Acts 2:41-45: Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

The new testament church described in Acts is the kind of church that attracted thousands. Imagine having a church of only one hundred that, after a miraculous move of the spirit, grows to over three thousand in one day! Imagine! And this church was run on four basic actions: teaching, fellowship (hanging out), the Lord’s Super (eating together), and prayer. Four simple actions constructed a church that revolutionized ancient historical culture and changed the course of the human race!

Then why do we make it so complicated? How did Christianity go from an attractive movement to something for which we must aspire? Why jump through the hoops to reach God? That was not the intention of the first church. It wasn’t even called church. That came later. Christians came later. These people were simple people drawn to a supernatural God.

Verse 43 states that “a deep sense of awe came over them” and that “the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.” The Acts Church was familiar with the supernatural. It was tangent and moving among them daily. These believers were not afraid to let the Holy Spirit move, to let Him display His power. Why has that changed? Again, modern churches have shifted from what was to something more complicated. There is a desire for structure and order; some services are even structured to the very minute; yet, have we put so much structure that God has no room to move? Modern churches have forgotten that when the Holy Spirit moves, there is structure! There is order and structure, but there is also freedom and openness for God’s will to be accomplished. Structuring God out leaves rigid religion, and that is not God.

Because the Acts church was submitted to the flow of the Spirit, something even more miraculous happened. Verse 45 says that the early believers “shared everything they had,” going so far as to sell their homes and possessions so the poor and in need could be given help. This spirit of generosity was revolutionary. In the ancient Roman culture, there was no such thing as charity. IN the ancient Hebrew culture, there was no such thing as charity outside the family! Yet, here, perfect strangers bound together by a mutual faith have done the impossible! They changed modern culture by introducing charity! Since that day, Christians have been the forerunners in disaster relief, aiding the poor, and helping those in need. All because a group of people remained submitted to a supernatural, loving God.

When humanity is exposed to God, hearts change. It is seen in the creation of generosity, and it is seen in the second and third actions taken by the Acts church. Fellowship and the sharing of a meal at a table; these two things are revolutionary to church life. In the days of the New Testament, sharing a meal was no small feat. It was an event that spanned for hours. Enemies would sit down together and dine as a show of peace and forgiveness. When a meal was shared, a friendship was formed. In the modern western era, the value of the table has been lost. People are too busy to go home and eat. Tables are more an accepted social norm for a home than a used piece of furniture. There is something difficult about inviting someone into your home. Home is intimate, private, holding secrets that you may not be willing to share. That is why restaurants are so popular. It is easier to share a meal in public than it is in private. And yet, this one on one intimacy of sharing a meal together in a home is one of the staples of early chruch life that made it attractive.

Yes, the first group of believers were attractive! And we as Christians should strive for the same. Back then, 3000 people did not join in a day because the early Christians had a big building with lots of gadgets and nifty programs that ran perfectly and smoothly, followed by lunch at a near by eatery. No, this church was attractive because God reigned! And were God is, people follow. His presence is attractive. His Spirit changes hearts from hard and selfish to soft and generous. That gives room for an open, friendly environment that welcomes all. It was God’s presence that brought people in, and it is God’s presence that built a church that changed the world.

Teach the Word. Hang Out. Be Hospitable, inviting people into your home. And Pray. Four simple things that can change history. Are you ready?

Lots of places have slogans. For example, McDonald’s slogan would be “I’m loving it.” The C3 Church’s slogan would be “your best life”. We believe that God has only the best of intentions for our lives. You best life means your best all together life, not your best one part of your life. We are not supposed to focus only on your spiritual life; you must focus also on your physical and emotional lives as well.

At that time the above verses were written, Jews and Gentiles were being treated differently. The Jews were allowing the Gentiles to be Christians, but the gentiles were not allowed to completely join. They were not allowed to worship in the inner courts. The church that Jesus is building is for everyone, there are no insiders and outsiders. When someone immigrates into this country, they must get a green card in order to live here. Green cards allow the person to live here as a citizen, but they are not allowed everything that a citizen is allowed, such as the right to vote. With God, there are no green cards. Everyone is allowed, and everyone is equal. This is our family.

However, being a part of this family means that you must contribute something. We all have our place, and we all have our calling, but our calling is also as a family. We must work together as such. Even while all families have dysfunction, we are called, as the local church, to change lives and impact the world. Nothing can impact the world like the local church.

We are a leadership-driven church. We are visionary, but we have order, and we hold ourselves accountable. Everything that God does, He does through a person. The cornerstone is Christ. This is a dwelling place for Him. he lives in us. We have the power to reach the world, but think long-term. Is what you are doing today going to impact the world in a good way?

