Risen Church Nc

Acts 8 is a pivot point for the Church. This is the moment the transition from local to global truly began. What began as a of safety-decision became a Gospel-decision. There would have been many temptations to remain in Jerusalem, but persecution forced them to remember their commission. The Disciples refused to let idols and idleness get in the way of Jesus and His mission. They remained available for God to use and work through. Their availability is contrasted in an encounter with one Simon of Samaria. Simon was a local magician, who was seeking to make his name great, hoping to capitalize on the power of God for his own gain. He assumes wrongly that the Disciples were working for their own fame. In this exchange, we are left with an impression of true discipleship and given an example to follow as we seek to serve the Lord.

Welcome to our brand new, pre-Easter series that's centered around a question we've all asked at some point or another: “Why?” We’ve all asked this simple, yet broad question before. No matter to whom we may be directing the question, or even if we’re just asking it rhetorically, we’ve all questioned the reason and purpose for any given thing. As Christians, we believe that God is sovereign and is the Creator of life and all its details. We can rest assured that everything happens under His watch, but that doesn’t mean that we still don’t have questions. Filtering and funneling everything beneath God’s sovereign canopy does help produce a better question to ask though: Why did God create the world? More specifically, why did God create this world? Often times we ask “why” in exasperation and doubt that there is an attainable answer. However, the Bible gives us a pretty clear answer as to why God created this world. We often turn to Genesis 1 to learn "how" things came to be, but a deeper look at the text

While it had faced it's share of hardships, the Church was on the cusp of local prominence and security by Acts 6. The leaders had shown boldness against opposition and it was becoming organized and engaged in local ministries. Yet, things change rather quickly with Stephen's arrest and martyrdom. The Church suddenly is facing an outbreak of state-sponsored persecution. The Disciples are forced to come to terms with their identity and mission in light of this conflict. The Great Commission drives them to maintain their witness, and scatters them beyond Jerusalem. Ultimately, persecution serves to fan the flames of their mission. However, the Church is driven to the margins of society. The ideas of remaining comfortable and prominent in Jerusalem are challenged by this trial. In this message we learn that that was actually God's sovereign intentions of the persecution they were facing. Here in the margins they would intersect with a greater and wider audience. They would take on a more sincere and more p

Ruth's story is ultimately all about finding a place in God's Story, about her coming to belong and being included in God's Family. From the beginning, there's a sense of unrest in the world, and Ruth particularly is longing to find rest. Of course, this is what our faith is all about. The Gospel's invitation isn't for us to find improvement, but rather resurrection in Christ. To find rest is to find life. In Ruth 3:18, Ruth receives a promise that her Redeemer is restlessly pursuing rest for her. This message is all about how our Restless Redeemer went to extravagant measures to find rest for us. The barriers that block us from rest, and the contrary paths we naturally take, all are a result of our fallen world and sinful nature. The Bible tells the story of how God restlessly worked to finish this work of redemption. Christ's work on the cross and resurrection from the grave promises us that rest is available for all who turn and trust in Him.

Jeremiah 29 is one of the best known passages of the Bible, containing one of the most quoted promises from God. Most of us don't realize that that promise is a follow-up to a very important commandment from God. Jeremiah writes to his brothers and sisters in exile with a message of hope and purpose. In this text, we hear God's instructions for the Jews in Babylon and are reminded that their lives are far from over. While they wait to return to their homeland, they are commanded to seek to serve and honor God in exile. Jeremiah 29:11 is their incentive and is to be their ambition while they wait. In this message, we discover that it shares a similar role in our faith.

A few chapters into Acts, the Church was going strong. It had established itself in Jerusalem as a force for good and began making an impact beyond the Jewish people. This was a pivotal moment in history, as Jesus had destined the Church to grow beyond Judea. In many ways, the Jewish opposition that came against Stephen is much larger than just Judaism's critique on Christianity. It speaks of the tendency of religion to become static and remain still. Of course, the Jewish leaders had no interest in reaching the world with their faith. The enemy was hoping the Church would pass on this initiative as well. This is what makes Stephen's message so profound, as he traces the Christian faith back to Abraham, and remarks that God had always intended on building a global community and dwelling in the hearts of His people. Stephen draws a line in the sand, that Christianity would be different than Judaism (and every religion for that matter). He was building a movement that would always be in motion. The Jewish

The Gospel is on display and detailed in every book of the Bible, but Ruth 2's presentation is especially rich. Ruth came into the land of Israel having heard about the Jewish God, hoping to experience His goodness. However, she never could've expected the favor that was about to be poured out for her. She meets a one of a kind man, who unbeknownst to her, has the ability to redeem her story for an incredible purpose. Boaz shows Ruth a brand of kindness that is beyond measure, that leaves her speechless again and again. This of course, is a picture of God's Kindness towards us all, and the love He has demonstrated for us through Christ. He purposely lays handfuls of grace before us day after day. His intention is to get our attention and to capture our affection, so that we would put our total trust in Him.

