God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Gen.1:27)

God created man in His own God created man in His own image, in the image of God He image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created him; male and female He created them. (Gen.1:27)created them. (Gen.1:27)

““Look, the home of God is now among Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them…”his people! He will live with them…” (Rev.21:3)(Rev.21:3)

In-between:In-between:Genesis 3:5 “You will be like God!” MEANS:Genesis 3:5 “You will be like God!” MEANS: Rebellion.Rebellion. Alone.Alone. Left with Left with SystemsSystems.. Avoiding God.Avoiding God. In the In the KosmosKosmos.. Air-Tight, God-Proof SystemsAir-Tight, God-Proof Systems

Scientific, Psychological, Medical, Educational, Scientific, Psychological, Medical, Educational, Political SYSTEMS.Political SYSTEMS.

Including Religious and Theological Systems.Including Religious and Theological Systems.

Systems That Replace GodSystems That Replace God1818 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all

ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, the truth in unrighteousness,

1919 because that which is known about God is evident because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.within them; for God made it evident to them.

……2121 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him

as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

2222 Professing to be wise, they became fools, Professing to be wise, they became fools,2323 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an

image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

1.The World: a Sphere of Rebellion

2.System: Order out of anarchy

3.Establishment: Reaching all areas.

Including the CHURCH.

God’s Challenge to Man’s God’s Challenge to Man’s Systems: Jesus ChristSystems: Jesus Christ His life was a collision against the System.His life was a collision against the System. Acknowledged Satan was the Ruler of it.Acknowledged Satan was the Ruler of it.

The Devil told him, “I will give you the glory of The Devil told him, “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them—these kingdoms and authority over them—because they are mine to give to anyone I because they are mine to give to anyone I please.” please.” Luke 4:6 (NLT)Luke 4:6 (NLT)

““The ruler of this world…” The ruler of this world…” John 12:31John 12:31 ““the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” the whole world lies in the power of the evil one”

1 John 5:191 John 5:19

God’s Challenge to Man’s God’s Challenge to Man’s Systems: Jesus ChristSystems: Jesus Christ His life was a collision against the System.His life was a collision against the System. Acknowledged Satan was the Ruler of it.Acknowledged Satan was the Ruler of it. He didn’t fit in…He didn’t fit in…

No job after age 30.No job after age 30. No significant accompl-No significant accompl-

ishments.ishments. No religious establishment.No religious establishment. No personal goals.No personal goals. No organization.No organization. Never in a hurry.Never in a hurry. Small circle of insignificant friends.Small circle of insignificant friends.

Did not codify his teachings.Did not codify his teachings. Created no social “cause”.Created no social “cause”. Never entered politics.Never entered politics. Taught wherever, whenever.Taught wherever, whenever. Never chided lack of Never chided lack of

accomplishment: only faith.accomplishment: only faith. Never angled for advantage.Never angled for advantage. Labeled ‘Irresponsible’.Labeled ‘Irresponsible’.

God’s Challenge to Man’s God’s Challenge to Man’s Systems: Jesus ChristSystems: Jesus Christ His life was a collision against the System.His life was a collision against the System. Acknowledged Satan was the Ruler of it.Acknowledged Satan was the Ruler of it. He didn’t fit in…He didn’t fit in…

A living collision with the System.A living collision with the System.

He introduced a solution.He introduced a solution. Not another Not another systemsystem.. It was something organic…It was something organic…

The Organic Body of ChristThe Organic Body of Christ

““And suddenly there came from heaven a And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were filled the whole house where they were sitting.” sitting.” Acts 2:2 (NASB) Acts 2:2 (NASB)

Begun by the Holy Spirit, not men.Begun by the Holy Spirit, not men. Not “CHURCH”.Not “CHURCH”. Rather, ecclesia: “Called OUT Ones…”Rather, ecclesia: “Called OUT Ones…” A mystical union between God and Man.A mystical union between God and Man.

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Rom.12:4-5)

What happened?What happened? They were continually devoting themselves

to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Acts 2Acts 242 And they were 42 And they were continually devoting continually devoting

themselves to the apostles’ teachingthemselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.bread and to prayer.

43 And everyone kept feeling a sense 43 And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.were taking place through the apostles.

ContentfulContentful


themselves tothemselves to the apostles’ teaching the apostles’ teaching and to and to fellowshipfellowship, to the breaking of , to the breaking of bread and to prayer.bread and to prayer.


