From House to House

A wife went with her friend to the police station to report that her husband was missing!

When the policeman asked for a description, she said, “He’s 6 foot 2, has deep blue eyes, dark wavy hair, athletic build, well-groomed and sharply dressed, weighs 185 pounds. He’s soft-spoken, well-mannered and loves the children.”

The friend spoke up and said. “But your husband is fat, 5 foot 3, rude, smokes cigars, bald, has a big mouth, never bathes, dresses sloppy, his teeth is rotten and he is terribly mean to your children.”

The wife replied, “Well true, but who wants that one back?”

It has been said,

insanity is doing the same thing expecting different results.

brothers and sisters,

if we are going to experience

apostolic revival

must make changes.

get something different.

Last sermon

preparation for Pentecost.

This sermon

aftermath of Pentecost.

EARLY CHURCH GROWTH

amazing growth...

How did this happen.

Acts 2:41 ESV

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

and

Acts 2:47 ESV

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

3000 baptized

Daily conversions.

How

What was going on

with this group.

Glad you asked

ACTS 2:42-47

Acts 2:42 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

THE RECIPE

Devoted to

Apostles Teaching

Fellowship - Breaking Bread

Prayers

We heard before

bible study

prayer.

Not highlighted as often

DAILY FELLOWSHIP

They spent time together

they loved each other

others noticed.

Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5 (Number Thirty-One—Testimony for the Church)

When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the early church, the brethren loved one another... Those primitive Christians were few in numbers, without wealth or honor, yet they exerted a mighty influence. The light of the world shone out from them. - 5T 239

After HS came

what were they like...

how would others describe them…

filled with love

As a result,

they had might influence

light of world.

There are no shortcuts when it comes to revival. The church desperately needs revival, but it is not going to come by quick and easy methods. Evan Roberts prayed for eleven years before the Welsh Revival broke out, and his ministry during that remarkable time broke him physically. More than one hundred thousand people were converted to Christ during that mighty awakening, but it was not the result of manufactured meetings.

horses

cursing and yelling

closed saloons

Next verse,

Acts 2:43 ESV

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

MIRACLES

Miracles as

result of outpouring

of Holy Spirit

Many are afraid of miracles

true many false ones

but don’t be afraid.

Soon,

HS poured out again

miracles again.

what next...

Acts 2:44–45 ESV

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

COMMUNE-ITY

Shared their belongings

selling possessions

gave to poor

Sacrificial system of

care for the

poor and needy.

Many say,

but this won’t work today

TRUE

no Christian sacrifice...

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing (Chapter 6—Not Judging, but Doing)

When those who profess the name of Christ shall practice the principles of the golden rule, the same power will attend the gospel as in apostolic times. - TMB 137

Do unto other as you

would have them do to you.

To really do this...

immense sacrifice.

CHURCH GROWTH

You might imagine

how fast

growth today

with ministry like that

QUOTES

In revival, the minds of people are concentrated upon things of eternity, and there is an awareness that nothing else really matters. - Brian Edwards

A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness, making God’s love triumph in the heart. - Andrew Murray

The result--

commune-ity

KEY VERSE

Acts 2:46 NKJV

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

Key concepts--

daily

one accord - unity

at temple

house to house

breaking bread - eating

1. DAILY

not once a week

not when i have time

every day....

We are too busy.

too busy for revival.

too busy for conversion.

too busy for compassion.

Brothers and Sisters,

Do we really want

revival

transformation

preparation for Jesus...

We may need to

change job

choose less pay

live tighter budget

A U.S. Lutheran bishop tells of visiting a parish church in California and finding a stirring red and orange banner on the wall. “Come Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!” it declared in words printed under a picture of a fire burning. The bishop was also interested in the sign directly underneath the banner which said: “Fire extinguisher.” So much for that parish’s commitment to spiritual renewal.

Fire extinguisher of revival

SPIRITUAL

separation

disconnection

disunity

2. ONE ACCORD

Complete unity

How can we get

this unity

Great Controversy Chapter 21—A Warning Rejected

If God’s professed people would receive the light as it shines upon them from His word, they would reach that unity for which Christ prayed, that which the apostle describes, “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Not complex...

receive light God gives us.

Not complex

walk in light we have.

Light from today

daily bible study

prayer

fellowship

3. TEMPLE

Apparently,

at temple a lot

constantly worshiping

Is it possible,

we have hurt ourselves

busy schedules...

4. HOUSE TO HOUSE

Name of sermon --

house to house.

KEY FEATURE

our church is missing

EFFECTIVE SMALL GROUPS

We need ministry

meet in homes

daily.

Home ministry

more intimate

more personal

more able to minister.

Home ministry

should be the engine of church.

At homes you

reach new people

serve people better

develop stronger friendships

mentor and disciple.

All great revivals with longevity

had small groups at core.

Pentecost

Advent Movement

Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6 Section 2—Evangelistic Work

With the work of advocating the commandments of God and repairing the breach that has been made in His law, we are to mingle compassion for suffering humanity. We are to show supreme love to God; we are to exalt His memorial, which has been trodden down by unholy feet; and with this work we are to manifest mercy, benevolence, and the tenderest pity for the suffering and the sinful.

In every place where the truth is presented, earnest efforts should be made from the first to preach the gospel to the poor and to heal the sick. This work, faithfully done, will add to the church many souls of such as shall be saved.

Those who engage in house-to-house labor will find opportunities for ministry in many lines. They should pray for the sick and should do all in their power to relieve them from suffering. They should work among the lowly, the poor, and the oppressed. We should pray for and with the helpless ones who have not strength of will to control the appetites that passion has degraded. Earnest, persevering effort must be made for the salvation of those in whose hearts an interest is awakened. Many can be reached only through acts of disinterested kindness.

5. BREAKING BREAD

10 days of prayer

In homes

eating

praying

studying

fellowship

recipe for revival

we experienced it.

Problem...

10 days are over...

Early Church

not just 10 days

lifestyle

We need to make

small home groups

a lifestyle too.

Final Result...

Acts 2:47 ESV

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

People joining

every single day

Heart of love

desire to share truth

Christ’s Object Lessons Chapter 9—The Pearl

The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Believers were reconverted.

...

Christ’s Object Lessons (Chapter 9—The Pearl)

Every Christian saw in his brother the divine similitude of benevolence and love. One interest prevailed. One object swallowed up all others. All hearts beat in harmony. The only ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ’s character, and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom. -COL 120

Their only ambition

‘reveal Christ’s character’

Brothers and sisters

we are on the brink of

powerful corporate revival

Must keep it going.

Make 10 days

every day life of our church.

Launch small groups

every day of week.

APPEAL

Be a host for a small group.

Be leader of small group.

Join a small group.

TRAINING.