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IRRESISTIBLE CHURCH
The first followers of Jesus, the early church that we read about in the book of Acts, had an irresistible quality about them. Empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit, they influenced and transformed the world around them. In this series of talks we will look at seven aspects of this culture that made church irresistible to others. PRESENCE - POWER - GRACE - GROWTH - BELONG - COMPASSION - RENEWAL |
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1. A People of The Presence
In this talk Nick looks at how an Irresistible Church is filled with the Presence of God, The Holy Spirit. The early church were committed to being a people of the presence. God's Presence is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. His Presence is precious to us, we hunger for His Presence. His Presence makes all the difference to us and to our world. |
"Without the Holy Spirit, Christian discipleship would be inconceivable, even impossible. There can be no life without the life-giver, no understanding without the Spirit of truth, no fellowship without the unity of the Spirit, no Christlikeness of character apart from his fruit, and no effective witness without his power. As a body without breath is a corpse, so the church without the Spirit is dead." - John Stott
“We are not all we were made to be when everything in our lives and churches can be explained apart from the work and presence of the Spirit of God….shouldn’t there be a huge difference between the person who has the Spirit of God living inside of him or her and the person who does not?” - Francis Chan |
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2. Power to make a difference
The Holy Spirit is the star of the book of Acts. He takes the lead role. He makes a church irresistible. An irresistible Church is a Powerful Church. People notice something different about the people who make up that kind of church. A powerful Church should make a difference in the community in which it is placed and to whom it serves. This is a church that makes a difference. In this talk Nick looks at how the power of the Holy Spirit makes all the difference. |
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3. A Grace Full Church
What are ‘Christians’ known for? Rarely are churches known for the grace they show others. Which is ridiculous, as grace lies at the heart of God and is the foundation of the gospel. Grace makes a church Irresistible. In this talk Nick looks at fives ways we can demonstrate Grace to one another and those who don’t ‘get’ church or who want nothing to do with church. |
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. Acts 4:32-34
“You don’t expect or require flawlessness from an irresistible church. Mistakes are made, yet the people in your church own up to their mistakes, learn, and grow from them. An irresistible church is a model of grace and acceptance. -Wayne Cordeiro |
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4. A Growing Church
An irresistible church is a growing church. The early church experienced dramatic growth that could not be resisted despite opposition from religious and political groups. In one day about 3000 were added to their number. What do we mean by growing? In this talk Nick looks at how we grow personally and as a church. |
"The growth of the early church is arguably the most remarkable sociological movement in history. The numbers are staggering. In AD 40 there were roughly one thousand Christians in the Roman Empire, but by AD 350 almost 30 million. A remarkable 53% of the population had converted to the Christian Faith" - Jon Tyson, Sacred Roots
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 |
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5. Longing for a place to belong
Every person longs for a place to belong. We all need other people in order to thrive. Where do you belong? In this talk Nick challenges us to be a people who take Jesus' command to "love one another" seriously. The early church was a community that were devoted to one another. Why? Where did they learn this? How can we create an irresistible church that draws people into a counter-cultural community? |
The inclusion of sinners in the community of salvation, achieved in table-fellowship, is the most dramatic expression of the message of the redeeming love of the merciful God. . . . Jesus’ sinner-guests were well aware that table-fellowship entailed more than mere politeness and courtesy; it meant peace, acceptance, reconciliation, fraternity.
- Brennan Manning There is an attractiveness, an energy about a life in which we stop clinging on to everything we can get and start sharing it, giving it away, celebrating God’s generosity by being generous ourselves. And that attractiveness is one of the things which draws people in.- Bishop Tom Wright. |
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6. A people of Courageous Compassion
We are surrounded by people who are harassed and helpless. There is such need in our community, where do we start? Our desire is to transform the city of Coventry, to make a difference, but how do we do that? The answer is Compassion. Compassion is both empathy and action. In this talk Nick asks; What stops us from being compassionate? How do we become a people of courageous compassion? WARNING: This talk may mess up your safe and comfortable life! |
"In those times there was darkness everywhere. In Heaven and on Earth, all the gates of compassion seemed to have been closed. "The killer killed and the Jews died and the outside world adopted an attitude either of complicity or of indifference. Only a few had the courage to care."
- Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel The test of spiritual maturity is not the ability to speak in tongues, prophesy, or memorise scripture. It is the ability to serve God and others through good works. It is in learning to love and serve the unlovely, the less fortunate, the downtrodden, that we fulfil our purpose on earth. -John Wimber |
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7. Renewal - A glimpse of Heaven
The early church had a message, it was a message of new life, a message of renewal. They were resurrection people, living in the light of the resurrection of Jesus. The future had broken into the present, Heaven was touching earth. In this talk, Nick concludes this series by looking at Rev 21:1-5 and how our picture of the future shapes the way we live in the present. An Irresistible Church is where we get a glimpse (a preview) of Heaven, God's Kingdom Here and Now. |
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:1-5 For a Preview of the Movie "Selma", used in this talk click here.
With Jesus, God’s rescue operation has been put into effect once for all. A great door has swung open in the cosmos which can never again be shut. It is the door to the prison where we have been kept chained up. We are offered freedom: freedom to experience God’s rescue for ourselves, to go through the open door and explore the new world to which we now have access. -Bishop Tom Wright |
Previous talks...
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The book of Psalms is the prayer book of the Bible. Found in the Old Testament, the Psalms are a collection of 150 songs drawn from the experience of life. Through good times and bad, trouble and turmoil or celebration and contentment, the Psalms give voice to the cries of our hearts. Forget any idea that these are sweet or cute songs, these are not prayers for 'nice people' but personal, authentic and often brutally honest. These songs are prayers which enable us to bring everything in our lives before a God who loves us. Through this series our hope is that as a church we will develop a deeper life of prayer and allow our hearts to sing "Songs in the Key of Life". |
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