Keeping Momentum in Your Faith
Unstoppable Church: Finding Momentum in Faith
What is the "Unstoppable Church" series about?
The "Unstoppable Church" series marks the beginning of an exciting journey through the Book of Acts. In this introduction, we discover how the early apostles overcame barriers and opposition to spread the message of Jesus throughout the ancient world. This series will explore how ordinary people were transformed into extraordinary leaders who started a movement that continues to impact us today.
Our church plant aims to follow in their footsteps, bringing the gospel to our community while navigating similar challenges they faced. Through studying Acts, we'll uncover principles for church growth and personal faith development that remain relevant over 2,000 years later.
Key series themes include:
The power of the Holy Spirit in the early church
Overcoming opposition and setbacks
Church planting strategies from the first century
The spread of the gospel beyond cultural boundaries
How ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things through faith
Why does the resurrection of Jesus matter today?
The resurrection of Jesus serves as the foundation for everything we believe as Christians. As explained in this sermon, without the resurrection:
Jesus would likely be forgotten by history
Our past, present, and future would remain unchanged
The church would have no mission or purpose
"The resurrection of Jesus is really the linchpin for everything that we believe about who God is and the relationship that he wants to have with us."
Through Christ's resurrection, we receive forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and a new purpose for our lives. This pivotal event changed human history forever and continues to transform individual lives today. The disciples' encounter with the resurrected Jesus in Luke 24:36-53 demonstrates how this reality completely reshaped their understanding and gave them a new mission.
What happens when we face our fears in faith?
One of the most powerful insights from this message is how facing our fears leads to finding our faith. Using the analogy of a challenging mountain bike trail, we learn that avoiding difficult terrain only prevents growth. When we confront what intimidates us:
We discover capabilities we didn't know we had
Our confidence grows through experience
We build momentum that carries us through future challenges
God's power becomes evident when we move beyond our comfort zone
"If you face your fear, you'll find your faith."
This principle applies to personal spiritual growth, relationships, career decisions, and especially church planting. What fear is currently causing you to stall in your faith journey? What step is God asking you to take that seems intimidating? The sermon challenges us to identify these areas and move forward in faith.
How do challenges transform our spiritual lives?
Life's journey, like a mountain trail, is filled with unexpected difficulties. However, these challenges serve a vital purpose in our spiritual formation:
"It's the path that transforms the people. You don't get to be a better mountain biker by staying on the sidewalk all the time."
The sermon highlights how:
God uses difficulties to shape our character
Challenges reveal our dependence on Him
Transformation happens in the struggle, not in comfort
Our testimony grows stronger through overcoming obstacles
Community forms when we face challenges together
The early church faced persecution, cultural resistance, and internal conflict—yet these very challenges catalyzed its remarkable growth. Similarly, our church plant will encounter obstacles that, with the right perspective, will strengthen rather than derail our mission.
Why is momentum critical for spiritual growth?
Perhaps the most memorable principle from this message is that "forward motion prevents failure." Just as a cyclist must maintain momentum to stay upright, our spiritual lives require continuous forward movement:
When we stop moving forward, we inevitably fall
Momentum helps us overcome obstacles that would otherwise stop us
Small, consistent steps lead to significant progress over time
The Holy Spirit empowers our forward movement
We only truly fail when we give up completely
"We don't fail unless we stop. We only fail if we stop."
This truth applies to personal discipleship, ministry development, and church growth. The sermon encourages us to identify areas where we've slowed down out of fear and to regain momentum by taking the next faithful step.
How did Jesus prepare his disciples for their mission?
In Luke 24:36-53, we see Jesus preparing his followers for their upcoming mission through several important actions:
He brings peace to their fear ("Peace to you")
He provides tangible proof of his resurrection
He opens their minds to understand Scripture
He clearly defines their mission as witnesses
He promises the Holy Spirit's empowerment
He blesses them before ascending to heaven
The disciples' response—returning with great joy and continually praising God—demonstrates the transformation that had already begun. Their fear transformed into faith, their confusion into clarity, and their hesitation into wholehearted commitment.
What's next in our church journey?
As we begin this "Unstoppable Church" series, we invite you to:
Join us on Sundays as we explore the Book of Acts chapter by chapter
Participate in our house church gatherings for deeper discussion
Pray for our church plant to impact this community effectively
Consider your role in this mission and how God might be calling you to serve
Prepare for God to work in unexpected ways through our church family
Remember the sermon's closing benediction: "Keep your feet on the pedals and follow the voice of Jesus. And we'll do it together."