- [00:00:01] I\'ve titled our sermon today as you may see in our bulletin: \"Disruptive Church: Set Apart, Sent Out, Unstoppable.\" The reason I chose this topic is not only because it is our anniversary, but also because it\'s important to return to God\'s Word to understand what God wants any church to do and to be like. - [00:00:30] The word \"disruptive\" is familiar to many of us here in Silicon Valley, a place known for birthing disruptive technologies. Over the past two decades, Silicon Valley has seen successive waves of such technologies. Some of you, especially from Generation Z, may have grown up with these changes. I remember in the late \'90s when email was a big deal and connecting to the internet meant using a 56-kilobyte dial-up modem. From emails, we moved into the era of social media, which disrupted how we live, work, and travel, creating new opportunities that brought many people here. - [00:01:26] The second decade of this millennium witnessed other disruptive technologies such as big data and the Internet of Things. Many believed these would be the major game changers. Now, we\'re in another disruptive phase with artificial intelligence. These disruptions affect our lives in every way, and what\'s startling is the speed at which they occur — faster than students can graduate from school or college. What you learn at the start of college may become obsolete by graduation. For example, four years ago, data science was booming, but now many graduates in that field struggle to find jobs. - [00:02:50] Disruption isn\'t only technological. History shows that huge kingdoms and empires have disrupted human history as well. Ancient empires like the Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, and the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires all had their rise and fall. The British Empire once spanned the globe so much that it was said \"the sun never sets\" on it. China’s Ming dynasty and various South Asian dynasties also had their times. All these great empires eventually collapsed. - [00:04:11] In contrast, the one global disruptive institution that has stood the test of time for over 2,000 years is the historic church — the tradition we come from. This is astounding. What makes the church so disruptive that it withstands every onslaught thrown against it? The church is not built by any man but by Jesus Christ himself, the cornerstone. Jesus said, \"I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.\" - [00:05:00] Mighty empires tried to kill the church but failed. Nations resisted, philosophies competed, yet the church endured and grew. It disrupts kings, kingdoms, nations, worldviews, and philosophies, not by power or might but by proclaiming the gospel through ordinary men and women. The Greek word for church is *ecclesia*, meaning \"called out.\" Jesus calls ordinary people to form a community that disrupts all opposition. - [00:06:30] The church is composed of people called out by the good news of Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It does not rely on skyscrapers, statues, or empires, but by caring for the lost and broken, building schools, hospitals, and orphanages, and ministering to society’s fringes neglected by governments and the powerful. This is driven by Jesus’ love, who unleashed the church into the world to be His hands and feet until He returns. - [00:08:00] The book of Acts captures the church’s emergence after Jesus’ death. People thought Christianity would die with Jesus’ crucifixion and the disciples’ fleeing, but Jesus rose again, empowered His disciples with the Holy Spirit, and launched the church. The epicenter began in Jerusalem but soon moved to Rome during the first five centuries, then to Europe during the Middle Ages, and later shifted to North America around the 1500s. Today, the epicenter has moved to the global south — Asia, Africa, and South America. - [00:10:05] A helpful image shows the world as 100 people, where about 65% of Christians live in the global south, while only 33% reside in Europe and North America. Christianity is global and dynamic, not localized. The church’s spirit moves wherever God’s children go, breaking down opposition because \"there is no weapon against love.\" - [00:10:50] The church is the most geographically widespread religion today, with approximately 2.5 billion adherents worldwide. Christianity forms the majority in over 120 countries and territories as of 2020. The church continues to disrupt history through its global presence. - [00:11:30] Today, we take a snapshot of a pivotal moment when the church’s epicenter shifted from Jerusalem to Antioch, a large, non-Jewish city that can be considered the birthplace of the global church. Antioch is also where followers of Jesus were first called \"Christians.\" - [00:12:10] In Acts 11:19-26, we read how people scattered by persecution in Jerusalem traveled to places like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, initially preaching only to Jews. However, some began to preach to Greeks (Hellenists), and many believed. Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch, where he encouraged the believers to remain faithful. He then brought Saul (Paul) to Antioch, where they taught for a year. This was the first time disciples were called Christians. - [00:14:20] Antioch was the capital of Syria and the third-largest city in the Roman Empire, akin to Chicago\'s role in modern America. It was 10 to 20 times larger than Jerusalem, highly urban, pluralistic, multiracial, and socially troubled. The city was built with walls not only to protect from outsiders but also to separate ethnic groups within the city, preventing violent clashes. - [00:17:30] There were at least 18 ethnic quarters in Antioch, with people from all over the known world — Greeks, Romans, Africans, Persians, Indians, and even Chinese. Each group considered itself superior, and the city’s walls reflected this division. - [00:19:00] When the gospel came to Antioch, it disrupted these social barriers. The early Christians did not see ethnicity or color; they saw people as created in God’s image. The gospel was preached to Jews, Greeks, Asians, and Africans alike, leading to a diverse, unified community. This amazed the church in Jerusalem, prompting them to send