do it.
We talked about the story in Matthew 4:18-28, where Jesus tells Peter and Andrew (professional fishermen) that he wants to teach them to fish. Jesus wants them to use all the gifts, talents and abilities they have for fishing and apply it to catching people.
We’re disciples too. Jesus wants us to fish for people – do you think I can catch a person with a fishing pole? Jesus means we should catch people for God.
We sang, “I will make you fishers of men.”
QUALITIES OF A HEALTHY CHURCH
We want to be a healthy church!
A recent study revealed 8 qualities or characteristics of healthy churches. We begin a journey to look at these qualities and look at ourselves to see how we use these qualities in our church.
Today we will look at the first of these quality characteristics: A healthy church has leadership that empowers the members for ministry.
CHANGING THE SUBJECT FROM FISH TO PLANTS
Jesus often compared Christians to plants. This includes grape vines, fig trees, wheat, mustard plants, etc.
The emphasis was on a healthy plant – one that grows and produced fruit.
PUSHING THE ANALOGY
Plants in different climates grow differently.
Desert – slow, steady, conservative growth
Tropical rainforest – wild, uncontrollable growth
Which plants are healthy? The ones in the desert or the ones in the jungle?
The answer, of course, is both are healthy.
The emphasis should not be on fast growth, but on the qualities of that growth and the context of our growth..
The main principle is that a healthy plant will grow and produce fruit.
A healthy church will grow and produce fruit.
As pastor, Elders, & Leadership Team – we seek the things that will enable us to be a healthy church.
THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE A LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
The Apostle Paul was in Rome, under house arrest (early 60s AD). He was thinking about his time in Ephesus.
His first visit was brief, at the end of his second missionary journey, as he was returning home in Antioch. He left Priscilla and Aquila there (Acts 18:18-21).
A year or so later he returned and spent two years giving lectures in a public lecture hall, because he wasn’t welcomed in the Synagogue. Apollos, Timothy and Erastus worked with him there. A strong church was born.
As he wrote from his Roman imprisonment, he didn’t write about any specific problems they were facing, but rather about the difficulties Christians were having in the Roman world.
Nero was Emperor (Caesar 54-68). Nero was known for his persecution of Jews as well as Christians. Paul knew the difficulties of being a Christian in the Roman world. Times were difficult, and getting worse. In a few years Rome would burn and the Christians would be blamed and then banned from the city. God needed a strong and healthy church to endure and persevere during such times.
All of this was going on in Paul’s head as he wrote. The church in Ephesus needed to be the best it could be, to be healthy, so that it could:
- hold together under pressure
- survive the persecutions
- be a witness in a world that needed Jesus
That’s the context of our scripture passage today.
THE APOSTLE PAUL – THE CHURCH NEEDS LEADERS
Ephesians 4:11 – Jesus wants leaders in the church: apostles, prophets (ethics & justice), evangelists, pastors, teachers.
Imagine a church without leaders … (some might like that)
It would be directionless, have an emphasis on existence & survival.
Jesus wants growth and fruit – leadership is necessary for that.
The Apostle Paul knew this – and applied it – he wasn’t the only leader – he was a leader producing machine: Priscilla & Aquila, Lidia, Timothy, Apollos, - to name a few.
Paul didn’t do all the work – he mentored and formed leaders.
It is Jesus’ church - not Paul’s or Apollos’ or anyone else’s (He made this clear to the Corinthians, who showed a tendency to follow a leader instead of following Jesus)
At Maple Grove we have many leaders – each in different areas – each one according to the gifts, talents & abilities he/she has
Leaders are important.
THE PURPOSE OF LEADERSHIP
Ephesians 4:12 – “to prepare God’s people for works of service”
Prepare = “katartizo” (Greek)
Remember Pastor Neilson Asis – Katartizo Healing and Discipleship Center
Uses of the word in the Greco-Roman world:
It was a medical term – “setting of a broken bone”
Jesus used the term (MT. 4:21 James & John were “preparing” their nets when Jesus called them) – “mending broken nets”
Paul (Gal 6:1) – restoration
Heb 13:20-21 – equip
1 Peter 5:10 – to perfect
Paul was telling the Church in Ephesus that Jesus gives the church leaders for a purpose: leaders are to heal, mend, restore, equip & perfect.
THE RESULT OF GOOD LEADERSHIP
Ephesians 4:12 “so that the body of Christ may be built up” (healthy, body building program)
Ephesians 4:13 “until we all reach unity in the faith … and become mature”
Good leadership produces healthy, unified churches. They grow and produce fruit.
FISHERS OF PEOPLE
Jesus wanted fish (people who were brought into God’s Kingdom)
To do this, he needed to “prepare” fishers (heal, restore, equip, build a team)
Remember the old adage “Don’t give them fish – teach them to fish.”
In Jesus’ time fishing wasn’t a solitary thing – it involved teamwork – casting and pulling in nets. Simon Peter and Andrew knew about this, so did James and John.
There’s a lot more to fishing than casting a line.
Jesus calls us to be “Fishers of People”
Pray that the Lord will guide our fishing expedition.
Let’s go fishing this week.
Maybe you heard …
One Sunday, a young boy arrived to his Sunday school class late. His teacher knew that the boy was usually very prompt and asked him if anything was wrong. The boy replied no, that he was going to go fishing, but that his dad told him that he needed to go to church instead. The teacher was very impressed and asked the boy if his father had explained to him why it was more important to go to church rather than to go fishing. To which the boy replied, "Yes, ma'am, he did. My dad said that he didn't have enough bait for both of us."
