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Power of the church

Strength

Acts 2:40-41 (ESV)

40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

So 3120 people in the first church

Commitment

What are you committed to learning?

Piano.. art.. new small group..

Devoted.

Acts 2:42 (ESV)

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

Committed, Community and Church

Apostle’s Teaching

Hungry for it dontus pic, steak, caramel, cheesesteak cookies

Matthew 5:6 (ESV)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Devoted.. could not get away from it.. seek after it

People sought after Christ.. Jesus starts preaching.. and when he is done listen to what he says

Matthew 15:32 (ESV)

32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

Psalm 119:89 (ESV)

Forever, O Lord, your word     is firmly fixed in the heavens.

1 Timothy 4:13,16 (ESV)

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Why commit to this?

It’s God’s word

2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.

It is God, Christ and the Holy Spirit speaking directly into your life.

Protects new believers against dangers or errors

Titus 1:9 (ESV)

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Protects believers from falling back into sin

2 Timothy 4:1-2 (ESV)

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Guide believers into living a life like Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:15 (ESV)

and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

As committed followers and readers we must follow the word

James 1:22 (ESV)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

It has the power to save

John 6:63,67-68a (ESV)

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,

Community

Acts 2:42-45 (ESV)

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

43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Fellowship

Koinonia hold something in common

This fellowship is not only with other believers but God as well…

1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV)

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Where Friends become Family

“Sheep love to be together; they do not like being alone; there are no animals which seem to take such pleasure in being in a flock, and cling to each other’s company so faithfully. And so is it with true Christians: it is their delight to meet each other and be together, if possible. It is their continual sorrow and complaint that far too often they have to journey on alone, without any who are like-minded to commune with, about the things which their souls love most; and this is a very sore trial. Friends and relations may be kind and affectionate, they may have everything to make this world enjoyable – but what Christ’s sheep sigh and crave after is to have with them people who can enter into their secret feelings, who understand the unseen workings of their inward man, who can comprehend the hidden warfare which goes on in their hearts – people with whom they can take sweet counsel about their souls’ health and souls’ trials, with whom they can converse freely and unreservedly about their Lord and Master and their hopes of forgiveness through His name.” – J.C. Ryle

This fellowship has purpose..that purpose is to do Gods will together.

Ephesians 3:8-10 (ESV)

8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

As followers of Christ we are instruments of God that are used and has we learn the notes better (God’s word) we play them with the gifts he has given us.

Signs and wonders

Now the apostles where healing, casting out demons and people as we can see where coming to Christ by the thousands..

Here at the macc we see plenty of signs of wonders we have seen God heal those we have prayed for and we have seen him take his children home as well. We purpose to hire people to not do the work of the church but to empower the people of the church to come together and to the will of God.

Small Groups

Acts 2:44 (ESV)

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

The heart of our community at macc is small groups/bible studies

Nancy honey I Shrunk our church

Unity

Our harmony of all of us being in the word praying putting God’s word first in our life

Famous people from the 80’s sang a song together.. a mix of all these different styles of music and people from different cultures.. for one cause..Usa for Africa..Live aid.. We are the world…

We are called to fellowship not because we are from the same culture or like the same music or look a certain way or act a certain way..

Are unity starts in christ

1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV)

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves[a] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Our identity is our Savior

Ministry

Acts 2:45 (ESV)

45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Explain that people travelled in nd wanted to stay longer so this is why they did this.. some sold land other sold things so they could help these folks stay a little longer..

cccc.. compassion fund.. dinners.. etc..

Church

Acts 2:46-47 (ESV)

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

To Be an Open door for all people to know Christ.

Is macc a church worth coming to?

66 % of Americans believe church is to religious

Pastor is boring (58%)

Fear of being judged (43)%

Church is full of hypocrites ((38%)

Been hurt by the church (33 %)

John 13:35 (ESV)

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

There was a commitment to come together and be part of a community to grow those who were being saved.

Breaking of bread

Hebrews 10:25 (ESV)

25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Prayers

1 John 5:14 (ESV)

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

Worship

Psalm 57:7 (ESV)

7 My heart is steadfast, O God,     my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!

THIS IS THE HARMONY OF ALL THE CHURCH

Gospel

Acts 2:47 (ESV)And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

If macc grows it is because of all of us..

When we plug into the word.. each other and be the church. God uses us to add to his kingdom and add to our melody more singers and piano players ..guiitar players..etc..

Charles Spurgeon preached:

Let us open wide the door of our hearts and say, “Come and welcome,” for Jesus Christ's sake. After welcoming them we must watch over them, and when so many are added, double care is needed…. Help their weakness, bear with their ignorance and impulsiveness, and correct their mistakes…Among so many some must escape our supervision, but if all the members of the church were watchful this could be avoided; each would have some one to care for him, each one would have a friend to whom to tell his troubles and his cares. …The church ought to be giving out more light, for here are fresh lamps. She should be doing more for Christ, here are new workers; she should become stronger, more daring, more useful, for here are newly enlisted bold soldiers.