Back to Basics

So the first thing we must do is Continue

What had been demonstrated to have success is outlined in one word CONTINUE. One of the things we must do in all areas of our lives is continue in the path of success! Once you figure out what working continue that. I can can say that the modern day church has definitely lost focus. Instead of seeing what worked on the day of Pentecost we are all over the place.

The words said the continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. This word stedfastly literally means to continue to do something with intense effort, with the possible implication of despite difficulty—‘to devote oneself to, to keep on, to persist in. SO despite difficulty we are to devote ourselves:

To the Word

To Fellowship

To the Lords Supper

To Prayers

Apostle Doctrine (The Word of God)

The apostle doctrine is the study of the word. Now remember the word they had was the torah, the psalms, proverbs, the words of the old testament prophets and the spoken words of Jesus. They had what they needed to continue to study the words that were written concerning Jesus. Just as Peter had preached or Stephen would preach it was the references of the early scriptures that were necessary to keep the early church focused!

We must continue to study. We must examine the scriptures to remove any doubt of who Christ is. The more we study the more our faith increases. The more we study the assurance we have of the victory of Christ.

This practice of continue in a successful path is good for all parts of our life.

His Word is a light unto our paths and a lamp unto our feet.

Paul told Timothy to Study to show yourself approved unto God a workman not needing to be ashamed.

There is so much misinformation out there. We must make in a duty to study. Its amazing that our least attended time together is Bible Study.

We must open our minds to being strengthened by the Word of God. We must read our Bibles, devotionals daily.

Look grab a Daily Bread or set up a devotional on your phone it will help you.

Fellowship

Fellowship was important because its indicates they stayed and communed in one accord. I shared this a few weeks ago of being with one accord. Having the mind of Christ when we come together. Not allowing divisions to interrupt our togetherness. Fellowship is the essence of Christian life. Its fellowship with God and with other believers in Christ! John wrote in 1 John 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ . (1 Jn 1:1–3).

In the beginning, Adam was placed in the garden to enjoy friendship and communion with God. When the creature chose to assert his own autonomy rather than live under the Creator’s gracious care, fellowship was broken. Hence Adam and Eve hid themselves from the Lord’s presence (Gn 3:8). Yet God immediately sought them out (v 9) and revealed his plan for the ultimate restoration of sinners through the work of the Redeemer (v 15).

The OT tells how God began to draw a special people into fellowship with himself. Enoch is described as a man who walked with God (Gn 5:22, 24). Noah, likewise, walked in communion with the Lord (6:9). And Abraham, the father of Israel, is called “the friend of God” (Jas 2:23). No OT saint had deeper fellowship with God than did Moses during his 40-day encounter with the Lord on Mt Sinai (Ex 24).

David wrote psalms that reflect a heart vitally in tune with the living God (Pss 16; 34; 40; 63).

1  Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

2  I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you.”

3  As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,

in whom is all my delight.

4  The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;

their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out

or take their names on my lips.

5  The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;

you hold my lot.

6  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7  I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;

in the night also my heart instructs me.

8  I have set the LORD always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure.

10  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption.

11  You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Ps 16:1–11).

As a result of Christ’s finished work on the cross, God now makes his permanent abode in the believer’s heart (Jn 14:23). Hence the fellowship which now prevails under the new covenant is nothing less than the vital, spiritual union of the believer with Christ (Jn 14:20, 21). Fellowship with God is the goal of the Christian life (1 Jn 1:3), and this relationship will be perfected forever when we see our Savior “face to face” (1 Cor 13:12), when God dwells with his people in the heavenly kingdom (Rv 21:3).

The gospel restores fellowship not only with God, but among believers as well. Jesus’ last supper with his disciples illustrates the relationship between the vertical and horizontal dimensions of fellowship (Mk 14:22–25). In the upper room Jesus shared with his disciples a sacred love feast. The hearts of the Lord and his followers were knit together by a deep sense of love and commitment. Later the disciples discovered that their own hearts were strongly united out of their common loyalty to Jesus. Following the cross and the outpouring of the Spirit the church was born, that new society of people in fellowship with God and with one another.

I love St Luke because I believe we have gotten this, Fellowship. Supporting one another. loving on one another. I am sure we can get better but we are striving!

Breaking of Bread

This breaking of bread is not us eating chicken on Sunday. Its a reenactment of the supper the Lord had with his disciple. Do this in remembrance of me. Remember the disciples who saw Jesus on the road to emaus were awaken while they ate with the resurrected Jesus. The same thing should happened to us. As we eat the bread and drink the fruit of the vine we should have a moment. Never will forget what he done for me!

He said do this in remembrance of me. The natural state of a wafer and the fruit of the vine can take on a transformative state when we reflect on why we do it. When I think of the Goodness of Jesus and all he has done for me my soul cries out Halleujah !

Prayer

Then finally prayer. What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged— Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Prayer the true weapon for the saint should be the first thing not the last thing we do. Prayer changes things. A classic definition of Christian prayer is “an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies”

We must be as committed to prayer as the other three. Praying in the morning. Finding time to pray in the midday. Praying in the evening. The Bible says Man ought to always pray!

Somethings only come by fasting and praying!

Praying can bring healing, Praying can bring peace that surpasses all your understanding. The question before your panic is “Have I prayed about it? Have I talked it over with the Lord?

They continued steadfastly in four important things (The Word, Fellowship, Communion, and Prayer)

So what does all this get us? And awe came upon every soul! It changed the behavior of people. People had a sense of belonging. It was the beloved community. People were generous, loving, kind to each other.

Folks were praising God! And the Lord added to the church daily!

Praise Him! Praise Him Praise Him Praise Him Jesus Blessed Savior Hes worthy to be praised!

Can we do that? Can we continue to follow the basic tenets of the Church?

We have a blueprint for success. We need to follow it. We have to guarantee from Jesus Upon this Rock i will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The universal church will survive and we can do our part as the local church to attract more, do more, save more!