Committed to A Gospel Lifestyle

TAPESTRY COVENANT

We profess that we are believers saved by grace through faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are committed to loving God and each other, learning and growing in the Word, and living out the reconciling and unifying gospel blessings in our lives by being witnesses to our neighbors wherever the Lord places us.

We commit to the assembling of the Saints in worship of the Triune God. We commit to engage in regular fellowship with our brothers and sisters by carrying one another's burdens and being diligent in encouraging and exhorting one another in the name of Christ.

We commit to supporting the vision and mission of Tapestry Church utilizing our time, talent and treasure. We commit to submitting to Christ through the faithful leadership of the elders and pastors as they seek to serve in obedience to the scriptures, equipping the saints for the work of ministry.

We hereby affirm these covenant vows by God’s grace.

SERMON TEXT

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 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. 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.

INTRODUCTION

Intro Start Here

Pastoral Prayer

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE GOSPEL LIFESTYLE

Supernatural Works Point to the Power of the Gospel

Acts 2:43 ESV

43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

The power of Jesus continues to be displayed by the people of Jesus.

Supernatural Generosity Points to the Power of the Gospel

Acts 2:44–45 ESV

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.

The earliest Christians began to see one another as a true family.

Supernatural Fellowship Points to the Power of the Gospel

Acts 2:46–47 ESV

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.

Distinguishing Factors: (1) the consistency of fellowship, (2) the gladness of their fellowship, (3) the praise of their fellowship, (4) the growth of their fellowship.

THE PRESCRIPTION FOR THE GOSPEL LIFESTYLE

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:37–38 ESV

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 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.

A Commitment to God’s Word

Acts 2:42 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

“I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends Philip and Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.” - Martin Luther

“Are you tired of the preaching of this Word? Do you want it to be over as quickly as possible? Do you want more entertainment and less preaching? If so, you are just proclaiming that you are not like the members of the early church.” - Martin Lloyd-Jones

A Commitment to God’s People

Acts 2:42 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

A Commitment to Prayer

Acts 2:42 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

STEPS TOWARD THE GOSPEL LIFESTYLE

Commit to Waiting on the Lord

We are tempted to “take matters into our own hands.”

Jesus’ earliest followers waited on the power of the Lord to show up by prayerfully seeking his will. (See Acts 1:14 “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”)

Before we ask, “Where is Tapestry going?” We have to ask, “Where is God going?”

Commit to Learning, Loving, and Living

We have to get the prescription right before we chase after the consequences.

What does “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” look like in the context of Tapestry church.

Pathways of loving, learning, and living: Worship centered on God’s word, small groups connected for prayer and fellowship, and ministry designed for displaying God’s grace.

COMMUNION

Matthew 26:26–29 ESV

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Prayer