A HEALTHY CHURCH - PART 3

Acts 2:41–47 NKJV

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 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, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

PT 1 —— Main Idea: A healthy church honors God and seeks to reach the lost.

PT 2 —— Main Idea: A healthy church equips believers and encourages one another.

Main Idea: A healthy church edifies one another and encounters God through prayer.

Key Question: Are you helping SBCR fulfill these two objectives?

1. A healthy church edifies one another. (v. 44-45)

Acts 2:44–45 NKJV

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

Romans 12:10 NKJV

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Galatians 5:13 NKJV

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

PT 1 —— Keys to Win!

Bring your Bible to church.

Be engage during singing.

Three rules of engagement

· A person alone is an emergency.

· Friends can wait.

· Introduce a newcomer to someone else.

PT 2 —— Keys to Win!

Sit front and center.

Come early and ready.

Look to invite and influence people to church.

Keys to Win

Have a plan to give when you are away.

Use online sparingly

2. A healthy church encounters God through prayer together. (v. 42)

Acts 2:42 NKJV

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

Acts 1:14 NKJV

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 4:31 NKJV

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 6:4 NKJV

but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

PRAYER TIME

Personal Focused Prayer

Use Psalm 23 for prayer guide

Worship, Repent and Intercede

Small Group Prayer (5-7)

Use Acts 2:41-47 for prayer guide

6 Marks of a Healthy Church

A healthy church should…

Exalt God in everything (2:43, 47) - “praising God”

Evangelize the lost (41, 47) - “those who were being saved”

Equip believers (42) - “they continued…”

Encourage one another (42, 46) “daily with one accord...”

Edify one another (44-45) - “as anyone had need”

Encounter God through prayer (42) - “in [the] prayers”