Unstoppable: God’s Plan For Multiplication

God’s Plan For The Church

Introduction: God’s Plan Throughout History

• God’s original plan: Create people in His image to live in perfect relationship with Him and each other
• Human history:
  • Noah and the reset of the human race
  • Abraham and the creation of a chosen people
  • Israel’s journey through Egypt, Judges, Kings, and Exile
• 400 years of silence waiting for the “Promised Son”

The Arrival of the Promised One

• Jesus fulfills over 300 specific prophecies
• Jesus begins to form a new group of people to accomplish God’s plan

[Matthew 16:16-18] “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.'”

“Ekklesia (ek-klay-SEE-uh) means a gathering that has been called out of the community.”

Three Key Questions About the Church

1. Who Started the Church?

• Jesus started the church, not Peter
• Jesus takes responsibility for building His church

[Matthew 28:18-20] “Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'”

2. On What Was the Church Founded?

• The church is founded on the identity and mission of Jesus
• The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are central to the church’s foundation

[1 Corinthians 15:16-20] “And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.”

3. What Makes the Church Unstoppable?

• The power of the Holy Spirit

[Acts 1:8] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere–in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

[Romans 8:11] “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”

“When those who are ‘Called out together’ (the Church), place themselves under the authority of God and, out of love and gratitude, obey God, we experience the transforming power that raised Jesus from the dead; in our personal lives and in the life of our particular ‘Called out’ gathering (Grace).”

Application: Where Are You in the Mission of Jesus?

1. In need of rescue
   • Repent, turn to God, and be baptized
2. In the “household of faith” but not living in the fear of God
   • Recognize God’s sovereignty over every area of your life
   • Let gratitude fill your heart, leading to obedience
3. Humble before the Lord but fearful about identifying as a follower of Jesus
   • Remember Jesus’ authority
   • Make disciples, invite friends, pray for others, speak up about your faith

“See everyone, not as an enemy of faith but, as someone in need of the faith.”