Main Point: Our desire as you rediscover Church is that you would become faithful followers of Jesus, devoted to discipleship, fellowship and generosity.
Acts 2:42-47 ESV
42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Devotion to Discipleship: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching”
- He says: “awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles” (43)
- The apostles teaching was both doctrine and demonstration
1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power”
- Our discipleship should be “doctrine and demonstration”
Devotion to Fellowship: “They devoted themselves to fellowship”
- Church is a place of fellowship
- Fellowship: Koinonia- not just getting together but a “sharing” or “participation”
- Fellowship is breaking bread and prayer
Acts 2:46 ESV
46a And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes
Devotion to Generosity: “They had everything in common”
Acts 2:46-47 ESV
46b“they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
- Community is a place of radical generosity
Acts 4:32-37 ESV
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
- “One heart and soul, everything in common” (fellowship leads to generosity)
Acts 5:1-6 ESV
1“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
Conclusion:
We want to be devoted disciples, characterized by:
- Doctrine and Demonstration
- Fellowship over Formula
- Radical Generosity
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