Mal Calladine talked at Pip n Jay Church in Bristol on 18 Nov 2012. Jesus talked about building his church - what does this look like, and how are we involved? References include Matthew's gospel chapters 16 and 18, and the letter to the Ephesians chapter 4.

1. JESUS & HIS CHURCH

3. JESUS & HIS CHURCH
“his bride has made herself ready…”
Revelation 19: 7b

4. Antioch
Jerusalem

5. THE “INCREASE & SPREAD” PATTERN
THROUGH ACTS
CENTRE I – JERUSALEM
Acts 6v7
“So the word of God spread. The number of
disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly”
Trigger for spread ... Persecution Acts 8: 1-4

7. CHURCH in the Gospels
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this
rock I will build my church, and the gates of
Hades will not overcome it.
Matthew 16: 18

8. CHURCH in the Gospels
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their
fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to
you, you have won them over. But if they will not
listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every
matter may be established by the testimony of two or
three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to
the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the
church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax
collector.
Matthew 16: 18

9. CHURCH in the Gospels
Vision & Purpose - Matthew 16: 18
Community & Conflict - Matthew 18: 15 - 17

10. CHURCH in Jesus’ time (informed by…)
Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is
not good. You and these people who come to you
will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy
for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me
and I will give you some advice, and may God be
with you. You must be the people’s representative
before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach
them his decrees and instructions, and show them
the way they are to live and how they are to behave.
But select capable men from all the people
Exodus 18: 17-23

11. CHURCH in Jesus’ time (informed by…)
… men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate
dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over
thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them
serve as judges for the people at all times, but have
them bring every difficult case to you; the simple
cases they can decide themselves. That will make
your load lighter, because they will share it with you.
If you do this and God so commands, you will be
able to stand the strain, and all these people will go
home satisfied.”
Exodus 18: 17-23

12. CHURCH in Jesus’ time (informed by…)
… men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate
dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over
thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them
serve as judges for the people at all times, but have
them bring every difficult case to you; the simple
cases they can decide themselves. That will make
your load lighter, because they will share it with you.
If you do this and God so commands, you will be
able to stand the strain, and all these people will go
home satisfied.”
Exodus 18: 17-23

13. JESUS’ experience of CHURCH
- Family
- Synagogue
- Temple

14. So JESUS, where do you go to CHURCH?

15. Luke 8: 19 - 21
“My mothers and brothers are those who hear
God’s word and put it into practice…”

16. Accountability
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17. Small Group
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18. Community
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19. Celebration
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20. Intimacy
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Structure

22. Selfless Communities

23. City Wide Celebration

25. JESUS’ gifts to the CHURCH
But to each one of us grace has been given as
Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high, he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets,
the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip
his people for works of service, so that the body of
Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the
faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and
become mature, attaining to the whole measure of
the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4: 7-8,10-11

26. JESUS’ gifts to the CHURCH
But to each one of us grace has been given as
Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high, he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets,
the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip
his people for works of service, so that the body of
Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the
faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and
become mature, attaining to the whole measure of
the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4: 7-8,10-11

27. JESUS’ gifts to the CHURCH
But to each one of us grace has been given as
Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high, he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets,
the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip
his people for works of service, so that the body of
Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the
faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and
become mature, attaining to the whole measure of
the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4: 7-8,10-11

28. THE “INCREASE & SPREAD” PATTERN
THROUGH ACTS
CENTRE I – JERUSALEM
Acts 6v7
“So the word of God spread. The number of
disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly”
Trigger for spread ... Persecution Acts 8: 1-4

30. Ephesians 4: 16
“From Him…
“…the whole body, joined & held together by every
supporting ligament, grows & builds itself up in
love…”
“… as each part does its work.”

32. Where is JESUS challenging you
about his CHURCH?