Acts Life Model

Sunday we resumed our preaching series through the book of Acts where we did a recap of the first 9 chapters. Below, we explore further how the early parts of Acts 9 envision Christianity.

This graphic is a common understanding of the christian life in our area. It separates the basic principles of Christianity into 3 buckets of Bible reading, church attending, and giving. And these actions are motivated out of a moral uprightness that is built into the general fabric of our society and culture.
I need to read my bible so that I can be a good Christian
I should join a church and attend their bible studies
If I am going to be taken seriously in my career/vocation, I should seek to be involved in some charity in my city
None of these desires are necessarily bad in and of themselves. These are good things. You should read the Bible, join a church, and do good in the city. But these things by themselves are woefully deficient in representing what God has done in Christ and what that means for our lives now if He is alive.

Now, in contrast to the cultural Christian model above, consider this graphic that represents how Acts 1-9 portrays Christianity on this side of the resurrection of Jesus:

If this graphic is indicative of the Christian life at all, notice where everything begins and flows from: Participation in the Life of God Himself.

Church life flows from each of us participating in the life of Christ. Mission flows from this life with/in God. The book of Acts shows a living reigning Savior who is breathing His life into His disciples. You cannot have a relationship to the church apart from a deep participation in the life of God. Nor can you understand identity as an ambassadors for Christ until an experience and participation in the life of Jesus defines all that you are.
The book of Acts reinterprets our modern culturally Christian lifestyles. It shows us that we do not read the Bible just to know the story. We read the Bible as the very words of God and means to abide in Him, to be united as one with Christ, and so that He can be our home. We do not go to church because it’s the right thing to do. Instead, our “church” involvement is the way that we actively participate in what God is doing in the world. And from there God uses us for His purposes.

I want you to notice how this graphic changes our understanding of mission. If this accurately represents the book of Acts (1-9), then we see that our carrying out the mission of God stems from our participating in the body of Christ. What this means is that church involvement is by nature missional. Mission begins with a local church considering  the implications of the living Jesus together as a people first. How they live with and love one another. How they worship. How they repent and grow together. How they give to meet the needs in each other’s lives. How they pray for each other and spur one another on toward good works. And as we seek to see the local church healthy, vibrant, prayerful, bold, zealous, holy, among many other characteristics used by the NT to describe our life now with Christ, the end result of our labor is an attractive alternate way of living that the world sees and is invited into. Where the church is healthy, God is seen and felt as real and alive. It is at this place that God uses us for His purposes in the world to see the light of the knowledge of His glory shining for all to see.

This past Sunday, we finally received copies of our LTG Manual. These manuals are now available for purchase for $11. If you are signed up for an LTG this semester, make sure you get one before you start meeting. These manuals help each member be adequately prepared and ready to engage in each LTG weekly meeting.
You can pay for the manual through the church app under the giving tab. Select "Sola City Resources"

Sunday we will pick up in Acts 9:32-43 as we resume our series through the book of Acts. If you are able, please read through this passage this week and prayerfully prepare for hearts to receive from God's Word on Sunday.