Fellowship Of Believers (Part 5)

ME:

Pledge

Passage: Acts 2:42-47

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.

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.

Prayer

What we find as we have been looking at this First Church of the New Testament :

A group of people who are Devoted, In Awe, and (next we see) a group of people who were of Faith!

Transition Statement: This morning I want to look at a phrase in this passage of scripture, “All who believed” (44).

YOU:

When you look at this phrase in the Greek its the word “Pisteuo” (Root word Pistis - Faith)

“All who were of the faith”

Definition of the word faith is found in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

More simpler definition of this word - to trust in Jesus as contained in the content of the gospels.

For them it would say “All who trusted in Jesus” for us today it would be “All who trust in Jesus as revealed in God’s word.”

Do you remember when you had that encounter with Jesus?

You gave your life over to him. Surrendered it all.

I remember my response afterwards ......

You couldn’t keep me from church.

You couldn’t silence me from singing.

I wanted to be at the church 24/7 doing something to serve.

My heart was so full of joy and happiness.

I went from being lost to now being found!

I went from hopelessness to having a purpose!

I went from having no faith in anything to having Faith in this one named Jesus!

From that moment on I was motivated to action for Christ!

Faith Produces Action!

We know biblically this is true .... James 2:17-18

17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Faith Produces Action!

I would goes as far as to say, “Faith Navigates the Heart!”

Transition Statement: Let me show you what I mean in this passage of scripture.

GOD:

What we read is the 1st Church of the N.T. has not dispersed yet.

They are still together! (3120) “And all who believed were together”

All of the same faith!

Vs 44-46 reveals the action that was caused by their FAITH!

Friendship (44b) “Had all things in common.”

Proverbial idea of friendship

Compassionate (45) “selling their possessions and belongings”

Communism - “What’s yours is mine.”

Commonism - “What’s mine is yours.”

Serving (45b) “distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.”

Having a thankful heart (46b) “with glad and generous hearts.”

Worshipping (47a) “Praising”

This was not a list that was given to the disciples by Jesus to start doing once the comforter came.

This was something that was birthed from their faith in Jesus Christ.

Faith gives birth to Action!

Transition Statement: So what does this say to us this morning?

YOU:

What is your Faith giving birth to?

Can Sunday’s not come soon enough for you?

Gathering together with friends.

Do you sacrifice for the Kingdom?

Not asking you to sell everything!

If you were asked by the Holy Spirit would you?

Are you serving for the sake of the Kingdom?

Are you worshipping or are you just singing?

Do you find your heart filled with joy?

Transition Statement: I believe it would be fair to say this .....

ME:

Our faith should be giving birth to these things.

If they are not, our Faith MAY be lacking ....... no, let me say this ..... IT IS LACKING!

What we read in these verses are not a check list “to do” but a by-product that is produced.

Faith in Jesus Christ produces ....

Friendship

Compassion

Servanthood

Joyful Heart

Worshipper

Faith gives birth to this!

I am speaking to the church this morning ...... The believers ...... those of the Faith!

What is your faith producing?

If not “all of these” I would be safe to say our faith is lacking.

Maybe the reason we are lacking in our faith is .....

The lies from the enemy

But today can be the day you get that Faith back.

Rebuke

Repent

Let your faith be Reborn again.