Acts 2_42-47 One Mind, One Body, One Spirit
Secular: Clean Slate
Look at the white board…
· Working out a plan
· Things don ‘t go well… start over
Birth of the Church
· New Covenant
· Same game... new rules
God’s plan….
Clear picture
Biblical:
42 They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
Personal:
Quebec Referendum… never asked the real question
· Things aren’t what they appear
Beyblades… the real thing
· Battle Tops… Spin Tops
Bridge:
We get a picture in this scripture of the church
· God’s plan… the perfect plan (the Gospel)
· God’s plan… take imperfect people… bring them together with the perfect plan…
o United as People
o United in purpose
o United in one Faith in Jesus Christ
o One Body, One Mind, One Spirit
-The Church of Jesus Christ
Body:
Spiritual Duties:
42 They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer.
Apostle’s Teaching
· Recorded in Scripture
· Reiterate God’s Word
· Recount the Life and Teaching of Christ
· Record the inspired Word of God
Fellowship
· Love Growing Together
· Encouraging
· Supporting
· Practically and Spiritually
Ordinances
· The Lord’s Table and Baptism serve very important functions
o Baptism
§ Allegiance
§ Obedience
o Lord’s Table
§ Remembrance
§ Obedience
Prayer
· Corporate Dependence on God
· Communication with God
· Bringing needs
· Bringing Praises
** The Church has a duty to function in a certain way… because we believe we live these things out…
…not cheap grace… but costly grace
Spiritual Character
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.
· Willing to meet… fellowship/encourage
· Shared what they had… generous/giving/compassionate
· Worshipped each day… worshippers/God-focused
· Shared meals…
§ with joy (exp. Their faith)
§ with generosity (lived their faith)
· Praising God… exp. good will
· Worshippers exp. the good God has for them
** The Church has a duty to function in a certain way… because we believe we live these things out… we live our spiritual character …not cheap grace… but costly grace
Spiritual Impact:
47b And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
· Lighthouse
· Growing
· Strengthening
· Effective
· Committed
Conclusion:
Spiritual Duties – What you do because you believe
We are grounded in the Word
We fellowship (gather) to grow
We obey the ordinances…
We pray… we communicate with God
· Personally
· Corporately
Spiritual Character – Who you are because you believe
We are Willing Spirits (to meet… fellowship and encourage)
We are Generous and Giving
We are focused on God, God-first people… Worshippers
We share… it gives us joy
We experience the goodwill of the Family of God
We are worshippers who experience God
Spiritual Impact – What happens because you believe
You are a Lighthouse
You are Growing
You are Strengthened
You are effective
You are committed
Does this characterize You?
Does this characterize this church?
WHAT DO WE DO NOW!!