UBER CHURCH — The Anatomy Of An Apostolic Invasion

Definition UBER:— being a superlative example of its kind or class : uber _______ to an extreme or excessive degree : uber _______  Supercharge Greek Equivalent (sphódra) vehemently, in a high degree, exceeding(-ly), greatly. 
                             
Jesus didn’t come to introduce a new religion, He came to take over by introducing a new Kingdom. John declares the Mission of Jesus: Matthew 3:11 “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” 
          
Charles Finney (Revival Lectures) 
“...the primary cause of deception in surrendered believers may be condensed into one word, passivity;...Thus he falls into inertia which opens the way deception and invasion.” 
        
Jehu:-- (yay-hoo’) Jehovah is He, He will __________.   Fill in the blank He will do it!  Jehu will _______! 
Jehu exposed deception, inspired action and removed false religion from the land. 
             
Upsetting the apple cart can be very upsetting – especially to the apples in the cart. That’s why we like the status quo. Check any standard dictionary and you will find that status quo is defined as “the existing state of affairs.” To upset the apple cart is to seek to change the existing state of affairs or the long-observed way of doing ...  things that has led to that state of affairs. It doesn’t matter to some people if the apples are rotting -just don’t upset the apple cart. Leave things the way they are, thank you ma’am – even if the way things are is rotten to the core and the apples stink. Cheryl Thomas 
    
When Jesus broke the rules, upset the applecart, challenged the status quo, he did so in order to illustrate God’s priorities.  The religious elite of his day where masters of marginalization, discrimination, violence, hatred, often dressed up in the sheep’s clothing of legal righteousness and religious zeal ... However one has only look to Jesus, the fullness of God’s self-disclosure and the very explication of God, to find example after example of what Divine priority really looks like.  Cheryl Thomas 
      
Nicole Nordeman -“Brave” So long, status quo - I think I just let go  - You make me want to be brave 
The way it always was -  Is no longer good enough -  You make me want to be brave 
                
We need to be UBER Brave... to perceive times are changing to ask are my structures flexible, do they encourage life to change and adapt to capture this generation 60 million strong. to ride wave no matter how scary. to upset the applecart. 
He makes us UBER Brave 
    
Christians spread throughout the ancient world, upsetting the applecart wherever they went because of their refusal to worship idols and engage in immorality. This “rebellion” has now infiltrated every country in the world. It has lasted for 2,000 years and shows no signs of diminishing. 

The church began gloriously but only by persecution did it advance. 
Acts 11:19-21  “Now those who were scattered after the persecution ... when they had come to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus ...a great number believed” 
        
Church was born in Jerusalem but matured in Antioch. Two Types Of Military Bases:
 1. Logistics Bases   well secured - safe territory 2. Fire Bases  front lines – taking territory “Somehow we have to make disciples instead of inspiration junkies.” Bill Self 

Acts 13:1-14:28
13 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
6 Now when they had gone through the island[a] to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
 The Anatomy Of An Invasion. Framework of an apostolic assignment. Being sent from an Antioch church with apostolic authority. 
1. Place Of Preparation “NOW IN the church...” vs.1     Paul 17 years before he was sent. 
              
2. Place Of Commissioning “...they put their hands on them and sent them away.” vs.3 An impartation and a sending. 
1 Timothy 1:18 “...according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,...” 
        
3. Led By Holy Spirit “...being sent out by the Holy Spirit...” vs.4    Always follow the Holy Spirit! Acts 16:7 “...they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.” 
            
4. The Word Is Proclaimed “...they preached the Word of God...” vs.5 The Gospel is the power of God.  “... Gentiles heard ... were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” vs. 48                
5. They Minister As A Team “They also had John as their assistant.” vs.5 Timothy was a good son before he became an apostle. 1 Corinthians 4:17 “I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord,...” 
            
6. Confront Demonic Guards “...they came upon a certain Jewish wizard or sorcerer...” vs.6 “Apostolic ministry is a ministry of warfare ... invades new territories and breaks through. It is the first to encounter the spiritual resistance of the powers of darkness and the first to penetrate the barriers they erect.” Hector Torres 
        
7. Operate In The Miraculous “Instantly there fell upon him a mist and a darkness,...” vs.11 
We must demonstrate KINGDOM!  “...the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word ...granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” 14:3 
   
1 Corinthians 4:20  “For the kingdom of God is not in word (Logus) but in power (Dunamis).” Romans 15:8  “For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,...” 
          
8. They Take New Territory 
vs.12 (Message) “When the governor saw what happened, he became a believer, full of enthusiasm over what they were saying about the Master.” 
vs.44 “…almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.” The Kingdom always advances. 
        
9. They Are Persecuted 
Acts 14:19-20 “...they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead ... the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city.” 
2 Timothy 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 
      
10. They Return And Testify Acts 14:27 “...they gathered the church together and declared all that God had accomplished with them.” 

Antioch was an apostolic governing church. Specific assignments and equipping come in an Antioch church.