Review 

Earlier this month, we introduced a new series and a new theme for the year called “Under Construction.” 

We introduced the theme by drawing attention to this fact:  

• The dynamic changes in our world over the last several years require that we change how we’re built. 

Let’s consider some of those changes: 

• Political developments, international events, technological innovations, cultural changes, social crises moments. 

• They have unleashed more expressions of evil and moral decay than most of us have seen in our lifetimes.  

And the potential for even greater destruction is in view. 

Our world is checking off many of the signs prophesied in Scripture that characterize the last days 

We live in two timelines. 

• Because He could come at any moment, we live like we expect Him to show up today. 

• And because He could come at any moment, we prepare like He could return 500 years from now. 

If we’re not the generation that greets His return, we prepare a generation that prepares a generation that prepares a generation that greets his return. 

• That’s what we mean by 4G. 

• We don’t measure our success by the spiritual fruit we produce today, but by the spiritual fruit that is produced four generations removed from us. 

The Sobering Reality 

Three Circumstances 

• Circumstance # 1: Streaming as a substitute for in-person gatherings 

• Circumstance # 2: Streaming as an ongoing lifestyle choice  

• Circumstance # 3: Streaming with no extenuating circumstances 

The Spiritual Influences on Church Streaming 

• Missing the church gathering on a regular basis is a symptom, not a cause. 

• Lukewarm Christians do enough activity to convince themselves that they are faithful to God, but possess no passion about the things of God.  

Statistical Realities About Church Attendance 

Let me give you some statistics about church attendance nationally (These statistics are from the Barna Research Group as reported by Relevant Magazine): 

• On average, people attend church 1.6 times a month. That’s 20 times a year. 

• But here’s where it gets interesting: 

• Gen Z (ages 18 to 28) attends church an average of 1.9 times per month. That’s 23 times a year. (Above average)  

• Millennials (the generation just before them) attend church 1.8 times per month. That’s 22 times per year. (Above average) 

• Gen X (that’s the generation before them—my generation) attends church 19 times a year. (Below average) 

• Baby Boomers attend church 17 times a year (Below average) 

Longevity Comes with Responsibility  

• Titus 2:1–8 (ESV): 1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 

• https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSXtkwyAXaO/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== 

The Realities of Discipleship 

There is vital discipleship work that streaming at home ignores. 

• The emphasis of steaming is convenience. 

• It places the viewer at the center of attention. 

• The emphasis of discipleship is sacrifice. 

• It places Christ as the center of attention. 

• And to be clear, to be a disciple is to be a student and practitioner of the teachings of Jesus through a relationship with other students of Jesus who are further along in their development than you. 

• Discipleship is the spiritual learning journey that takes place in a relationship with people, not screens. 

• Luke 9:23 (ESV): 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 

• Galatians 4:19 (ESV): 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 

• Philippians 1:23-26 (ESV): 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. 

Dispelling The Myth That Youth Is Superior to Longevity 

Let’s look at another clip from Francis Chan on this matter:  

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSVIzApDYbT/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== 

Ministry effectiveness is measured by its multigenerational impact: 

• Deuteronomy 4:9: 9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children— 

The Destructive Side Effects of Streaming 

• Joshua 24:31 (ESV): 31 Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the Lord did for Israel. 

• Judges 21:25 (ESV): 25 In those days, there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 

• Lifestyle streaming is destructive because it leaves very little room for effective discipleship. 

•  Discipleship is heavily dependent upon imitation. 

• 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV): 1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 

Discipleship Responsibilities Highlight the Limits of Steaming 

• Here’s the reality: The minute you become serious about discipleship, lifestyle streaming doesn’t work. 

Three components of Our Rebuilding Process 

Identity  

• You are a minister 

• 1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

• You’re a priest, and priests do ministry. 

Gathering 

• We’re literally rebuilding our physical gathering space.

• Secondly, we are renewing our gathering practices 

• 1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

Ministry