Untitled Sermon

We are in the middle of a series on How God Builds a House. And we have been taking a look at Genesis as the Lord established the earth, creation, and mankind and the genesis of the church in the book of Acts, as the Lord established the church. From the very beginning of creation the Lord said in that it is not good for man to be alone, or all one, or singular, so he created Eve and He said to be fruitful and multiply. In we look at the early church and we see the Lord gather his people together in community for a greater purpose and today we are going to walk through a couple of scripture that reveal to us the importance of community when the Lord builds the house.

Let’s Pray

Lets take a look at and the start of the church

2 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[a] 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.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

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] 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.

As we look at these scriptures something pretty significant is happening in , the people were all together, they are in one place, and then the Holy Spirit moves. The Holy Spirit moved so powerfully that in verse 5 it says that there were devote men from every nation under heaven, and at the sound the multitudes came together and they were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in their own language. I absolutely love what is happening here

believers are gathered together in prayer

the Holy Spirit moves in such a powerful way that more people come together

when they gather together, they hear of the mighty works of God in their own language

Powerful things happen when believers gather together.

One of the significant things that stuck out to me as I was meditating on these passages and really looking at what it means to gather together and to live life in community was how the people who gathered together heard of the mighty works of God in their own language, and that struck me, because so often as believers we want to share the gospel with people the way that makes us feel more comfortable and we want to be around believers who are like us or at least speak the same language as us, but none of that mattered. There were people from every nation, we have this diverse group that represents every nation, and they didn’t all learn a new language, they weren’t asked to change who they were, but the Lord spoke it them, they heard the gospel in their own language. And as we look at building community and the power that comes by living life with one another, I want us to remember that our communities should be diverse communities, and the thing that knits our hearts together is the gospel and the Holy Spirit.

Let’s continue on…

So everyone heard the gospel in their own languages

Those who received the word were baptized and 3000 people were added to them

And heres what they did, lets re-read it in

42 Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings[bk] of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another,[bl] sharing communion[bm] and coming together regularly for prayer.[bn] 43 A deep sense of holy awe[bo] swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.[bp] 44 All the believers were in fellowship as one body,[bq] and they shared with one another whatever they had. 45 Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. 46 Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. 47 They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.[br]

When God build the House, this is what believers do…

devoted themselves to teaching: Bible Studies

mutual linked hearts: unity

communion & meals: meals & communion

prayer: prayer

When believers gather together and pray, the Holy Spirit shows up, there are signs and wonders. Community prayer is powerful

shared with one another whatever they had, with generosity

side-note: if you’re just hanging out with people who are just like you, you’re missing out on the opportunity to share what you have with others and have them share with you .We need one another, not just another person just like yourself. (EXAMPLE)

met together regularly in the temple courts and homes: meet together regularly in homes and church…

just because you’re in a belong group doesn’t mean you don’t go to church and just because you go to church doesn’t mean you don’t get involved in a belong group, we need both if we are going to be in actual community with one another.

4 For as in one body we have many members,[e] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[f] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Diversity is more encompassing of the nature and character of God. The more diverse that we become as a body of believers, the greater our understanding of the character and nature of God becomes.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. -

Our community should be one of diversity, knit together by the gospel and the Holy Spirit. That we would come together and study the word together, fellowship, pray, share a meal and whatever else we have that the other needs. And when we truly do this a miraculous things happens They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.

This Christian community is not one of exclusiveness, but inclusiveness, the Lord added to their numbers daily…and not just a couple people, 3000 was recorded in this passage, 5000 in a few chapter down.

People Come to Life when we live in true community with one another, and the House is Built

Practically, here is what we have at Sozo Church to help facilitate growth in community

Here’s your challenge

B4 Discipleship Structure (Groups and Classes)

This week, connect with one another, share a meal, meet a need

B4 is the structure that we have designed for training Christ followers in their faith. It is made up of four components:

Big Picture, sign up and get trained to be a belong group leader or join a group this fall. We have training coming up, its simple, its mostly online with one class to follow, but be an active part of a belong group. Connect with those who you wouldn’t normally connect with because they’re not like you, and realize that you have all you need for genuine life changing powerful connection, and thats the good news of Jesus.

Begin | Begin provides opportunities for you to get involved in the Sozo Church community, meet the leadership team, and ask any questions you might have about the church.

We are in the middle of a series on How God Builds a House. And we have been taking a look at Genesis as the Lord established the earth, creation, and mankind and the genesis of the church in the book of Acts, as the Lord established the church. From the very beginning of creation the Lord said in Genesis 2:18 that it is not good for man to be alone, or all one, or singular, so he created Eve and He said to be fruitful and multiply. In Acts 2 we look at the early church and we see the Lord gather his people together in community for a greater purpose and today we are going to walk through a couple of scripture that reveal to us the importance of community when the Lord builds the house.

