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| The Church: United for WorshipBut Paul Anderson did not wake up one morning with that kind of strength. He had to practice lifting weights, eating the right kinds of food, and exercising in particular ways to gain his tremendous strength. The Church of Jesus Christ needs to be strong also. Many local churches are weak because they have lost sight of their mission -- to be disciple-makers. Many local churches are weak because they fail to practice those things which will make people spiritually strong. In the Bible, the book of Acts records the birth of the early church in Jerusalem. Looking at this early church, we find a church that became very strong spiritually. People who were part of the early church grew in their love and devotion to God. Thousands of people in Jerusalem were touched by the love of these new Christians and the good news they shared about Jesus Christ. Can this church grow spiritually strong like the early church? Yes it can, as you practice the same activities of these early Christians. You can develop the spiritual strength necessary to impact this community with the life-changing message of hope through Jesus Christ. Scripture Passage: Acts 2:42-47 Main Thought: Outline:
1. The Conduct of the Church: Meeting together for teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the LORD's Supper."And they continued steadfastly in the Apostle's teaching, and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42, NKJV).The Church of Jesus Christ has a world mission to make disciples. In carrying out this mission, the Church engages in the worship activities noted in this verse. They are the four-fold ministry of the Church which provides a foundation for effective disciple-making. A. The Ministry of Teaching"in the Apostle's teaching" (Acts 2:42, NKJV).The church has the primary role in teaching its members the word of God. To make disciples of Jesus Christ, the church has to teach its own members so they can grow strong spiritually. Here are three things the church must focus on in its teaching ministry.
B. The Ministry of Fellowship"and fellowship " (Acts 2:42, NKJV).The church has a second ministry called fellowship. The Bible uses this word "fellowship" to mean sharing. People share in something with others. People also share of something with others. Acts 2:44 says that the people "were together, and had all things in common." When God's people gather together, they share in a common bond through faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit makes the group alive with joy and the love of Christ. Fellowship answers the question of why every Christian needs to be in church. When we experience genuine fellowship, genuine sharing of our love for the LORD and for one another, God makes us stronger in our common faith. The fellowship of the early church also involved sharing of their material goods with those who were in need. Acts 2:45 says that they "sold their possessions and goods and divided them among all, as anyone had need." These disciples shared with others as the need occurred. They did not sell everything they had and all live together in one big communal house. Acts 2:46 indicates they did have their own homes. They simply had a common concern for people in need. They had fellowship by sharing of their possessions based on needs. What can you share with someone in church? A smile, affection, a listening ear, a hug, a handshake…An effective disciple-making church will be marked by an outstretched hand. Christians will share fellowship with other Christians and will share of themselves with anyone in need. C. The Ministry of Memorials"in the breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42, NKJV).The "breaking of bread" is a reference to the LORD's supper. The early church also had a meal together afterwards called a "love feast." This seems to be what is referred to in Acts 2:46. But in this third ministry of the church, this reference is to the LORD's supper itself. The LORD's supper is a memorial to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins. The two elements -- bread and wine -- represent 2 different parts of the sacrifice: Through the LORD's supper, we remember the new covenant of peace with God made possible by Jesus Christ. Through faith in the LORD Jesus Christ, you can enter into that new covenant. The church is to periodically participate in the LORD's supper as a memorial. In this memorial, each Christian is strengthened in faith. The whole church body is strengthened as well. In the early church, they had the LORD's supper every Sunday. Perhaps this is one of the reasons the early church was so strong spiritually! "As often as you do this [the LORD's supper], do it in remembrance of Jesus Christ our LORD" (1 Corinthians 11:26, NKJV). D. The Ministry of Prayer"and in prayers" (Acts 2:42, NKJV).Prayer is the fourth ministry of the disciple-making church. Prayer is the act of entering into God's throne room to praise Him, ask for His guidance, and request His gracious work in your life and in the lives of others. The early church believed in the importance of prayer. They gathered together for prayer (Acts 1:14), prayed for guidance (Acts 1:24), had continuing times of prayer (Acts 2:42), offered praise to God (Acts 4:24), asked for boldness to share the good news of Jesus Christ even through they were being persecuted (Acts 4:29-30). Through their example, we also see the power of a praying church. After praying for boldness in their witness for Christ, the whole place where they met began to shake! God was giving them a sign of His approval of a praying church. The Bible says that after the place was shaken, the Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31). This church can be effective in disciple-making by gathering together for earnest prayers. Each of you needs to be a part of this prayer time. Each of you needs to believe the promises of God and pray in one accord for His will. In so doing, the spiritual walls of this community will shake and you will go forth to proclaim the word of God with great boldness also. The more the Church of Jesus Christ practices the worship activities noted in Acts 2:42, the more effective that Church becomes in the world. Christians dedicated to God's will in these areas will "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18, NIV). 