Establishing Kingdom Culture: Fellowship and Empowerment
I. Establishing Kingdom Culture
a. What is culture?
i. The intentional behaviors that govern interactions within the church community
ii. Culture is made up our:
1. Vision
2. Values
3. Unique Characteristics
4. Membership Covenant
5. Standards of Leadership
b. Why does culture matter?
i. Culture is who we are as a community
ii. If we do not intentionally establish our culture, the devil will
c. How do we establish culture in a community?
i. Clearly Define and Articulate it:
ii. Repeat it
iii. Identify and Celebrate when people understand and practice the culture
iv. Refuse to tolerate what violates our culture
d. We must go TOGETHER
i. We must all choose to embrace Heaven’s Kingdom Values…
1. If we want to make disciples of the nations
2. If we want to impact our city
3. If we want to see His kingdom come and His will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
James 1:27 The Passion Translation
True spirituality that is pure in the eyes of our Father God is to make a difference in the lives of the orphans, and widows in their troubles, and to refuse to be corrupted by the world’s values.
e. We will make a difference in the lives of the people in our city while refusing to be corrupted by the world’s values
i. If we don’t establish Heaven’s Kingdom Values in our communities, we will embrace the world’s demonic values
Acts 2:42-43 New King James Version
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [a]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
II. Clearly Defining and Articulating Fellowship and Empowerment
a. Fellowship: Assembly Required
i. We are united by our pursuit of the Lord. We come together to discover His heart and partner with His will. Breaking bread is optional, but strongly encouraged.
ii. Fellowship – koinonia (G2842)
1. Joint Participation
a. The share which one has in anything, participation
i. When you own shares in a company, you are invested in its success
b. A gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and proof of fellowship
i. There is a cost to joint participation
Matthew 6:21 New King James Version
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
c. Intercourse, intimacy
i. It takes two, and it’s a violation of a person if it’s not joint participation
iv. Joint participation in what exactly?
1. The ministry of reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 New King James Version
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [a]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
2. The expansion of the Kingdom of Heaven
Isaiah 9:7 New King James Version
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.Matthew 10:5-8 New King James Version
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven [a]is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, [b]cleanse the lepers, [c]raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
b. Empowerment: Model and Invite
i. Humility is the key that unlocks empowerment at BCF. When we choose to be correctable and teachable, we are empowered to fulfill every good and perfect work.
1. At BCF we will allow you to learn on the job, so long as you possess humility; the willingness to embrace our teaching and our correction
2. We are committed to empowering you the way Jesus empowered His disciples
a. Model and Invite
i. Jesus took His disciples with Him as He preached, taught, and demonstrated the power of the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven
ii. He then sent His disciples out two by two, to do the same, and didn’t go with them, but when they came back, He taught and corrected them
b. Low control, high accountability
i. We want you to implement your ideas, using your giftings, while understanding and embracing our heart (thoughts, feelings, and desires)
Amos 3:3 New King James Version
3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
ii. It will be scary sometimes and we will have to figure much out as we go forward together into deeper waters
c. You can only be empowered by what, or who, you fellowship with
John 5:19-20 New King James Version
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
i. Jesus’ apostles and disciples
1. Matthew 10 - apostles
2. Luke 10 – disciples
ii. Who are you empowered by?
John 8:44 New King James Version
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
1. How do you influence the world around you?
a. Deception
b. Manipulation
i. Passive Aggression
ii. Sarcasm
c. Aggression
i. Threats
ii. Violence
iii. Those of us who fellowship together here at BCF are united by our pursuit of the Lord’s will, and thus we are empowered by His Spirit to accomplish every good and perfect work
