Apply – Week 1

Part of our routine each week should be reflecting on the message and worship from the Sunday before. So this is designed to help you reflect on what we learned. The main idea behind this entire sermon series is found right in the title: “It’s Who You Are, Not Where You Are.” Stop thinking of the church as a place and start thinking of yourself as the church.

This last week (Sunday, May 15) we looked at Acts 2. We saw the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. The main points of the message centered around our identity and what it means to identify ourselves as the church. The three main points were (1) Who You Are: the Holy Spirit Comes; (2) Who You Are: the Power of the Holy Spirit; and (3) Who You Are: the Holy Spirit Multiplies.

I started each point with “Who You Are” because I want us to remember that what we believe about God and how we relate to Him will define who we are. If you really believe that the Holy Spirit “comes” into your life and has “power” it should change the way you live. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit wants to multiply his church? Again, if you do, that should change the way you think about yourself.

When you identify yourself as a member of the church, set apart and filled by the Holy Spirit: “Your words can be powered by Him, your understanding can be clarified by him. Your invitations have the weight of God behind them. Your words of encouragement have the force of a savior driving them. Your words of witness are given clarity by an ever-present and all-present Holy Spirit.”

Do: To apply Sundays message I would challenge you to pray and ask God to give you the opportunity to speak into someone’s life. Ask for an opportunity to encourage someone, or invite someone to church, or invest in someone’s life! Then step up and obey, seize the opportunity that God gives you.

Read: Spend some time between now and Thursday in the Word. Read the recommended passages and try to answer the questions. Read Acts 4; Acts 7; and Philippians 3:12-4:1.

1. In Acts 4 when the officials tell Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus, how do they respond?
2. What does that tell you about Peter and John?
3. What do the believers pray for in Acts 4:29?
4. In Acts 7 verses 1-53 are basically a sermon. What did Stephen preach about?
5. Who is present at the death of Stephen and what were their roles?
6. In Philippians 3:12-13 what is Paul trying to “make his own?” Hint read Philippians 3:9.
7. How are mature believers supposed to think?
8. What does Philippians 3:20 say about your identity as a member of the church (your identity as a believer)?