TGP3001 - The Church Grows

Intro

Two weeks ago we looked at Peter being restored after he denied Jesus three times.

Today, we are going to see the transformation Peter has had because of the Holy Spirit empowering Him.

Jesus told Peter what he was suppose to do and the Holy Spirit was the how.

We, too, as Christians are called to follow after Jesus.

We, too, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out this ministry.

Because Christians have been transformed and empower by the Holy Spirit we must Proclaim Jesus Boldly, Call Others to Repentance, and Live Together as One.

Teaching

Because Christians have been transformed and empowered by the Holy Spirit we must:

Proclaim Jesus Boldly. (22-31)

Peter from Denier to Proclaimer

Peter was afraid of being associated with Jesus - trial and Crucifixion.

Even after the resurrection, the disciples - hiding behind locked doors.

While they were trying to understand what they needed to do with their lives, Jesus met them on the beach.

Jesus restored Peter and called him to follow after him, feeding and tending Jesus’s sheep.

What is boldness? Does Boldness = Outspoken?

easier for Jordan vs Lebron, Ronaldo vs Messi, or even Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift

Being bold in faith is harder

some times when something really matters or it will cost us to take a stand that’s when we have to rely on the HS to empower us to Proclaim Jesus boldly

What would have happened if Peter didn’t speak up? or the disciples?

We wouldn’t be here

America might not have even happened

Religious freedom

When we let fear keep us silent, we hinder others from learning about Jesus.

It might leave them separated from Jesus for eternity.

Call Others to Repentance. (37-41)

Peter’s message was simple: Jesus, the Messiah, was put to death because of your sin.

They were “pierced to the heart”

Sorrow, Grieved

but not enough

Forgiveness required their repentance.

Worldly grief vs Godly grief

2 Cor 7:9-10

Guilt should lead us to repentance

Feeling guilty or bad about out sin isn’t enough, we must repent

not just acknowledge our sin but also repent and turn away from it

Sin Should hurt our hearts

right view of sin

even “smallest” sin - separates us from God and leads to death

sin separates us from each other - ever had a friend who’s sinned against you?

sin separates us from joy - it lead to depression and misery

a Christian is most miserable when they are living in unrepentant sin

God didn’t call us to live separated from Him, others, and our own Joy, He called us to:

Live Together as One. (42-47)

These verses give us a window into the beginning of the church

they are taking care of one another, not separated by sin but living together

What are they doing?

devoted to the apostles’ fellowship

fellowship (hanging out)

breaking of bread (Lord’s supper) remembering the sacrifice of Jesus

praying together

This way of living lead to joy! Their joy was infectious - look at verse 44 in Acts

The early church was ideal but soon things would go astray

selfishness would set in

They lost sight of the gospel of Jesus

They stop being the body of Christ and started living for themselves

But the church had two purposes:

The Church exists to bring glory to God

Also the church exists to to fulfill Jesus’s command to make disciples and take the to the world.

This is why the bible calls us the body of Christ.

Essential Doctrine: Body of Christ

The New Testament describes the church as the body of Christ.

The church lives and operates as Christ’s representative here on earth, with Christ as its head (see Col. 1:18).

The church is an extension of Christ’s ministry, carrying out His work by fulfilling the Great Commission (see Matt. 28:18-20).

In addition, the picture of the church as the body of Christ shows us the interconnectedness of individual Christians, with each member depending on one another for growth and sanctification (see 1 Cor. 12).

Christ Connection

Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, a mere fifty days after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, demonstrates the Holy Spirit’s power to change those who trust in Jesus.

The power of the gospel changed Peter, whom God used to preach Jesus to the crowd so that thousands of others would believe and be changed.

All who believe in Jesus are changed forever.

We must now Proclaim Jesus Boldly, Call Others to Repentance, and Live Together as One.