Acts 1:1-11 (NIV) The only power that changes lives is the Holy Spirit. The Source of life is the only power that can change lives. A church without the Holy Spirit can not impact the city. Church is not a place for those who have been beaten down by life and are seeking refuge, it's a place of people who are valuable to God.
Jesus the Lamb of God shed His blood to enable all mankind to be reconciled to God (atonement- at one with God).

Reasons for the existence of church

1) The church is a life-giving center

The church is God's strategy to impact society. Wherever you go when you find death, bring life. You shall be my witnesses... Witnessing is not only about speaking it's more about broadcasting like a billboard. When people look at you they must see God in and through you. For the church to become what it's meant to be we need to become Christian...have faith in God. Am I a life giving person? Wherever I go, do I produce life? Acts 1 & 2 are the only doctrinal chapters in Acts. The rest are an account of the practical way of living Christianity. When the Holy Spirit is not present all we do is religion

2) Church exists to bring understanding

• A man of understanding has an excellent spirit. Understanding resides in the heart, knowledge is in the head.
• Understanding is the key to real power. Whatever you know and is not yet in your heart is not yours. Contentment is what is missing in the world.
• Contentment draws from understanding you're not in a contest with others, don't try living beyond your means.

3) Church exists to bring love where there is hatred

• Love is a deep desire to see good happening to others. God so loved that He gave. Whoever is a giver and not a taker loves.
• Focus is on empowering and not manipulation.

Factors which hinder us from fulfilling the mandate of God for the church

a) Prejudice: prejudge and categorize people before even getting to know them.

b) Personal agenda: we're inclined to pursue our own agenda. God is changing our nature from self-centeredness to Kingdom mindedness

c) Pride: a prideful person doesn't learn from others. Their focus is on self.

Conclusion

The mission we are to pursue can't be accomplished without

• Acts 1:8 shows importance of what's to follow. Power= supernatural ability. You will be witnesses (not do)
• Jerusalem (community, temple was there- center of worship) > Judea > Samaria (were enemies of Israel) when the Spirit comes upon you He gives ability to face what you're avoiding)> End of the earth (developing a global mindset). Samaria is a barrier in your mind that you will never cross unless the Holy Spirit comes upon you. John 3:16 God loved the world...not just the world you are used to. As an example- some people associate being poor as being spiritual and being rich as unspiritual.
• When your mind is not global you will destroy even the people who are meant to assist you in life.