Birth of the Church
Notes
Transcript
What do I want them to know? The basics of the church
Why? It brings life, unity, awe, sings, and wonders, and growth externally and internally
What do I want them to do? Preach, Fellowship, apostles teaching (we have the word of God), breaking of bread, praying, praising, generous
Why? It brings life, unity, awe, sings, and wonders, and growth externally and internally
ME/WE
Basics are critically important to numerous avenues of life.
We see this in a game as simple as basketball.
The basics of basketball is your team needs to score points by shooting a basketball into a basketball hoop and also prevent another from scoring points in their basketball hoop.
There are many things you can do well in basketball, you can dribble well, have amazing uniforms, great basketball plays, an amazing stadium but if you cannot shoot the ball into the basketball hoop and try to prevent the other team from scoring IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING ELSE WELL IF YOU CANNOT SCORE POINTS AND PREVENT POINTS.
We see this in marriage. Basics are important
A married couple can go on elaborate dates, live in a big house, buy each other expensive gifts, talk/communicate well, but if there is not the basics of Christ like love and respect it is a fruitless endeavor.
THIS IS TRUE WITH THE CHURHC TOO.
There are numerous things, numerous events, ministries, good things that church CAN do, and we should do, what scripture says is there are 7 things the early church BASIC THINGS WE MUST DO,
it will not matter if you have a big church, great ministries, if you do not have these 7 things and in fact you can have a mega church without these things.
AND DO NOT PRACTICE THE FIRST MISSION CRITICAL THINGS WE MUST DO....there are 7 things we must do but the first thing is the most important thing..... (We will not be covering all 7 today, but we will be cover the first thing, the mission critical thing…if we do not have the first thing we do not have the church, (the church is not the building but the body of believers, the Saints) it is the thing that works the 5 miracle on the birth church for 3000 people.
TENSION
What is the mission critical thing we must do? If we do not do it we do not have a church?
PREACH THE GOSPEL, PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL
preach that we are sinners in need of a savior
That Jesus has come to save rescue and redeem the sinners.
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
Maybe it might not be what people want to hear, but it is was people need to hear....it is the Good News that brings life
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Some of you have hear this a 1,000 times....We need to preach, proclaim, and share Gospel.
Where I want to go today is talk about how do we that, how do we share the Gospel?
I want to talk about the most repeated way the Gospel is shared, proclaimed and preached in the Bible....this is not the only way, but it is the dominate way.
The dominate, most repeated way the Gospel is shared is it has 5 components to it
I AM SURE THIS WILL BE A SHOCKER TO YOU BUT THE DOMINATE APPROACH IS NOT HOLDING UP SIGNS SAYING “TURN OR BURN” “HELL FOR THE SEXUALLY IMMORAL” or STREET PREACHERS SHOUTING IT.
1 Cor 1 points out the Gospel is already offensive to those who are unbelievers, but we don’t need to be.
I will do an overview
Witness/testify/share common ground
There is Biblical conviction not Pete’s conviction, or you conviction, we are not Holy Spirit.
Biblical Truth
There is power in the Word
Revelation
Or suppression
Salvation
Let’s read the first sermon every preached, which is a sermon that preaches the Gospel
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—
We see Peter, preach the Christian first sermon, He preaches the Gospel
PETER!?!
The disciple who denied Jesus 3 times 50 days earlier
Who was a fisherman (a blue color worker not a social elite)
Uneducated
From Galilee
Something has changed in Peter, He has been RESTORED BY JESUS empowered by Holy Spirit
You have no idea what God will chose to do through a person who give their heart to him....even after a failure.
This is not no small crowd…they said during the feast of Pentecost there were up to 500,000 people in Jerusalem, a town that is normal 30,000-40,000 people.
22: Peter starts off with witnessing…You all know Jesus and many of them had seen Jesus do mighty works and signs,
Peter starts off on common ground, testifying and witnessing.
Let’s talk about this Jesus whom you all know.
Christmas and Easter
This is something we can all do especially at Easter and Christmas where Jesus is everywhere.
Crosses and Jesus is the reason
And it is easier to share about Jesus
Or you have an experience like Phillip had with an Ethiopian eunuch where the eunuch is reading the book of Isaiah but can’t understand it and the eunuch
Acts 8:29-31
And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”
So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
The Spirit leads
I have had these experiences in public and coffee shops
They don’t have a Bible but they are talking about God and it gives me and opportunity to share because they are already there.
Pay attention to the SEASON and SPIRIT
PAY THIS WILL HAPPEN TO YOU
THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME WE CAN SHARE
2. Seeking
Others times we can share is when people are seeking…some out right seeking, others do not know they are seeking God.
WE SEE THE LATER, A PERSON NOT SEEKING GOD IN John 4, with a women at the well.