Nicodemus came to Jesus soon after Jesus had cleared the Temple. He was a member of the Pharisees–a group who ran the Temple and profited from the not-so-holy business dealing that were going on within until Jesus came and drove everyone out. It seemed to be his hope to win Jesus over before this new stranger could cause any more trouble. He tries to butter him up by calling him “Rabbi” and talking about his miracles. It is then that Jesus hits him with this: “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Huh? That came from way left field! It is a statement that has nothing to do with the conversation at hand. Now, we modern day Christians understand the importance of this statement. Salvation or “being born again” is a fundamental basis for Christianity. But for Nicodemus, the statement was a bit absurd. He was trying to win Jesus over, and yet Jesus was changing the subject. Why would he do that?

It is because Nicodemus came to him with an agenda, and Jesus was going to have none of it. We often come to God with an agenda–deliberately or not, hoping He will accept it and do things the way we want them done. However, we must be prepared for the consequences. If we come to God with an agenda, He will answer us with something that will blow our minds! This story is a perfect example; it poses the questions, “What will you do when God has another agenda?”

As this new year begins, we all make plans and resolutions. It is common. We also seek vision for what we should do. This time presents a unique opportunity where our agenda and God’s plans meet, and we have a choice to either hold to our plans or submit to His will. It is like walking a dog. A dog gets excited at first over the walk, willingly accepts the leash, and lets the human lead. Then, after some time, the dog tries to take control of the walk by going this way or that, forcing the human to tug on the leash to correct the dog’s path. Then, inevitably, the dog takes a stance of refusal, digging paws into the ground so as not to move any further.

We as humans act in much the same way. We lay aside our agenda to follow God’s vision for the year. At first, we are excited. We follow God’s lead. We let Him take control. Then, after a few months, we begin to try to take back to the control. We want to go another way. God brings someone into our world to speak to us (a “tug on the leash”) and set us back on the right path. Then, more time passes, and we reach a point of stubbornness. We don’t want to go this way any more, so we drag our heals. At this point, God does two things. First, He tugs on the leash once. He gives us a chance to submit. Fiances get tights, so we stop tithing. He sends a “tug.” We get into a relationship that may not be best for the time being. He sends a “tug.” Any number of situations come up where our pride gets mixed in and we stop following God’s lead; He sends one tug. And if we do not submit, He let’s go of the “leash.” He frees us to do what we want–regardless of the consequences He knows will happen as a result– because He cannot and will not control us.

Inevitably, disaster strikes. Can we look at God and ask why He lead us here? Sure, but it was not Him who lead. He let go. We went our own way. But God is merciful. We come back and submit to His lead again, and He will lead us. He promises in His Word to lead us through the good times (”by the still waters”) and the bad (”through the valley of the shadow of death”). He leads us no matter what. He is always there beside us if we lower our agenda and let Him take the lead.

The shepherds in the natural came to worship a shpeherd in the spirit. Shepherds are caretakers for their sheep. They watch over tham, and protect them from all harm. When a sheep runs off, the shepherd follows it and brings it back to the herd. Sheep need the shepherd. Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd. When we wander astray, He follows us, making suer that we don’t get into too much trouble. He protects us, making sure the the wolves who come to destroy us do not have their way. With Him on our side, nothing can hurt us.

Matthew 2:1-12 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “’But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

When the kings came to see Jesus, they brought gifts fit for a king. They asked Herod where the new king was. The kings proceeded to follow the star until they did find Jesus. The newborn baby was a king, and He still is today. He is the most powerful knig that ever lived. Revelation 19:16 says that on His robe is the name “King of all kings and Lord of all Lords.” Kings know where they are going, and they rule with authority. As subjects, we are not to question or argue what the king decrees.

Jesus Christ is a shepherd and a king. When He is your shepherd, you are His sheep. You are well taken care of. He restores your soul. He protects you from everything that could ever come against you. He knows what you need, and He delivers it. When He is your king, you are His subject. You must bow to Him. You must carry out what He decrees in your life. Love your neighbors as yourself. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not cheat. Consequences will come when you disobey the king. Are you ready to make Him your king? Are you ready for the responsibility of becoming a subject instead of just a sheep?

Acts 16:16-31 (NLT):One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.

Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.” A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! 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. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

This is a fantastic story about how life can turn cold really quickly when you follow God’s will. Prior to these events, Paul was seeking God in order to discover what he was to do next. He was about to take the Gospel out of Palestine and into Europe. He sought God’s will as to the next step. God granted hm a dream which led him to Philippi. There, he met Lydia, a business woman, and through her, the church of Philippi is established. Things are looking great from Paul’s perspective.