Barnabas to Antioch. - [00:20:40] The early church’s leadership reflected this diversity: Simeon of Niger and Lucius of Sirene (both Africans), Barnabas from Cyprus, and Paul, a European-trained Jew. This multicultural leadership team ministered to a global city, embodying the gospel’s reach. - [00:22:40] This early church model shows how the gospel has always disrupted social barriers. Our vision as Creed Church is to mirror this: a place where all people can connect with Christ and be transformed, regardless of background. - [00:24:00] The church also disrupts religious barriers. There were two main groups: the Jewish religious people and the Hellenists or Gentiles, many of whom were irreligious. This dynamic exists in every society, including Silicon Valley, where many do not believe in God. Religious people often look down on the irreligious, and vice versa. Yet the gospel cuts through this divide. - [00:26:00] The gospel confronts both sides: to those who believe salvation comes through good works, it says all righteousness is like filthy rags before God; to those who think they can never be religious, it offers grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This radical message disrupts religious barriers. - [00:27:00] In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas encounter opposition from Bar-Jesus, a Jewish false prophet, when proclaiming the gospel on Cyprus. This pattern of opposition is constant throughout history; Christianity confronts the prevailing philosophies and religions, from Greek philosophy and Gnosticism to Kant and Spinoza, and continues today. - [00:29:50] The church proclaims Jesus Christ as the truth. Unlike philosophies that reduce truth to mere propositions or mystical experiences, Jesus said, \"I am the way, the truth, and the life.\" He lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and offers eternal life freely. Grace is free but not cheap, and the church stands against pride but gives grace to the humble. - [00:32:30] The apostle Paul describes this spiritual battle in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, where our weapons destroy worldly arguments and take every thought captive to Christ’s truth. Studying philosophy reveals the futility of human wisdom compared to the simplicity and power of the gospel. - [00:34:00] Antioch was like a lighthouse in the Roman storm — a beacon rooted in worship and the pure word of God, shining light into darkness. Silicon Valley faces ideological, moral, and relational storms, but as a church set apart and sent out, we must shine so others can find their way to Jesus. - [00:35:30] Thirdly, the church disrupts personal barriers. Barnabas initially stayed within his comfort zone in Jerusalem but was transformed by the gospel in Antioch. He stayed and served, embracing disruption to bless the city and ultimately bringing Paul into leadership. - [00:37:30] Barnabas’s name means \"encourager,\" and he exemplified humility by not seeking power but serving the city’s needs. God often moves us out of comfort zones to accomplish His purposes. - [00:38:10] Historically, every missionary was a migrant, and today every immigrant can be a missionary. Despite challenges in areas like the San Francisco Bay Area, revival often comes through marginalized communities. The gospel moves in the direction of people movement. - [00:39:00] Early Christians stayed in cities during plagues and disasters to care for the sick, unlike others who fled. This sacrificial love is a hallmark of Christianity and the reason revivals happen. - [00:40:00] I grew up in North Chennai, a troubled area with gang violence and marginalized immigrants. Christian schools and churches have been the only consistent source of care and hope there for decades. - [00:41:00] Our church’s vision includes planting churches around the Bay Area, but even small efforts like volunteering in neighborhoods or schools can be powerful. As a commuter church, many of us come from different cities, but we can still serve locally. - [00:42:30] We also want to use our technical expertise to address basic needs like home, shelter, clean water, and energy. For example, a Bay Area company offered us 70,000 solar panels. We are developing sustainable energy homes from recycled waste to help those in need. - [00:43:50] If you’re an engineer or have relevant skills, we invite you to join this mission. Solving basic needs for those at the bottom of the human pyramid is a critical mission field. - [00:44:30] Paul’s life also exemplifies personal disruption — from persecutor of Christians to apostle. No one is outside the scope of Jesus’ transformative love. - [00:45:15] If you’re skeptical about Christianity, I challenge you to read the Gospel of John with a Christian friend and honestly evaluate whether your worldview can withstand the claims of Jesus. - [00:46:00] The church at Antioch set apart its best leaders, Paul and Barnabas, and sent them out. Despite opposition, imprisonment, and riots, the church grew because it was sent, not because it was safe or popular. - [00:46:50] A Chinese house church leader once summarized their growth strategy: \"We fast, we pray, we teach the word, and then we send.\" Even under persecution, their church exploded. - [00:47:30] From Antioch to China, from Jerusalem to San Jose, the church grows because Jesus is alive and calls us to go and transform lives. - [00:48:00] As a closing application, I encourage families to pray for one unchurched person from your neighborhood and to volunteer in ministries like our kids club. For young adults, don’t chase the next tech wave but chase the Spirit’s voice. Commit to one outreach for 90 days. - [00:48:40] Barnabas gave himself to the city of Antioch; we too should ask how we can bless Silicon Valley with our education, skills, and love. - [00:49:15] Learning to articulate your personal story and the gospel is crucial. We have a fasting prayer in October where we seek God’s power to do His work. - [00:49:45] We also plan a pastors’ conference to unite leaders from various countries in the Bay Area, showing a unified love for Jesus in a divided nation. - [00:50:15] Our hope is to make not just our church but every church in the Bay Area an Antioch church — disruptive, set apart, sent out, and unstoppable.