Acts 2:42 Church

Bibles

Today we are going to look at a

verse that shows us what the early church

was about when it first started

I have seen messages based on this verse titled

THE MARKS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH

The Church Model

Pattern of a Spirit filled Church

All great titles

but today I am going to title this simply

“Church”

turn Bibles to Acts chapter 2 (maybe CHURCH!?)

Pray

give a brief timeline from ch.1-ch.2:

Ascension, wait for HS, Day of Pentecost, tongues, Peter preaches.

so then we read in verse 40:

Acts 2:40–41 NKJV

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

This day of Pentecost - (a Holy Day about the harvest)

There was a harvesting of souls

The church went from over 100 people

to about 3,000 people in one day.

What an amazing day!

all these religious people

saved by Jesus!

What a baptism that must had been!

All these people publicly declaring

to be with Christ dead to sin and alive to God

dead to the old life

now alive in a new life in Christ

So what did that new life look like?

What happened next?

You have 3k people baptised

How do you lead them in a new life in Christ?

This next verse gives us a concise summary

of the direction the early church took.

which is for churches to follow

as it shows us areas we can grow in together.

Many churches looking for direction, vision,

and looking to men for that.

Well lets look to God

because its here in His Word:

Acts 2:42 NKJV

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

that is what the church did and was about.

not Peters vision, no mans plans!

no entertainment agendas or methods to get people coming back.

This is what the church aimed at

which shows us that no man is free to make the church what they want it to be

Here is the aim for the church, as it ultimately

causes us to be together, focused on Christ, and lead by the Word and Spirit.

this is how to how to make disciples

and fulfill the great commission

Lets look at the first few words here:

First:

and “they”

not each individually… separately...

While it is a great thing to do these things on our own.

This shows us that this is something for us to grow in together.

We are the church together.

With Christ at the head leading His body

A family of God

There is an importance in being together.

Next part:

“continued”

They didn't stop at baptism.

which represented a new life

they lived in a new way

and so there there was a continued walk

A moving forward.

A new way of living.

There is growing to take place, our callings to grow in, we have work to do.

May we also continue

No turning back, no stopping, pressing on, running the race.

how? next says

“Steadfastly”:

can also be translated: continually devoting themselves

it was not casually, passively, half-heartedly, every once in a while

do these things...they steadfastly

single-mindedly pursued this course of action.

devoted

What did “they” “continue” “steadfastly/devoted” in?

4 things:

1. Apostles Doctrine

Doctrine means teaching

so the Apostles teaching is

speaking of the Word of God

No one is going to become a mature Christian

without the teaching of God’s Word

It is the main way we learn about God

to grow, and become equipped to serve

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

the Word of God is very important

We need God’s Word

as we read it it reads us!

and as we see here it is the first "target"

at which their "devotion" aimed...

The Word of God.

to know God and be equipped to serve

What an aim for us as a church

devoted to His Word

to continue steadfastly into the Word of God

for truth, growth, and direction,

(otherwise we will be easily deceived, and without direction)

We dont need the topical sermons when we have God’s Word

We dont need the theological messages when we can look at God’s Word itself

We dont need self help sermons when we can apply His Word.

all those can easily start to become man’s word

So that is why its best to follow God’s vision for the church

not mans, because when you have

the Word of God - sound doctrine/ sound teaching

we will be lead on what to do

it tells us to be a light, it tells us the great commission, it tells us to love one another.

It is the very words that God wants us to know!

So as we look at God’s Word chapter by chapter verse by verse

we get to see what God says and apply it to our lives!

So, I love that after these believers got saved

they were hungry for God’s Word

to know & to grow

may we always want more of His Word!

to together be continuing steadfastly/devoted in the Word

2. Fellowship

The gk word koinonia- has the idea of association, gathering, and participation;

it means to share in something.

So our Christian life is meant to be full of fellowship

full of sharing one with another.

it is much more then getting coffee, and having fun together.

When we are together:

· We share the same Savior

· We share the same Word of God

· We share the same love from God & love to God

· We share the same desire to worship Him.

· We share in same Spirit

· We share in struggles.

· We share in victories

· We share the same mission of living for Him.

