2. Last Week’s Teaching All believers have a compelling mission to take the Gospel to all people in all places during their divinely prepared era. Acts 1:8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

3. A transformational church is devoted to preparing for Christ’s mission. Are you prepared for Christ’s mission?

4. A transformational church is mentally prepared. Acts 1:3  After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

5. A transformational church is mentally prepared. Luke 24:44-45  44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Learning how to interpret the Bible. The whole Bible is about Christ!!!

6. A transformational church is mentally prepared. Luke 24:46-49  46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Learning how to share the Gospel out of the Bible.

7. A transformational church is mentally prepared. Luke 24:46-49  46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Learn how to share the Gospel out of the Bible. Romans 1:16  I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

8. Are we mentally prepared? Biblical worldview survey: 1.absolute moral truth exists 2.the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches 3.Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic 4.a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works 5.Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth 6.God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today

9. Are we mentally prepared? Biblical worldview survey: 1.absolute moral truth exists 2.the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches 3.Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic 4.a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works 5.Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth 6.God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today 5% of American adults “passed” 8% of Protestants “passed” Less than ½ of 1% of Catholics “passed”

10. A transformational church is mentally prepared. Acts 1:3  After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Becoming CONVINCED that Jesus is alive TODAY! If not convinced, then you will NEVER fully engage in His mission.

11. A transformational church is mentally prepared. Exposes & deals with false expectations. Acts 1:6-8  6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.“ Jesus rejects hopes of a political utopia

12. A transformational church is mentally prepared. Exposes & deals with false expectations. Acts 1:9-11  9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Jesus rejects hopes of heavenly pietism

13. A transformational church is prayerfully prepared. Acts 1:12-14  12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Prevailing prayer unites us The mission focused their prayers Missional praying united enemies & oddballs

14. A transformational church is prayerfully prepared. Acts 1:12-14  12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Prevailing prayer enables us to persevere They obediently persevered in midst of opposition

15. A transformational church is prayerfully prepared. Acts 1:12-14  12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Prevailing prayer enables us to persevere They obediently persevered in midst of opposition Acts 1:4,12  4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:"Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about... 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city.

16. A transformational church is prayerfully prepared. Acts 1:12-14  12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Prevailing prayer enables us to persevere They obediently persevered in midst of opposition They persevered in waiting on God’s power

17. A transformational church is prayerfully prepared. Acts 1:12-14  12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Prevailing prayer enables us to persevere They obediently persevered in midst of opposition They persevered in waiting on God’s power Acts 1:5  "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

18. Is your life an altar prepared for the mission of Christ?  Are you becoming fluent in the Word & allowing it to influence all of you?  Are you able to share the Gospel with the Bible?  Are you convinced that Jesus is alive today?  What false hopes have you laid on God & others?  Do you regularly unite with others in mission-focused prayer?  What/Who is the scary “Jerusalem” God is calling you to engage?  Are you maturing in helpless praying?