A Church Like Jesus (pt. 1)

In this insightful session by Jim Dalrymple from Ozark Christian College, Acts 2:42-4:31 serves as the backdrop for exploring three key aspects of a church resembling Jesus: Christian Community, Christian Renewal, and Christian Opposition. The review underscores the Holy Spirit's empowering role in communication, re-creation, and validation. The Christian community is portrayed as devoted and gathered, emphasizing prayer and active engagement in various spaces. Christian renewal is discussed through physical and relational dimensions, with miracles seen as signs of eventual ultimate renewal. The narrative addresses external opposition faced by the early church, drawing parallels to challenges encountered by Jesus. The session concludes with a reflection on how personal backstories shape one's involvement in the community and the broader world, urging a life lived in the likeness of Jesus.

Classroom

**Backstory: A Church Like Jesus (pt. 1)**

**Acts 2:42-4:31 | Session 3**

Jim Dalrymple | Ozark Christian College

_Christian Community_

**Review:**

● The Holy Spirit empowers **Communication**

● The Holy Spirit empowers **Re-Creation**

● The Holy Spirit empowers **Validation**

**The church looks like Jesus as we live like him:** 

1. Christian Community

2. Christian Renewal 

3. Christian Opposition

_Christian Community_

**1. They were a _DEVOTED_ community:**

● Apostles Teaching 

● Fellowship (vs. 44-45)

● Breaking of Bread (vs. 46b)

● Prayer (Watch how important prayer is in Jesus’ ministry and in the ministry of 

the church!)

**2. They were a _GATHERED_ community:**

● In the public spaces (temple, synagogues, theaters, rivers, etc.)

● In homes

_Christian Renewal_

**1. Physical Renewal:**

● Peter & John look like Jesus

− Acts 3:6 — Peter said, “…rise up and walk!” 

− Luke 5:24 — “Rise up, pick up your mat, and walk”.

● Question: What was the purpose of Jesus’ miracles? Did he heal everyone?

− Miracles are signs of an eventual ultimate renewal. 

**2. Relational Renewal (with God and others):** 

● The healed man is able to enter the temple/community. 

● Acts 3:19–21 — “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus…until the time comes for restoring all things…”

**Question: How is the church involved in bringing renewal to those around you?**

_Christian Opposition_

**1. External opposition (later we will see internal opposition)**

● Silence – the pressure to not speak or act in response to Jesus.

● Suffering – a physical, financial, or social threat due to affiliation with Jesus. 

**2. This scene looks familiar!**

● Same cast of characters as we come to a trial.

● Peter gets a second chance! 

- Acts 4:10 By the name of Jesus Christ, whom you crucified…

- Acts 4:12 There is no other name…by which we must be saved…

- Acts 4:18 They charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus…

**Acts 4:13** — “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

**Acts 4:19-20** — “But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 

**The church looks like Jesus as we live like him. How does your backstory shape how you live your life out in community and in our world?**









Session 03

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