March 14, 2010 - Messy Church:

When Adding means Multiplying (Acts 1-13)

Kernel Message:

• When Adding Means Multiplying:

When the Holy Spirit moves among God's people, the number of Jesus' disciples increases. But rather than being over-idealistic about this in the first century, we want to notice the messiness of it and see how the early church saw these challenges as opportunities to honor God, bless people, and change the world.

Practical Emphasis of the Message:

• What is something that irritates you about our church that has to do with crowds, crowding, people you don't know, multiple services, worship styles, etc. Now, how can you ...
  1. Use this opportunity to help you bless someone else who might feel isolated or forgotten, especially folks who normally sit in your "church pew neighborhood" each week.
  2. Meet and get to know someone new that is outside your normal "bump into brotherhood" and "church pew neighborhood" set of acquaintances.

Core Ideas:

• The early church in Acts began with a bang: 3,000 on the day of Pentecost. This meant instant issues, but they successfully addressed those issues by devoting themselves to ...
  1. apostles teaching
  2. fellowship -- sharing in life and resources with each other
  3. breaking of bread (communion and meals with other believers)
  4. prayer
• These four principles were crucial as the group continued to grow, but they also made some key commitments that went with these four principles
  1. Growth and the mess it causes was good  and healthy and to be desired
  2. Diversity was not only tolerated, but appreciated even though it brought problems
  3. Blessings are to be shared, including the sharing of our best and brightest
  4. Trust that the Holy Spirit would equip, provide, and guide them every step of the way

Key Focus:

• So what's the point?
• Glad you asked!
  1. Growing churches, especially when they are growing outside folks normal set of normal relationships, face challenging times -- but these challenges also provide opportunities for new blessings, relationships, and deeper faith.
  2. For us to experience the transformation of messiness into opportunities, we must commit to connect others into our circle of relationships.
  3. We must build relationships through some kind of Group that is smaller than our worship service group.
  4. We must take the initiative to reach across barriers that alienate us from each other

• Acts 2:38-47 -- the surge of thousands into the life of a new community and the principles used to build disciples in this environment
• Acts 6 & 11 -- the problem with the poor
• Acts 13 -- giving up the best and brightest to change the world

Drama, Media, & Connecting Pieces:

• Pre-video:
• Key Video: (Let's see what folks think about this short video for use!)
• Testimony:

• Scripture Reading:

• Acts 2:38-47
  

Daybreak Planning Team: Marilyn Trabold

Refresh Planning Team: Not Assigned

Sundown: From Max Lucado's Traveling Light

1. Theme:
2. Speaker:
3. Worship Leader: