big CHURCH

As a church, we are walking through the concept of big CHURCH.  I believe big CHURCH is what Jesus came to start.  I know that seems like a strange statement to say, but let me explain.  

The word the original authors used in the New Testament part of the Bible for church is ecclesia.  Ecclesia means an assembly of people.  I’m blown away every time I think about God trusting the most important institute of people. Doesn’t He remember how humanity has screwed things up in the past? Doesn’t He remember the crusades?  Adam and Eve in the garden...they ate the fruit.  Doesn’t He remember me this morning playing Call of Duty instead of doing the very thing I should have been doing?  I guess maybe God looks at humanity and doesn’t see the failures as much as He sees the potential.  

The concept of big CHURCH isn’t about getting butts in seats. The concept was about the biggest impact the ecclesia could have in a community, how many lives could be changed by introducing them to Jesus inviting them to be disciples of Jesus.  Our view at RE.THINK is that we want to a church that invests in people and empowering people to influence and change the communities we live in.  

In Acts 4 Peter and John walk into a bar…. Just kidding they walk into the temple.  As they enter the temple they see a man who has been sitting there for 40 years.  This man can’t walk, he’s lame.  So he relies on the generosity of others to live.  As they walk by Peter and John know they should do something, but they do something that no one expected.  Peter grabs him by the hand and instructs him to stand up and walk.  The guy follows Peter and John into the temple.  As they are in the temple there’s a buzz going around.  People are talking about the guy who used to sit at the temple door but is not standing in the temple.  

Peter gives a sermon and at the end of his sermon, he and John are arrested by the religious leaders of the day.  During their trial they instruct Peter and John to stop speaking about how they arrested Jesus, killed Him, but Jesus rose from the dead.  Peter and John basically tell them, “you do what you gotta do and we’ll do what we gotta do”.  They return to the church not a building, but a gathering of people.  
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While they are there the pray.  Their prayer is so encouraging to me.  It reminds me what my prayers should look like.  They aren’t the focal point of their prayers….. It’s amazing.  

“Now, Lord, consider the bad things they say they are going to do. Help us to be very bold when we speak your word. Stretch out your hand to heal. Do miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (Acts 4: 29,30)

I love the fact that they ask God to help them speak for Him boldly.  It’s not about protecting them, it’s not about self-preservation, it’s about how God can use them to help others understand Jesus.  
If we were to make your prayers into a movie who would be the main character?  Who would be the main beneficiary?