One New Thing | Matt Chandler | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

One New Thing

The Village Church • Nov 17, 2025 • 50 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message on Acts 13:1–3, Pastor Matt Chandler explores how God creates 'one new thing' through the gospel by uniting diverse believers into one family with a singular pursuit and kingdom mission. Looking at the leadership of the church in Antioch, we see how Jesus breaks down deep ethnic, political, and social divisions, depending on prayer and fasting rather than human effort. Believers are called to move out of the spectator stands of passive religion, holding their lives, leaders, and resources open-handedly to advance Christ's eternal kingdom.

Themes

Gospel Unity in DiversityDependence Through Prayer and FastingOpen-Handed Kingdom SendingRadical ReconciliationActive Discipleship vs. Spectator Christianity

Pastor's Points

1.

One People

2.

One Pursuit

3.

One Kingdom

Key Points

1.
Jesus breaks down human divisions to form one united family in Christ that reflects the diversity of the local community.
2.
The gospel has supernatural power to reconcile deep historical, social, and personal wrongs, uniting former persecutors and targets into one worshiping community.
3.
Spiritual fruit and heart transformation cannot be manufactured by human effort or clever programming, but require humbling ourselves through prayer and fasting.
4.
Living with a kingdom mindset means holding our leaders, resources, and people open-handedly for the global advance of the gospel.
5.
The local church must continuously lean into its surrounding neighborhood to reach whatever community God places at its doorstep.
6.
Following Christ is an active calling that requires stepping out of the spectator stands into true community, rather than settling for superficial attendance.
7.
True spiritual vitality comes from intimately knowing and resting in Jesus personally, rather than merely knowing religious facts about Him.
8.
Believers are called to build beyond themselves, investing their remaining strength, time, and treasure into an eternal kingdom legacy.

Sermon Moments

“The illustration of the Antioch leadership team as a humanly impossible gathering—combining Saul (a former violent persecutor), Barnabas (an encourager), and Manan (friend of Herod)—demonstrating the gospel's power to reconcile extreme differences.”

“The E. King Gill "12th Man" story from 1922, illustrating the call for believers to step out of the spectator stands, suit up, and actively participate in God's kingdom.”

“The concept of 'gospel goodbyes,' where a church holds leaders, church planters, and resources open-handedly for the advance of Christ's global mission.”

“The illustration of retired pilot Larry Thompson choosing to use his remaining years to revitalize struggling churches rather than chasing lifestyle upgrades or a better golf game.”

“The image of straddling two worlds with 'one foot in Jesus and one foot in the world,' leaving a believer restless, divided, and unable to experience fullness in Christ.”

This Week

Step out of the "stands" of passive Christianity and commit fully to deep, active participation in a local church community.

Dedicate intentional time this week to prayer and fasting, asking God to accomplish spiritual work that human effort alone cannot achieve.

Hold leaders, friendships, and resources with open hands, trusting and celebrating when God calls people or assets to serve elsewhere in His kingdom.

Pursue relationships with believers from different ethnic, political, or social backgrounds to reflect the gospel's power to form "one new people."

Examine your financial giving and time management to ensure you are investing in eternal kingdom legacy rather than endless lifestyle upgrades.

Shift your focus from simply knowing facts about Jesus or trying to be a "good moral person" to cultivating a personal, passionate love for Him.

Identify any areas where you have "one foot in the world," and make a firm commitment to put both feet fully into following Christ.

Remember This

Following Jesus requires stepping out of passive spectator Christianity to embrace unity in a diverse community, depend on God through prayer, and hold life and resources open-handedly for His kingdom.

A Challenge for You

Consider what it will take to get you out of the stands, and take one deliberate step today toward deeper church belonging, knowing Jesus personally, and directing your life toward His eternal kingdom.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.