Ruth is the culmination of so many previous storylines of the Bible. The sin of Sodom, the tragedy of Lot, the thorn of Moab, and years of stumbling out of God's Will, all come together in a surprising and remarkable way. As the Judges' Era crashes and burns, Israel believed it was on the brink of suffering God's judgment. Many began leaving the land, accepting that Israel's days of favor were long gone. No one could have saw the next chapter of this story coming... God had another plan in the works. It would redeem some of Israel's past failures and chart a brand new course of hope and possibility. That plan began with the most unlikely of people. However, history confirms that Ruth did indeed change the world.

God's Covenant with Judah was set to expire, due to their unfaithfulness. Turns out, this wasn't just a recent issue, but one that had been festering for nearly 500 years. God was about to place His people in timeout for a season, but He used this opportunity to send a more serious to the whole world. God showed Jeremiah a cup. This cup was overflowing with wine, symbolizing God's wrath due to all sin. God's wrath burned against sin's curse against humanity and damage being done to and through humanity. Humanity deserved judgement, yet God's mercy persisted. God desired better for us, yet our sin persisted. Sin had to be atoned for. Only God’s righteous wrath could properly judge and eliminate sin. But if every sinner was made to drink the cup shown to Jeremiah, there would be no human left standing. Enter Jesus Christ. He preached that both salvation and judgement were imminent. One night as Jesus prayed, He heard Jeremiah 25:15 echo through time, "Take this cup of wine of wrath, and drink it... drink a

Romans 12 is one of the most important passages of Scripture for a Christian to read, learn and apply to their lives. It invites every unique, fearfully and wonderfully made individual to see their place in the much larger Kingdom of God. Through this text, we are invited to find our way back to where God always intended us to be. We’re reminded that we are made in the image of God and that we dwell amidst a world of other image bearers. To transform the world, the Christian’s job is to imitate Christ, having been transformed by Him ourselves. Christ sought to change the world by loving the world to the point of self-sacrifice. Are we willing to do the same? Romans 12:9-21 are not options for us. They are commandments. We are confronted with unavoidable questions in this text: How driven by God’s love are you? Do you seek to outdo others in showing honor? Do you bless those who curse you? Are you willing to walk in someone else’s shoes, in order to help raise them up? Do you respond to evil with good, and o

As they stood trial for their witness for and commitment to Jesus Christ, the Disciples exhibited remarkable faith in God. When threatened, they put all of their trust in Him. We marvel at this, but in hindsight it should come as no surprise that they were so confident. After all, Jesus had promised them that God was unstoppable, their hope was unbreakable, and that His Church was unshakeable. For this reason, they truly believed that they could not lose. God was with them, so who could be against them? Death could not stop Jesus. It would not stop them. They were not afraid, ashamed or too proud to bear their crosses , if and when their suffering was God's choice means of demonstrating His power. They knew that Resurrection was always God's next move. No matter the shame, with no fear of the pain, they were confident that God was working some Kingdom gain.

"Let My People Go!" This has been God's Word to this world on our behalf for generations. This world reduces us down to categories and labels, and enslaves us to its ideas and standards. It takes our texture away - our God-given depth and individuality. God wants us to understand that in Him we can find our true identity and find a better belonging. When the Hebrews came out of Egypt, Moses taught them a new name for God: Yahweh Nissi - "The LORD is My Banner". God is our flag and our brand. In Him, we ascend to a higher and purer dwelling place. What defines you? Where do you find your meaning? How do you fight your battles? If God is your banner and brand, then you will find a security and strength that this world simply cannot give.

As Acts continues, the Disciples continue to prove how serious they took the Words of Jesus, and how crucial they believed their obedience was to the Church's expansion. They also trusted Jesus' assertion that true joy was locked behind total surrender to God's Kingdom. In Acts 5, we witness Peter and his companions risk everything to preach the Gospel and once again they are put on trial. The authorities were as amazed as they were insulted. How and why would anyone be so bold and brave, knowing their lives were at stake? Peter's testimony is even more astounding this time, as he gives perhaps his most famous response, "We must obey God rather than men." Here Peter underscores his drive as a Christian. More important than obeying his or anyone else's will, is surrendering to God's. We all have our "musts", things that take priority in our lives. Where does God and His Kingdom rank on that list? Only when we see our place in Christ as our most defining and most fulfilling, will we see our obedience as o

We are all like sheep, in that in most areas of life we are at the mercy of a shepherd . We follow many shepherds, many that do not have our best interest in mind. Sometimes we're well aware of this, but can't break free. Other times, we don't realize we're being led astray. In Jeremiah 23, God identifies the many bad shepherds that lord over us in this life and promises to send us a better one. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who has come to save, lead and protect His people. Are you follow Him?

