Now What? – 4. We Are The “Church”

Today will be a special day for New Day Church. We are stepping into our 3rd mandate the Lord has given me.

The 1st one was to Build His people up each and every week. Calling them up into Who God is for them and who they are to God.

The 2nd mandate is to invest personally as heavily as I can into the men of this church. I believe this is soil God desires to plow and nurture.

And the third mandate (given 3 months ago) is to raise up and send out missionaries into our communities to reach the lost for Christ.

And today we are commissioning Jim & Amy along with Mike and Jess.

Over the last 3 weeks, myself and Jim have been preaching and calling you into the ministry and giftings God has given to you. Each of you here today.

I believe We are all to some degree catching the vision being the church rather than “doing” or “going” to church. It is a vision of every believer contributing through the spiritual gifts that reside in each one. It is a vision of every believer, using his/her gifts, to take God’s love and power into the world we live in. It is a vision of no longer thinking of the church as an event or place to go, but realizing that we, his people, really are the church everywhere and every place that we go.

Church is where Christ lives, not the place where we meet. It is Christ-empowered people, a kingdom of priests for the purpose of winning against the works of the devil and establishing God’s Kingdom.

Christianity is not about “doing” church, but being the church. Church is not some place to go to just participate in, but it is about being who you are in Christ and thus experiencing His real life in you. Your Christianity is defined by the Christ in you. In other words, you are a Christian 24/7And are called to represent Him to the world in which you live.

The church is meant to be the expression of Christ’s life and power on earth.

Each of us (not just me) have a ministry, from God, to fulfill while we are here on earth. God is an advancer. And His focus is His kingdom. He is always moving forward. Advancing His kingdom taking back the ground the enemy stole. And desires to partner with us (His sons and daughters) to advance His kingdom. And therefore has given us a ministry along with His grace and anointing to do His work on His behalf.

The church’s true nature is best seen by the life that Jesus modeled: he took the life of the kingdom everywhere that he went—out into the world that he was ministering to. In the process of going, he healed, loved, delivered, and shared good news. God’s heart is missional at the core as he seeks to recover his children who are lost to him. Jesus came to “seek and to save the lost.” This is not a sidebar. God, because of his love, is a caring, reaching God.

The church is becoming unleashed as Christians are rediscovering the adventure of “going” and taking the presence (love, life, and power) of God everywhere that they are going. Jesus called us to a Lifestyle that would take us out of our comfort zone and into the adventure of miraculous living as we extend ourselves to extend his kingdom.

As Jim Rutz wrote, “The bleachers are beginning to empty as 707 million action-oriented Christians start to pour out onto the playing field and discover the joy and challenge of every-member ministry.”3

MINISTRY is simply, How we will serve God’s people (both believer and the lost). ministry was & is a gift from God. ministry is not something we force, but something God gives (received in the Lord). Ministry is not something we do for God; it is something God does in and through us. The end goal is transformation of His people!

Two types – Specific assignment/ calling & Daily opportunities.

Ministry is something we must receive from one source God.

RECEIVE means to take Responsibility and welcome accountability.
We are stewards of the work God has given us to do. And if the Lord gave you a ministry/work to do, the Lord will also help you carry it out in the right way. But He wants a return on His partnership.

MINISTRY COMES FROM GOD – You don’t just make it up. He is the initiator of what He has for you to do.

Eph. 4.11 (NKJV) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
Eph. 4.12 (NKJV) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Most of the truly defining moments of our lives take place because we are willing to step out and trust that God has more for us. Rarely do we find new life by holding back or retreating into our familiar, comfort zones.

Eph. 4.16 (NKJV) from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Let’s look for a moment at two passages that will help lay a foundation of what I am attempting to communicate to you!

Col. 4.17 (NKJV) And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

2Tim. 4.5 (NKJV) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

God is calling you UP, He’s not focused on your inadequacy or weakness.

He Calling us up 1st into our IDENTITY. I’m a affirmed beloved child of God.
He then Calls us up into our MINISTRY. Clarity and action.

And lastly calls us up into His ABILITY. I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength. He is with us.

Ministry always comes from identity otherwise what you do for God will become your identity. (it happened to me)

First and foremost we all have been given a ministry of RECONCILIATION fueled by God’s LOVE for others… (This is important)

God has chosen you to be His and has sent you as a son or daughter into “your world” with a Ministry of reconciliation to do on His behalf… in and with His power (ability).

John 17:18 (nkjv) as you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

John 15:16 (nkjv) you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the father in my name he may give you.

Ministry is people.
Love is the compelling guide.
The Holy Spirit is the teacher.

You have been placed in YOUR world to be a conduit of His LIGHT (exposing God’s nature) and a conduit of His LOVE (exposing their value to Him).

The light of our actions and our words exposes the depth of His Love.

Matt. 5.14 (NLT) You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.
Matt. 5.15 (NLT) Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all.
Matt. 5.16 (NLT) In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Ministry is done in the flow of life (whether good or bad circumstances)

Acts 16.25 (NLT) Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
Acts 16.26 (NLT) Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
Acts 16.27 (NLT) The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.
Acts 16.28 (NLT) But Paul shouted to him, “Don’t do it! We are all here!”
Acts 16.29 (NLT)Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down before Paul and Silas.
Acts 16.30 (NLT) He brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Acts 16.31 (NLT)They replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household.”
Acts 16.32 (NLT) Then they shared the word of the Lord with him and all who lived in his household.
Acts 16.33 (NLT) That same hour the jailer washed their wounds, and he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.

But in order for us to be fruitful ministers its vital we know where ministry comes from. GOD! NOT US.

John 15:1-7 (TPT)
“I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father 2 He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches[a] and pruning[b] every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest 3 The words I have spoken over you have already cleansed[c] you.

4 So you must remain in life-union with me,[d] for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine. 5 “I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches.[e] As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless.

Separate and Send…

Acts 13.1 (NKJV) Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Acts 13.2 (NKJV) As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 13.3 (NKJV) Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 13.4 (NKJV) So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Here is what I see.

God using New Day to

• Raise Up
• Equip
• Send Out

With this mission to

1. REACH.
2. LOVE.
3. SHARE.

House to House…

Acts 5.40 (NKJV) And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Acts 5.41 (NKJV) So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
Acts 5.42 (NKJV) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Let’s reflect on what gatherings do look like in Scripture.
Remember, the first church was birthed with 3,000 people coming
to Christ in one day (Acts 2). Gatherings immediately sprang up in
many different settings, at many different times, and with great
frequency—even daily (Acts 2:46 ). The nature of these gatherings
was such that they could take place anywhere and everywhere
that life was happening.

• Most gatherings were small.
• Many gatherings took place around a meal.
• Gatherings were simple and did not require professionals or even
• special leadership.
• Gatherings were more fluid than structured.