2. The Character of the Church: Growth in devotion, reverence, and unity.As the Church continues together in worship, the character of the Church grows as well. One's character is shaped by the many experiences of life. In particular, the trials and troubles of life seem to shape one's character the most.Even for the Church, there are obstacles. There will be obstacles to consistent Bible study and prayer. There will be difficulties in relationships between people hindering fellowship. There will be issues in carrying out the ordinances of the Church -- baptism, and the LORD's Supper. Even the weather -- good or bad -- can influence the gathering together of Christians for worship. The key to growth is to continue seeking God's help as you work through such troubles. The Bible says that Christians can "glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4, NKJV). Perseverance simply means to continue working at something. The Bible says that as we work through the troubles by faith in God, seeking His help, God builds our character. This applies to individual Christians. And it also applies to the Church body. The early church "continued steadfastly" (Acts 2:42, NKJV) in the worship activities of teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the LORD's Supper. The verb tense indicates this was an extreme focus of their lives. They really continued to work at it. And so the early church in Jerusalem began to develop a unique character marked by three things we need in this church today: Devotion to God: They not only "continued steadfastly" (Acts 2:42, NKJV) but later the Bible says they were "continuing daily" (Acts 2:46, NKJV). Their practice led to devotion. You see, God surely wants our devotion to Him. When He sees His children practice these activities by faith, God blesses those efforts. The blessing of God on the early church is in disciples who became devoted to God. Can God bless this church with devoted disciples? Yes, He can. And He will as the members of this church practice these primary activities. Devotion to God is the foundation of the church's character. Reverence for God: As devotion to God grew in the early church, so did its reverence for God. "Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles" (Acts 2:43, NKJV). The "fear" which came upon them was not simply being afraid of God. Rather, the "fear" which they experienced was an awesome respect for God. They became reverent toward God in all of life -- not just in church! Gathering together for regular worship, we can see God change lives forever. People who are trapped in sin are freed to live for God. People without hope find eternal life. People with shame find forgiveness and grace. Such changes will create reverence for the God who works such changes. The apostles performed miracles during this time to confirm the word of God which they proclaimed. Never forget that the greatest miracle of all is a sinner turned into a saint by the grace of God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ! Unity in God: Throughout the world, people wonder "why can't we all just be friends?" Unity is a worthy goal for people, for churches, and for nations. Why is it people become divided? The one thing that unites people is shared truth. The Bible says of the early church: "Now all who believed were together and had all things in common" (Acts 2:44, NKJV). They were "continuing daily with one accord in the Temple" (Acts 2:46, NKJV). In order for people to unite together, they must get together around a common truth. The early church united for worship of the one true and living God. They believed in the death, burial, and resurrection of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. They continued together in the teaching of the apostles about Jesus Christ. This is the kind of unity that is needed among people in order to "be friends." Without sharing the truth about God, people will continue to war against one another. The early church grew as the disciples united in the common truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This unity was unshakeable and unstoppable. This church, as it unites together in this common truth, will develop a similar character that is unshakeable and unstoppable. 3. The Crown of the Church: Changed Lives.And the LORD added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47b, NKJV)Scholars estimate the early church in Jerusalem grew to over 100,000 people before persecution drove them away. These people were touched by the love and message of Jesus Christ given by the disciples. Note that the Bible says that "the LORD added to the church" (Acts 2:47b, NKJV). People were not forced into the early church. They were not manipulated into going to the church. They came in response to the work God performed through His church. You see, God's desire is for all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). He wants people to find forgiveness and eternal life. This requires that they hear the good news of God's love and of His mercy to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. As the Christians in the church devote themselves to worship, unite together for the cause of Christ, they will take the love of Christ to people in their community. The early church was noted for how much the people in that church loved one another. Christians in the church who gather regularly for the teaching and fellowship will grow together in their spiritual strength. They will not only love people in their community but take the good news of Jesus Christ to them as well. If you devote yourself to these activities as did the early church in Jerusalem, you will grow spiritually strong. If your congregation devotes itself to these activities as did the early church in Jerusalem, your church will grow spiritually strong as well. And God will bless you with changed lives. People in the community will be touched by your love and your beautiful message of salvation through Christ. God did this for the early church and He can do it for you as well. So shout it from the housetops! Proclaim the message wherever you go! May the LORD Jesus Christ add to this church those who are being saved! Copyright 3/12/2000, Randy Lariscy.
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