“The Moving Church”(Acts 3:1–10)
The King of Peace has come to us.
There is power in His word.
The King of Peace has come to us.
The phrase "A Moving Church" can be understood as going to church, but strictly speaking, it's not just about going to a building or a place of worship. It means that we, who were not a church before, become the church because of Jesus. We live together as the church and worship together.
There’s a worship song called "We Are the Moving Church." The lyrics go, "We are the Lord's moving church. This place is for the Lord. On all the lands where I pray, I look forward to the day when God will be worshiped."
We are the church, and wherever we go, we are going as the church. But we often forget this truth. That’s why this song brings us so much grace.
In Acts 3, the man who had been unable to walk from birth could not enter the temple in Israel's society. But Peter and John approach him. Peter and John, as the moving church of Jesus, bring a man who didn’t know God to a place where he could know God, and a man who couldn’t worship is able to worship. "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
Peter was someone who denied Jesus, betrayed Him, and was in despair over his repeated failures. In Luke 22, Jesus tells him, "Satan has asked to sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Peter was destined to fail, but that failure would not be the end. He would overcome it and strengthen his brothers. This is the same Peter who denied Jesus three times and, even after witnessing the resurrection, was still in despair. And yet, this Peter notices the man who could not walk from birth and, in a moment of inspiration, tells him, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
Why does this passage move us so much? Because Jesus' words, "You will strengthen your brothers," are not just for Peter. They are a promise to us. He’s saying He will make us like Peter and John. That’s why we can live as the moving church, too.
I’d like to share two things I felt during my short-term mission trip to Uganda:
1. The presence of Pastor Edward and the leaders.
They are living as the moving church in a place where people don’t know Jesus, where children sometimes don’t get one full meal a day. God raised up Pastor Edward and the leaders to live as the moving church in this region. I was deeply challenged by the way Pastor Edward and the leaders live each day with a heart of love for the Lord.
2. The joy and power of unity.
Even though we were all from different backgrounds, each day was filled with joy. Some played with the children all day in the scorching sun, others cooked meals as if they were professional chefs, and some spent hours hammering nails. Seeing everyone do their part joyfully made me feel so grateful. It was a time of realizing again that, in the Holy Spirit, we are one church. Through our partnership, we can truly live as the moving church. Jesus chose 12 disciples for a reason. I can’t be the church alone. We have to be the church together. It’s not easy, but live as the moving church in your home. It’s not easy, but live as the moving church in your school. Even more difficult, live as the moving church in your workplace.
The reason we can believe in Jesus today is because of the missionaries who came to Korea. Uganda, a truly impoverished place, has children who don’t even have shoes. And yet, Uganda is sending missionaries. They are not going because they have the time or resources; they are going because of the Lord. We ask that the Lord help us live as His moving church. Even though each day is difficult and not easy at all, I will live as His church where He has called me. May He help and guide me to live in this way.
I sincerely hope this week will be a week where you can make this confession, too.
