Fellowship of Believers (Part 4)

ME:

Pledge:

Passage: Acts 2:42-47

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

43 And awe 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.

Prayer:

Transition Statement: 9:00am service skip to Next transition statement - 11:00am service read ....

YOU:

I want to welcome Pastor Bradley and His youth group from Park Lake COTN in Clarksville TN

They are visiting with us today.

You’re coming in the middle of a series I have been preaching entitled “Fellowship of Believers.”

Today is PART 4 of this series.

Transition Statement: Let me recap for the sake of all who are with us this morning.

GOD:

First Church of the N.T.

Membership (3120)

Devoted - “Exclusively, Faithfully, Tirelessly” devoted to Christ

Teaching and Fellowship

Breaking of Bread and Prayer (Mention the start of our prayer meeting tonight 5:30pm)

This morning I want to look at this “encounter” with the Holy Spirit.

We are to have encounters with the H.S. (I would go as far as to say we should be in a permanent encounter with the H.S. each and every day).

When we look at the 4 practices of the First Church of the N.T. .....

When we are in God’s Word (there is an encounter)

When we are in corporate worship (there is an encounter)

When we are breaking bread (there is an encounter)

When we are praying (there is an encounter)

Let’s take a look at what happened during this encounter!

(43) And awe came upon every soul,

AWE (Greek: Phobos) in the context of most text it means “Reverence toward God”

Not amazed at that singers voice

Not amazed at the guy who tight-roped across the Grand Canyon

In AWE of a divine being (GOD)

All were in AWE (30,000-100,000)

Awe came upon ever soul (Believers / Non-Believers)

(43b) .... and many wonders and signs were being done ....

Wonders (Greek: Teras)

A Marvelous event manifesting a supernatural act of a divine being (God)!

Usually deviating from the course or law of Nature.

Signs (Greek: Semeion)

A Marvelous event manifesting a supernatural act of a divine being (God)!

Usually indicating or communicating a message

Wonder - Prayed for a healing: instantly the pain was gone.

Signs - Prayed for money: Checked mail box and received an IRS check

It’s important for us to note ...

God does WONDERS to reveal his power.

God does SIGNS to reveal His message (LOVE).

There is something else to point out from this verse ....

AWE didn’t happen because of the Wonders and signs.

Look at the structure of the verse ....

Awe (5) came (1) upon every soul (3 & 4) and many (6) wonders (7) and (9) signs (10)

This tells us then ..... Wonders and Signs took place because of the people’s AWE (Reverence toward God).

This encounter brought about Reverence Toward God by ALL! (All were in AWE)

And the Reverence Toward God brought about Wonders and Signs.

Transition Statement: When was the last time you witnessed Wonders and Signs manifesting before you by God?

YOU:

Could it be that the reason we haven’t is because of the LACK of Reverence Toward God.

And could it be that the lack of Reverence toward God is because of the absence of the H.S. in our lives (Hearts)?

When’s the last time you have had a Marvelous event manifesting a supernatural act of a divine being (God)?

Would you agree with me that God still longs to move in these ways ..... Wonders and Signs?

Even after this encounter with the H.S in the book of Acts God has continued to do Wonders and Signs.

I don’t have time for the exhausted list but here are a few to mention ....

- 1700-1800 “The Awakening” took place

- 1904-1905 Welsh Revival

- 1906 Azusa Street Revival

- 1950-2005 Billy Graham Crusades

Transition Statement: God is still longing to reveal His Power and Love through Wonders and Signs

WE:

He is looking for a 1st Church of the N.T. who is Exclusively, faithfully, tirelessly devoted to the teaching, the fellowship, the Breaking of Bread, and to Prayer

He is looking for a 1st Church of the N.T. who is in AWE of Him.

Reverence releases His Power

Reverence released His Love