Belong | On a regular basis, members of Sozo Church invite you to gather in their homes for a Belong Group where we focus on building relationships, studying the Bible, and encouraging one another on this journey.

Let’s Pray

Build | Build classes focus on the practical ways that you can glorify God in your marriage, parenting, finances, and a variety of other areas.

Lets take a look at Acts 2 and the start of the church

Believe | Believe classes emphasize reading and interpreting the Bible, and understanding theology and doctrine.

2 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[a] 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.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

(Join Belong Groups, Build, and Believe classes at sozospokane.org/b4)

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Here’s your challenge

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] 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.

This week, connect with one another, share a meal, meet a need

As we look at these scriptures something pretty significant is happening in Acts 2:2, the people were all together, they are in one place, and then the Holy Spirit moves. The Holy Spirit moved so powerfully that in verse 5 it says that there were devote men from every nation under heaven, and at the sound the multitudes came together and they were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in their own language. I absolutely love what is happening here

Big Picture, sign up and get trained to be a belong group leader or join a group this fall. We have training coming up, its simple, its mostly online with one class to follow, but be an active part of a belong group. Connect with those who you wouldn’t normally connect with because they’re not like you, and realize that you have all you need for genuine life changing powerful connection, and thats the good news of Jesus.

believers are gathered together in prayer

the Holy Spirit moves in such a powerful way that more people come together

when they gather together, they hear of the mighty works of God in their own language

Powerful things happen when believers gather together.

One of the significant things that stuck out to me as I was meditating on these passages and really looking at what it means to gather together and to live life in community was how the people who gathered together heard of the mighty works of God in their own language, and that struck me, because so often as believers we want to share the gospel with people the way that makes us feel more comfortable and we want to be around believers who are like us or at least speak the same language as us, but none of that mattered. There were people from every nation, we have this diverse group that represents every nation, and they didn’t all learn a new language, they weren’t asked to change who they were, but the Lord spoke it them, they heard the gospel in their own language. And as we look at building community and the power that comes by living life with one another, I want us to remember that our communities should be diverse communities, and the thing that knits our hearts together is the gospel and the Holy Spirit.

Let’s continue on…

So everyone heard the gospel in their own languages

Those who received the word were baptized and 3000 people were added to them

And heres what they did, lets re-read it in Acts 2:42-47

42 Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings[bk] of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another,[bl] sharing communion[bm] and coming together regularly for prayer.[bn] 43 A deep sense of holy awe[bo] swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.[bp] 44 All the believers were in fellowship as one body,[bq] and they shared with one another whatever they had. 45 Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. 46 Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. 47 They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.[br]

When God build the House, this is what believers do…

devoted themselves to teaching: Bible Studies

mutual linked hearts: unity

communion & meals: meals & communion

prayer: prayer

When believers gather together and pray, the Holy Spirit shows up, there are signs and wonders. Community prayer is powerful

shared with one another whatever they had, with generosity

side-note: if you’re just hanging out with people who are just like you, you’re missing out on the opportunity to share what you have with others and have them share with you .We need one another, not just another person just like yourself. (EXAMPLE)

met together regularly in the temple courts and homes: meet together regularly in homes and church…

just because you’re in a belong group doesn’t mean you don’t go to church and just because you go to church doesn’t mean you don’t get involved in a belong group, we need both if we are going to be in actual community with one another.

Romans 12:4-8

4 For as in one body we have many members,[e] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[f] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Diversity is more encompassing of the nature and character of God. The more diverse that we become as a body of believers, the greater our understanding of the character and nature of God becomes.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. -John 13:35

Our community should be one of diversity, knit together by the gospel and the Holy Spirit. That we would come together and study the word together, fellowship, pray, share a meal and whatever else we have that the other needs. And when we truly do this a miraculous things happens Acts 2:47 They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.

This Christian community is not one of exclusiveness, but inclusiveness, the Lord added to their numbers daily…and not just a couple people, 3000 was recorded in this passage, 5000 in a few chapter down.

People Come to Life when we live in true community with one another, and the House is Built

Here’s your challenge

This week, connect with one another, share a meal, meet a need

Big Picture, sign up and get trained to be a belong group leader or join a group this fall. We have training coming up, its simple, its mostly online with one class to follow, but be an active part of a belong group. Connect with those who you wouldn’t normally connect with because they’re not like you, and realize that you have all you need for genuine life changing powerful connection, and thats the good news of Jesus.