Devoted to Fellowship
Acts: How to Act Like the Church? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Intro
Intro
Some go to church to take a walk; some go there to laugh and talk. Some go there to meet a friend; some go there their time to spend. Some go there to meet a lover; some go there a fault to cover. Some go there for speculation; some go there for observation. Some go there to doze and nod; the wise go there to worship God. -Charles Spurgeon
Why are you here this morning? What brought you hear this morning?
What Unites Us (v. 42)
What Unites Us (v. 42)
“The breaking of bread”
This is fellowship but where else does this draw from in imagery, The Lord’s Supper
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
They were devoted to gathering together because of Christ, the blood of Christ is what brought them together
We are together here today because of Christ, we come from many different backgrounds and may have some different views of scripture.
Ultimately we can disagree and debate on many topics revolving around theology but we can set those differences to the side and come together stronger as long as we hold to these essential beliefs
1. The Deity of Christ
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus is fully God, their is no room for debate. To deny the Deity of Christ is to call him a liar and to erase the power of the crucifixion
Within holding to the Deity of Christ we must hold to all the truths the Gospel proclaims
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
He is part of the Triune God
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
The Triune God is the one and only God
“You shall have no other gods before me.
2.Salvation by grace
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
We are sinners, powerless to do anything to redeem ourselves. We can only be redeemed by God’s power
Salvation through Jesus Christ alone
Only way we get saved is through professing Christ. Their is no other way to be redeemed
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Our unity around these core issues is what allows us to come together from diverse backgrounds, and what allows us to come together in unity despite denomination labels and theological differences
For example does belief in rather or not the rapture happens affect the way we see the deity of Christ or salvation. No the Gospel can be preached without compromise despite rather or not we agree on rather or not the church will be here for the tribulation
But at times we loose site of what Unites and get caught up in debates that safe no one
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
The devil loves for us to get caught up in endless debates on different views of Scriptural issues because it can get us in a inward spiral that becomes our undoing and prevents the Gospel from going outward
On the breaking of bread it is important to also remember the Lord’s supper is a time of self reflection to make sure you heart is in line with God
Part of fellowship is weekly preparing your heart to be a part of it
Dealing with your sin
realizing your shortcomings
What you get out of this church all depends on what you put in
When in reality when you come to church it is not about finding a church you can get something out of, but rather what you can put in
We are referred to as a body and a body works best when every part is working
Not a single one of you here this morning was called just to show up on Sunday morning and that to be the extent of your membership
You are called to serve
What is your role?
So church is not about finding the one that best serves you but about finding the one you are called to serve at
A Fellowship of Awe
A Fellowship of Awe
“Awe came upon every soul”
One of the overflowing impacts of the fellowship of believers and seeing God work through the believers was they were overcome with a sense of awe/fear (respectful fear) for God.
Fellowship was not about entertainment or an emotional experience, rather it was about growing closer to God and a deepening of respect
I am going to have a moment of transparency with you, the energy an passion I preach with at times concerns me
It comes out of a sincere heart and a passion for the Lord
But I fear sometimes people get caught up in the energy and passion of it all and miss the heart of the sermon
I do not want you leaving here every Sunday talking about how I delivered the sermon, that does not matter
If anything I desire to hear you leaving here convicted and talking about what God has convicted you over
Fellowship is not about choosing a church with the most pleasing music or programs to you or pastor that makes you always feel good about yourself
Choosing a Fellowship is about being a part of believers that pushes you to grow in your awe of God
When it comes to worship it should not be about the style but rather how do the songs line up theology wise?
How do the songs help me order my heart to receive from the Word of God?
How do the songs help lift a burden up?
When it comes to preaching how do the words of the preacher line with scripture? Do the words convict? Do the words inspire change? Do the words bring peace? Do the words bring encouragement? Is the preacher giving the word or a religious rant?
I am going to give you an example of a unbiblical preacher, Joel Osteen
Health and wealth is not biblical gospel
Gospel is not about meeting your physical needs
Gospel is not about avoiding judgment
Minister to One Another (v. 45)
Minister to One Another (v. 45)
Not only were they ministering to One Another but were doing it sacrificially not because it was the convenient thing to do
And it makes it clear to all, they did not pick and choose who, if their was a need they met it
Meeting the needs of others sometimes means sacrificing of time, possessions, money, emotions, etc.
Also though this is not a free pass to depend on folks because it is their Christian duty to tend for you
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
So how do we determine who to help?
1. Who God convicts you to help
the need may not always be evident from the outiside
2. Care for the widow and orphan
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
3. The elderly
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
4. Those who have had storms of life strike
5. Those who do not have idle hands
We have a responsibility to care for one another but not to encourage bad behavior
Outro
Outro
When we are God centered in our fellowship and grow in our awe of him we will see the Lord entrust us with more
But we cannot expect God to entrust us with more if we are not responsible now with those in our fellowship
Is your character in such a way God should entrust you with more souls to tend to?
Today do you desire to join this fellowship?
Do you know of a need that needs to be met?
