SF828 - BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF A LOCAL CHURCH - 3 of 5 THE SECRET TO STEADFAST FAITHFULNESS(Acts 2 42)
Acts 2:42
Introduction
There can be no healthy Christian life in isolation. Anyone who is deprived of the privileges of fellowship will doubtless receive God’s special help, but the deliberate neglect of this means of grace will inevitably lead to spiritual coldness and uselessness.
The writer to the Hebrews must have had this in mind when he wrote:
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV) 24And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
How important it is, therefore, that we should continue steadfastly in the fellowship! This can only be accomplished when we are actively involved with a local body of believer.
The church has taken something of a beating over the past twenty years. Some of the criticism has been unfair and unnecessary. But, some I must admit has been justified.
In many ways, the church has lost touch with our society. We have grown soft on issues and our message has not always been clear. Unfortunately, we have not always been the salt and light Jesus has called us to be.
Yet, with all of these problems I submit that the church is still God’s chosen people who are to proclaim by word and deed His message of salvation. Things have changed in the church because church members have changed. We have lost sight of who we are and why we exist.
This morning we will go back and re-examine the early church in order to rediscover who we are, why we exist and why every Christian should be an active member of a local church.
Let us examine what the first church members were like what were their traits?
1A. They were a Saved People (41a)
Their conversion (36-38)
Regeneration is required (36)
Ø Conscious of sin
Regeneration is received (37)
Ø Conviction of sin
Regeneration is realized (38)
Ø Repentance
Ø Remission
Ø Possession
2A. They were a Separated People (41b)
Their confession
Baptism required great commitment
Baptism required great courage
Baptism implied great consistency
3A. They were a Steadfast People (42)
Their commitment
To the Word of God – “apostles’ doctrine”
To the People of God – “fellowship”
To the Worship of God – “breaking of bread”
To the Son of God – “prayers”
4A. They were a Spirit-Filled People (43)
Their communion
Through worship – “fear”
Ø Not a fear that causes us to flee but a reverence that causes us to fall down.
Through wonders (signs)
5A. They were a Sacrificial People (44-45)
Their charity
Was based on their community (44)
Ø Togetherness
Ø Generosity in giving
Was blessed by their compassion (45)
Ø No prejudice
6A. They were a Sold-Out People (46)
Their consistency
In unity – “one accord”
Ø Not uniformity
In ministry – “in the temple…”
7A. They were a Soul-Winning People (47)
Their commission
Praised God – recognized God’s work
Protected their testimony – realized their role
Participated in the harvest – received God’s blessings
Application
Do you truly want to live a life of steadfast faithfulness?
Take this test…
Am I a saved person?
Am I a separated person?
Am I a steadfast person?
Am I a Spirit-filled person?
Am I a sacrificial person?
Am I a sold-out person?
Am I a soul-winning person?
BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF A LOCAL CHURCH
The Secret to Steadfast Faithfulness – Part 3 of 5
Sunday, April 18, 1999
Acts 2:42
1A. They were a _____________________ People (41a)
Their _______________________ (36-38)
Regeneration is ________________ (36)
Regeneration is received (37)
Regeneration is ________________ (38)
2A. They were a ___________________ People (41b)
Their _________________________
Baptism required great ____________________
Baptism required great courage
Baptism implied great _____________________
3A. They were a _____________________ People (42)
Their ______________________
To the ____________ of God
To the ______________ of God
To the _______________ of God
To the _______________ of God
4A. They were a __________-___________ People (43)
Their __________________
Through _____________________
Through _________________ (signs)
5A. They were a ___________________ People (44-45)
Their _________________________
Was based on their ___________________ (44)
Was blessed by their __________________ (45)
6A. They were a ____________-_________ People (46)
Their consistency
In ____________________
In _____________________
7A. They were a _______-______________ People (47)
Their _______________________
____________ God
Protected their __________________________
Participated in the _____________________
Application
Take this test…
Am I a ______________ person?
Am I a ________________ person?
Am I a _________________ person?
Am I a Spirit-filled person?
Am I a _________________ person?
Am I a ___________-___________ person?
Am I a soul-winning person?