Jesus is thirsty and goes to the well to ask a women from Samaria for water, and then tells the woman that He can give her living water that will satisfy her soul, this never ending…the thing she but Jesus
5 husbands....you have been trying to meet this soul need with MEN and it can only be filled by Jesus....she comes to Jesus
John 4:39
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”
Jesus is the other thing can satisfy
We see this in friends, family members, divine encounters
People going after
Men or women
Sex
Ambition
Money
We can say to them those do not satisfy, some have a testimony.
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Some are people who are outwardly Spiritually seeking…We are in spiritual time people practicing MINDFULNESS, CRYSTALS, SPIRITUALITY....some people are Spiritually open.....this can lead to good or tensions conversation (remember we wrestle not with flesh and blood)
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.
For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
3. Pain
Your pain, or the pain you went through can be the avenue for you greatest proclamation of the Gospel.
““God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
““God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
I have went through anxiety and depression....God has healed me and brought me threw that situation and has given me a aveneue to talk to people struggling with anxiety and depression.
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
They way some of us are going to share the Gospel is through you pain. It is your pain that are going to be able to relate, testify, find common ground with others.
Some of you, you can share about God redeeming you through
Addictions
Divorces
Robyn…what men meant for evil, God turn for good.
Deaths
Adultery
Some of you here have had or going through difficult pain in regards to Mothers Day because it is a reminder to you that your child is not here, whether that be physically or relationally.
Some of you are going to help women through the pain as God helped you through the pain.
The enemy knows that one of the greatest avenues where God will use you to proclaim the Gospel is through your healed pain.
So what the enemy will do is get you not to deal with your pain and to stuff it and keep quite.
Scripture says take it to Jesus
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
AFTER WITNESSING/TESTIFYING/COMMON GROUND
Where do we see Jesus, Paul, and Peter lead to them to? Biblical conviction…not Paul’s conviction, not Peter’s conviction.
2. CONVICTION
We see Jesus do this with the woman at the well…those men are not your savior
Paul in Acts 17....Jesus is thee God not all the other God’s
In our own life....WE come to find out that we are a sinner in need of a savior.
Romans 2:4
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Peter does the same thing
Let’s talk about what you did to Jesus
He wants to show them what they have done to Jesus. What we have done to Jesus
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
23: It was God’s plan for Jesus to be delivered up…people thought crucifying Jesus would stop God’s plan, but it all move God’s plan all along (Jesus’ death will end it and we can move on)
Peter brings God’s conviction....You crucified and killed by lawless man…now did some of them crucify and kill Jesus? yes, some in the crowd were there but many were not....so how can Peter say “you crucified Jesus?” How can Peter say, “We crucified Jesus?”....It is because our sin put Jesus on the cross, though we were not there we were there.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
Yes we did not put Jesus on the tree 2000 years ago, it was our sin that put Him there.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
3. Preaches Biblical Truth (power in the Word)
Peter brings conviction and then Peter brings Biblica TRUTH…Biblical authority....I’ve been using all it all along…but Peter has not yet.
I want you to know this is not Peter talking…this is back up by Biblical truth.
this is not Peter talking or some namby pamby talking
This is God’s Word
There is power in God’s word
Same with us we need the power of the Word
What does Peter preach? The Old Testament
What was His audience full of.
Peter does not preach his words or what he felt like or wanted
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
Context is this is Jewish people.
Who are a celebration feast
Who know the Bible
Ps 16:8-11
Corruption = death
Many people thought this Psalm was about David but it is about
Peter is saying this Psalm is not about David....David dies....
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,
SHOW PICTURES
Let me tell you about who this Psalm is about, it’s about Jesus
Jesus is the one who defeats death
When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peter continues
Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,
he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
PETER PREACHES IT
PREACHES THE GOSPEL
JESUS IS LORD
JESUS COMES TO SAVE
JESUS IS RAISE FROM THE DEAD
JUST LIKE OUR FATHER DAVID SAID WOULD HAPPEN.
4. Revelation and salvation for many, suppression for others
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
CUT TO THE HEART....that’s the power of God’s Word.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
REPENT…change direction, change your thinking,
Peter says now that God has given you revelation it is time to repent to receive your salvation and 3000 people come to know Jesus.
3000 people go from death to life....a miraculous event…God used a once denier of Jesus, Galileen, a no nothing fisherman,
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
EVEN GREATER NEWS IS, it’s not just for them
For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
God mission Critical for the church and who’s the church....we are the church
Love God
Love Others
Preach the Gospel
Best way to love someone is tell them about Jesus, the hope of the world, the person who brings people from death.
All other things are secondary
This will bring us the most joy,
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Testify
Bring Gospel conviction
Biblical authority
Pray for revelation and salvation
Who can you testify to?
Pray for it, believe in it.
