Acts 2:42-47 / Lifestyle
Notes
Transcript
Handout
One could argue that there isn’t a church in history that is more “sent” than the first century church, which began immediately after Pentecost. In the book of Acts, Luke gives us a brief description of that church. By observing these important characteristics, we can get a better idea of the core beliefs that should make up the church today, which is no less “sent”!
Acts 2:42-47
Acts 2:42-47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
They were Devoted
To persevere to the point of devotion.
Persevere – more than prolong.
Not just “putting their time in”.
Continue when it’s hard, uncomfortable, inconvenient, unpopular.
Speaks to the rearranging of their life’s priorities.
We all have the same amount of time in the week, but what will you do with yours?
What were they Devoted to?(two fold)
Apostles Teaching (and)
Fellowship,
Breaking of bread (meals with communion??)
The Prayers
Personally, pray in general
Intentionally pray with your church family.
And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
They were in Awe
What is Awe:
Reverential fear of God
Upon every soul
Became spiritually minded people
Not a materialistic church
Many signs and wonders
Can God still do this?….Yes
Is this a byproduct of being “in awe”?
When they became Spiritually minded they began to see the Sprit move.
Every soul was in awe!
And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
All who believed
Description is also a qualifier (the church)
Believed – In Christ
And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
Together and had all things in common.
This happens intentionally
This happens spiritually
Don’t just act in love…really love.
And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
They were meeting each other’s needs.
Benevolence for members
Benevolence vs. Outreach
Christian Charity AND Christian Responsibility
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Day by Day
Their changed hearts resulted in changed lifestyles.
Meeting together in temple AND breaking bread in their homes.
Temple was likely “Jewish temple”
They were devoted to apostles teaching.
You eventually saw the church grow and change.
Jesus didn’t remove the law He fulfilled it.
Major take away here is they did more than just meet together one hour per week.
When they DID meet… it was more than just going through the motions.
This series is titled “SENT”...
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
They were a part of something bigger than themselves … and people wanted to be a part of it.
“The Lord” added…God must call, but we must tell them.
God sent people their to be taken care of.
Are we the kind of church that God would want to bring someone?
Personal evangelism -