Take It to the Next Level

Take It to the Next Level!

Acts 1:3-14; 2:1-4,42-47

The difference between a championship team and a mediocre team is invariably the skill and motivation of the players. Talented ‘play-makers’ and solid fundamental players who work together to achieve a common goal will routinely win games. Their motivation is the prize awarded to the champions. Every year sports teams strive to achieve the honor of being the best, receiving the professional recognition that accompanies victory, and reaping the financial reward for their hard-won accomplishment.

In the book of Acts the early record of the church reads like the journal of a championship team headed to the playoffs. Empowered and emboldened by the Holy Spirit, they took their game to the streets. Meeting together or scattered abroad they demonstrated incredible teamwork and focus. With the life of Jesus burning within them, they moved forward to carry out His game plan of taking the gospel to the nations.

I.                   Focus on the Fundamentals

A.    Spirit-filled Disciples – they were willing to follow the leadership of the Spirit no matter what He asked them to do.  On the Day of Pentecost the Spirit entered these believers, sitting on each of them like cloven tongues of fire.  This gave them the power to do what God wanted them to do.  They had the courage to go out and tell others about Jesus.

B.     Spiritual Disciplines – If you think back just a few weeks ago we talked about the fruits of the spirit and how they really show the world that we are Christians.  What were those fruits again?  Galatians 5:22-23 lists them as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Are you showing these qualities in your life?  Can people see love, peace, joy, and all these other things that are fruit of the Spirit and I believe to be disciplines that we need to have in our lives.  When we have these disciplines we have power to do God’s will.

The promised coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower believers proved to be the defining factor in the life of the early church. The disciples immediately realized its importance and focused on the basic disciplines that allowed the Spirit to accomplish His work in them and through them.

II.                Excel in Encouragement

A.    Pray for One Another – this is one of the greatest things that we can do for each other.  Pray for each other each and every day.   Look around you this morning, look at the people that are here.  These are people that we need to pray for.  Now look around again.  Who is not here today that normally is here?  Who normally sits next to you, in front of you, behind you that is not here today?  Pray for those people.  How about ones that are still members of our church that haven’t been here for quite some time, do they need our prayers?  Do you pray for them?

B.     Care for One Another – Who in our church has a need?  Who in our church is hurting?  Who needs just a little bit of love shared with them?  Who needs to be shown that our church loves them and cares for them?  Who needs to know that you love them and care for them?

The early disciples of Jesus realized that the relationship He had envisioned for His followers was one of fellowship and partnership. They cooperated with each other to ensure the mutual welfare of the church as well as the progression of the gospel message.

III.             Live in Love

A.    Love of Jesus – how much did Jesus love us?  He loved us enough that he gave his life for our sins.  He loved us enough that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  He loved us enough that he paid the ultimate price, giving his life so that we can live.  That is the amount of love that Jesus has for us still today.

B.     Love for Jesus – now the question is, how much do you love Jesus?  Do you love him enough to sacrifice for him?  Do you love him enough to go the extra mile for him?  Do you love him enough to make a difference in someone else’s life for Christ?  Do you love him enough to tell someone what Jesus has done for you?

In John 17 Jesus had prayed for his followers to live in His love: “May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in us so the world may believe You sent Me.” John 17:21 (HCSB) This was exemplified in how the disciples loved and cared for each other, as well as how they took the message of Jesus’ love to the masses.

Closing Illustration:

How encouraging are you to your team? Your team is the local church where you gather for worship, edification, and service. Can your team depend on you to give your absolute best? Do you regularly pursue excellence in spiritual discipline and ministry? Are you faithful to the task? It has been wisely stated that when we aim at nothing we hit it every time. What are your goals for discipleship and service? Are you more spiritually mature than you were last year? Are you finding fulfillment in serving Jesus through your local church? If not, maybe its time to ‘take it to the next level’. Surface attendance and limited involvement at church are signs of a shallow personal relationship with Jesus. If He is not Lord your life as a Christian you will be bored. Shallow investments yield sorry returns. A lack of commitment lets down your team.