Zechariah 4:6 New King James Version
6 So he answered and said to me:
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
III. How do the values; Fellowship and Empowerment, Establish Heaven’s Kingdom Culture?
a. Fellowship and Empowerment identify those who are counted among us
i. The church of Acts continued steadfastly in doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer
1. If you’re not continuing steadfastly in fellowship/joint participation with us, you’re not counted among us
a. What do I mean: If you’re not counted among us, we won’t count on you
i. Responsibilities
ii. Influence
iii. Voice
b. This is not intended to pressure anyone into becoming a member here at BCF, but rather to help everyone here determine where they stand, and the responsibilities and benefits come with those standings
2. This DOES NOT mean that if you don’t fellowship with us, here at BCF, you’re not part of the kingdom
Mark 9:38-41 New King James Version
38 Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against [a]us is on [b]our side. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
a. You don’t have to continue steadfastly in fellowship here at BCF, but you need to be doing it somewhere
i. With ONE local body,
1. Fellowship is likened to intercourse and intimacy, you can’t jump from body to body
2. A tree cannot be uprooted and replanted over and over, and still expect bear fruit
3. We will not directly empower those who are not in direct fellowship with us
a. If you’re in fellowship with us we will empower you quickly, if you remain teachable and correctable
b. Fellowship and Empowerment unlocks the power of God in your lives
Acts 2:43 New King James Version
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
i. The church is the body and bride of Christ, you CANNOT have fellowship with Him, and not His church
1. You cannot be a follower of Christ and not be in covenant relationship with His church
a. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He used communal language: “Our”
2. To fellowship with the church is to fellowship with Christ and is accomplished through the public, corporate and private, personal practice of the spiritual disciplines
a. We have a sermon series on them available on our YouTube channel
b. The result of fellowship with Christ is the fruit of the Spirit. You know you are in fellowship with Christ when you bear the fruit of the Spirit.
i. Connecting with God in the secret place, makes you like Him in private and public places
ii. The church is body and bride of Christ, you CANNOT be empowered by Him, while refusing to be submitted to the teaching and correction of His body
1. To be empowered by the church, is to be empowered by Christ, this empowerment manifests itself as spiritual gifting
a. Spiritual gifts are a measure of the power of Jesus in us
Ephesians 4:7-8 New King James Version
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
2. You might be really tempted to think that only Jesus has the authority to impart spiritual gifts/power to a person
Romans 1:11 New King James Version
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—
3. Three ways the church empowers
a. Ordination/commission/inauguration
Numbers 27:18-20 New King James Version
18 And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19 set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate[a] him in their sight. 20 And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
b. The laying on of hands
2 Timothy 1:6 New King James Version
6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
c. Prophecy
1 Timothy 1:18 New King James Version
18 This [a]charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
2 Corinthians 10:4 New King James Version
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
c. Fellowship and Empowerment expands territory
i. The result of the power of God in our lives is violent and explosive kingdom expansion
Matthew 11:12 New King James Version
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Isaiah 9:7 New King James Version
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
1. When we fellowship with and are empowered by Jesus, He will send us new people
Acts 2:47b New King James Version
47 … And the Lord added [a]to the church daily those who were being saved.
2. When we fellowship with and are empowered by Jesus, He will send us into new territories
a. The Book of Acts
3. When we fellowship with and are empowered by Jesus, He will have us take territory from principalities/territorial spirits
Mark 5:7-10 New King James Version
7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore[a] You by God that You do not torment me.”
8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?”
And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
IV. Reflect, Repent, and Respond
a. Who or what do you fellowship with?
i. Who are you in joint participation with?
ii. How has it empowered you?
iii. You cannot be in fellowship with and empowered by Jesus, if you’re not in fellowship with His body on a local level
b. What have you entered into joint partnership with instead of or in addition to Jesus?
Matthew 6:24a New King James Version
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other…
c. If God, in His mercy, has shown you that you have not been in true fellowship with Jesus and His church, repent. Break the joint partnership you have entered into with the darkness and run to Jesus.
d. If you want to respond to Holy Spirit and enter into true fellowship with Jesus and His church I invite you to stand and come forward and we would love to pray over you as you pray the prayer behind me
Father,
Thank you for Your mercies which are new every morning. Thank You that You have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. Thank You that as the heavens are high above the earth, so is Your great mercy toward those who fear You. We repent before you King Jesus, for entering into joint partnership with (name whatever Holy Spirit has revealed to you/highlighted). We break partnership with and renounce (name it again) and determine today to follow only You, fellowship with only You, and be empowered only by You. Thank you that as far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed our transgressions from us. Thank you that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We love and worship You King Jesus. We commit to entering into true fellowship, joint participation, with the local body that you have called us to.
In Jesus’ beautiful, wonderful, matchless, and undefeated name we pray,
Amen