RelationalRelational

Cf. vCf. v 46 46 Every Every dayday continuing continuing with one mind in with one mind in the temple, and the temple, and breaking bread breaking bread from house to from house to house, they were house, they were taking their meals taking their meals together with together with gladness and gladness and sincerity of heartsincerity of heart


themselves tothemselves to the apostles’ teaching the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to and to fellowship, to the breaking of the breaking of breadbread and to prayer. and to prayer.


Celebration!Celebration!


themselves tothemselves to the apostles’ teaching the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to bread and to prayerprayer..


God-centeredGod-centered

Acts 2Acts 242 And they were continually devoting 42 And they were continually devoting

themselves to the apostles’ teaching themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.bread and to prayer.

43 And everyone 43 And everyone kept feeling a sense kept feeling a sense of aweof awe; and many wonders and signs ; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.were taking place through the apostles.

AmazementAmazement

Acts 2Acts 242 And they were continually devoting 42 And they were continually devoting

themselves to the apostles’ teaching themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.bread and to prayer.

43 And everyone kept feeling a sense 43 And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and of awe; and many wonders and signsmany wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.were taking place through the apostles.

SupernaturalSupernatural

Acts 2Acts 244 And all those who had believed 44 And all those who had believed

were together, and were together, and had all things in had all things in commoncommon;;

45 and they 45 and they began selling their began selling their property and possessionsproperty and possessions, and were , and were sharing them with allsharing them with all, as anyone , as anyone might have need.might have need.Generous,Generous,

SacrificialSacrificial

Acts 2Acts 246 And day by day continuing 46 And day by day continuing with one mindwith one mind

in the temple, and breaking bread from in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,of heart,

47 praising God, and having favor with all the 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being number day by day those who were being saved.saved.

UnifiedUnified

Acts 2Acts 246 And day by day continuing with one mind 46 And day by day continuing with one mind

in the templein the temple, and breaking bread , and breaking bread from from house to househouse to house, they were taking their , they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,of heart,


Large & Large & Small groupsSmall groups


in the temple, and breaking bread from in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their house to house, they were taking their meals together with meals together with gladness and sincerity gladness and sincerity of heartof heart,,


AuthenticAuthentic



47 47 praising Godpraising God, and having favor with all the , and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being number day by day those who were being saved.saved.GratefulGrateful



47 praising God, and 47 praising God, and having favor with all the having favor with all the peoplepeople. And the Lord was adding to their . And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being number day by day those who were being saved.saved.

Culturally Culturally IntegratedIntegrated



47 praising God, and having favor with all the 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was people. And the Lord was adding to their adding to their number day by day those who were being number day by day those who were being rescuedrescued..

OutreachingOutreaching

The ‘Church’ vs. Body of The ‘Church’ vs. Body of ChristChrist

Contentful->IgnorantContentful->Ignorant Koinonia->PewsKoinonia->Pews Communion->Superstitious SystemCommunion->Superstitious System Prayer->Formulas, DurgesPrayer->Formulas, Durges Awe->Stuffy, Impersonal SystemsAwe->Stuffy, Impersonal Systems Supernatural->Man-made achievementsSupernatural->Man-made achievements Sacrificial->Investments in the KosmosSacrificial->Investments in the Kosmos One Mind->Polite DistanceOne Mind->Polite Distance Multiple Meetings->One MeetingMultiple Meetings->One Meeting Authentic Spirituality->Stale RitualsAuthentic Spirituality->Stale Rituals Praising God->WHAT FOR??Praising God->WHAT FOR?? Favor with the People->Christianity is a Favor with the People->Christianity is a failed religionfailed religion.. Adding to their numbers: Christianity in decline.Adding to their numbers: Christianity in decline.

The Body of ChristThe Body of Christ

Essentially Irreligious!Essentially Irreligious! Called away from salvation by a system,Called away from salvation by a system,

to salvation by a person.to salvation by a person. A beautiful, relational event, where A beautiful, relational event, where

someone comes and says, “I'm God with someone comes and says, “I'm God with skin on, and I want to deal with you as a skin on, and I want to deal with you as a person...not through a system.”person...not through a system.”

Conclusion:Conclusion:

What prevents us from enjoying the same, What prevents us from enjoying the same, exciting Body of Christ?exciting Body of Christ?

God?God? Love of the SYSTEMS of Man?Love of the SYSTEMS of Man? Apathy?Apathy? Cynicism?Cynicism? ““No Time” ?No Time” ?

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God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Gen.1:27)