The Pillars of a Healthy New Testament Church - Part 2 - Acts 2:40-47

January 12, 2020 am Highlands B. C. The Pillars Of A New Testament Church—Part II Acts 2:40-47 Introduction: I. Introduce Text => Acts 2:40-47 II. Illustration => Dr. Robert Jeffers, pastor of F. B. C. Dallas, TX tells of . . . A. Building bought by the church being demolished so the lot could be re-purposed B. Explosive devises were set up and at the appointed time, a ceremony, and then . . . C. Nothing . . . For three or four seconds then the building came down D. The foundation was destroyed by the explosion. Without these “pillars” to support the weight of the building, the weight of the building is what brought the building down into a pile of rubble III. The Construction of a Healthy New Testament Church A. The Cornerstone => Our Lord Jesus Christ 1. Matthew 16:16-18 2. 1 Corinthians 3:10-12 B. The Columns or Pillars of a Healthy, New Testament Church III. Read Text – Acts 2:40-47 IV. Pray Instruction: 1st Pillar = Evangelism (vv. 40, 47) 2nd Pillar = Discipleship (v. 42a) 3rd Pillar = Fellowship {Community} (vv. 42b, 44, 46b) 4th Pillar = Worship (vv. 42c, 46a, 47a) A. Definition of Worship 1. Jewish Understanding of the Word 1 A. To bow & kiss the ruler’s hand B Illustration — dog licking master’s hand C. To serve D. The Old Testament idea is therefore the reverential attitude of mind or body or both, combined with the more generic notions of religions adoration, obedience, service. 2 2. James MacDonald — “Worship is the magnification of GOD and the minimization of self.” 3 3. A. W. Tozer – “A true fear of God is a beautiful thing, for it is worship, it is love, it is veneration. It is a high moral happiness because God is. . . . [It] is to be so personally and hopelessly in love with God that the idea of a transfer of affection never even remotely exists.”4 B. Demonstration of their Worship (vv. 41, 42c) 1. Practices the Ordinances of the Church a. Baptism (41) b. LORD’S Supper (42c) 2. Public Worship together (47) a. Sing b. Pray c. Study GOD’S Word (42) 5th Pillar = Prayer (v. 42d; 3:1; 4:23-24a, 31) A. The Bible on Prayer 1. Expected to Pray => Matthew 6:5-7 2. Commanded to Pray => Matthew 7:7-8 B. David Jeremiah – The Prayer Matrix “God has hard-wired the universe to work through prayer. It’s breathtaking to realize that the all-powerful God intends you to have such a huge part in the work of ushering in His kingdom for all eternity.” C. The most important service we have at Highlands is our Wednesday evening Prayer Service! D. Practical Tips on Prayer—A. C. T. S. 1. A => Adoration—Praise => Glorifying the Lord for Who He is 2. C => Confession a. Psalm 66:18 (NKJV) => If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. b. Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV) => He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 3. T => Thanksgiving => Gratitude for What the Lord has done 4. S => Supplication 6th Pillar = Missions/Ministry (vv. 43, 45, 47b) A. The Demonstration of the Gospel (vv. 43, 45, 47b) 1. Ministered to the Sick (43) 2. Took care of their Own (45-46) B. The Distinction between Mission & Ministry 1. Living the Great Commandment => Matthew 22:37-40 * Loving God, Loving Others, and Teaching them to Do the Same 2. Ministry = Showing the Love of God to people in practical ways so that they want to respond to the Gospel a. Bread Ministry on Fridays b. Sewing on Fridays c. What can we do to Show our Community the Love of Jesus? d. What can you do to show your community and family the love of Jesus? e. Ministry without Missions is Social Work. Social helps people but does not bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus! 3. Missions = Sharing the Love of God with people clearly so they can respond to the Gospel a. Long-Term Mission => What we do in our “back yard” b. Short-Term Missions => Going somewhere to help someone else c. Missions without Ministry can send the wrong message. Folks do not care what you know until they know that you care! Invitation: I. Wrapping It Up A. Question—What happens when a structure separates or is dislodges from its foundation? B. Picture from Gulfport/Biloxi, MS after Katrina II. Appeals III. Pray