Family Tree—The Early Church and Perpetua—Zach Lambert

This Sunday we kick off a new series in our Year of Putting Down Roots!  Our Family Tree series will help us look at four Christian movements from church history and will especially focus on four Christian leaders who helped shape those movements.

This Sunday, Pastor Zach shares about The Early Church, Perpetua, and how by keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can keep running the race even when things get difficult and costly.

A Year of Putting Down Roots

Abiding in Christ is the foundational practice of the Christian life. Everything else is built upon it. Jesus made this abundantly clear throughout his life on earth, especially toward the end.

Choosing not to abide in Jesus makes as much sense as ignoring the invitation of a hospitable homeowner when you are a weary traveler. It makes as much sense as collapsing in the street instead of a warm bed because we are too proud or self-reliant to admit that we need help.

Jesus makes it really clear: “apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Without him, we can’t do anything of value, anything that truly matters.

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Sermon Outline

Message: Family Tree: The Early Church and Perpetua

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1–3

Main Theme: We are part of a 2,000-year legacy of faith, surrounded by those who have gone before us. Their stories remind us that we don't run this race alone and that, by keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can continue following him even when faithfulness becomes difficult or costly.

Resources Referenced:

• The Martyrdom of St. Perpetua and Felicity, attributed in the sermon to Tertullian of Carthage
• Hebrews NIV Application Commentary by George H. Guthrie

Key Points:

1. We are part of a much larger story. Christianity has a 2,000-year history filled with both beauty and brokenness. We have much to learn from the people and communities who came before us as we continue this legacy of faith.
2. The early church followed Jesus even when it was costly. Christians like Perpetua and Felicity resisted the demands of the Roman Empire, choosing allegiance to Jesus even when it meant persecution and death.
3. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. The lives of faithful people throughout history remind us that we aren't running this race alone. Their stories can encourage and inspire us to persevere.