Devoted

Devoted Pastor Greg Stansel Acts 2:42-47 November 14, 2021 Sermon Notes Snapshot: The Lord builds His Kingdom through the transformed lives of believers. I. Believers are transformed in devotion. II. Transformed lives reveal the Kingdom of God. III. The Lord builds His Kingdom through His church. Scripture references: Luke 6:12; Exodus 4:1–9; 1 Kings 17:17–24; Luke 24:25, 26, 44–48; Matthew 28:19, 20; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; 1 John 1:1–4; Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; Acts 20:7; Matthew 6:5; 1 Timothy 2:1; John 13:34; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17; Revelation 19:9; 1 Timothy 2:1–7 Connect How do you see Acts 2:42–47 reflected in Hauser Community Church? Study Point 1: Believers are transformed in devotion READ Romans 12:1–21 1) What is Paul’s command to the Roman church? What is the hope of this command? How does “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” help you understand devotion at a deeper level? 2) Identify the ways believers are transformed by devoting themselves to Paul’s teaching here in Romans 12. (If you want to have a deeper study, keep going to the end of Romans.) Point 2: Transformed lives reveal the Kingdom of God READ Romans 12:1–21 3) How does obeying Paul’s teaching in Romans help the surrounding world see the Kingdom of God (take your time and work through the whole passage)? How would not obeying this teaching distort the surrounding world’s view of the Kingdom of God? 4) On your own: identify where you need to allow the Holy Spirit to transform you and make a plan as to how you will devote yourself to that teaching until He does change you. As a group: develop a plan as to how you can check-in with one another this week and see how you are doing, prayers needed, encouragement, even rebuke (in a loving way). Point 3: The Lord builds His Kingdom through His church READ Ezekiel 37:15–28 5) How do we see this passage being fulfilled in Acts (I know there are different interpretations of this Ezekiel passage, but bear with me)? What causes the nations to know that Yahweh is Lord? 6) Can you recall the primary way the Lord builds His Kingdom through the church? Why is it important to remember that it is the Lord who builds His Kingdom and the church participates with Him? How do you see the Lord building His kingdom? Pray the passage O Lord our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You Lord are sovereign over all and you build your Kingdom just as you promised. May all the nations bless your name. Lord, forgive us for not devoting ourselves to the apostles teachings, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers as we ought. We often get wrapped up in our own kingdoms that we fail to seek your Kingdom first. Give us the devotion you require. Teach us through the writing of the Apostles and the rest of your Word. Draw this church together in fellowship so that the world sees our love for one another and knows that we are your disciples. Create in this body and among other believers the desire to develop intimate relationships. Make us a praying people who cry out to you day and night. May you use your church to continue building your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven as we wait for the coming of our King Jesus. May it be said of Hauser Community Church that we follow you and you Lord add to your kingdom day by day. In Jesus name we pray, amen. Memorize & Meditate “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Preparing for Next Week Read: Luke 3:1-26 Ask: questions of the text Pray: through text, for pastor as he prepares, for your heart to hear, for the congregation to hear, for all of us to be obedient.