
The church, against all odds
Acts 16.9-15 Imagine we’re sitting here this morning in worship, and Jesus suddenly appears to us and says:
“I want you to build a new church for me.”
We’d answer:
“Of course, Lord.”
But then we’d ask him what the church needs to look like, and he answers:
“Everything you need to know about what the church should look like you will find in the Book of Acts.”
Then he disappears.
What should the church look like according to the examples in the Book of Acts?
Well, Acts

reflection
Before both of my sons were born, I decided I would begin a journal about the anticipation I felt before they arrived.
And once they did arrive, the tone of the journal changed to how happy they have made me, and what an amazing blessing their lives have been for mine.
Through time, I’ve added a few items in that journal about the things they need to know in this life.
The idea was a little grim, but one day, when I’m gone, and if the lessons and examples I’ve tried to imp

the great multitude
John August Swanson painted the image that is on your bulletins this morning and on the screen.
I was directed to it while I was preparing for this sermon, and I immediately fell in love.
I spent some time meditating on it, and it is so full of imagery, that it’s almost too much to take in.
The first thing we notice is the great multitude of people in a collective act of candlelit devotion.
And the candles are so important.
A single candle illumines, but a multitude of t