Gather (2)

Gather

Acts 2:42-47

I. Introduction

A. Have I ever told you all about the time I tried to coach my sons football team? My team had no strategy, and it showed. The other team knew every play before they walked on the field, and it showed. Bothe teams had the same mission – win the game. Strategy matters.

B. This morning we begin a new series about our church strategy. The mission is the same – We lead people to Jesus and equip disciples in their faith. The strategy is how we make the mission happen. We gather, grow, and go

C. This was like how we see Jesus work. He gathered people to preach, He grew disciples, and He sent them out

D. This morning we begin with Gather – It is important because the church matters.

E. Context – This is the beginning of the church.  Peter has preached in the city of Jerusalem after the resurrection, endangering his own life. He is powerfully filled with the Spirit and many people come to faith through his preaching.

II. They grew together (42-43)

A. Explanation

1. Both spiritually and in fellowship

2. They devoted themselves – They were committed to these actions after coming to faith in Christ

a. The apostles teaching – They knew that what the apostles taught came straight from Jesus Himself and they are followers of Jesus. The teaching, according to the sermons in Acts, were based on three things: Deity, death, and resurrection of Jesus

b. The fellowship – Koinonia (common) – Their union is based on the common salvation they had in Christ that drew them together for the common purpose of serving Jesus and making Him known – You want be where everybody knows your name

c. To the breaking of bread –

i. They did life together through meals – This is a time of intimacy and conversation. They were more than acquaintances

ii.Through Communion – They partook of the remembrance of Christ together

d. And the prayers – They prayed together and for one another

3. They had a common shared experience. They were in awe together of all that God was doing miraculously through the apostles -

B. Application

1. The early church gathered to do life together. They weren’t a collection of individual saved people working independently. They worked together to be the body

2. There was strengthin their gathering

3. There was encouragementin their gathering

4. They made the life of the church important in their own lives and devoted themselves to one another

5. We are called to do likewise. We are called to come together as the body of Christ

a. We create a church family

b. We serve together

c. We worship together

III. They cared for one another (44-46)

A. Explanation

1. All who believed were together – They were in sync with one another

2. They cared for one another’s needs - And held all things in common – They shared what they had and when one was in need they took care of the need – Even to the degree of selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had needs

3. They went to the temple together to worship with their church family

4. They broke bread in their homes – Church family didn’t end when the sermon was over. They carried it to their homes

a. There is nothing greater than seeing people linger after the service is over because they don’t want to leave.

b. Even greater is showing up at the restaurant after church and finding people from church continuing the fellowship together

B. Application

1. What connections are you making in the church to show that you love one another

a. This is so easy for the extraverts in our church – Use that gift to connect with people and help connect new people to our fellowship

b. For the introverts – overcome that fear and connect with someone new

2. Our church should be a place where people truly feel loved and that they belong

a. We visit the sick

b. We care for those who have lost loved ones

c. We help meet the needs of those who are in need

d. We are the shoulder to cry on for one another

3. We are a church family. We should love one another as true brothers and sisters.

4. This would not be possible if it were not for the connection of the church

IV. They made an impact on others

A. Explanation

1. Praising God – This is daily and corporate

2. Having favor with all the people – They were appreciated by the people around them.  Obviously, there were many who opposed them, but the people around them saw something different and good in the church – They were joy-filled. They supported one another. They loved one another. They exhibited the fruit of the Spirit together. This is something that will draw people to us

3. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved

a. This is the number one characteristic of a healthy church

b. Their character as a gathered people doing life together was making an eternal impact on the people around them

B. Application

1. We should be working together as a church gathering to make a difference in people’s lives

2. This is why the gathering is important

a. We encourage one another

b. We hold each other accountable

c. We teach one another

d. We experience God’s movement as a church body when we come together for His glory

V. Conclusion

A. Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near

B. Commitment to being here for the next six weeks – Make the decision now, not when you get up each Sunday morning. See if God blesses your connection to His body, the church

C. This morning as we conclude our service I want to leave you with the main reason we gather.  It is because of Jesus. He died for us. We all have two things in common.

1. We are all people who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

2. We all have a hope in Jesus who died on the cross for our sin. It is up to you today to place your faith in Him

D. The Lord’s Supper is a visual reminder of What Jesus did for us.  It is through His body that died on the cross and the blood that was shed as a perfect sacrifice that we have hope of forgiveness and eternal life.