Two Elders were talking …
Elder 1: “I didn’t see you at church last Sunday; I hear you went to the races instead of coming to church”
Elder 2: “That’s not true, and I’ve got the fish to prove it”
I asked the children if they ever go fishing. Some went with their dads, others with their grandparents or aunts & uncles. They learned to fish from them. The children explained all about fishing and how to do it.
We talked about the story in Matthew 4:18-28, where Jesus tells Peter and Andrew (professional fishermen) that he wants to teach them to fish. Jesus wants them to use all the gifts, talents and abilities they have for fishing and apply it to catching people.
We’re disciples too. Jesus wants us to fish for people – do you think I can catch a person with a fishing pole? Jesus means we should catch people for God.
We sang, “I will make you fishers of men.”
QUALITIES OF A HEALTHY CHURCH
We want to be a healthy church!
A recent study revealed 8 qualities or characteristics of healthy churches. We begin a journey to look at these qualities and look at ourselves to see how we use these qualities in our church.
Today we will look at the first of these quality characteristics: A healthy church has leadership that empowers the members for ministry.
CHANGING THE SUBJECT FROM FISH TO PLANTS
Jesus often compared Christians to plants. This includes grape vines, fig trees, wheat, mustard plants, etc.
The emphasis was on a healthy plant – one that grows and produced fruit.
PUSHING THE ANALOGY
Plants in different climates grow differently.
Desert – slow, steady, conservative growth
Tropical rainforest – wild, uncontrollable growth
Which plants are healthy? The ones in the desert or the ones in the jungle?
The answer, of course, is both are healthy.
The emphasis should not be on fast growth, but on the qualities of that growth and the context of our growth..
The main principle is that a healthy plant will grow and produce fruit.
A healthy church will grow and produce fruit.
As pastor, Elders, & Leadership Team – we seek the things that will enable us to be a healthy church.
THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE A LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
The Apostle Paul was in Rome, under house arrest (early 60s AD). He was thinking about his time in Ephesus.
His first visit was brief, at the end of his second missionary journey, as he was returning home in Antioch. He left Priscilla and Aquila there (Acts 18:18-21).
A year or so later he returned and spent two years giving lectures in a public lecture hall, because he wasn’t welcomed in the Synagogue. Apollos, Timothy and Erastus worked with him there. A strong church was born.
As he wrote from his Roman imprisonment, he didn’t write about any specific problems they were facing, but rather about the difficulties Christians were having in the Roman world.
Nero was Emperor (Caesar 54-68). Nero was known for his persecution of Jews as well as Christians. Paul knew the difficulties of being a Christian in the Roman world. Times were difficult, and getting worse. In a few years Rome would burn and the Christians would be blamed and then banned from the city. God needed a strong and healthy church to endure and persevere during such times.
All of this was going on in Paul’s head as he wrote. The church in Ephesus needed to be the best it could be, to be healthy, so that it could:
- hold together under pressure
- survive the persecutions
- be a witness in a world that needed Jesus
That’s the context of our scripture passage today.
THE APOSTLE PAUL – THE CHURCH NEEDS LEADERS
Ephesians 4:11 – Jesus wants leaders in the church: apostles, prophets (ethics & justice), evangelists, pastors, teachers.
Imagine a church without leaders … (some might like that)
It would be directionless, have an emphasis on existence & survival.
Jesus wants growth and fruit – leadership is necessary for that.
The Apostle Paul knew this – and applied it – he wasn’t the only leader – he was a leader producing machine: Priscilla & Aquila, Lidia, Timothy, Apollos, - to name a few.
Paul didn’t do all the work – he mentored and formed leaders.
It is Jesus’ church - not Paul’s or Apollos’ or anyone else’s (He made this clear to the Corinthians, who showed a tendency to follow a leader instead of following Jesus)
At Maple Grove we have many leaders – each in different areas – each one according to the gifts, talents & abilities he/she has
Leaders are important.
THE PURPOSE OF LEADERSHIP
Ephesians 4:12 – “to prepare God’s people for works of service”
Prepare = “katartizo” (Greek)
Remember Pastor Neilson Asis – Katartizo Healing and Discipleship Center
Uses of the word in the Greco-Roman world:
It was a medical term – “setting of a broken bone”
Jesus used the term (MT. 4:21 James & John were “preparing” their nets when Jesus called them) – “mending broken nets”
Paul (Gal 6:1) – restoration
Heb 13:20-21 – equip
1 Peter 5:10 – to perfect
Paul was telling the Church in Ephesus that Jesus gives the church leaders for a purpose: leaders are to heal, mend, restore, equip & perfect.
THE RESULT OF GOOD LEADERSHIP
Ephesians 4:12 “so that the body of Christ may be built up” (healthy, body building program)
Ephesians 4:13 “until we all reach unity in the faith … and become mature”
Good leadership produces healthy, unified churches. They grow and produce fruit.
FISHERS OF PEOPLE
Jesus wanted fish (people who were brought into God’s Kingdom)
To do this, he needed to “prepare” fishers (heal, restore, equip, build a team)
Remember the old adage “Don’t give them fish – teach them to fish.”
In Jesus’ time fishing wasn’t a solitary thing – it involved teamwork – casting and pulling in nets. Simon Peter and Andrew knew about this, so did James and John.
There’s a lot more to fishing than casting a line.
Jesus calls us to be “Fishers of People”
Pray that the Lord will guide our fishing expedition.
Let’s go fishing this week.
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