Building the Church (2)
Building the Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The Start of Something Big
The Start of Something Big
Welcome back
Sorry about last week -migraine took me out
I hope all had a good week
How did you see God move this past week?
We have begun the journey through the Book of Acts
Acts is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke.
Luke showed the words and acts of Jesus while Acts shows what we are supposed to do with it.
All agree Luke wrote it probably between AD 60-65
It covers the birth and growth of the early Church, about 30 years.
I begins with Jesus’ ascension and ends with Paul’s imprisonment.
The point of this study is not to become the Acts church
It is to become the God has called us to be here in N Apopka
“The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ.” — C. S. Lewis
The Start of Something Big
The Start of Something Big
We are going to break chapter down into 3 parts
Power, Proclamation, Plan
Before that let’s set the stage
The Disciples were told to wait
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The Start of Something Big
The Start of Something Big
The day of Pentecost came - this was an annual feast -Festival of Weeks
1 of 3 pilgrimages
People either stayed after Passover or traveled for this feast.
Luke names 15 different geographical locations
People were from everywhere
It was the perfect scenario to start something big
But for it to happen they needed power
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
There was no witnessing without power
That’s where we are going to start
Let’s pray
The Power
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This was the fulfillment of a promise long ago
28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
The Power
The Spirit came
Came on all not like the OT when it was on one or specific
The Spirt filled
This was about power and symbolized this was for all people
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.
6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
The Power
Not only fulfilled the promise but also reversed the curse of Babel
Babel we were divided by languages - Pentecost a message uniting all
Just another note - they weren’t sharing the Gospel - worshiping
Spirit filled worship will draw attention - draw mockery
12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
The Proclamation
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
The Proclamation
Peter the denier, Peter the one who let Jesus down at his time of need became the preacher
Don’t tell me God can’t use you
Peter’s sermon speaks to 3 things
He explained what happened
17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
He explained how it happened
Jesus was alive
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
Peter stated the proof was:
Person of Christ - everyone knew of Him and the things He did
Prophecy - from David
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
Witness of believers
32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
The Holy Spirit was present
He explained why it happened
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
result
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Plan
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
The Plan
How would they continue and grow
3 things that make or break the Church
They were devoted to learning God’s word
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
They were devoted to serving and giving
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.
They were devoted to gathering and worship
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.
The Start of Something Big
The Start of Something Big
This is just the beginning
The plan is the still the same today
We have the power available, the message to proclaim, and the plan to reach our community
You never have to advertise a fire. Everyone comes running when there’s a fire. Likewise, if your church is on fire, you will not have to advertise it. The community will already know it.
-Leonard Ravenhill
Let’s pray
