The First Church "Devoted"
Book of Acts: Deer Creek • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 5 viewsAim: To look at the devotion of the first church.
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Transcript
My Church!
My Church!
Jesus while ministering on Earth said he was going to build His church (Mt16:18)
18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Now after the first gospel meeting, first gos;el message delivered (Act2:14-38). Today we will see what the results were in our passage. Devoted, that is what they were, so now lets look (Act2:39-47)
39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
What detail(s) stick out to you in this passage?
To me it is devotion, so lets look at the devotion in this.
First a few facts from 39-41
The promise of salvation we looked at last week was not just for the hearer there, it was for their children and those afar off.
Just because delivered the gospel message, there was yet a lot to be said. Peter told them how to be saved from this perverse generation.
Having hearts pierced they were baptized (2:41)
And it was 3000 souls!
Devoted to apostles doctrine (2:42)
Devoted to apostles doctrine (2:42)
Jesus expected people to receive, and believe the apostles teaching (Jn13:20)
20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
The Holy Spirit was given to lead, guide, remind them (Jn16:12-13)
12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
The word of the apostles was received as the word of God, in which it was (1Th2:13-14)
13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,
There are many churches today that are more worried about the culture and being relevant to the people, then truthful, devoted to God and the truth, power of His word.
We need to heed Christ and his apostles teaching.
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
Add to that (Mt15:8-9)
8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ ”
If we are to be the church that Jesus built, we need to follow the example Christ set, the example of the early church, a church built on Jesus and the apostles doctrine that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.
Devoted to Spiritual Fellowship
Devoted to Spiritual Fellowship
Godly people always delight in spiritually sharing with one another (1Jn1:3)
3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Or maybe consider (Ps122:1)
1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Devoted to spiritual fellowship is also devoted to being together, assembling together (i.e. Heb10:24-25).
The question has to be are we devoted like the early church, the first church was?
Are our priorities right (Mt6:33)
33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
(Transition) A true church will be made up of members who assemble together and share in spiritual matters. And then:
Devoted to breaking bread
Devoted to breaking bread
The taking of the Lords Supper (1Cor10:16ff) s the Lord instituted and was to be observed often (weekly is what we see in the N. T.) (1Cor11:23-34, Act20:7)
Devoted to steadfast prayer
Devoted to steadfast prayer
Jesus taught a sample prayer, and to pray and not loose heart (Lk11:1-4, 18:1-8)
Jesus our High priest is through whom we can pray (Heb4:14-16)
Can we ask ourselves
Do we pray frequently and fervently? (Col4:2)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
and then (1Th5:17)
17 pray without ceasing;
This can easily be forgotten or we go through the motions, offering rote, repetitious prayers , where this is a vital spiritual activity, spiritual discipline we need to practice.
Devoted to brother love
Devoted to brother love
Without a doubt you can see they did that as common practice in our text, but look a little further and you will see more of the same (Act4:32-35)
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
Brotherly love, Peter says “fervent love” (1Pt1:22) Do we love fervently?
Do we emulate the early disciples (1Jn3:16-17)
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
(Transition) still more to come from our passage
Devoted to daily service
Devoted to daily service
They continued daily! More than once a week.
Is this why there as daily additions to the numbers (2:47)? and consider (Act5:42)
42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Not only in assembly but in each others homes, intentionally preaching, teaching Jesus
Again we ask ourselves
Do we serve the Lord daily?
Do we love and serve one another? (Heb3:12-14)
12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
Devoted to purposeful unity (v.46)
Devoted to purposeful unity (v.46)
Notice it says “with one accord” What does that mean?
They were united in worship and in their concern for one another (Act4:32)
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.
That is the unity Jesus prayed to the Father for them to have (Jn17:20-23).
Do we have this type of diligent, purposeful, devotion like they did? They worked hard to maintain it. (Php2:1-2)
1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Oh wait, here is a better one (Eph4:1-3)
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(Transition): oneness of min, intent on purpose, joyful in the work and service to one another, and now do it all with joyful simplicity.
Devoted to joyful simplicity (v.46)
Devoted to joyful simplicity (v.46)
With gladness and simplicity of heart is what it says
“Simplicity involves humility associated with simplicity of life - Lou Nida”
It is taking time to be content in and through all circumstances (1Tim6:6-10; Php4:11-12); a contentment based on trust, faith, surrender to God and a willingness to share (1Tim6:17-19)
(Transition) from all places, all types and situations in life is what makes up the body of believers, the church who live with joyful simplicity and go about life devoted to praising God.
Devoted to praising God (v.47)
Devoted to praising God (v.47)
Despite their difficulties and even differences they lived their lives praising God. Like exampled in (Ps145:1-2)
1 I will extol You, my God, O King, And I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Other examples you can see Ps146:1-2, and 147:1, but you can look those up on your own.
Again, the application is to ask ourselves are we delighting in our praising of God? Are we doing as it says in (Heb13:15)
15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
(Transition) from praising and living with simplicity to please God now we get to results.
Devoted to pleasing people (v.47)
Devoted to pleasing people (v.47)
This is not a people pleaser a co-dependent like people make this out to be, this is “having favor with all people”
the NLT says “enjoying the goodwill of all the people.”
All this by being a disciple of Jesus and following his example.
Do we live a life that looks for the goodwill of others, especially the lost souls?
Do we live at peace with others as much as it depends on us? (Rom12:17-21)
17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Our examples given from our passage they were devoted to
Apostles doctrine, spiritual fellowship
Breaking of bread (communion); steadfast prayer
Brotherly love; daily service
Purposeful unity; joyful simplicity
Praising God, having favor with all men.
(Prayer) (Close)
