SERIES: Where Lives Are Changed MESSAGE: We're Here for You SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:43-45

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1 SERIES: Where Lives Are Changed MESSAGE: We're Here for You SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:43-45 MESSAGE SUMMARY In an age of low-commitment Christianity, the church is viewed skeptically and is seen as too intrusive. We in the church have an important role to play in changing people's minds, and that comes from making ourselves available and saying, "I'm part of those who belong to Christ, and I am here for you." As we wrap up this series, we discover four steps we can take to improve our availability. STUDY GUIDE Connect Group Recap: November 22, 2015 Teacher: Skip Heitzig Teaching: We're Here for You Text: Acts 2:43-45 Path Evangelicals often use the phrase "a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." For those outside the church, this phrase conveys the difference between impersonal religion and embracing the God who gave it all for each of us. In an age of low-commitment Christianity, the church is viewed skeptically. It's seen as intrusive too much of a commitment, too much accountability. We in the church have an important role to play in changing people's minds, and that comes from making ourselves available and saying, "I'm part of those who belong to Christ, and I am here for you." There are four steps we can take to improve availability. Points I. Recognize Variety II. Emphasize Unity III. Develop Community IV. Anticipate Majesty Recognize Variety The early church had a broad range of believers, from apostles to new converts, from spiritually mature to spiritually immature, from economically blessed to economically depressed. We need that diversity! It helps combat our tendency to look at new believers and think, Now that you're saved, you need to become like me dress like I dress, listen to my songs, read my translation, etc. The body of Christ has a variety of gifts to meet a variety of needs. Page 1

2 God reserves the right to use people you don't like or agree with. Don't fight variety; enjoy it God made you, saved you, gifted you, and then threw away the mold. You're unique! Emphasize Unity The early church was united in two ways: location and vocation. They assembled together as a unit, and they lived in harmony as followers of Christ. Their variety and individuality was counterbalanced by their unity. Without unity, such a group will malfunction as each person does their own thing much like the human body with all of its parts and functions. Unity does not mean uniformity. As Augustine said, "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all things, charity." Develop Community The early church pooled their resources and shared them. Read Acts 4: The nature of these acts was voluntary, not forced. Their hearts and their treasures were in the same place with God's people. The idea is, "Whatever deficit I have is covered by your asset, and vice versa." We share strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has blind spots and weaknesses. Read 1 Corinthians 12: Our shortcomings are mitigated when we commit to being available for one another. Anticipate Majesty The early church had a strong sense of God's divine presence in their everyday lives. Read Matthew 18:20. Whether in your Connect Group or at church, recognize that God is present and moving, changing lives and working all things together for good. The term accidie (AX-uh-dee) was used by medieval Christians to describe spiritual listlessness and cynicism going through the motions. The cure for that is to find purpose in being there for one another. Practice Connect Up: As Tozer asked, are we losing our oh!? Confess your spiritual apathy. Then in your Connect Group, say together, "God is here, now." What has God done generally, biblically, or in your life or the life of someone you know that just overwhelms you? Share these things with one another, and give Him praise and thanks. Connect In: Read John 17:22-23, Ephesians 4:3, and 2 Corinthians 13:11. What is the common theme of these passages? Think of the four main points of the message. How can you use those points to say, "I'm here for you" to others? Connect Out: Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. What differences are described? What is the key similarity? What does that tell us about God's view of diversity and unity in the church? Beyond our fellowship at Page 2

3 Calvary Albuquerque, how can we come alongside other churches in our community and around the world to support them in loving and truth-filled ways? DETAILED NOTES I. Introduction A. In the ministry, we are called to serve people 1. We represent the God who is always there 2. Life is never dull at church B. Evangelicals use the phrase "personal relationship with Jesus Christ" 1. There is a difference between going through the motions religiously and experiencing God on a personal level 2. One might get the idea that we are a bunch of individuals in an isolated, selfcontained relationship with God 3. This phrase is not in the Bible a. Instead, the Bible speaks about our corporate relationship with Christ, the body of Christ b. Creates sense of unity with other believers C. There are steps we can take to battle low-level commitment Christianity and improve our availability II. Recognize Variety A. The early church had a broad range of believers 1. Apostles and new believers 2. Spiritually mature and spiritually immature 3. Economically blessed and economically depressed B. We need to recognize there is variety in any church group 1. We worship the same God 2. We try to conform people to an image of what we think a true Christian is C. The body of Christ is essentially a people with a variety of gifts that are meeting a variety of needs (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-6) 1. God works through all of us 2. God loves variety 3. His creation is filled with it 4. We all have different gifts 5. It's a variety of people with a variety of gifts that keeps the church interesting D. God reserves the right to use people that you don't like or agree with 1. Do not fight the variety 2. Enjoy it III. Emphasize Unity A. Unity in both location and vocation 1. They were of one purpose, one heart, one vision 2. With a variety of individuals, you run the risk of everyone doing their own thing B. Without unity, a group of people will malfunction 1. Like the human body 2. The head of the church is Christ a. Has the right to send signals to all the different members of the body b. Tells the members what to do with their gifting Page 3

4 3. The Holy Spirit conveys the messages of the head to the rest of the body like the nervous system 4. Jesus prayed that we would exhibit unity (see John 17:21) 5. Paul urged the Ephesians to walk in unity (see Ephesians 4:3) C. What does unity mean? 1. It does not mean we agree on every topic 2. Unity does not mean uniformity; it means we're all together on what's essential a. The twelve apostles argued several times (see Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 9:33-36; Luke 9:46-48) b. Paul and Barnabas split company because of an argument (see Acts 15:36-41) c. In Acts, there was a disagreement about salvation (see Acts 15:1-12) 3. We were all saved the same way, and we can agree on that a. There are essentials in the Christian faith that we can agree on b. There are nonessentials that we agree to disagree on IV. Develop Community A. We should develop a sense of community with one another 1. Koinónia = fellowship 2. They sold their possessions and divided the money among those who were in need 3. This was beginning to be a common practice (see Acts 4:33-35; 5:1-2) 4. This was completely voluntary; not everyone did it (see Acts 2:46) a. When it's forced, it's Communism b. When it's voluntary, it's common-ism 5. Their heart was with each other (see Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34) B. They had all things in common 1. We all have assets that others do not have 2. We cover each others' weaknesses with our strengths 3. 1 Corinthians 12:20-26 V. Anticipate Majesty A. Phobos = fear, terror, reverence 1. A sense of divine presence 2. A sense of majesty when we realize that God is here now B. When we gather, we must never lose the sense of majesty, the fear of God VI. Closing A. We can say, "We're here for you": 1. When we recognize variety 2. When we emphasize unity 3. When we develop community 4. When we anticipate majesty B. Accidie was used by medieval Christians to describe apathy of the soul 1. Cynical about Christian ideals 2. In ministry, it is going through the motions 3. The cure is when we say, "We're here for you" Figures referenced: Augustine, Martin Luther, A.W. Tozer Page 4

5 Greek/foreign words: accidie, koinónia, phobos Cross references: Matthew 6:21; 18:1-6; Mark 9:33-36; Luke 9:46-48; 12:34; John 17:21; Acts 2:46; 4:33-35; 5:1-2; 15:1-12, 36-41; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 20-26; Ephesians 4:3 Topic: The Church Keywords: ministry, serve, relationship, body of Christ, early church, variety, worship, gifts, unity, purpose, Holy Spirit, the church, community, Communism, majesty, fear Page 5