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NEW 20250105 Happy New Year! J The new year brings lots of new opportunities but the best opportunity is what God can do in your life as you FOLLOW JESUS, LOVE GOD and LOVE PEOPLE. A key way to live into this opportunity this year is by being an active part of the church. Questions: What new thing was God doing in the first church in Acts? What new thing is God doing in me to be an active part of the church today? Key passages: Acts 1:1-8, 2:1-4, 2:43-47 Key words/ideas from these passages JESUS Luke’s Gospel is about Jesus. In Acts 1, Luke says he wrote his first account to tell us what Jesus began to do and teach. Acts is about how Jesus continues to work and speak through the church. Jesus works and words continue in us today. KINGDOM The kingdom Jesus taught about is a spiritual kingdom established in the hearts and lives of his followers. God’s kingdom is about his rule in our hearts. It’s about making Jesus my King by declaring Jesus as Lord in my life. Have you made this decision? HOLY SPIRIT/POWER At Pentecost God filled his followers with his Spirit and they spoke in languages they had not learned to share the Good News of Jesus. When we decide to follow Jesus, he fills us with his Spirit. He gives us power to be on mission for him. WITNESSES The mission of the early church was to be witnesses for Jesus, to tell the world about who Jesus is. This is our mission today – to invite others to get to know this Jesus who is our Sin Forgiver and King. GROWTH As the church lived out their mission, they grew! This happened numerically as God daily added to their numbers. It happened geographically as the church moved to new areas. It happened spiritually as the church matured in their faith. Healthy churches are growing churches. How Can I Be an Active Part of the Church Today? At Creekside we believe the best way to accomplish this is to be IN A GROUP and ON A TEAM. We have LifeGroups and other groups where you can grow your faith in God and friendships with others. We have volunteer teams where you can grow through serving. Creeksidechurch.ca/LifeGroups Creeksidechurch.ca/volunteer Each new year is an opportunity to make a difference for Christ. Will you take the opportunity? Only one life. It will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last. CT Studd