· We share the same joy

So what a beautiful important thing when we gather

when we fellowship

Its about Jesus and because of Jesus

Its iron sharpening iron

Its helping each other, and encouraging

as we are pointing each other to the Lord

So for us may we continue steadfastly

and grow in our fellowship

looking for fellowship!

Looking out for those to be connected!

Especially when we have new believers, and mature believers.

The 2 help each other

One needs them to pour into

and the other needs to BE poured into.

We fellowship because we are a church family!

so we love and care for each other in Jesus!

3. Breaking of Bread

While this phrase can refer to eating together

This is understood here to be speaking of communion.

That we will receive soon

Communion is a time for all believers.

to remember Jesus,

specifically what He has done for us.

in dying on the cross for our sin

So in communion we take the bread

and the juice

to remember

the Lord’s death.

That He gave His body to be broken for us.

That His blood was shed to pay the price of our sins.

A sacrifice for our sins, Who died so we can live

So communion is for the believer.

In 1 Corinthians 11 it gives us a warning

that we are encouraged not to

eat of the bread

or drink from the cup

in an unworthy manner

which would be participating in communion

for reasons apart

of Jesus being your Savior.

so it is a time to to examine oneself (1 Corinthians 11:27-29)

why am I receiving?

the answer:

because I am proclaiming the Lord’s death for me

That is why we eat of it as it is a picture of us receiving Him

like in Baptism we show our death with Christ;

in Communion we show His death for us.

Communion is about remembering Him

that He gave His body

and shed His blood

for the forgiveness of our sins.

If the believers here in Acts, that were only days from Jesus’ death

are taking communion to remember Him

How much more important for us 2k years later?

And so communion is an important aim for the church

because it helps us keep Jesus in the focus!

Its because of Jesus its for Jesus, until Jesus comes and gets us!

because it is possible for a church to loose that focus

communion is an import part of the church!

as it helps us keep that focus on Him.

last but not least:

4. Prayers

It often is treated as least.

Yet it is one of the greatest gifts we have

Maybe share quote:

Martin Luther said about prayer

no slide

"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." — Martin Luther

Prayer takes to action

what the Word has shown us

It connect us with God

‌‌where we can go to Him

that we can ask, repent,

and submit to His will,

It is communicating with God.

So often in our prayers (even in our worship)

the Spirit leads, as it can stir us up!

So often spiritual gifts, leadings, come from times in prayer.

Because prayer is not a monologue

it's a dialogue.

You're talking to God, not just talking at God.

God speaks

and so in prayer

change , empowerment, direction,

and moves of the Spirit can take place

All over scripture we are encouraged to pray

and to pray often

to pray without ceasing.

As James 4:2 says “you do not have have because you do not ask”

So Church what would God give us

that we have not even asked for yet?

even just praying

“God show us what to ask for” is good

Also we are encouraged to pray for each other! (Jas 5:16, Eph 6:18)

Its one of the greatest ways we can love each other

to pray for each other

lifting each other up

for needs, help, direction,

and not just that

but spiritual blessings

Way too often we ask for prayer only when things are bad or we have some need

may it be common among us to pray for each other

not just for each others needs or problems

but for blessing

for God to give a spiritual gift

for God’s wisdom

for continued health

now I have heard people say

I am not good at praying so I dont pray

especially with people

maybe share quote:

"Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees." William Cowper

Better to jumble through the prayer then to not pray at all!

Its greatly important for us to pray as a church!

that is why satan wants to keep us from praying

and make it seem unimportant

when we have a lot we can be praying about

like the direction for His church

the hurting within our church and the community

praying for the empowerment and boldness to be used in this World

prayer for blessing!

it starts with each one of us.

find someone to pray for you

find someone to pray for

So

After this verse we read in the rest of Acts how God uses the church

and wow, He uses the church in great ways,

reaching the lost, spreading the gospel,

overcoming attacks.

What will we see God do?

as we continue steadfastly into the same thing?

Doing what has worked for 2k years

despite persecutions, and all its attacks!

So may we continue, and grow in the Word, Fellowship,

Remembering the Lord in our communion,

and praying together.

As our passage together encourages us to:

Be together, focused on Christ, and be lead by the Word and Spirit.

Steadfastly/Devoted!

Invite worship team up to help lead us in communion: