Acts 2:42-47

Wrong way

In November, 1975, 75 convicts started digging a secret tunnel designed to bring them up at the other side of the wall of Saltillo Prison in northern Mexico. On April 18, 1976, guided by pure genius, they tunneled up into the nearby courtroom in which many of them had been sentenced. The surprised judges returned all 75 to jail.

Christians without goals are a little like Alice in the fairy tale ALICE IN WONDERLAND. In a conversation between her and the Cheshire Cat, Alice asked, "Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the cat. "I don't much care where," said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the cat.

Acts 2:42 NASB95

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Be a teaching church

2 Timothy 4:1–3 NASB95

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,

2 Timothy 4:1–4 NASB95

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

Edify 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

One of the most important aspects of the church is its teaching ministry

Teaching must include:

Theology- why we believe what we believe

Practice- What the Christian walk looks like

Discipleship- This is what has lacked in the church in the past.

Be a loving church.

How many of you were personally discipled by someone?

Be a loving church.

2:17-21; 25-28; 33-36 The Spirit has come from the Son. 2:17-21, 33

George Barna says, “The church is designed to be a teaching center. [However], Christians don’t act like Christians because they don’t think like Christians. Christians don’t think like Christians because they don’t understand their faith.

GeorgeBarnawellsays,“Thechurchisdesignedtobeateaching center. [However], Christians don’t act like Christians because they don’t think like Christians. Christians don’t think like Christians because they don’t understand their faith.

Be a loving church.

Be a loving church.

(Barna Report, Spring 1998).

Be a loving church.

Be a loving church.

“Novelty is not necessary . . . regular, consistent teaching of Biblical truth is what every Christian needs.”

Be a loving church.

Acts 2:42 NASB95

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

John 13:35 NASB95

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Son has been raised by the Father. 2:25-28 The Father has exalted the Son 2:33-36

This week I saw the church act as it should.

The members of the

Be a praying church.

You all do a good job of this, but we can always do better.

Consider those in the church who you don’t know.

Who you don’t talk to on a regular basis.

Love them as well.

We are family based church, but we are getting more and more members who aren’t family associated. We have to love them too.

We are family. We have been bought by the blood of Christ. adopted.

Be a praying church.

Be a praying church.

Be a praying church.

Acts 2:42 NASB95

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:43 NASB95

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

Prayer is the source of our power.

God works in his sovereign will through the prayers of his people.

A prayerless church will be a powerless church.

“We move forward in the work of God on our knees. It was this way in the past and it will be this way in the future. A prayerless church will be a powerless church.”

Be a giving church.

Acts 2:44–45 NASB95

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Generous to each other and generous

The Saints Be a teaching church. Be a loving church. Be a praying church. Be a giving church. Be a worshipping church.

Be a worshipping church.

Acts 2:46–47 NASB95

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Become a growing church.

Matthew 16:18 NASB95

“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.