Original Recipe | Week 1
Key Verses:
Matthew 16:15-18
Acts 2:44-45
Sermon Overview:
The original church began as a movement first mentioned by Jesus. A movement founded on one core belief that Jesus was the son of the living God, who died and rose from the dead to pay for our sins.
The original recipe of the church was these simple instructions, Love one another as I have loved you, and love others enough to tell them the good news that God loves them and Jesus died for them. So that is what they did, and they changed the world with an irresistible message. A method of love and grace never before seen by any religion or movement. They did not just do it for church people because, to be honest, there were no church people. There were just people who knew and those who did not. Wherever this movement saw a need, it met it. You and I are the results of their faithfulness to those simple instructions.
But somehow, along the way, the recipe was changed from the original. The church today is not known as a place of love or good news. The positive impact of the original church became skewed to more of a negative influence. Love and good news are not characteristics of the church that stands out to the everyday world.
In this series, we will look back to the original recipe of how a movement of people without “The Bible” without structure, driven by a simple desire to follow Jesus and did what he did for others, changed the world. Our goal is to reimplement the original recipe and once again change our world with the irresistible good news of Jesus.
Get Started:
When we think of church, why is a building the first thing that comes to mind?
Is church a place full of robes and pews?
Bands and banners?
Or is church meant to refer to something different?
Read Acts 1:8 Jesus is talking to the disciple and the others who he had revealed himself too after his resurrection …
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The mission Jesus gave his followers centered on the task of making other followers.
Many of these people were, in fact, eyewitnesses to the resurrected Jesus.
The Church began as a movement:
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of church?
What were your first/early experiences of attending church?
Were those positive or negative experiences in your faith journey?
Read Matthew 16:15-18
Then he said, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church and the gates of death will not overcome it.”
In your words, how do you define church? What is the mission of the church?
Read Acts 2:22-24, 32-37 This is Peter speaking to the crowd after receiving the Holy Spirit
“People of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. “Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off— for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
What is the thing that sticks out to you the most about church that first day?
If the church began as a movement, how do you see the church moving today?
If the church began as a movement, what can you do to be a part of that movement?
MOVING FORWARD
Church is much more than a building or a place. Church is more than pews or hymnals, lights, and music. In fact, on opening day, the church had no buildings or rituals, no bands, or robed choirs.
What it did have was a gathering of people who were intent on one thing: to create followers of Jesus Christ. In that sense, the church was a movement that continues today. A multiplying, multi-cultural gathering of people who believe that Jesus is the Savior and whose lives reflect his teaching.