The Fellowship of the Believers

HOOK

TURN OFF CALENDAR BREAK

TURN OFF CAFFEINE

DO NOT FORGET TO UNMUTE

It’s TUESDAY the 22nd day of September— First day of Fall 2020

Last Thursday we looked at how the Peter’s Sermon concluded— and it ended up with the following principles:

I BELIEVED THAT JESUS IS THE LORD AND MESSIAH

I WAS BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST

I BELONG TO HIS CHURCH

That sermon from Peter marked the birth of the church of Jesus Christ with around 3,000 added to their number that day

Now let’s look at the events that took place afterwards— let’s see how the church had evolved

How did our early Christian brothers and sisters practiced fellowship?

Our passage to study this morning is the core biblical basis of our mission and advocacy— Home Churches— The Sim’s Family [Rima, Joel and Jamila], decided to open up their home in Clairemont as Home Church and I’ll be preaching the Word at their house on October 18th

There are (4) simple criteria to become a Home Church HOST:

Heart for people

Open up your home

Serve some snacks

Turn on your TV

It’s pretty easy to become a Home Church Host! If you’re prompted to open up your home, send me a message! Meanwhile, let me take you to the biblical basis of Home Churches— Open your Bible to ACTS 2:42-47— Once you get there type, “Let’s see how the church started!”

And again, whenever you’re studying God’s Word— look for words that defines that CHARACTER of God, COMMANDS to obey, PROMISES to claim, good EXAMPLES to follow and bad examples to avoid, ENCOURAGEMENTS & CHALLENGES to keep you going, reasons to be THANK GOD for, PRAYERS to pray

READ ACTS 2:42-47

BOOK

Acts 2:42–47 NLT

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to 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 in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money 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 fellowship those who were being saved.

WHAT: Fellowship of the Believers

WHERE: Jerusalem

WHEN: The days following Pentecost where the Holy Spirit came on them, and when Peter delivered his very first sermon in response to the wandering of those who witness them spoke in tongues

WHO: Apostles and group of believers— The Church

WHY: The 5 unchanging biblical purposes of the church was exercised here— let me take you to where these 5 purposes was derived from— MATTHEW 22:36-40 [WORSHIP, MINISTRY] and MATTHEW 28:19-20 [EVANGELISM, FELLOWSHIP, DISCIPLESHIP]

Let me show you how they practiced all of these 5 unchanging biblical purposes of the church

LOOK

THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE APOSTLES’ TEACHINGS AND TO FELLOWSHIP

Discipleship— The process of training people incrementally in some discipline or way of life

Fellowship— [Greek word “koinonia” Strongs #2842 which means partnership, participation, intercourse] communal association for the mutual benefit of those involved. The essence of the Christian life

ALL THE BELIEVERS WERE TOGETHER

Togetherness is the most essential part of being a church— in 2019 our theme was “You Belong”, in 2020 it was “Together”, and this coming year it will be “Stronger Together”

THEY SOLD PROPERTY AND POSSESSIONS TO GIVE TO ANYONE WHO HAD NEED

That’s ministry! Jesus said love your neighbor as yourself. Caring about others and not just yourself! Keyword is “give”— God gave His only Son!

THEY BROKE BREAD IN THEIR HOMES AND ATE TOGETHER WITH SINCERE HEARTS

The temple courts belonged to Judaism [Jewish Religion] they went there to Evangelize— Christians gathered in “homes”— Apostle Paul taught from house to house look— ACTS 20:20

PRAISING GOD AND ENJOYING THE FAVOR OF ALL THE PEOPLE

Praising God! In other words worshipping God!— that’s Worship!— and finally..

THE LORD ADDED TO THEIR NUMBER DAILY THOSE WHO ARE BEING SAVED

That’s how the church grew— gathering at homes practicing the 5 unchanging biblical purposes of the church— WORSHIP, MINISTRY, EVANGELISM, FELLOWSHIP & DISCIPLESHIP

TOOK

THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING

THE CHURCH STARTED IN HOMES

HOME CHURCH IS BIBLICAL

SING

Lincoln Brewster— Today is the Day!