In Acts 4, we find the Disciples praying for boldness after displaying an extraordinary brand of bravery. However, as the story continues we find that they were just getting started… In fact, the boldness within their Church community may be the most humbling trait of early Christianity. Acts 4:32-37 details the selfless and sacrificial heart of the early Church. Perhaps what’s most striking is, that there was no mandate that required this level of generosity, yet every believer was moved by God to follow suit. The Disciples quickly find that giving up all to build God’s Church was far more fulfilling than possessing all the riches in the world. The more they made Jesus everything, the more they realized they didn’t need anything but Him. If this kind of joy and contentment is available for us, why aren’t we embracing this model? Why do we still yet cling to the ways of this world and hold fast to its views on wealth and fulfillment? God so desire that the early Church get all that He had for them, He w

If there is a God, holy and almighty, filled with grace and mercy who is inviting us to follow Him and be filled with His presence - Is there anything more important that pursuing Him and knowing Him? Yahweh revealed Himself to the ancient Hebrews as the God who can be known deeply and personally. We have the earliest records of His revelation because He first invited Moses into a personal relationship. Moses left the luxuries and riches of Egypt to ascend the mountain of God. He found true salvation and purpose, and God used him to invite an entire generation to know Him. This same invitation hangs over us to this day. The same world continually lets us down, but the same God offers to heal and lift us up. Yahweh is the God we can know. We may not be able and we may fall short, but I AM is always able and I AM is always enough. He is the God who can heal all brokenness.

We often talk a lot about restoring the Church to its early or original form. We dream of being filled with God's power and used for His glory in like or greater fashion. If we are really serious about this, we must take cues from Acts 4. After narrowly escaping death, the Disciples return to the Church and have one of the most consequential prayer meetings of all time. Their prayer requests and subsequent decisions come across so foreign to us, which may explain the difference between us and them. Rather than praying for God to minimize their risk before a threatening regime, they simply entrust the unknowns into God's hands. Their prayer is focused around maximizing their role in God's story. They worry little about preserving their stories, and desire only that they might fully participate in God's plan. They pray for boldness that they could keep the faith in the face of opposition and pray that God would have His will in their community. The results are nothing short of astounding. What does bold

The Bible is full of stories and accounts that paint a cohesive and complete picture of God. Genesis 16 should not be overlooked in our quest to know God and make Him known. It features Abraham and Sarah trying to come to terms with God's will, and shows how Hagar suffered as a result of their mishandling and manipulation. On both sides, we find people searching for affirmation and validation, and coming up empty. Most unfortunate is Hagar's story, as she was exiled for no fault of her own. Hagar is a stand-in for us all, shown at the end of her rope in disbelief and hurt. God chooses to shine His light on Hagar's heart, and sends a powerful message to every outcast, oppressed, and lost soul to come. Her encounter in the desert is one that we can all experience, because we serve the same God: The God who hears, sees, and loves us all.

Jesus often talked about the cost that would be associated with following Him. He prepped His followers for the trial that would be ahead of them, foreshadowing the events of Acts. In Acts 4, the Disciples faced trial before the very authorities that had sentenced Jesus to death. Like Jesus, they did so with an absolute fearlessness. Peter's remarkable defense reveals the power of their faith. They may have been condemned by law, ostracized by culture, and pitied by society, but they were saved by God. Peter and John were glad to be counted guilty by the world for their association with Jesus. They boldly proclaim that they would continue to serve Him no matter the cost. They would defy any law if necessary. However, perhaps their greatest testimony is that they were willing to defy their own wills in order to honor God's. They had counted the cost, and deemed the greater risk would be to miss out on God's work.

In Acts 3 we get a snapshot of what day to day life was like for the Disciples after the Church launched. Peter and John, filled with a burden and passion to show and share Jesus Christ, set an example for us all to follow. In this message we examine their patterns and consider what should translate to our own lives. We find a clear reminder that if the Church is going to be the Movement of God and Body of Christ as intended, it all hinges on our passion for our mission. Through presence, persistence, and preparation we can make an impact that rivals or even surpasses that of the First Century Church.