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Church without Walls


building God’s house through Christ Church and St George’s — Stamford Devoted to the


breaking of bread


devoted to the apostle’s teaching.


A Church without walls sees people coming to Christ as Lord and growing up in Him.


My early theme for 2012 has been a Church without walls. I have preached on this at St George’s, in the Karamoja and at Christ Church. If you missed the talk do go online and have a listen to the St George’s version.


Devoted to the Apostle’s Teaching


The early church in Acts 2:42-47 was in many ways a church without walls. They understood that first of all the greatest barrier between God and man had been removed by Christ’s death on the cross. When the temple curtain was torn in two at the crucifixion it revealed to us that Christ had removed the barrier caused by our sin and so the way was open into the presence of God for all who would receive Christ as Lord. This is exactly what 3000 people discovered on the day of Pentecost as they turned in repentance towards Christ and were baptised for the forgiveness of their sins in response to Peter’s preaching.


New Christians need to grow and so they were


www.stgeorgeschurch.net


Devoted to the Fellowship


The ear ly chur ch discovered that in Christ the barriers and walls that separate human beings such as class, background, culture, wealth and interests were broken down as they became to devoted to the fellowship and serving the needs of each other so that no one was in need. A Church without walls sees the barriers broken down between members so that they are devoted to each other and to the fellowship.


Devoted to Prayer


The early church were devoted to prayer and they saw God doing amazing things in their midst. Prayer opens up the barrier between the natural and supernatural and invites the power of God’s Holy Spirit and presence into situations. The people were in awe and praise was a natural response.


A Church


without walls sees the supernatural power of God breaking into our daily lives bringing glory to Jesus Christ.


The early church met in a number of different ways, from large groups in the temple precincts to smaller groups in each others homes where they broke bread together. Jesus was always at the centre as they broke bread and meeting together wasn’t a lifestyle option at the weekend, but a daily habit. A Church without walls recognises and celebrates that there are different ways to meet and loves to do so.


The early church grew as the Lord added to their number. They were a church that was visible in the local community. Those on the outside could look in at the life of the church and they liked what they saw. If you like they had glass walls. A Church without walls is open to the local community so that they can see everything that is going on rather than being shut out. A Church without walls removes barriers that get in the way of God doing His stuff so that He can add to the Church.


As we move deeper into 2012 I would love to see all the walls coming down that separate us from God’s love, each other, God’s power, recognising different ways of meeting together and between the Church and the local community. May we be a Church without walls.


February 2012 Inside this


Edition … Page 2—Mission Focus: Gareth Ayling


Page 2 & 3—A moment for reflection…


Page 4—Street Pastors


Mothers ‘Prayers


Page 5— Divorce Recovery


Sermon Series


Page 6—Book Review


Page 7—Bishop’s Letter


Page 8—What’s on… bGh_


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