God’s Design For the Church
Blueprint for Building a Mission-Focused Community
Understanding God's Original Design for the Local Church Through Acts
In this enlightening message, we explore the crucial connection between God's design for the church and its mission in the world. Just as builders follow blueprints to construct a house according to an architect's vision, we must understand God's blueprint for His church to fulfill our purpose effectively. Drawing primarily from Acts 1 and Matthew 16, this message reveals how Jesus established His church with a clear design and mission.
How Jesus Promised to Build His Church on the Foundation of Faith
Jesus first introduced the concept of "church" in Matthew 16:18 when speaking to Peter at Caesarea Philippi. Standing before a pagan temple known as "the gates of hell," Jesus declared, "On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it." This foundational promise reveals that:
The church belongs to Jesus ("my church")
Jesus Himself is the builder ("I will build")
The church is built on the confession that Jesus is "the Messiah, the Son of the living God"
The church is designed to prevail against darkness
Jesus continues His work through believers who submit to His reign and rule, entering the Kingdom of God through faith in Him.
Why Every Christian Is Called to Be a Witness in Jerusalem and Beyond
In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This statement reveals our identity as believers:
Being a witness isn't just something we do; it's who we are
Our witness extends from our local community to the entire world
The Christian life is about carrying the message of Jesus while on His mission
There are "no bystanders in the mission of Jesus"
Like the early church expanding from Jerusalem to the known world, we're called to carry the gospel from Lavon, Texas, to our surrounding communities and beyond.
The Power of the Holy Spirit for Fulfilling the Church's Mission
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples to "wait for the Father's promise" (Acts 1:4). This promise - the Holy Spirit - would provide the supernatural power needed to accomplish their mission. This teaches us:
We cannot fulfill the church's mission through human effort alone
The Holy Spirit provides "dynamite power" (from the Greek word dynamis in Acts 1:8)
Every believer receives this power at the moment of confession
The Holy Spirit empowers even the most introverted believers to share the gospel effectively
Practical Applications for Living as Part of God's Designed Church
The sermon concludes with three practical responses to understanding God's design for the church:
Respond to the Message: Some aren't on mission because they haven't yet responded to the gospel message of Jesus as Lord and Savior
Return to the Mission: Some believers have fallen away from the mission due to personal preferences or time commitments
Remain on the Mission: Faithful believers need encouragement to continue sharing the good news with "beautiful feet" (Romans 10:15)
As our church plant grows, we celebrate that Jesus is building His church through our faithful witness. Though we may face opposition, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill our part in God's design.
"The design connects the message to the mission. The church is designed with a message and with a mission, as a battleship, not a cruise ship."
Scripture References: Acts 1:1-11, Matthew 16:13-19, Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 10:15
This is the second week of the teaching series, Unstoppable Church. Check out last week’s message.