Points to Ponder week of 1/16

We live in a world with a lot of activity and in the Christian world one big one is often “going to church.” Church for many is an activity to do, a gathering to attend, or a checklist item to check off. But Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” What did He have in mind for this church? Was it just a social gathering or was it a movement of God’s people called out to usher in His Kingdom on the earth?
As we begin to dig into the book of Acts, let's set our eyes on Scripture, to dig out and examine the foundation of the Church. The Acts of the Apostles is our family history, it's the root of the Christian faith and reveals to us the identity of who God was calling the church to be and to do. So as we examine Christ’s commissioning of the church in Acts 1:1-11 this week, ask yourself the question, “What’s the focus of the Church, where is Jesus pointing the Church toward as His people?” Then think about how you view church, and how you have experienced it, and seek how you can move closer to what Jesus had in mind when He spoke about the Church.