And then, he meets a demon possessed girl and things turn sour. Suddenly, he is locked in the lowest level of the dungeon where there is no light, no place to sit, and the inmates are less than pleasant company. In just one day, things go from awesome to not so awesome. That is something that we as humans do not expect when we step out to obey God’s will. He grants us a dream; we take the courageous steps to follow it. Then, suddenly, life goes south. Our natural inclination is to look up at God and say, “What the hey? Not cool, man! I’m following Your will, here! Why is this happening? I did not sign up for all this trial and tribulation!” Sad but true; we never expect that following the will of God will be hard.

But it is in these times of trial that God’s grace abounds. He wants to see what we do next. Trials build us or break us depending on our attitude. Can we keep faith when all hell is breaking over our world? When the hour is darkest, what do we do?

Paul’s attitude in his circumstance is what makes this story so powerful. The story picks up at midnight, the darkest hour; and we find Paul and Silas singing. They are singing! In their darkest hour, when they would have every right to be angry and/or resentful of their circumstances, they sing to the One they love and serve. And what’s even better, the other prisoners are listening. You see, the world watches when Christians are in trial. Our attitude in the tough times reflects the God we serve. Paul sang his heart out that night thanking God for all He has done.

And the prison shakes! The power and the presence of God rushes through the lowest level of the dungeons, breaking ever lock and shackle and opening every door. God did not just free Paul and Silas; He freed everyone! He cannot help Himself. He loves to set people free! Miracles happen in people’s lives, and it flows out to those who are around the person receiving the miracle. If your life is going hard, surround yourself with people who praise!

God takes it one step further in this story. The jailer–a man who must be hard for he deals with hardened criminals and executions on a daily basis–comes running in to see that the doors are open. He panics. His greatest fear has been realized; he has failed in his duty, and now there is only one option left to him: death. Yet, God intervenes even then. Paul calls out to him in the knick of time. God’s presence was so strong in the prison that none of the prisoners had dared to move. The jailer falls to his knees and begs to get whatever it is Paul and Silas have. And all of this happened because they praised.

There are people around us who feel they have no option left and are ready to give into death. Their lives are in ruin. Everything has fallen apart. Their worst fears are realized. God wants to intervene. He wants to use us to intervene in their world. You see, our attitudes in our darkest hours allow us to carry the presence of God into the world, where it intervenes in the lives of others who are imprisoned, near death, ready to give up. Our miracles become theirs, and the captives are set free! Your worst hour is the moment God is waiting for to shake up the world!

God can unlock our lives and bring freedom, but it depends on our attitudes. Praise Him in the darkness, and see what He will do!

Acts 3:1-8: “Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.”

What is the call of God for our lives? The call of God is a lot of things, but it is to have glorious futures. Elevate your thinking about yourself. In life, we are to bind together with peace. When we see someone hurting, we are to help that person, not bring someone half way. Referring to the Acts excerpt, Peter would not have gone to the temple without an offering, so he had money when the beggar asked him for money. However, God knew that the beggar needed healing. God spoke to Peter, and Peter gave the man what he needed, which was healing.

So why this day? Why, when Peter and John passed this man every day, why today? Why would the man be healed today and not the day before or after? Something happened today that shifted in Peter’s heart, and he picked the man up and helped him inside.

It isn’t like the man had no friends. The man was crippled since birth. His friends and family carried him to the temple and home from the temple every day. The difference is that the man’s friends hadn’t had the vision to bring him into the temple. They only brought him to the entrance of the temple because he was a cripple. Something went off in Peter’s heart, and he knew that he just had to bring this man into the temple, and when he did, the man could control himself. Peter shouted “look at us!” people knew who Peter and John were because of this, and they knew that Peter and John believed in Jesus, the Messiah. By healing the crippled man and bringing him into the temple instead of just to the edge of the House of God, they were making a statement, a very true statement, that Jesus Christ is Lord, the true son of God. Peter also grabbed the man and pulled him up. In that day, cripples were not touched. They were the bottom level, the lowest place you could be; they were dirty!

What we need to do is bring the people we know into the House of God. We need to touch hearts, and bring people to where God and His love reside. We need to reach people where they are at. If you find someone sitting on the sidelines of life, do not just leave them there. Bring them into the House of God. Have vision for people’s lives. The call of God on our lives is to extend our hands to people, and bring them into the House of God.

Have a vision of what is possible. Destiny is a hard thing to understand, but what and where is your destination? How will you get there? Develop a sensitivity to God, so that when He asks you to do something for Him, you can and will. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling to know that you have helped God to change someone’s life? Will you do something crazy for Him?

God NEVER gives up on people, and neither should we. Don’t let anything stop you from loving and believing in people. Be the Peter to someone’s life. Bring people into the House of God, instead of just to the House of God.

So, which person are you right now? Are you the beggar? Are you the friends of the beggar? Or are you the Peter?